Although endlessly hyped, the NFL’s trade deadline disappoints fans and fantasy leaguers more often than not. Last year was actually an exception to the rule, with Brandon Lloyd joining former head coach Josh McDaniels in St. Louis.
It’s reasonable to expect a slight uptick in backroom discussions this time around with the deadline pushed back two weeks -- and further delayed by Hurricane Sandy for two days. As a general rule, though, minor names stand a much better chance than major stars of changing teams at the season’s mid-point.
Let’s break down the names that have been bandied about leading up to the deadline.
Steven Jackson, Rams - In another incident of ESPN-on-ESPN crime, the ultra-reliable Adam Schefter reported the Rams have already fielded multiple offers on Jackson only to have John Clayton claim a day later that there’s “no action right now” on the veteran back. The rebuilding Rams aren’t likely to welcome the impending free agent back in 2013, so it makes sense to listen to deadline offers. The biggest hangup remains the $3.705 remaining on S-Jax’s salary.
Should the Rams succeed in dealing their team leader to a contender, Darryl Richardson would be the primary beneficiary. The coaching staff has used Richardson primarily as a pass-catcher and outside runner, which suggests they may view him as a timeshare back. Isaiah Pead finally flashed a hint of ability last week and would likely be elevated to the 1B role behind Richardson’s 1A.
Chance of a trade: 25 percent
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers - It’s telling that Williams was demoted as the Panthers overhauled their running scheme and fired the GM that handed him an unreasonable five-year, $43 million contract. The Charlotte Observer believes Williams’ days in Carolina are numbered, so it makes sense to listen to offers.
The hurdles to a Williams trade are two-fold: (1) He’s unlikely to accept a paycut on the remaining $2.779 million due this season. (2) A trade would count $9.6 million against the Panthers’ 2013 salary cap whereas a post-June 1 release would count $3.2 million against the 2013 cap and $6.4 million against the 2014 cap. At least one playoff-contending team has reached out to the Panthers, but those salary-cap permutations are legit.
Chance of a trade: 20 percent
LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Blount has emerged as the most likely candidate to be moved at the deadline. Stuck behind emerging star Doug Martin and third-down back D.J. Ware, Blount has no role in the Bucs offense. Unlike Jackson and Williams, salary ($540,000 prorated) is not an issue and Blount is a restricted free agent after the season.
Blount is arguably the least effective passing-down back in the NFL, struggles in short yardage and leaves a lot to be desired in ball security. To regain fantasy relevance, he’s going to need a clear-cut path to the early-down role in a high-scoring offense. Unless he lands in Green Bay, I wouldn’t hold out hope for a 2012 renaissance.
Chance of a trade: 50 percent
Chris Ivory / Mark Ingram, Saints - Unless interim coach Joe Vitt was playing hard to get, Ivory is going to be stuck in purgatory at least through the end of the season. Vitt insisted Ivory is “going nowhere” at the deadline.
A strong argument can be made that Ingram is the more sensible candidate to be moved, as his trade value is higher and the Saints have no use for a true feature back in their offense. NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell recently opined that Ingram would be a “wonderful foundation back” if plugged into the right offense. It’s hard to imagine the Saints trading GM Mickey Loomis’ 2011 first-rounder, though, while he’s serving his Bountygate suspension.
Chance of a trade: 10 percent.
Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs - It’s highly unusual for a high-profile receiver to change teams at the deadline, much less a franchise player. Lloyd made sense for the Rams last season because he had already mastered Josh McDaniels’ offense in Denver. Bowe would be learning a new offense wherever he goes, which would obviously hamper his chances of making an impact down the stretch.
Equally as prohibitive is Bowe’s prorated salary of just over $5 million the rest of the way. Any team looking to acquire his services would have to fork over $11.418 million next season to apply the franchise tag. If the Chiefs do beat the long odds in finding a trade partner, I wouldn’t hold out much hope for Jon Baldwin or Dexter McCluster the rest of the way. Newly anointed starter Brady Quinn isn’t going to support a weekly fantasy asset.
Chance of a trade: 10 percent.
On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 9. Full write-ups of each player are below.
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles
Blaine Gabbert
Russell Wilson
Matt Moore
Running Backs
Jonathan Dwyer
Darryl Richardson
LeGarrette Blount
James Starks
Joique Bell
Ronnie Hillman
Ronnie Brown
Jacquizz Rodgers
Daniel Thomas
Wide Receivers
Danny Amendola
Titus Young
Cecil Shorts
Ryan Broyles
Chris Givens
Brandon LaFell
Alshon Jeffery
Dexter McCluster
Tight Ends
Dustin Keller
Greg Olsen
Brandon Myers
Dwayne Allen
Kellen Davis
Team Defense
Chargers
Dolphins
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles, Eagles - We haven’t heard as much as a peep out of Philadelphia Tuesday morning. The last we heard Monday night, neither Michael Vick nor Foles had been informed of a quarterback switch. It makes all of the sense in the world for the Eagles to stick with Vick, who has shown better than usual accuracy over the past three games.
If Foles gets the call, however, he immediately becomes relevant in fantasy circles versus a historically bad Saints defense. New Orleans is not just the first team in NFL history to allow 400+ yards in seven consecutive games; they’ve also allowed more yards through seven games (3,321) than any team in NFL history. Foles would be a risk/reward QB1 option if coach Andy Reid opts to turn the page.
Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.
Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars - After a career-high 303 yards at Green Bay, it can be argued that Gabbert has shown promise in three of the past four games -- with the lone exception coming against the Bears’ shut-down defense. Gabbert produced a career-high 67.6 completion percentage in Week 4 (Bengals), was knocked out of the Week 7 Raiders game with a career-high 123.6 passer rating and notched his first 300-yard game a week ago. While fantasy owners should remain skeptical, Jaguars GM Gene Smith has to be thrilled that Gabbert is finally looking like a legit prospect.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks - In a rare turn of events, it was Seattle’s vaunted defense that let down the passing attack at Detroit. Wilson showed veteran savvy in command of the offense and decision-making. After failing to top 200 yards in any of the first four games, Wilson has averaged 218 over the past four. He’s a decent QB2 option against a Vikings defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Matt Moore, Dolphins - Starter Ryan Tannehill’s Week 9 status is up in the air after being diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise and deep thigh bruise on Monday. Moore was an effective game manager in relief of Tannehill last week. If he gets the starting nod at Indianapolis, Moore is fantasy option only in two-quarterback leagues. The Dolphins will go with a run-heavy game plan regardless.
Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues.
Watch List: Matt Cassel, Tim Tebow, Jake Locker
With Brady Quinn (concussion) out on a short week, turnover machine Cassel will be under center versus the Chargers. The Chiefs QB is only relevant in two-quarterback leagues. … The Jets are sticking with Mark Sanchez for now, but he’s fallen apart at the seams any time there’s been a hint of defensive pressure in the pocket. Sanchez has over- or under-thrown 23.4 percent of his passes this season, the highest rate in the NFL. The leash can’t be long. … Yet to receive medical clearance, Locker isn’t going to play before the Week 11 bye.
Although endlessly hyped, the NFL’s trade deadline disappoints fans and fantasy leaguers more often than not. Last year was actually an exception to the rule, with Brandon Lloyd joining former head coach Josh McDaniels in St. Louis.
It’s reasonable to expect a slight uptick in backroom discussions this time around with the deadline pushed back two weeks -- and further delayed by Hurricane Sandy for two days. As a general rule, though, minor names stand a much better chance than major stars of changing teams at the season’s mid-point.
Let’s break down the names that have been bandied about leading up to the deadline.
Steven Jackson, Rams - In another incident of ESPN-on-ESPN crime, the ultra-reliable Adam Schefter reported the Rams have already fielded multiple offers on Jackson only to have John Clayton claim a day later that there’s “no action right now” on the veteran back. The rebuilding Rams aren’t likely to welcome the impending free agent back in 2013, so it makes sense to listen to deadline offers. The biggest hangup remains the $3.705 remaining on S-Jax’s salary.
Should the Rams succeed in dealing their team leader to a contender, Darryl Richardson would be the primary beneficiary. The coaching staff has used Richardson primarily as a pass-catcher and outside runner, which suggests they may view him as a timeshare back. Isaiah Pead finally flashed a hint of ability last week and would likely be elevated to the 1B role behind Richardson’s 1A.
Chance of a trade: 25 percent
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers - It’s telling that Williams was demoted as the Panthers overhauled their running scheme and fired the GM that handed him an unreasonable five-year, $43 million contract. The Charlotte Observer believes Williams’ days in Carolina are numbered, so it makes sense to listen to offers.
The hurdles to a Williams trade are two-fold: (1) He’s unlikely to accept a paycut on the remaining $2.779 million due this season. (2) A trade would count $9.6 million against the Panthers’ 2013 salary cap whereas a post-June 1 release would count $3.2 million against the 2013 cap and $6.4 million against the 2014 cap. At least one playoff-contending team has reached out to the Panthers, but those salary-cap permutations are legit.
Chance of a trade: 20 percent
LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Blount has emerged as the most likely candidate to be moved at the deadline. Stuck behind emerging star Doug Martin and third-down back D.J. Ware, Blount has no role in the Bucs offense. Unlike Jackson and Williams, salary ($540,000 prorated) is not an issue and Blount is a restricted free agent after the season.
Blount is arguably the least effective passing-down back in the NFL, struggles in short yardage and leaves a lot to be desired in ball security. To regain fantasy relevance, he’s going to need a clear-cut path to the early-down role in a high-scoring offense. Unless he lands in Green Bay, I wouldn’t hold out hope for a 2012 renaissance.
Chance of a trade: 50 percent
Chris Ivory / Mark Ingram, Saints - Unless interim coach Joe Vitt was playing hard to get, Ivory is going to be stuck in purgatory at least through the end of the season. Vitt insisted Ivory is “going nowhere” at the deadline.
A strong argument can be made that Ingram is the more sensible candidate to be moved, as his trade value is higher and the Saints have no use for a true feature back in their offense. NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell recently opined that Ingram would be a “wonderful foundation back” if plugged into the right offense. It’s hard to imagine the Saints trading GM Mickey Loomis’ 2011 first-rounder, though, while he’s serving his Bountygate suspension.
Chance of a trade: 10 percent.
Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs - It’s highly unusual for a high-profile receiver to change teams at the deadline, much less a franchise player. Lloyd made sense for the Rams last season because he had already mastered Josh McDaniels’ offense in Denver. Bowe would be learning a new offense wherever he goes, which would obviously hamper his chances of making an impact down the stretch.
Equally as prohibitive is Bowe’s prorated salary of just over $5 million the rest of the way. Any team looking to acquire his services would have to fork over $11.418 million next season to apply the franchise tag. If the Chiefs do beat the long odds in finding a trade partner, I wouldn’t hold out much hope for Jon Baldwin or Dexter McCluster the rest of the way. Newly anointed starter Brady Quinn isn’t going to support a weekly fantasy asset.
Chance of a trade: 10 percent.
On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 9. Full write-ups of each player are below.
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles
Blaine Gabbert
Russell Wilson
Matt Moore
Running Backs
Jonathan Dwyer
Darryl Richardson
LeGarrette Blount
James Starks
Joique Bell
Ronnie Hillman
Ronnie Brown
Jacquizz Rodgers
Daniel Thomas
Wide Receivers
Danny Amendola
Titus Young
Cecil Shorts
Ryan Broyles
Chris Givens
Brandon LaFell
Alshon Jeffery
Dexter McCluster
Tight Ends
Dustin Keller
Greg Olsen
Brandon Myers
Dwayne Allen
Kellen Davis
Team Defense
Chargers
Dolphins
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles, Eagles - We haven’t heard as much as a peep out of Philadelphia Tuesday morning. The last we heard Monday night, neither Michael Vick nor Foles had been informed of a quarterback switch. It makes all of the sense in the world for the Eagles to stick with Vick, who has shown better than usual accuracy over the past three games.
If Foles gets the call, however, he immediately becomes relevant in fantasy circles versus a historically bad Saints defense. New Orleans is not just the first team in NFL history to allow 400+ yards in seven consecutive games; they’ve also allowed more yards through seven games (3,321) than any team in NFL history. Foles would be a risk/reward QB1 option if coach Andy Reid opts to turn the page.
Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.
Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars - After a career-high 303 yards at Green Bay, it can be argued that Gabbert has shown promise in three of the past four games -- with the lone exception coming against the Bears’ shut-down defense. Gabbert produced a career-high 67.6 completion percentage in Week 4 (Bengals), was knocked out of the Week 7 Raiders game with a career-high 123.6 passer rating and notched his first 300-yard game a week ago. While fantasy owners should remain skeptical, Jaguars GM Gene Smith has to be thrilled that Gabbert is finally looking like a legit prospect.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks - In a rare turn of events, it was Seattle’s vaunted defense that let down the passing attack at Detroit. Wilson showed veteran savvy in command of the offense and decision-making. After failing to top 200 yards in any of the first four games, Wilson has averaged 218 over the past four. He’s a decent QB2 option against a Vikings defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Matt Moore, Dolphins - Starter Ryan Tannehill’s Week 9 status is up in the air after being diagnosed with a left knee bone bruise and deep thigh bruise on Monday. Moore was an effective game manager in relief of Tannehill last week. If he gets the starting nod at Indianapolis, Moore is fantasy option only in two-quarterback leagues. The Dolphins will go with a run-heavy game plan regardless.
Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues.
Watch List: Matt Cassel, Tim Tebow, Jake Locker
With Brady Quinn (concussion) out on a short week, turnover machine Cassel will be under center versus the Chargers. The Chiefs QB is only relevant in two-quarterback leagues. … The Jets are sticking with Mark Sanchez for now, but he’s fallen apart at the seams any time there’s been a hint of defensive pressure in the pocket. Sanchez has over- or under-thrown 23.4 percent of his passes this season, the highest rate in the NFL. The leash can’t be long. … Yet to receive medical clearance, Locker isn’t going to play before the Week 11 bye.
Running Backs
Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers - Keep an eye on Dwyer’s quad injury, which will keep him out of Wednesday’s practice. The Steelers tentatively expect him back by Thursday, but the injury may lead to his fantasy window prematurely closing if it’s decided that he’s not healthy enough to carry the load with Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) already gaining clearance for Week 9.
If the quad injury is indeed minor, Dwyer has earned the early-down role by accomplish a feat in two starts that has eluded Mendenhall in five years -- back-to-back 100-yard games. Dwyer has done it in impressive fashion, gaining 187 of 239 (78.2 percent) after contact. With Mendenhall reaching free agency in 2013, it’s not unreasonable to believe Dwyer should hold onto the starting gig for the rest of the reason.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Darryl Richardson, Rams - Mr. Outside to Steven Jackson’s Mr. Inside, Richardson is averaging 76 scrimmage yards per game since the Rams made an effort to expand his role in the game plan three weeks ago. The team’s use of Richardson suggests he would share the load with Isaiah Pead in the event of a Jackson trade. The latest report from ESPN’s John Clayton is that there is “no action right now” on Jackson, whose $3.705 million in remaining salary may be prohibitive. Richardson is worth owning as a flex option regardless. His value could bump to RB2 range if a contender splurges on Jackson.
Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.
LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - With less than $300,000 remaining on his salary and likely to cost no more than a late-round pick, Blount may be the most likely candidate to be traded this week. He’s never going to be an asset on passing downs and would only stumble into weekly fantasy value if he lands in a clear-cut early-down role in a place like Green Bay. Blount can be picked up as a trade deadline flier, but expectations should remain low.
Recommendation: Worth a look in all leagues.
James Starks, Packers - Alex Green has been running hard, but his ability to read holes has left a lot to be desired. Working as the unquestioned feature back the past three games, Green has managed just 2.40 yards per carry. Coach Mike McCarthy has expressed disappointment with his running game over the past two games. The Packers are a good bet to at least explore trade options this week. If the swing and miss, Starks is the next man up to put pressure on Green for the starting job.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Joique Bell, Lions - Coach Jim Schwartz’s handling of Mikel Leshoure leaves us to interpret the starter’s disappearing act in the final quarter and a half versus the Seahawks. Leshoure limped off the field grabbing his calf or ankle with six minutes left in the third quarter. Matthew Stafford threw an interception on the next throw. Bell and Kevin Smith handled the entire drive late in the third quarter and early in the fourth while Leshoure presumably had the lower-leg injury checked out. After a lengthy Seahawks scoring drive, the Lions got the ball back one more time while playing from behind. Leshoure remained sidelined, which is hardly unusual. Bell has been handling the no-huddle, two-minute drill snaps for weeks now.
Schwartz insisted after the game that Leshoure was uninjured. If he can be trusted -- and he usually cannot -- then Leshoure should practice Wednesday and start at Jacksonville. Bell remains the change-of-pace option, two-minute specialist and fourth-quarter closer, but he’s not overtaking a healthy Leshoure.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Ronnie Hillman, Broncos - Don’t go crazy over the speedy rookie’s 86 yards on 14 carries Sunday night. The events surrounding Hillman’s breakout game won’t happen again. Facing a historically bad defense, Hillman saw an increased workload because the Broncos jumped out to a commanding 24-7 lead in the third quarter. Although Hillman isn’t suddenly a weekly fantasy option, he remains a high-upside roster stash.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Ronnie Brown, Chargers - Philip Rivers has morphed into a checkdown artist, throwing 29 percent of his passes to tailbacks this season. Brown surprisingly has accrued not only more receiving yards than Ray Rice, but also the second-most among all running backs (behind Darren Sproles). Averaging six receptions and over 50 receiving yards per game over the past month, Brown has emerged as a decent flex option in PPR leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.
Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons - Atlanta’s third-down back is coming off his best game of the season, thanks to a 43-yard run -- the longest allowed by the Eagles this season. Prior to that breaking free on that run, however, Rodgers had shown precious little big-play ability on the ground. In denial about Michael Turner’s ineffectiveness, the Falcons have shown no inclination to reduce the starter’s role. Rodgers remains a low-upside flex option best used in PPR formats.
Recommendation: Worth a look in PPR leagues.
Daniel Thomas, Dolphins - Returning from a concussion, Thomas played more than twice as many snaps as Reggie Bush (43 to 20) in last week’s blowout victory. That pattern isn’t going to continue, but Thomas appears to be locked in as the short-yardage power back with the Dolphins looking to lessen Bush’s load in an effort to keep him healthy.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Watch List: Beanie Wells, Cedric Benson, Shane Vereen, Peyton Hillis, Andre Brown, Toby Gerhart, Mike Tolbert, Robert Turbin, Evan Royster, Mike Goodson, Bernard Pierce, Justin Forsett, Bryce Brown, Isaiah Pead
Wells can’t return before Week 12, Benson before Week 14. Barring a trade this week, both will return to major roles in the fantasy playoffs -- assuming they’re back to full health. … Vereen should be rostered in most leagues, but that may be a luxury entering the bye week … The rest of the list is essentially handcuffs who could stumble into weekly fantasy value if the starter goes down. All handcuffs should be rostered ahead of low-upside WR5s and TE2s, especially if the bye-week crunch on your own team is over. … Keep an eye on Goodson’s turf toe injury this week. … Pead’s role would increase in a timeshare with Richardson if Steven Jackson is traded.
Cut Bait: Phillip Tanner, Montario Hardesty, Jackie Battle, Bilal Powell, Isaac Redman
DeMarco Murray (foot) has a chance to return this week. Tanner saw just two carries versus the Giants. … Hardesty has no weekly role with Trent Richardson close to full health. … Battle hasn’t had value in weeks. … An injured Powell isn’t worth the roster spot with Shonn Greene playing better. … Redman’s role is going to be limited to third downs.
Wide Receivers
Danny Amendola, Rams - Amendola isn’t viewed as a difference-making talent, but the Rams are 10-11 with him in the lineup the past three years -- and 2-17 when he sits out. Noting that Amendola was separating with ease, running more downfield and outside-the-numbers routes, and showing improved after-catch ability early this season, I pulled the trigger on a Dynasty league trade for him after his clavicle injury. A top-15 fantasy receiver (in points per game to date) even in standard-scoring formats, Amendola is still unowned in roughly half of Yahoo leagues. With the possibility of a monster second half, he should be picked up in the remaining leagues this week.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Titus Young, Lions - I’m shocked to find that Young is owned in just 40 percent of Yahoo leagues after he was a no-brainer recommendation last week. In a breakout game versus the Seahawks’ stout pass defense, Young became the first Lions starting receiver since 2001 to catch all of his intended targets in a game. He also joined Randall Cobb as the only receivers this season to record a perfect catch percentage on at least eight targets. Young is an every-down receiver with elite speed facing single coverage afforded by the presence of Calvin Johnson. He’s here to stay as an upside WR3 option.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.
Cecil Shorts, Jaguars - Shorts has essentially played five quarters as a starter with Blaine Gabbert under center, producing a 10/177/1 line on 16 targets. With an average of 11 targets, six receptions and 97.5 yards the past two weeks, Shorts should be locked into the No. 1 receiver role regardless of Laurent Robinson’s (concussion) health. His fantasy viability depends on your faith in Gabbert’s progress. I remain skeptical that the Jags passing attack can support a reliable WR3 option week-in and week-out.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Ryan Broyles, Lions - Routes run by Lions receivers in Week 8: Titus Young (50), Calvin Johnson (49), Broyles (23). Detroit’s new slot receiver played 34-of-73 snaps, essentially splitting the third receiver role with No. 2 tight end Tony Scheffler. Broyles has been a favorite red-zone target of Matthew Stafford the past two weeks, but he’s going to need to put distance between himself and Scheffler before he gains weekly fantasy value. In the meantime, Broyles should be stashed in 12 team leagues.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Chris Givens, Rams - The fourth-round rookie speedster is the first player since Detroit’s Pat Studstill (1966) with a reception of 50+ yards in five consecutive games. Essentially a poor man’s DeSean Jackson, Givens should hold onto a starting role opposite Danny Amendola in the second half of the season. Although Givens is worthy of a roster spot in 12-team leagues, he can’t be counted on as a Week 9 starter because the Rams are on bye.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Brandon LaFell, Panthers - LaFell’s role is on the rise again after a late September swoon. He’s now topped 50 yards in four of seven games and is 44th in fantasy points on the season. Those desperate for a WR3 option can point to LaFell’s Week 9 matchup against a Redskins secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.
Alshon Jeffery, Bears - Jeffery (fractured hand) is reportedly targeted Week 10 for his return to game action. Devin Hester has predictably offered very little production as a starter in the rookie’s absence. Jeffery was averaging just 37 yards per game prior to the injury, so keep expectations low. He’s a talented but raw roster stash.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a roster stash.
Dexter McCluster, Chiefs - We’ve reached the underwhelming portion of the wide receiver list. McCluster has sandwiched 82- and 69-yard outings in Weeks 1 and 8 around four games of fewer than 40 yards. Those in PPR leagues can cite his back-to-back six-catch games and the possibility of an increased role if the Chiefs can unload Dwayne Bowe’s remaining $5 million this week.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper PPR leagues.
Watch List: Justin Blackmon, Clyde Gates, Marvin Jones, Vincent Brown
Blackmon can’t break out of his rookie funk. His effort at the end of last week’s game was questionable to say the least. … Hold off on Gates. He did all of his damage in garbage time and remains low on the depth chart. … Jones is a name to watch in deeper leagues. The Bengals had plans to increase his role before the bye, only to see him go down with an MCL tear on the opening kickoff. … Brown isn’t close to returning.
Cut Bait: Robert Meachem, Devin Hester, Leonard Hankerson, Kevin Ogletree, Domenik Hixon, Devery Henderson
A whopping 62 percent of Meachem’s fantasy production has come in one game. He’s been held without a catch three times. Owner Dean Spanos should point to the Meachem signing in dumping autocratic GM A.J. Smith after the season. … Hester never has fantasy value. … Hankerson isn’t going to be a recommended Week 9 starter after his one-catch performance at Pittsburgh. The Redskins have a bye in Week 10. … Ogletree has done nothing since the season opener. … Hixon can be dropped for a running back handcuff. … Ditto Henderson.
Tight Ends
Dustin Keller, Jets - Fantasy owners are asleep at wheel after Keller’s early-season hamstring injury. Despite averaging seven catches and 80 yards over the past two games, Keller remains unowned in over half of Yahoo leagues. If you plan to pluck him from the wire this week, be warned that the Jets are on their bye.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.
Greg Olsen, Panthers - Olsen is owned in just over half of Yahoo leagues due to a three-game slump that has coincided with Steve Smith returning to full health after battling knee pain. If Olsen is available in your league, though, he has an excellent matchup this week against a Redskins defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.
Brandon Myers, Raiders - Would you believe only five tight ends have more than Myers’ 383 yards this season? Myers has been a model of consistency, topping 40 yards in six of seven games. The problem is his 21st-place fantasy ranking because he’s yet to find the end zone and doesn’t make plays after the catch.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.
Dwayne Allen, Colts - The third-rounder continues to outplay the more ballyhooed Coby Fleener, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 all-around tight end this season. Allen is averaging just 34 yards over the past five games, though, so he’s a low-upside option versus a Dolphins defense allowing the 19th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Kellen Davis, Bears - Know this up front: Jay Cutler rarely looks at his tight ends. Davis has exceeded five targets just once this season. The athletic tight end isn’t bereft of pass-catching ability, though, and the matchup couldn’t be better against a Titans defense that was picked on by Dwayne Allen early in last week’s game. No defense has allowed more fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a desperation matchup play.
Watch List: Logan Paulsen, Tony Moeaki
Paulsen played 95 percent of the snaps last week while Chris Cooley ran just five pass routes. The problem is Paulsen has just one game as a low-end TE2 option before the Week 10 bye. … Moeaki saw a season-high eight targets, a sign that his knee might finally be coming around. He had been used as a blocking specialist to this point.
Cut Bait: Dallas Clark, Anthony Fasano, David Thomas
Clark saw just three targets last week after his season-high 51 yards in garbage time the previous week. … Fasano plays against the Colts, who have surprisingly been the stingiest defense versus tight ends this year.
Team Defense
Chargers - The best-case scenario would have been facing a wholly ineffective Brady Quinn, but he couldn’t gain clearance from his concussion on a short week. The fallback plan is Matt Cassel, author of 16 turnovers in five starts this season. Either way, the Chargers defense is gold this week.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.
Dolphins - Miami has held opponents to 12 points per game over the past three weeks while averaging 4.5 sacks per game over the past month. They have a decent matchup at an Indianapolis team that had trouble giving Andrew Luck a clean pocket versus the Titans.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.