Wide ReceiversNate Burleson, Lions - As long as
Shaun Hill can get healthy enough to play, Burleson has trends and matchup working in his favor this week. In four games (two each with Hill and
Matthew Stafford) since returning from his ankle injury, Burleson has averaged eight targets, six receptions, and yards while totaling three TDs. He's a hot WR3 candidate traveling to Buffalo for a matchup against a the league's most generous defense at 29.1 points allowed per game.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Mike Thomas, Jaguars - Thomas gets the same matchup alert that set
Seyi Ajirotutu off last week. The Texans have allowed a whopping 28.1 fantasy points to opposing wide receiver this season.
Marcedes Lewis and
Mike Sims-Walker are always better bets for touchdowns, but Thomas could end catching seven or eight balls this week. He's a top 35 option even in standard scoring leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in as a matchup play
James Jones, Packers - After a Week 8 disappearing act, Jones finally came through with the 8/123/1 breakout game against the Cowboys. While
Donald Driver is expected to use the bye week to put the nagging quadriceps injury behind him, there's a risk of re-injury -- especially with an aging receiver. Jones may not be a viable WR3 candidate at Minnesota in Week 11, but he's worth picking up as a high-upside stash.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Blair White, Colts - Blair has already set to takeover fourth receiver duties with
Anthony Gonzalez once again out of the picture. After
Austin Collie's ugly concussion in Week 9, there's now a strong chance that he'll take over slot duties for this week's matchup against the Bengals.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Louis Murphy, Raiders - Murphy promises that he'll be good to go coming out of the Raiders' Week 10 bye. With the Oakland offense showing signs of life for the first time in years, there's value to be had in the Raiders' top receiver. Murphy was unquestionably the top choice early in the season, but he may have to hold off
Jacoby Ford starting this week. There's still some breakout potential here.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Seyi Ajirotutu, Chargers - Ajirotutu responded to last week's "matchup alert" with 111 yards and two touchdowns at Houston. Those in shallow leagues will want to pass on Tutu this week with the Bolts on bye and
Malcom Floyd,
Vincent Jackson, and
Legedu Naanee set to return shortly thereafter. There is some question as to whether Floyd's hamstring will be ready for Week 11, so Tutu could end up worthy of a one more start before V-Jax debuts in Week 12.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Jacoby Ford, Raiders - Coach Tom Cable ought to re-think his inclination to stick with
Jason Campbell. The Raiders won because of Ford and in spite of Campbell in Week 9. The speedster's talent shone through in a series of clutch catches late in the game and overtime, but it's worth asking if those circus catches and bombs can be repeated. It's also highly questionable as to whether he will remain a starter with
Louis Murphy (lung) due back after the bye. The talent is real, but the situation is murky at best. Ford is only a WR5/6 statsh for now.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Nate Washington, Titans - I'm not convinced that Washington has the skill-set to advantage of
Randy Moss' presence the way
Wes Welker and
Percy Harvin have done. Washington is more of a deep threat, and he doesn't exploit the middle of the field. If Moss is eased into the offense, though, Washington could end up leading the team in targets at Miami this week. He's a high-risk WR3 option.
Recommendation: Worth a look as bye-week fill-in
Bernard Berrian, Vikings - Berrian is coming off season highs of 11 targets, nine catches, and 89 yards after
Brett Favre passes for a career-high 446 yards in the Vikings' comeback win over the Cardinals. It's nice to see Berrian making good on that $43 million contract for one game, but he's going to be a risky play going forward with
Sidney Rice (hip) set to return this week or next.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Brandon Gibson, Rams - Gibson has averaged six targets per over the past four games compared to three for
Laurent Robinson. With
Danario Alexander coming off a knee scope, Gibson is the Rams' best bet as a matchup play against the 49ers and Falcons the next two weeks. For now, he's only a deep-league option.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Long-Term Fliers: Earl Bennett,
David Nelson,
Laurent Robinson,
Chaz Schilens,
Brian HartlineBennett is worth a look in PPR leagues. ... Nelson is the likely replacement for
Roscoe Parrish in the slot. ... Robinson and Schilens are injury-riddled wild cards. ... I'm still not buying Hartline as an acceptable WR3 candidate.
Cut Bait: Darrius Heyward-Bey,
Wes Welker,
Kevin Walter,
Brandon Tate,
Deion Branch,
Roy Williams,
David Gettis,
Anthony Gonzalez,
Devery Henderson,
Roscoe Parrish,
Golden TateDHB is outplayed by whichever receiver lines up on the opposite side. ... Welker can't top 50 yards without
Randy Moss. He's worth dropping in deeper leagues. ... Walter hasn't caught a pass in three games. ... Tate and Branch cancel each other out. ... Gonzalez and Parrish are done for the season.
Hold Off Mohamed Massaquoi,
Arrelious Benn,
Jordy Nelson,
Greg Camarillo,
Michael JenkinsThe Browns don't use their receivers enough for Massaquoi to be a breakout candidate. ... Benn is still getting just one target per week. ... Nelson is on bye. ... Camarillo is still no better than fourth on the depth chart. ... Jenkins isn't worth picking up with
Roddy White (knee) expected to play Thursday.
As I pointed out in Monday's
Morning After column, the Texans' pass defense is a fantasy rock this season. They entered Week 9 allowing 24, 27, 27, 24, 31, 31 and 30 points in their first seven games. Despite missing his All-Pro tight end and his top three (arguably four) wideouts,
Philip Rivers torched the overmatched secondary for 29 points and four TDs.
Houston's young corners have been torched for a league-worst average of 300 yards, 2.5 TDs, and 25.1 fantasy points per week. To put their ineptitude into perspective, opposing quarterbacks have posted a completion rate of 67.7 in addition to 8.2 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 107.7. Every quarterback they face is the best quarterback in the league that week.
This week, it's
David Garrard's turn, coming off five TDs of his own against the Cowboys. With the exception of the concussion game against the Titans, Garrard has averaged an eye-popping 27.9 fantasy points over the past month while throwing up 11 TDs in three games. He may be flying under the radar, but Garrard is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league since early October.
With elite starters
Philip Rivers,
Aaron Rodgers, and
Drew Brees on bye this week, Garrard has reached QB1 status in a matchup made to be exploited. Along for the ride, are
Mike Sims-Walker,
Marcedes Lewis, and
Mike Thomas. While Sims-Walker and Lewis are already owned in over three-fourths of all CBSSports.com leagues, Thomas is widely available as a legit WR3 option this week.
On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 10. Full writeups of each player are below.
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Quarterbacks1.
David Garrard2.
Vince Young3.
Shaun Hill4.
Kevin Kolb5.
Derek Anderson6.
Troy Smith7.
Matt Hasselbeck8.
Jason CampbellRunning Backs1.
C.J. Spiller2.
Mike Goodson3.
Tashard Choice4.
Jason Snelling5.
Derrick Ward6.
Clinton Portis7.
Javarris James8.
Tyrell Sutton**
Reggie Bush is owned in 82 percent of CBSSports.com leagues. He should be owned in 100 percent considering the Saints backfield woes.
Wide Receivers1.
Nate Burleson2.
Mike Thomas3.
James Jones - Week 10 bye
4.
Blair White5.
Louis Murphy - Week 10 bye
6. Seyi Ajirotutu - Week 10 bye
7.
Jacoby Ford - Weeek 10 bye
8.
Nate Washington9.
Bernard Berrian10.
Brandon Gibson**
Sidney Rice and
Vincent Jackson are both in over 70 percent of CBSSports.com leagues. They should be owned in 100 percent at this point.
Tight Ends1.
Tony Moeaki2.
Joel Dreessen3.
Tony Scheffler4.
Jimmy Graham**
Brandon Pettigrew is a top-10 option at Buffalo, but he's already owned in 67 percent of CBSSports.com leagues.
Defense/Special Teams1. Buccaneers
2. Cardinals
QuarterbacksDavid Garrard, Jaguars - What you might not have known about Garrard this season: He's on pace for a career-high in TDs, completion percentage, and fantasy points per week. He's posted a passer rating over 122.0 in 4-of-7 starts and his season rating of 98.8 is higher than
Peyton Manning's (96.1). Against the Texans this week, Garrard is the No. 7 fantasy QB option in Rotoworld's Season Pass rankings.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Vince Young, Texans - Young is second in the NFL in passer rating (only
Michael Vick's 105.3 is better than V.Y.'s 103.1), and he's added
Randy Moss for the second half. More importantly, he faces the league's two most generous secondaries three times in the next six weeks. Mixed in are matchups against the Redskins (fourth-most QB points) and Colts (17th).
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Shaun HIll, Lions - In games where Hill has played all four quarters, he has averaged 24.2 fantasy points, which would place him second only to
Philip Rivers. That's the rub, though. Although Hill (fractured foream) was unable to take snaps from under center or hand off with his right hand last week, he's talking like he'll push to play at Buffalo this week with
Matthew Stafford out once again. There's some risk of in-game aggravation, but the matchup would leave Hill as a borderline QB1 option.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Kevin Kolb, Eagles - With
DeSean Jackson back healthy and the Eagles' offense clicking on all cylinders, Kolb should be owned in the majority of 12-team leagues going forward.
Michael Vick owners should look to deal their other quarterback if he's a QB1 or drop him for Kolb if he's merely a QB2. Yes, Kolb is the rare "QB handcuff."
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Derek Anderson, Cardinals - Stronger than expected early in the season, the Seahawks defense is in tatters after giving up season-best games to
Jason Campbell and
Eli Manning in successive weeks. It's hard to imagine Anderson ever being a recommended play in this column, but there are worse options this week. With
Larry Fitzgerald coming alive, Anderson has actually graduated to low-end QB2 for Week 10.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Troy Smith, 49ers - Smith will draw a second straight start against the Rams this week, but the matchup isn't as attractive as you might believe. The Rams have surrendered just the 23rd-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through nine weeks. Smith is only an option in two-quarterback leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues
Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - The twilight of Hasselbeck's career will continue after the Seahawks decided to hold him out rather than throwing him to the Giants' wolves last week. Hasselbeck has a plumb matchup against a Cardinals offense allowing the 11th-most points to opposing quarterbacks, but his own offense has been punchless the past two weeks. He's only a desperation play in Week 10.
Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues
Jason Campbell, Raiders - Coach Tom Cable is inclined to stay with the hot hand even if Campbell's hand was far from hot against the Chiefs. He can thank
Jacoby Ford's circus catches and Hue Jackson's play-calling for the comeback victory because he failed to pick up first downs on eight of his first nine possessions. Though Campbell is averaging 20 fantasy points per game over his last three starts, he's a poor use of a roster spot this week with the Raiders on bye.
Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues
Fliers: Colt McCoy,
Drew Stanton,
Tony PikeMcCoy is a good bet to remain the Browns' starter, but he's a poor fantasy bet with Revis Island returning to the Jets. ... Stanton could end up starting in Buffalo if
Shaun Hill isn't ready. ... Pike has a shot to take over the Panthers offense, but he won't be a fantasy option.
Cut Bait: Chad Henne,
Charlie Whitehurst,
Matt Moore,
Jimmy ClausenHenne can be dropped in deeper leagues after his three-interception performance in Baltimore. There's now danger that he could be pulled for
Tyler Thigpen or
Chad Pennington.
Running BacksC.J. Spiller, Bills - After shunning major needs at quarterback and left tackle, the Bills targeted Spiller at No. 9 overall last April -- and promptly excluded him from their first-half offense. With just one score and five carries per week, Spiller is now owned in just over half of all CBSSports.com leagues. In a down week for running back options, he's worth picking up in hopes that he'll see a few more looks with
Roscoe Parrish out for the season.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Mike Goodson, Panthers - The Bucs surrender the fifth-most fantasy points and the second-highest yards per carry to opposing backs, so the Panthers' Week 10 starter has value.
DeAngelo Williams (foot sprain) is aiming for a return this week, but there's still no indication from the team that it will happen. With
Tyrell Sutton (ankle) also banged up, Goodson could end up seeing 15-20 touches at Tampa. This is a backfield picture to track throughout the week.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Tashard Choice, Cowboys - One can only hope that interim coach Jason Garrett opts to play his best players instead of rewarding seniority as Wade Phillips did in the backfield. There have been whispers of an expanded role for Choice over the past few weeks, and it may finally come to fruition with the coaching change. If
Felix Jones is going to pass "protect" like he did in Green Bay, Choice could even end up with double-digit touches per week.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Jason Snelling, Falcons - With the bye weeks coming to a close, Snelling is still owned in just 45 percent of all CBSSports.com leagues. After proving last season and again early this year that he's good for borderline RB1 production as a fill-in, that number should be at 100 percent in leagues of 12 teams or more.
Michael Turner owners should have learned from last season that they need Snelling on hand the rest of the way as insurance.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Derrick Ward, Texans -
Arian Foster owners are in the same category as
Michael Turner owners. Foster is arguably the most valuable running back property in fantasy, and he needs to be protected the rest of the way with a handcuff. Ward is averaging a highly effective 6.6 yards per carry and 8.3 yards per reception as Foster's backup.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Clinton Portis, Redskins - Keep expectations low on Portis. He's already practicing this week, but coach Mike Shanahan doesn't expect him to play until he returns to football shape. When he does return to game action, Portis will likely go back to the third-down timeshare role that he was settling into before the separated groin.
Ryan Torain, who practiced fully on Monday, will remain the primary early-down back.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Javarris James, Colts - The Colts had no problem using
Donald Brown all over the rest of the field, but they twice turned to James to punch it in at the goal-line in Philly. James would defer to
Joseph Addai or
Mike Hart should they make a reappearance this week. The status of both players remains up in the air, however, leaving James as an option in touchdown-heavy leagues against the Bengals.
Recommendation: Worth a look in TD-heavy leagues
Tyrell Sutton, Panther - It was Sutton -- not
Mike Goodson -- who first came on in relief of
Jonathan Stewart (concussion) against the Saints. Sutton was forced to leave with an ankle injury of his own, however, and coach John Fox offered only that he was "day to day." The Panthers aren't crazy about using Goodson on early down,, so Sutton would be worth a look if he returns to practice by Wednesday or Thursday. Keep an eye on
DeAngelo Williams' (foot sprain) status as well.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Long-Term Fliers: Javon Ringer,
Anthony Dixon,
Deji Karim,
Bernard Scott,
Kevin Smith,
Keiland Williams,
Chester Taylor,
James DavisThe best of the handcuffs and high-upside roster stashes.
Cut Bait: Marion Barber,
Cadillac Williams,
Marcel ReeceFullback Reece should be dropped in all leagues with the Raiders on bye.
Hold Off: Danny WareWare was only the game for 13 carries and 66 yards last week because the Giants were up 35-0 by halftime. He'll be glued to the bench again in Week 10.
Wide ReceiversNate Burleson, Lions - As long as
Shaun Hill can get healthy enough to play, Burleson has trends and matchup working in his favor this week. In four games (two each with Hill and
Matthew Stafford) since returning from his ankle injury, Burleson has averaged eight targets, six receptions, and yards while totaling three TDs. He's a hot WR3 candidate traveling to Buffalo for a matchup against a the league's most generous defense at 29.1 points allowed per game.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Mike Thomas, Jaguars - Thomas gets the same matchup alert that set
Seyi Ajirotutu off last week. The Texans have allowed a whopping 28.1 fantasy points to opposing wide receiver this season.
Marcedes Lewis and
Mike Sims-Walker are always better bets for touchdowns, but Thomas could end catching seven or eight balls this week. He's a top 35 option even in standard scoring leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in as a matchup play
James Jones, Packers - After a Week 8 disappearing act, Jones finally came through with the 8/123/1 breakout game against the Cowboys. While
Donald Driver is expected to use the bye week to put the nagging quadriceps injury behind him, there's a risk of re-injury -- especially with an aging receiver. Jones may not be a viable WR3 candidate at Minnesota in Week 11, but he's worth picking up as a high-upside stash.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Blair White, Colts - Blair has already set to takeover fourth receiver duties with
Anthony Gonzalez once again out of the picture. After
Austin Collie's ugly concussion in Week 9, there's now a strong chance that he'll take over slot duties for this week's matchup against the Bengals.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Louis Murphy, Raiders - Murphy promises that he'll be good to go coming out of the Raiders' Week 10 bye. With the Oakland offense showing signs of life for the first time in years, there's value to be had in the Raiders' top receiver. Murphy was unquestionably the top choice early in the season, but he may have to hold off
Jacoby Ford starting this week. There's still some breakout potential here.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Seyi Ajirotutu, Chargers - Ajirotutu responded to last week's "matchup alert" with 111 yards and two touchdowns at Houston. Those in shallow leagues will want to pass on Tutu this week with the Bolts on bye and
Malcom Floyd,
Vincent Jackson, and
Legedu Naanee set to return shortly thereafter. There is some question as to whether Floyd's hamstring will be ready for Week 11, so Tutu could end up worthy of a one more start before V-Jax debuts in Week 12.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Jacoby Ford, Raiders - Coach Tom Cable ought to re-think his inclination to stick with
Jason Campbell. The Raiders won because of Ford and in spite of Campbell in Week 9. The speedster's talent shone through in a series of clutch catches late in the game and overtime, but it's worth asking if those circus catches and bombs can be repeated. It's also highly questionable as to whether he will remain a starter with
Louis Murphy (lung) due back after the bye. The talent is real, but the situation is murky at best. Ford is only a WR5/6 statsh for now.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Nate Washington, Titans - I'm not convinced that Washington has the skill-set to advantage of
Randy Moss' presence the way
Wes Welker and
Percy Harvin have done. Washington is more of a deep threat, and he doesn't exploit the middle of the field. If Moss is eased into the offense, though, Washington could end up leading the team in targets at Miami this week. He's a high-risk WR3 option.
Recommendation: Worth a look as bye-week fill-in
Bernard Berrian, Vikings - Berrian is coming off season highs of 11 targets, nine catches, and 89 yards after
Brett Favre passes for a career-high 446 yards in the Vikings' comeback win over the Cardinals. It's nice to see Berrian making good on that $43 million contract for one game, but he's going to be a risky play going forward with
Sidney Rice (hip) set to return this week or next.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Brandon Gibson, Rams - Gibson has averaged six targets per over the past four games compared to three for
Laurent Robinson. With
Danario Alexander coming off a knee scope, Gibson is the Rams' best bet as a matchup play against the 49ers and Falcons the next two weeks. For now, he's only a deep-league option.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Long-Term Fliers: Earl Bennett,
David Nelson,
Laurent Robinson,
Chaz Schilens,
Brian HartlineBennett is worth a look in PPR leagues. ... Nelson is the likely replacement for
Roscoe Parrish in the slot. ... Robinson and Schilens are injury-riddled wild cards. ... I'm still not buying Hartline as an acceptable WR3 candidate.
Cut Bait: Darrius Heyward-Bey,
Wes Welker,
Kevin Walter,
Brandon Tate,
Deion Branch,
Roy Williams,
David Gettis,
Anthony Gonzalez,
Devery Henderson,
Roscoe Parrish,
Golden TateDHB is outplayed by whichever receiver lines up on the opposite side. ... Welker can't top 50 yards without
Randy Moss. He's worth dropping in deeper leagues. ... Walter hasn't caught a pass in three games. ... Tate and Branch cancel each other out. ... Gonzalez and Parrish are done for the season.
Hold Off Mohamed Massaquoi,
Arrelious Benn,
Jordy Nelson,
Greg Camarillo,
Michael JenkinsThe Browns don't use their receivers enough for Massaquoi to be a breakout candidate. ... Benn is still getting just one target per week. ... Nelson is on bye. ... Camarillo is still no better than fourth on the depth chart. ... Jenkins isn't worth picking up with
Roddy White (knee) expected to play Thursday.
Tight EndsTony Moeaki, Chiefs - The rookie is back down to ownership in roughly half of all leagues after a string underwhelming games in Weeks 6-8. Coming off nine targets, six catches, and 63 yards against the Raiders, Moeaki squares off against a Denver defense surrendering the eight-most points to opposing tight ends. Even better, he has three more top-ten matchups in the next month.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Joel Dreessen, Texans - Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed that
Owen Daniels will return to the starting role when his hamstring healthy. It's not clear if Daniels will play this week at Jacksonville, though. Dreessen, who led the Texans with eight targets in Week 9, would be acceptable in a pinch if he ends up drawing the start against a Jags defense that allows the seventh-most points to opposing tight ends.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Tony Scheffler, Lions - From the desperation files. Scheffler was a forgotten man with
Matthew Stafford under center, but the potential return of
Shaun Hill means more dumpoffs to the tight ends. The main reason Scheffler is on this list, though, is a matchup against a Bills defense that surrenders the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Jimmy Graham, Saints - X-rays were negative on
Jeremy Shockey's ribs, and the veteran has the bye week to rest up. Graham, a raw but freakishly talented rookie in the
Jermichael Finley mold, is only worth stashing in deeper leagues for the second half of the season.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Hold Off: Randy McMichael,
Rob Gronkowski,
James CaseyAntonio Gates (plantar fascia) will likely be back after the bye. ... Gronkowski had an awful game despite the career highs in catches and yards. ... Dreessen will be targeted more than Casey.
Defense/Special TeamsBuccaneers - With
Matt Moore out for the season, the Bucs will play host to
Jimmy Clausen or sixth-rounder
Tony Pike this week. Clausen is the worst quarterback I've seen all year, and he was keeping Pike on the bench. Expect plenty of turnovers and perhaps even a shutout.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play
Cardinals - After two more return TDs at the Vikings, Arizona is now sporting the No.1 D/ST in fantasy. I'm not convinced that return TDs have much predictive value, but the Cardinals also have a sweet matchup this week against a reeling Seahawks team that has been lambasted to the tune of 74-10 the past two games.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
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