Hot Pickups – Week Two
Julius Thomas – Julius Thomas is a top ten tight end the rest of the way due to his immense upside with Peyton Manning under center. The former basketball player showed glimpses of Antonio Gates and should have a monster year with close to ten touchdowns. I predicted he would be a top ten option and have eight scores this year but had no clue he would breakout in this fashion despite recommending him as a fantasy start for week one. Thomas is available in just 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Kellen Winslow – It didn’t take long for Kellen Winslow to emerge as Geno Smith’s favorite target especially with Santonio Holmes spending the day on Revis Island. Winslow works tirelessly to get open and Smith rewarded him with eight targets, seven of which he corralled for 79 yards and a touchdown. Winslow is no bet to make it through the season unscathed especially with his creaky knees but seems like he will be a top target in this offense going forward and is worth an add in deeper leagues. Winslow is available in 96% of Yahoo! leagues.
Joique Bell – Bell should be near the top of your waiver or FAAB claim list after a monster opening week that saw him find the end zone twice while hauling in five passes for 67 and taking six carries for 25 yards. Bell’s arrow is pointing up even further with news that Reggie Bush is dealing with a dislocated thumb as well as a groin pull following Detroit’s Lion-esque victory. Bell is available in 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Da’Rel Scott – Da’Rel Scott averaged 7.4 yards on his 10 touches Sunday night with five carries for 23 yards and five receptions for 51 yards. Scott is not a 30 touch per game workhorse but could produce solid flex numbers now that he seems in line for 12-15 touches per night with Wilson proving to still have a case of ‘fumblitis’. The Giants are expected to add a veteran tomorrow when contracts no longer have to be guaranteed for the season but Scott looked good on Sunday and will remain near the top of the depth chart for the time-being. Scott is available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Fred Jackson – Jackson had 17 touches this past Sunday while starter Spiller had 22. Jackson entered the game while Spiller was struggling on the ground (2.4 ypc) which leads us to believe he will not have this big a piece of the pie when he is not outproducing Spiller on the ground. Jackson is a high upside handcuff that has standalone flex2 and bye week filler appeal. Jackson is available in 55 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Daniel Thomas – Though neither Thomas or Lamar Miller were able to find much room to operate versus the Browns underrated from seven, it was Thomas emerged with the better contest scoring a touchdown despite a line of 14 yards on 8 carries. One of these two backs is going to emerge rather quickly so if there is space on the end of your bench take a flier on Thomas in case he emerges as the Dolphins lead dog. Thomas is available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Bilal Powell – Despite being named the starter before the season opened Bilal Powell is still available in 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Powell is just an average running back but has an opportunity to carve out a role for himself if he can put some good games together before Mike Goodson returns from suspension. Powell is the current third down back and can be employed as a flex2 until Mike Goodson returns in week four.
Rueben Randle – Randle saw a lot of action across the field from Nicks and Cruz in three wide sets and feasted on single coverage to the tune of 101 yards off of five receptions. Randle should have been drafted in deeper leagues but if you are in one of the shallow or inactive leagues Randle is still available in he may be worth the add. Randle has WR3 upside if someone gets hurt but for now is a rock solid flex2 with flex upside. Randle is available in 55 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Julian Edelman – Edelman was fantastic this past Sunday and did his own Welker impression along with Danny Amendola hauling seven of his nine targets for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Edelman will be atop most teams waiver claim lists this week and is unowned in 78 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Edelman is a solid flex play going forward until Thompkins or Dobson get it together.
Marlon Brown – With Jacoby Jones out four to six weeks Marlon Brown has emerged as must add for those needing receiver depth. He could be especially valuable to Justin Blackmon owners who may be down a solid option until he returns from suspension. Brown has some upside as Flacco will prefer throwing to him in single coverage versus testing the bracket coverage against Torrey Smith. Brown is a solid flex option with WR3 upside until Jones returns. Dynasty leaguers will want to pay special attention to adding Brown as he may permanently supplant Jones as the Ravens number two wideout. Browns is available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Brian Hartline – Available in 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues Hartline should be scooped up immediately wherever available. He had an inconsistent campaign last season with a couple of big games mixed in with some duds. This year however with Mike Wallace in town he will get to have his way in single coverage game in and game out while Mike Wallace plays decoy. Hartline looks like a solid flex option with WR3 upside the rest of the way.
Andre Roberts – Roberts displayed solid chemistry with Carson Palmer in week one racking up eight receptions on nine targets for 97 yards. Floyd will remain the Cardinals number two receiver and has more potential upside but games like this remind us that there is room for three fantasy relevant wideouts on the Cardinals roster. Roberts continues to be solid flex/flex2 option but is unowned in 79 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite a solid 60 reception, 750 yard 2012 season.
Eddie Royal – Despite being named the number two wideout over Vincent Brown, Royal’s ownership number is at a slim two percent while Vincent Brown is only available in 29 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Royal is a moveable chess piece when healthy and solidified his hold on the starting gig with two touchdowns in the first three quarters. Royal has always had talent but has dealt with a myriad of injuries since his stellar rookie debut. Consider Royal a flex2/bye week filler with flex upside going forward.
Leonard Hankerson – Hankerson finally had the breakout game we have all been waiting for (5 rec, 80 yds, 2 TD’s) and in turn has probably won the trust of RGIII and the Shanahans. Its true that the Redskins were playing catch-up in this one but Hankerson has never be short on talent just consistency, and is someone we have been intrigued with since his rookie season. This could be a case of fooled me once, but those in deeper leagues should take the plunge. Dynasty leaguers should make the immediate add if he is still available in your league. Hankerson is currently available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Kenny Stills – Stills proved he is capable of being the field stretcher the Saints need him to be, hauling in a 67 yard bomb and a 15 yard pass. Stills only had two receptions on the day but his five targets are an encouraging sign for this burner with 4.38 wheels. Stills should already be owned in all dynasty leagues and should also be rostered in deeper leagues. There is a scenario where he pushes for Lance Moore for his starting job with improved consistency. Stills is a flex3/bye week filler for now with his fantasy arrow pointing straight up. Stills is available in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Rod Streater – Much like we saw with Palmer last year Streater has become Pryor’s top option in the passing game both due to his size and penchant for getting open. He is still inconsistent but managed to haul in five of his eight targets for 70 yards receiving versus the Colts. Streater is a solid bye week filler option and is available in 93 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Geno Smith – Geno Smith’s ineptness was largely exaggerated as his success at WVU should have proved to anyone who was paying attention. Smith managed over 300 total yards with 256 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception and 47 yards rushing on six carries. Smith will get better as the season progresses and his yards on the ground were a welcome sign for this traditional pocket passing rookie. Smith is available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
EJ Manuel – EJ Manuel almost picked up a win in his first start and managed a respectable two touchdowns on 150 yards. Manuel only rushed three times in this one picking up 23 yards stymieing his fantasy value for the day. Manuel should put up more gaudy numbers in the future but this reminds us he is nothing more than an intriguing mid level QB2. Manuel is available in 81 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
