Hot Pickups – Week 3
Danny Amendola – Available in 53 percent of Yahoo! leagues Danny Amendola should be the top waiver priority in all leagues this week unless you are a Ahmad Bradshaw owner. Amendola exploded in week two with 15 receptions for 160 yards and a TD, the first time he has eclipsed 100 yards. Bradford has a history of relentlessly targeting his top passing game option and no one should doubt that Amendola is that man after week two. We had high hopes for Brian Quick, Chris Givens, Steve Smith and others in this offense but it is clear that Amendola is the only true fantasy option outside of the deepest leagues. Add wherever available.
Brandon LaFell – Available in 68 percent of Yahoo! leagues, LaFell needs to be picked up wherever available. LaFell has solidified himself as the Panthers number two receiver and has been showing some playmaking ability this season, taking snaps out of the backfield and displaying highlight reel run after the catch ability. LaFell finished week two with one rush for 25 yards and six receptions for 90 yards against a beat-up Saints secondary. LaFell will continue to greatly benefit from playing across from a wideout who will be double teamed on most plays.
Mike Williams – Available in 38 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Mike Williams should be universally owned. He had a bad sophomore year but had one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory and now gets plenty of single coverage across from Vincent Jackson, an opportunity he has parlayed into finding paydirt in his first two games of the season. He only had three receptions off of five targets but will continue to be a good bet to score week in and week out after scoring a whopping 11 touchdowns as a rookie.
Mikel LeShoure – There is an army of Kevin Smith supporters but LeShoure is clearly the superior running back and everyone but clueless fanalysts like myself agrees. LeShoure is a capable receiver out of the backfield and is a powerful one-cut runner that can excel with the type of open lanes the Lions aerial attack create. It should be illegal for a back this talented to have the gaping holes that will be afforded him as the Lions top back. Look for LeShoure to take hold of the starting job by week six when the Lions come out of their bye week. LeShoure is mysteriously still available in 65 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Brian Hartline – Hartline exploded for 111 yards off of nine receptions, and while he will not put up monster number every week, he is clearly the Dolphins most talented receiver and will continue to be heavily targeted by Ryan Tannehill. Hartline was targeted 12 times in week two which was twice as much as anyone else on the team, pick him up where available. Hartline is available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Dennis Pitta – Pitta is worth owning in all fantasy leagues, and is a must-add for those who waited on a tight end like Greg Olsen. Pitta had a whopping 15 targets in week two, which is ten more than any other receiver (Rice had 10). Pitta has functioned as the teams number one receiver much to the chagrin of Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin owners, but we do not expect this trend to end. Pitta is available in 71 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Donnie Avery – In week one we were hesitant to suggest an add of Donnie Avery but it has become obvious that Collie can be handcuffed. Avery may have significantly less value to non-Collie owners but is still a worthwhile stash either way just in case Collie continues to miss time. Avery is available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Andre Brown – David Wilson keeps on failing to take advantage of his opportunities and may have permanently been demoted to third string with the emergence of Andre Brown. Wilson fumbled on his second carry in his first game and than dropped an early pass in his second game, all the while former touted back Andre Brown stepped in to the tune of 71 yards and a touchdown off of 13 carries and 19 yards off of two receptions. Brown is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Daryl Richardson – With Steven Jackson succumbing to the all too familiar groin injury, it was Daryl Richardson and not Isaiah Pead who came in to take over the feature back workload. We are not sure how much time, if any, that Jackson will miss but Richardson has proved more than capable with 15 carries for 83 yards and two receptions for 19 yards. Richardson has been more impressive than disappointing rookie Pead since the off-season so Richardson is the one to own here. Richardson is available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
