Hot Pickups – Week Eight
Rashad Jennings – Jennings looks to be this weeks no brainer top fantasy pick-up with Maurice Jones-Drew’s foot injury looking like it may be a multiple week injury. Jennings is a lock for RB2 value as long as MJD is out, which may be for the season. Jennings is a threat for 100 yards from scrimmage on a weekly basis due to the Jaguars reliance on running back check-downs Add Jennings wherever available, Jennings is a free agent in 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
LaRod Stephens Howling – Stephens-Howling went off for 140 plus yards against a tough Vikings run defense and looks to have secured the feature back job for the Cardinals. Howling rushed for 102 yards and hauled in four receptions for 45 yards and put in an effort that likely would not have been matched by a healthy Beanie Wells or Ryan Williams. Powell got only four carries against the Vikings and has clearly taken a backseat on the depth chart. LSH is available in 83 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jeremy Kerley – Kerley has been going off and has averaged 79.3 yards per game over the past three games with Santonio Holmes out with injury. Kerley seems to be the Jets most reliable receiver and after a seven catch, 120 yard effort in week seven he is one of this week’s top pickups. Kerley is available in 57 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jonathan Dwyer – With Redman and Mendenhall both ruled out in week seven Dwyer got a chance to start and responded with a 7.2 yard per carry average on his way to 122 yards. Dwyer has definitely earned himself a timeshare and may even supplant Rashard Mendenhall who is still recovering from last year’s injury. Dwyer is available in 76 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Montario Hardesty – Trent Richardson has a rib cartilage injury and will be evaluated week to week leaving Hardesty with some flex appeal as a bye week filler. Hardesty has RB3 value as long as long as T-Rich is still banged up and boasts RB2 upside if Richardson is actually ruled out of any contests. Hardesty is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Chris Givens – While Brandon Gibson may be the Rams most targeted receiver the rest of the season it is Chris Givens who is the big play threat and may become more valuable in standard formats. Givens is worth an add in 12-team plus league formats. Givens is available in 94 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Leonard Hankerson – Leonard Hankerson and Santana Moss are both intriguing adds with Pierre Garcon out indefinitely. Hankerson is showing more consistency and chemistry with RGIII and is a regular target downfield which leads one to believe a breakout game in on the horizon. Hankerson is a decent flex in PPR leagues and is a solid bye week filler and Garcon injury replacement for the time being. Hankerson has the upside to establish standalone WR3 value as he continues to develop a rapport with RGIII. Hankerson is available in 93 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Chris Cooley – With Fred Davis on injured reserve the Redskins re-signed veteran Chris Cooley. Niles Paul is also in the mix but Cooley is an upside flier as a TE2. Cooley should be available in all leagues that don’t allow in-game pickups.
