Hot Pickups – Week 4

Nate Washington – Available in 63 percent of Yahoo! leagues Nate Washington went off for eight receptions for 92 yards and 1 touchdown with Kenny Britt down. Now that it has been confirmed that Britt has been lost for the season Washington is the top pickup of the Titans’ wideouts. The Titans are looking at free agents like Donnie Avery but Washington will remain the #1 until further notice. Washington should be good for flex value for the remainder of the season.

Torrey Smith – Torrey Smith exploded in his first career game with five receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Unbelievably, his 1st three catches in his NFL career were TD receptions which set a new NFL record. What is even more impressive is that all of the TD’s came in the first quarter. Smith also added 1 rush attempt for 10 yards. Now while Lee Evans is still expected back this week it is certain than Smith has earned himself a role and has the trust of big-armed Joe Flacco. Smith was drafted to be Flacco’s vertical threat but after a disappointing preseason Lee Evans was brought aboard. Smith is nothing more than a high upside bench stash for now but has flex value written all over him once he starts getting consistent snaps with Evans healthy. Smith is currently available in 92 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Donald Jones – Donald Jones really looked like something special against the New England Patriots. He finished the day with five receptions for 101 yards, and was one the receiving end of ten targets for the day. Buffalo’s passing attack is for real and this means Jones will remain a fantasy factor for the rest of the season. Jones projects as a bye week filler in all but the deepest leagues where he can be employed as a flex2. Jones is available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

David Nelson – Ryan Fitzpatrick is for real and he has now made three wideouts fantasy relevant. Now while Johnson is the most talented, the 6’5, 220 lbs, 4.45 40-time Nelson is a very intriguing option in this high octane passing attack. A week after hauling in eight receptions for 130 yards Nelson hauled in six for 84 yards and has proved that despite being the #3 WR for the Bills that in fantasy that he will remain relevant this season. Nelson is still available in 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Victor Cruz – A preseason darling in 2010 Cruz finally showed up on Sunday to the tune of three receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Cruz benefited from the absences of Manningham and Hixon and finally proved his mettle. Cruz is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Cruz is nothing more than a upside bench stash until he can prove consistent in all but the deepest leagues where he can be employed as a bye week filler.

Lance Moore – Moore had a big week three with nine receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown. Lance Moore should remain a favorite target of Drew Brees for the rest of the season and is worth the addition wherever he is available. Moore is a solid flex play in all formats, especially PPR. Moore is still available in 38 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Denarius Moore – Though he did not do it through the air, Denarius Moore still managed to find the end-zone against a tough Jets defense. Moore finished week three with four receptions for 34 yards and one rushing attempt for 23 yards and a TD. Despite his stellar week two performance Moore is still available in 46 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Moore is a solid flex option in deeper leagues and an upside flex2 in shallower formats going forward.

Dexter McCluster – With Thomas Jones struggling on the ground the versatile McCluster ran for 45 yards on nine carries and added five receptions for 17 yards. Now while McCluster is not about to become the bell cow in this offense he has earned at least 14-16 touches per week and will thus be fantasy relevant for the rest of the season. McCluster looks like a solid flex2 in deeper leagues and a rock solid bye week filler in shallower formats. McCluster is available in 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Early Doucet – Early Doucet had a solid week three hauling in five receptions for 50 yards. Doucet’s fantasy contribution this season should be consistent but not spectacular. He is a good add in deeper formats, but has no value other than a bye week filler in shallower formats. He looks like a flex2 in the deepest leagues. Doucet is still 72 percent available in Yahoo! leagues.

Bernard Scott – With Cedric Benson’s three-game suspension still looming Bernard Scott is a hot pickup. He should have been added in most competitive leagues last week but he is still available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He has averaged 4.7 YPC as a starter so there is some upside here.