Hot Pickups – Week Seven

Hot Pickups – Week Seven

Percy Harvin – Coach Pete Carroll said Harvin is getting close. And while close may not mean close enough to play this Thursday there is a growing sentiment that he may start practicing with the team next week. Harvin still has WR1 upside but we expect him to rank as a WR2 for most of this season though that can change in an instant if fastball pitcher Russell Wilson decides to lock on to Harvin throughout their games. Wilson has never had a weapon like Harvin and it will be interesting to note the weekly target volume and whether or not his role increases as the weeks progress. Harvin is still available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Jonathan Stewart – Stewart is eligible to come off the PUP list this week but is reportedly still feeling some discomfort in his foot. Stewart quite honestly has been banged up since he entered the NFL and has a high threshold for playing through pain so we were surprised he was not able to golf and opted for surgery. Stewart remains a top ten talent at the running back position though in Carolina where he loses touches to DeAngelo, Cam and Mike Tolbert he only ranks as a upside RB2 play. Stewart is still available in 93 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be stashed wherever rosters will allow.

Andre Brown – David Wilson is one of this years Ryan Mathews and with his latest injury expected to keep him out until and maybe past week ten Andre Brown is looking all the more appealing as a stash candidate. Granted in the most competitive leagues Brown will already be rostered, if you are in one of those shallow leagues I could only hope to be a part off Brown should be scooped up immediately. Despite the Brandon Jacobs flashback game in week six Brown remains the better bet for fantasy value when both are healthy as Brown is a plus blocker who will not tip the Giants hand when it the game. Brown has every down skills and should be the lead back in the inevitable committee brewing in New York. Brown is still available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Keenan Allen – Still available in 63 percent of Yahoo! leagues Keenan Allen has made his ascension to the top of the wide receiver target pecking order as we predicted this preseason. Allen was and is the only receiver on this team with true number one skills and that fact has now reflected itself on the football field. A week after going off for 115 yards and a touchdown off of six receptions Allen went off for a career high nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. According to Rotoworld’s Evan Silva Keenan Allen is the number four fantasy receiver over the past three weeks behind Jeffery, Bryant and Welker. Allen has worked himself into the WR3 discussion and needs to be owned in all competitive leagues.

Brandon Jacobs – The Human Battering Ram, Football Frankenstein, B-Train, call him what you like, but in week six, perhaps for one night only we got a glimpse of the freak of nature that Brandon Jacobs can truly be. Bigger than most linebackers and some defensive lineman Jacobs should be the toughest tackle in the NFL and when he decides to hit holes rather than dance and pretend he is a scatback…watch out!

Brandon LaFell – LaFell will alternate duds with serviceable fantasy games but should be owned in more leagues during the byes. Available in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues LaFell is a decent bye week filler due to the upside he flashed in week seven with 107 yards and a touchdown off of four receptions and a nine yard rush to boot. LaFell can be a frustrating fantasy player to own but it has become evident that only about 10 percent of Yahoo! leagues are both competitive and sufficiently deep enough as to not have a player like LaFell on the wire. Add him as a bye week filler who may see his role grow as Steve Smith continues to command opposing defenses attentions.

Kris Durham – Matthew Stafford has anointed former college teammmate Durham as his new number two wideout and PPR owners should take immediate notice. The number two wideout for Stafford has fantasy value and Durham is worth the add based on that alone. Dynasty leaguers will want to sell high as it is highly unlikely the Lions do not address the glaring need across from Megatron this off-season if not before the trade deadline. Durham is available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Tim Wright – I will be the first to admit that Wright was not even on my deep league radar before his seven reception, 91 yard performance against the Eagles. Available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues deep leaguers will want to take notice of his dual position eligibility at tight end and wideout. You could do worse for a bye week filler in deep leagues especially in PPR formats. Glennon and Wright seem to have a rapport and we are confident he will continue to see targets even when Mike Williams returns. Wright has the athleticism and lateral quickness to take advantage of the mismatches he presents as a move tight end.

Joseph Fauria – Those in touchdown heavy formats will want to add Fauria if they still are waiting on Gronkowski or have an upcoming bye for their tight end. Fauria is a significant red zone weapon that has firmly earned Matthew Stafford’s trust. A three touchdown performance is worth paying attention to in all league formats as Pettigrew has never been the most consistent red zone option despite his size and skill. Fauria is available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Jarrett Boykin – With Randall Cobb placed on short term injured reserve and James Jones also hobbled Boykin is going to get his shot at short term fantasy value. Boykin will be no more than a flex option but will have considerable weekly upside as a Aaron Rodgers receiver. Boykin is available in percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be picked up by all of those in deeper leagues.

Joseph Randle – With DeMarco Murray out for at least week seven rookie Joseph Randle will get the start against a leaky Eagles run defense. We expect the Cowboys to throw a lot more with Murray out as Randle is not on the same level talent wise. Randle should still flirt with 15+ touches this week making him an upside RB3 play. Randle is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Other names to consider: Nick Foles, Andre Ellington, Shane Vereen, Harry douglas, Shane Vereen, Terrence Williams