Featured Topic
Cowboys RB
Last post I mentioned that running backs will break down as the season wore on, and sure enough Felix Jones suffered a setback and will be out 2-4 weeks. I suggested you grab Tashard Choice or DeMarco Murray, but I actually have another name for you. Phillip Tanner. This kid is quick and most resembles Felix, but will probably only get a few touches at first. The situation will be similar to the Chiefs, and Tanner will be a better version of Dexter McCluster… Murray is the sleeper (who most people have already snagged) and Tanner is the deep sleeper that might win you a playoff game in Week 14, 15, or 16. I am down on Choice – he’ll be primarily used for pass blocking.
The Rest
QB
There were a couple of new developments at Quarterback this week. This is obvious, but do not touch Christian Ponder. Alternatively, Carson Palmer is a must add. Palmer never had players like McFadden, Bush, Ford, Heyward-Bay, or Boss while he was in Cincinnati. He will have a couple of rusty games to start off, but if you have an inconsistant quarterback now, Palmer should be crucial in a couple of weeks.
Tebow time! Syke… Lots of analysts are saying Tebow is going to be a solid fantasy starter. There is NO WAY Tebow is worth starting unless you’re in a 14 or 16 team league and your QB was Jason Campbell. If you’re extremely thin, you can grab him and use him sparingly, but Fox is going to pound the ball from here on out. No Brandon Lloyd means no Tebow for me.
Speaking of Lloyd, I am buying low on Sam Bradford. He’s had a rough start but Lloyd knows this offense and he was a big pick up for the Rams. They have a horrible defense, which means they’ll be playing catch up and throwing far too often for Bradford to be off your roster.
RB
Not much news this week for running backs. See last week’s article for a solid run-down of second half predictions.
One item worth mentioning is that I’ve been seeing some people drop Knowshon Moreno, thinking that Willis McGahee is the man in Denver. Take advantage of this and grab Moreno if you can. McGahee is going to break down and Moreno is about to get a ton more looks now that Tebow is in.
Another RB update is that the Saints are apparently completely phasing out Pierre Thomas’s touches. Sproles fits their offense perfectly, and Ingram will be getting the red zone looks. Unless one of these guys gets hurt, Thomas will be far too inconsistant to rely on.
WR
Despite the media hype, don’t worry about Terrell Owens. Let someone else pick him up and waste a roster spot.
One injury update is that Mike Wallace has a pulled hamstring. This worries me because he’s a speedster and often required to sprint in order to get open and be productive. I think the Steelers will be very conservative with their young star, and spread the ball to Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. Hines Ward is worth a flex spot in Week 7 if Wallace can’t go.
This is the stretch of the season where real teams prove themselves (Eagles, Steelers) and pretenders begin to fade (Bills, 49ers, Lions). The NFL is a league of haves and have-nots, and media spin shouldn’t sway your opinion too much on guys who know how to get it done. Barring injury, you should buy low on high fantasy draft picks that others have given up on. Sell high on early season stars and reap the benefits for the rest of the season.
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