Hot Pickups – Week Four
Jordan Matthews – Cousin of Jerry Rice Jordan Matthews was second on the team in targets in week three and after a two score, eight reception, 59 yard game he has earned himself a bigger role going forward. Matthews is available in 82 percent of fantasy leagues and will likely be one of the best, sustainable assets to come off of your wire this year, take that into consideration when deciding what type of FAAB bid to make.
Kirk Cousins – Available in 54 percent of Yahoo! leagues Cousins should be rostered in all leagues with the bye weeks coming up. Cousins exploded against the Eagles and besides for a game-sealing interception had an outstanding game with 427 passing yards and a touchdown. Cousins will be an upside QB2 during the bye weeks.
Allen Robinson – Robinson staked his claim to a starting job with a solid seven reception, 79 yard outing against the Colts in week three. Robinson picked up most of his yardage in garbage time but the switch to Blake Bortles bodes well for his fantasy value going forward as does the fact that he presents a size element that Cecil Shorts and Marqise Lee cannot provide and he holds a significant talent edge over week one waiver wire buzz name UDFA Allen Hurns.
Isaiah Crowell – Isaiah Crowell once again looked better than Terrance West and one has to believe that it is only a matter of time before Crowell passes him on the depth chart. Clouding Crowell’s redraft appeal is the impending return of Ben Tate. Crowell is a must own in dynasty leagues and is should be on benches in deeper leagues. Crowell is available in 82 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Lorenzo Taliaferro – Taliaferro looked rock solid versus the Browns in week three as he ran decisively and rumbled his way to 91 yards and a TD plunge on 18 carries. With Bernard Pierce now a legit injury risk and not looking as spry and effective as he did in a COP back role in his rookie season Taliaferro has a legit chance to run with this job if he can put up another strong performance in week four. Taliaferro is available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
John Brown – Brown has continued to impress despite a limited amount of targets and now has three touchdowns on the season following his two touchdown week three breakout versus the 49ers. Brown is only an option in deeper leagues until his target count rises but is a high upside stash in redraft and a must own in dynasty leagues. Brown could be a focal point of this offense by 2015 when Larry Fitzgerald is expected to be released by the Cardinals. Brown is available in 92 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Eddie Royal – Only those in the deepest of leagues need apply here. Royal still has talent even though lower body injuries have sapped his rookie season explosion and will have his good week much like he did last year. With that said Philip Rivers will let coverages dictate the weekly target distribution and thus Royal is no more than a WR5 option in fantasy leagues which means the player pool in your league will have to be significantly deep for Royal to be a legit fantasy factor week to week. Royal has more value in PPR leagues but is still a bye week filler for those in deeper standard leagues. Fresh off of a two touchdown week three Royal is available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Brian Quick – Functioning as the Rams number one receiver Quick should be owned in all but the shallowest of formats. Quick found the end zone in week three despite only hauling in two of his four targets and is a solid bye week filler. Quick is available in 62 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Andrew Hawkins – Hawkins should be owned in all PPR leagues and is somehow available in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Hawkins unlike teammate Miles Austin (89 percent available) who is also a good bye week filler will have a role even after the return of Josh Gordon and should be rostered in more leagues across the board.
Mohamed Sanu – Dropped by fantasy owners across the globe when it was announced AJ Green would suit up this week Sanu flourished in the number two role by hauling in five receptions for 44 yards and throwing a touchdown pass to..wait for it…Andy Dalton in what has to be the among the funniest plays of the year. Sanu will be a solid bye week filler in deeper formats and should maintain some deep league value even when Marvin Jones returns. Sanu is available in 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Hakeem Nicks – Though he still possesses the WR1 talent he flashed during his early tenure the Giants Nicks is no better than the third option on a team rife with pass catchers. Nicks will be a serviceable bye week filler as a high upside WR4 but expectations need to be tempered as Reggie Wayne, TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener, Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson will also be seeing targets in the passing game limiting Nicks to a touchdown dependent weekly fantasy role. Nicks still has the potential to lead the Colts in TD’s as we predicted this off-season and is available in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Marvin Jones – Available in 85 percent of Yahoo! leagues Jones has a chance to make an immediate impact upon his return to the Bengals as he is one the teams top red-zone threats. With that said expect Jones’ snaps to be limited once again this year as Sanu is left on the field as he is a plus blocker. Consider Jones a flex option during the bye week crunch with the talent to become a WR3 mainstay in short order.
Blake Bortles – Bortles has been handed the starting gig in Jacksonville as Chad Henne predictably fell on his face despite a wealth of talent at the wide receiver position. Bortles steps in as an immediate QB2 with upside during the bye weeks, and by the time the byes are over he should have solidified his QB2 status. Bortles always had upside in this offense with the drafting of Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee and he can now add UDFA Allen Hurns to a quartet that also includes Cecil Shorts who he found on a hilarious fake spike touchdown late in week three. Start Bortles with confidence as a bye week filler if you were unable to land Kirk Cousins. Bortles is available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Owen Daniels – With Dennis Pitta lost for the year Owen Daniels becomes a strong upside TE2 add. Daniels followed Gary Kubiak from Houston and is the new starter in Baltimore and he should once again be fantasy relevant. Daniels is a solid bye week filler and may become a TE1 before the year is out. Add him if you are a Pitta or Kyle Rudolph owner or otherwise struck out on your ‘wait for a tight end’ strategy.
