Cho Knows, So Pick’em Up!!

I find myself undefeated in 4 leagues (1 standard league, 2 8-team standard leagues and 1 16-team keeper league). It’s definitely a good feeling, but a lot of it you realize in fantasy football revolves around your guys staying healthy. With that being said, Week 2 saw some big names either sitting out or getting crushed with some tough news. Especially in fantasy though, one man’s loss can lead to another person’s significant gain. We’ll go through some players at each position that I think can help your team for the rest of the season.

Quarterback: “Alright, Killa.”

2 Weeks of Killa Cam

Cam Newton (CAR) - Am I a believer? Do I have faith that Cam Newton can keep up this torrid pace as a rookie? The answer is a resounding “No.” But, the guy has shown that he can deliver in fantasy (though I’m sure his teammates would rather have the win). I still say he is a matchups play and that defenses will be able to prepare a lot more on film, to check his tendencies and learn to capitalize on his mistakes and limit his production. I still would NEVER start Cam Newton over the elite and top tier QBs, which in my mind include Vick (PHI), Rodgers (GB), Rivers (SD), Brees (NO) and Brady (NE).

Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF) - There’s nothing sexy about this Harvard grad, but he’s finding a way to get it done. He’s spreading the ball while Fred Jackson is pounding the ball on the ground. He seems to stay so cool, and he just loves to play the game. Again, he is a matchups play (like Newton), but he is definitely worth a pickup.

Matt Hasselback (TEN) - He was always a good QB in my opinion, and he’s establishing some great rapport with Kenny Britt. Once Chris Johnson gets going on the ground, Hasselback may turn into a good option at QB. If you need help at QB, take a flyer on him and see what happens.

Running Back: “McCLUSTER BOMB!!”

McCLUSTER BOMB!!

Dexter McCluster/Thomas Jones (KC) - Jamaal Charles owners must be in pain right now. More than anything, I think we need to realize that more than our pain, Jamaal Charles must be going through a lot, physically, emotionally and mentally. Sometimes we forget these are real people. But with that being said, what are owners to do? McCluster and Jones don’t have the same big-play potential as Charles, but I can see McCluster being the more explosive back. Meanwhile, Jones may be that TD vulture we’ve seen him play at times in previous years. If I pick one, it’s McCluster, but this RB situation is not looking very promising.

James Starks (GB) - He’s not getting as many touches as I’d like, but he’s doing work with them. He even got involved more in the passing game this past week, and that is great news for all Starks owners. If he’s still out there, I’d nab him up.

Daniel Thomas (MIA) - Reggie Bush, what can we say? You’re trying to prove something (being an every down back) that I believe is more pride than anything else. It’s okay that you’re better off as a role player out of the backfield; it doesn’t make you less of a man or a player. You are an amazing athlete, but you’ll do better to embrace your role as a change-of-pace pass-catching run-in-space type of back. Now, onto Thomas, who put up some good numbers this past week. If he’s going to be more involved, he is worth a pickup.

Willis McGahee (DEN) - Look, the rest last year playing #2 to Ray Rice probably did him a lot of good. With that rest, he’s been able to keep from being banged up and took full advantage of Knowshon Moreno’s injury by putting up some good numbers. Denver showed they trusted him with the ball and gave him plenty of touches. I’m not saying there’s a changing of the guards just yet, but I’d pick up McGahee and see what happens. I think he actually fits the system in Denver better.

Wide Receiver: “Rookie Love”

Eric Decker (DEN) – I wish his first name was Double… Mmm… Double Decker… but I digress. I know he was playing more because of an injured Brandon Lloyd. But now Eddie Royal is out with a more significant injury, which should keep Decker playing more snaps. He’s shown playmaking ability both as a receiver and as a returner, and I can see him doing some damage in the slot if he gets Royal’s snaps. If you’re hurting at WR, he’s worth a shot.

AJ Green (CIN) - It’s fun watching the chemistry between Dalton and Green develop even through the course of a couple weeks. As the only legitimate downfield threat, Green could have some big days. I still say he’s hit or miss, but you could do a lot worse.

** A Name to Keep in Mind

Come back, Danny boy!

Danny Amendola (STL) - Keep this guy in mind, guys. Bradford is hitting his stride, he just needs players who can catch! Once this little man comes back into the slot, I see some big things happening.

TE

Rob Gronkowski (NE) - Aaron Hernandez looks to be out of commission for a few weeks. Will all the balls they’ve been sharing now be his? Probably not. Will he still produce? Without a doubt. Gronkowski is an immediate add.

I hope that helps many of you, and I hope everyone has a good and healthy Week 3.

It is Wells with my Soul

Remember the good old days of fantasy when you could just draft your stud RB’s and then build your team around them? With RB committees becoming more and more popular, those with full-time featured back roles become even more valuable. With that being said, I wanted to highlight a few RB’s that may surprise this year.

1. Beanie Wells (AZ – RB)

Can this be the year?

– It’s either go big or go home little Beanie. Hightower is now out of the picture, and Beanie will have all the chance in the world to show that he was worth a high pick for the Arizona Cardinals. Not only that, they now have Kolb, who can actually get the ball close enough to WR Fitzgerald for him to make a catch! This bodes very well for Wells, who should have more space to work with. All signs point to a breakout year, and his first test will be against a weak Carolina defense in Week 1. Barring injury, I can see Wells finishing as a top-10 back this year. If there is an owner who is itching to make a trade, see if you can’t trade for Wells for lower cost than his actual value.

2. Jahvid Best (DET – RB)

Simply the Best?

- He has all the talent necessary to live up to his surname, but to this point Best has been “bested” by his propensity for injury (I know, I know that was bad). If you look at pure skill set, a healthy best can join the elite ranks. To add to the sexiness, much like Wells, the passing attack of the Lions with Stafford and Johnson should help to alleviate some of the burden to carry the team.

3. Tim Hightower (WAS – RB)

Hightower's Chance

- Granted, nobody knows what is going on in the mind of Mike Shanahan, but he is clearly impressed with Hightower and his style of play. Hightower showed glimpses of ability in his stint in Arizona, and he is being given the chance to shine as the every down back of the Redskins. He is a tough runner and can catch the ball and run. As long as Shanahan doesn’t decide to play RB carousel, Hightower, who is being drafted pretty lowly, can be a steal and is someone I’d target as a buy low before it’s too late player.