Stash 'em if You Got 'em

Wide Receivers

T.Y. Hilton, Colts - Donnie Avery never returned to last week’s game after exiting with a hip pointer. Interim coach Bruce Arians has deemed Avery a game-time decision for Thursday's bout at Jacksonville. If Avery sits out altogether, Hilton takes on viable WR3 value against the Jaguars’ injury-depleted secondary with Andrew Luck playing at a high level and unafraid to take chances down the field. If Hilton takes advantage of the opportunity, it’s conceivable that he would leapfrog an underwhelming and inefficient Avery for the No. 2 role.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders - DHB has at least six targets and 70 yards in two of the past three games as Denarius Moore begins to draw extra defensive attention outside the numbers. He’s fantasy’s No. 23 receiver over that span. The Raiders figure to continue to lean heavily on the pass with a shaky defense and major injuries at running back.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Danario Alexander, Chargers - Looking for a Week 10 deep sleeper? With No. 1 receiver talent and octogenarian knees, Alexander makes for an intriguing dice roll against a Bucs defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Coach Norv Turner promised that Alexander would remain a “big part” of the Chargers offense regardless of Robert Meachem’s (hamstring) health. Expect DX to draw a second straight start this week.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Ryan Broyles, Lions - After finding the end zone or topping 50 yards in all three games since replacing Nate Burleson in the slot, Broyles has been fantasy’s 21st-ranked receiver over that span. The Lions No. 2 offense can support a second fantasy receiver beyond Calvin Johnson, and Broyles figures to trade big weeks with Titus Young going forward. Detroit’s 50:50 pass/rush touchdown split is likely to swing toward the pass in the second half of the season considering the nature of the offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - Coach Mike Tomlin suggested Antonio Brown (mild high ankle sprain) is “very much in doubt” for Week 10.  We suspect the Steelers will take the conservative route against the doormat Chiefs this week. With Brown out of the lineup last week, Sanders played heavy snaps but split production with Jerricho Cotchery. He would be a shaky WR3 option if he draws the Week 10 start.

Recommendation: Worth a look as an injury fill-in.

Michael Floyd, Cardinals - The rookie has run more than 70 percent of the Cardinals’ pass routes the past two games, racking up 18 targets. Floyd has already overtaken Early Doucet for the third receiver role, and coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed he will continue to see increased snaps going forward. He’s purely a deep-league option, as he’s not going to bypass Andre Roberts in the pecking order.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Golden Tate, Seahawks - With dangerous run-after-catch ability, Tate has a similar skill-set to fantasy studs Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb. He picked up 21 rushing yards on two carries and found the end zone twice versus the Vikings in Week 9. Tate can’t be viewed as a reliable weekly option due to Seattle’s run-heavy offense, but there’s WR3 potential here if the coaches make it a point to get the ball in his hands going forward.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Davone Bess, Dolphins - Miami’s No. 2 receiver is on pace for a respectable 76 receptions and a career-high 966 yards, but he’s been limited to PPR formats without a touchdown. Bess has been targeted at least nine times in four of the past five games and draws a Titans defense that has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Andrew Hawkins, Bengals - “Baby Hawk” hasn’t cleared 50 receiving yards or scored a touchdown in the past five games. He’s the Bengals most dangerous player with the ball in his hands, though, and could be in line for an increased role as the team continues its search for a legitimate playmaker opposite A.J. Green. Hawkins’ seven targets versus the Broncos were his most since Week 5.  

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Alshon Jeffery, Justin Blackmon, Laurent Robinson, Greg Little, Donald Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan

Although Jeffery was reportedly aiming for a Week 10 return, coach Lovie Smith recently said the receiver is still expected to be out “awhile.” … Blackmon and Robinson face a Colts defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. … Little continues to start opposite Josh Gordon. … Stevie Johnson is expected to play through his deep thigh bruise, limiting Jones’ upside in a nice matchup. … The Bengals could turn to rookies Sanu and Jones with Brandon Tate and Armon Binns struggling opposite A.J. Green. … Hankerson and Morgan are the best bets to emerge as the Redskins’ No. 1 receiver if Pierre Garcon is shut down for the season.

Cut Bait: Robert Meachem, Aldrick Robinson, Dexter McCluster, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Armon Binns, Jerome Simpson

Welcome to yet another week of lackluster waiver options. There are no strong quarterbacks out there, the running backs are mired in draining committee attacks, and the available wide receivers have been hit-or-miss all season. 

It’s a good week to see if potential fantasy starters for the fantasy playoffs may have been dropped due to injuries. Beanie Wells, Cedric Benson, Greg Jennings, Pierre Garcon, and Danny Amendola are all worth rostering. 

Wells (turf toe) remains on track to return from I.R. in Week 12 while Benson (Lisfranc sprain) is eligible in Week 14. La’Rod Stephens-Howling is nobody’s idea of a feature back and will return to a third-down role once Wells is back. Beanie has fine matchups versus the Rams and Jets in Weeks 12-13, but the schedule gets more harrowing in Weeks 14-16 against the Lions, Bears and 49ers.

The Packers finally got production from their backfield in Week 9, going with James Starks on early downs and Alex Green in passing situations. He told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he’s optimistic about returning to practice soon, so it appears that he has a chance to be healthy for the fantasy playoffs. Benson faces more playing time concerns and a later return date than Wells. He has tough matchups in Weeks 14-15 versus the Lions and Bears, but draws a pushover Titans defense in Week 16.

Amendola (clavicle) insists he “absolutely” will return this week, and the Rams website agrees that he “looks poised” to do so. We addressed Amendola’s outlook last week. He should immediately resume the role of Sam Bradford’s go-to receiver versus the 49ers this week.

Jennings was dropped in quite a few 10-team leagues after undergoing core muscle injury surgery last week. Coach Mike McCarthy expects him to miss a minimum of a couple of weeks, putting his return at Week 12 in a best-case scenario. Although Jennings could be eased back into the wide receiver mix with Randall Cobb and James Jones excelling, he remains worthy of a roster stash in all leagues. There’s no telling how the depth chart will shake out by Week 16 in a juicy matchup versus the Titans.

The Redskins hope to get Garcon (foot) back after the Week 10 bye, but he could be shut down for the season if he doesn’t show improvement. He was unable to run at full speed as recently as a week ago. Of all players listed above, Garcon’s injury is the biggest question mark. Unless he takes a turn for the better in the next few days, he’s not going to be worthy of a roster spot. 

On the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 10. Full write-ups of each player are below.

Quarterbacks
Jake Locker
Ryan Fitzpatrick 
Ryan Tannehill 
Blaine Gabbert
Kevin Kolb

Running Backs
Vick Ballard 
James Starks
Marcel Reece 
Isaac Redman 
Joique Bell
Jacquizz Rodgers 
Shane Vereen / Danny Woodhead 
Mark Ingram / Chris Ivory
Lance Dunbar

Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton 
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Danario Alexander
Ryan Broyles

Emmanuel Sanders

Michael Floyd
Golden Tate
Davone Bess 
Andrew Hawkins

Tight Ends
Dustin Keller 
Brandon Myers
Dwayne Allen
Scott Chandler 
Rob Housler

Team Defense
Steelers 
Dolphins 
Pats 

Quarterbacks

Jake Locker, Titans - Reports surfaced that Locker is “nearly healed” one day after Matt Hasselbeck struggled to move the ball in an embarrassing loss to the Bears. Coincidence? We think not. Coach Mike Munchak left the door open for Locker to start at Miami in Week 10. At the very least, Locker should be under center at Jacksonville in Week 12 after the bye. Locker averaged 20 fantasy points per game in three starts before the shoulder injury.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills - Fitzpatrick is risky matchup play, as he’s gone three of the past four games without a touchdown in a run-heavy offense. The last time he played the Patriots, though, the Amish Rifle tossed four touchdowns on top of 350 yards. Aqib Talib is serving the last week of his suspension, so New England doesn’t have their secondary reinforcements in place just yet. 

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play. 

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins - Although he’s been overshadowed by RGIII and Andrew Luck, Tannehill’s poise and pre-snap reads have been preternatural for a rookie. Throwing out the game he didn’t finish due to injury, Tannehill is averaging 282 passing yards in his last four starts. Touchdowns have been elusive, but that should change against Tennessee’s league worst (34.2 points per game) defense in Week 10.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars - Gabbert is 16th in fantasy points over the past three weeks and now has his deepest wide receiver corps to date with a healthy Laurent Robinson joining Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon. In his latest sign of progress, Gabbert managed to top 200 yards in back-to-back games for the first time in his young career. Three of his past five games have produced the three highest completion percentages of his 22 career starts. Gabbert is averaging 19 fantasy points per over the past two games.  

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues. 

Kevin Kolb, Cardinals - Arizona is 4-1 in games finished by Kolb and winless in four games with Skelton closing out or going the distance. There’s little doubt that Kolb (shoulder, ribs) will regain the starting job once he’s healthy. Entering the Week 10 bye, coach Ken Whisenhunt stated that he anticipates Kolb returning “sooner rather than later.” Kolb had averaged a respectable 20 fantasy points per game as the starter from Weeks 2-6.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Nick Foles, Joe Webb

Coach Andy Reid confirmed after Monday’s loss that Michael Vick will remain the quarterback. Once the Eagles are mathematically eliminated, though, Reid could opt to give the rookie a look. Foles’ fantasy upside is limited behind Philly’s turnstile offensive line. … Coach Leslie Frazier gave Christian Ponder a vote of confidence, but he may have to turn to Webb in the next couple of weeks if the passing game keeps holding the offense hostage.

Cut Bait: Christian Ponder

Ponder managed just 27 yards in the air to his receivers at Seattle. 

Running Backs

Vick Ballard, Colts - Donald Brown didn’t see a single carry after his surgically-repaired knee flared up on Saturday and again early in Sunday’s game. Brown is officially “day to day,” but it’s unlikely that he will work out the swelling and inflammation on a short week. Ballard is fantasy’s No. 10 back over the past three weeks. He has a good shot at matching last week’s 19 touches against a Jaguars defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tailbacks. 

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues. 

James Starks, Packers - Starks got the Week 9 start after taking increased reps in practice. He handled the majority of the early-down carries while Alex Green worked as the passing-down specialist in a tandem attack. Coordinator Tom Clements suggested the Packers will continue with the same approach coming out of the Week 10 bye. Starks is an ordinary talent, but he now has the opportunity to handle double-digit touches every game for the next month.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Marcel Reece, Raiders - Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson are both sidelined by high ankle sprains against a Ravens defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing backs. Although Reece will likely form a committee attack with Taiwan Jones, coach Dennis Allen confirmed that the latter’s ball-security remains a concern. It’s telling that Jones saw just one carry and one target with the McFadden-Goodson duo out for the majority of last week’s game. Reece has just one carry all season, but he’s going to be on the field as the tailback on the majority of passing downs. A potential RB2 option in PPR formats, Reece has cleared 50 yards in three of the past four weeks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues. 

Isaac Redman, Steelers - Coming off a career game in the win over the Giants, Redman has a fine matchup against a Chiefs defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing backs. The problem with relying on Redman as a RB2 option is that Jonathan Dwyer (quad) has a “strong chance” to return while Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) is “questionable” for the Monday night game. The Steelers backfield is likely headed back to a full-blown committee attack for the rest of the season.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Joique Bell, Lions - The Lions’ passing-down specialist is averaging 10.2 touches for 59.2 yards over the past four games. “He's done nothing but reward that confidence that we've had in him,” said coach Jim Schwartz. "He's a talented guy and he has very good run instincts, and it's difficult for the first guy to bring him down.” Bell has carved out a significant role in the NFL’s only offense averaging 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards. 

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues. 

Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons - Rodgers’ fantasy upside is capped by his meager 8.2 touches per game and inability to run effectively between the tackles. The matchup is right for flex value in Week 10, however, against a Saints defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Shane Vereen / Danny Woodhead, Patriots - Vereen has averaged 50 yards in two games since taking over the backup role from an injured Brandon Bolden, who did not participate in bye-week practices last week. Meanwhile, Woodhead is averaging 62 yards per over the past four games; he’s the preferred option in PPR formats. Both players are worthy of flex consideration against a Bills defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing backs. The Pats’ ground attack has friendly matchups versus the Colts and Jets in Weeks 11-12 as well.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Mark Ingram / Chris Ivory, Saints - Looking better than he has all season, Ingram is coming off his heaviest 2012 workload and most yards from scrimmage on Monday night. Active for just the third time this season, Ivory actually led the backfield in touches versus the Eagles. There’s little upside here in the Saints’ four-man committee which takes a backseat to the passing offense most weeks. Darren Sproles (hand) is reportedly aiming for a return as soon as this week against the Falcons. 

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Lance Dunbar, Cowboys - DeMarco Murray is expected to miss one more week with his foot injury. Dunbar unseated Phillip Tanner from the backup role last week, rotating with Felix Jones for 26 yards on eight carries. Although he has a shot at double-digit touches at Philadelphia, Dunbar remains a shaky flex option for Week 10.

 

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Taiwan Jones, Ronnie Brown, Peyton Hillis, Shaun Draughn, Bernard Pierce, Evan Royster, Robert Turbin, Toby Gerhart, Andre Brown

The Raiders haven’t trusted Jones’ ball-security since muffing a shaky pitch from Marcel Reece on an early-season reverse. Reece is clearly the preferred option on passing downs, though Jones could see 8-10 touches on early downs at Baltimore this week. … Brown remains a flex option in PPR formats. … Jamaal Charles (neck) practiced on Monday, leaving Hillis and Draughn without value for Week 10. … The rest of the list should be handcuffed to their feature back counterparts going forward.

Cut Bait: Phillip Tanner, William Powell, Cedric Peerman

Tanner has been bypassed by Lance Dunbar. … Powell has been an afterthought after fumbling three weeks ago. … Peerman doesn’t have a role with Brian Leonard back in the lineup.

Wide Receivers

T.Y. Hilton, Colts - Donnie Avery never returned to last week’s game after exiting with a hip pointer. Interim coach Bruce Arians has deemed Avery a game-time decision for Thursday's bout at Jacksonville. If Avery sits out altogether, Hilton takes on viable WR3 value against the Jaguars’ injury-depleted secondary with Andrew Luck playing at a high level and unafraid to take chances down the field. If Hilton takes advantage of the opportunity, it’s conceivable that he would leapfrog an underwhelming and inefficient Avery for the No. 2 role.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders - DHB has at least six targets and 70 yards in two of the past three games as Denarius Moore begins to draw extra defensive attention outside the numbers. He’s fantasy’s No. 23 receiver over that span. The Raiders figure to continue to lean heavily on the pass with a shaky defense and major injuries at running back.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Danario Alexander, Chargers - Looking for a Week 10 deep sleeper? With No. 1 receiver talent and octogenarian knees, Alexander makes for an intriguing dice roll against a Bucs defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Coach Norv Turner promised that Alexander would remain a “big part” of the Chargers offense regardless of Robert Meachem’s (hamstring) health. Expect DX to draw a second straight start this week.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.

Ryan Broyles, Lions - After finding the end zone or topping 50 yards in all three games since replacing Nate Burleson in the slot, Broyles has been fantasy’s 21st-ranked receiver over that span. The Lions No. 2 offense can support a second fantasy receiver beyond Calvin Johnson, and Broyles figures to trade big weeks with Titus Young going forward. Detroit’s 50:50 pass/rush touchdown split is likely to swing toward the pass in the second half of the season considering the nature of the offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - Coach Mike Tomlin suggested Antonio Brown (mild high ankle sprain) is “very much in doubt” for Week 10.  We suspect the Steelers will take the conservative route against the doormat Chiefs this week. With Brown out of the lineup last week, Sanders played heavy snaps but split production with Jerricho Cotchery. He would be a shaky WR3 option if he draws the Week 10 start.

Recommendation: Worth a look as an injury fill-in.

Michael Floyd, Cardinals - The rookie has run more than 70 percent of the Cardinals’ pass routes the past two games, racking up 18 targets. Floyd has already overtaken Early Doucet for the third receiver role, and coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed he will continue to see increased snaps going forward. He’s purely a deep-league option, as he’s not going to bypass Andre Roberts in the pecking order.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Golden Tate, Seahawks - With dangerous run-after-catch ability, Tate has a similar skill-set to fantasy studs Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb. He picked up 21 rushing yards on two carries and found the end zone twice versus the Vikings in Week 9. Tate can’t be viewed as a reliable weekly option due to Seattle’s run-heavy offense, but there’s WR3 potential here if the coaches make it a point to get the ball in his hands going forward.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Davone Bess, Dolphins - Miami’s No. 2 receiver is on pace for a respectable 76 receptions and a career-high 966 yards, but he’s been limited to PPR formats without a touchdown. Bess has been targeted at least nine times in four of the past five games and draws a Titans defense that has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Andrew Hawkins, Bengals - “Baby Hawk” hasn’t cleared 50 receiving yards or scored a touchdown in the past five games. He’s the Bengals most dangerous player with the ball in his hands, though, and could be in line for an increased role as the team continues its search for a legitimate playmaker opposite A.J. Green. Hawkins’ seven targets versus the Broncos were his most since Week 5.  

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Alshon Jeffery, Justin Blackmon, Laurent Robinson, Greg Little, Donald Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan

Although Jeffery was reportedly aiming for a Week 10 return, coach Lovie Smith recently said the receiver is still expected to be out “awhile.” … Blackmon and Robinson face a Colts defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. … Little continues to start opposite Josh Gordon. … Stevie Johnson is expected to play through his deep thigh bruise, limiting Jones’ upside in a nice matchup. … The Bengals could turn to rookies Sanu and Jones with Brandon Tate and Armon Binns struggling opposite A.J. Green. … Hankerson and Morgan are the best bets to emerge as the Redskins’ No. 1 receiver if Pierre Garcon is shut down for the season.

Cut Bait: Robert Meachem, Aldrick Robinson, Dexter McCluster, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Armon Binns, Jerome Simpson

Tight Ends

Dustin Keller, Jets - Keller is owned in just over a third of Yahoo leagues coming out of the Week 9 bye. Returning from an early-season hamstring injury, Keller averaged seven catches and 80 yards in two games heading into the bye. He has TE1 potential as Mark Sanchez’s top red-zone weapon.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Brandon Myers, Raiders - Myers has only been tepidly recommended in this space because he doesn’t make plays after the catch and hadn’t been used in the red zone. The latter complaint has to be adjusted after Myers reeled in two scores in comeback mode versus the Bucs. Myers is now eighth in tight end fantasy points on the season, and the Raiders will have to keep leaning heavily on Carson Palmer with Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both sidelined by high ankle sprains.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Dwayne Allen, Colts - It’s no coincidence that Allen established season-highs in targets (7), receptions (6), and yards (75) with Coby Fleener (shoulder) out of the lineup at Indy. Fleener has already been ruled out for Week 10, leaving Allen to handle the bulk of the tight-end targets at Jacksonville. Be warned that the Jags have been the stingiest team in the league versus fantasy tight ends.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Scott Chandler, Bills - Overdue for a touchdown, Chandler hasn’t found paydirt since burning the Patriots down the seam for a pair of scores in Week 4. He travels to New England this week for a rematch.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a desperation matchup play.

Anthony Fasano, Dolphins - Fasano has just one catch apiece in the past two weeks, so he’s going to be a high-risk fantasy play even in an attractive matchup. Fasano faces a Titans defense that has allowed an NFL-high 79.6 yards and the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a desperation matchup play.

Watch List: Logan Paulsen, Rob Housler

Both players are entering their bye weeks after topping 50 yards in Week 9. With Todd Heap (knee) due back soon, Paulsen could have more staying power than Housler.

Cut Bait: Jacob Tamme, Dennis Pitta, Jordan Cameron, Kellen Davis

Tamme is now splitting time with Virgil Green opposite Joel Dreessen. He’s managed to hit 50 yards just once all season. … Pitta has totaled exactly 33 yards in three consecutive games. … Cameron is left without a role now that Alex Smith has returned to play alongside Ben Watson. … Davis couldn’t come through in a custom-made matchup versus the Titans.

Team Defense

Steelers - The Steelers have been dropped in many leagues because they rank in the bottom-five of most fantasy scoring systems. After limiting Andy Dalton, Robert Griffin III, and Eli Manning to an average of 129 passing yards the past three weeks, Pittsburgh draws much-maligned Brady Quinn or turnover king Matt Cassel in Week 10.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Patriots - The Pats forced six turnovers at Buffalo early in the season. New CB Aqib Talib could give the secondary a shot in the arm, and New England has four consecutive strong matchups against the Bills, Colts, Jets and Dolphins.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Dolphins - The Dolphins return to face a Titans team that allowed a defensive touchdown, special teams touchdowns, and four fumble recoveries to the Bears in Week 9. You could do worse for a spot play.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play.