Hot Pickups – Week Nine (Late week edition)
Pierre Thomas – With Darren Sproles sidelined due to a broken hand, Thomas needs to be owned in all league formats. He is only available in 37 percent of Yahoo! leagues which means he is probably owned in most competitive formats but we recommend checking your leagues wire just to be sure. With Ingram never getting enough touches to get going in New Orleans Thomas will likely lead the Saints backfield in touches and should flirt with upside RB2 status while Sproles is sidelined.
Beanie Wells – Despite a solid game from LSH against the Vikings, the Cardinals will turn back to Wells when he is healthy enough to be active. Available in 86 percent of Yahoo! leagues Wells is a high upside stash as the likely starter when he returns to the team from designated to return IR in a few weeks. Make the add before someone else in your league does.
Ryan Broyles – With Nate Burleson out for the season Ryan Broyles stepped up for the Lions with five receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. Broyles figures to stay locked in a the third wide receiver despite the addition of Mike Thomas at the trade deadline. Broyles is available in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be added in 12 team and deeper formats. Needless to say if you are in one of those 34 percent of Yahoo! leagues where Titus Young is still available, he should be the one you add first.
Chris Givens – Givens looks like the Rams receiver to own in standard scoring formats. The go route deep threat has been firmly on the fantasy radar the last few weeks and he needs to be added in all formats especially dynasty leagues. Givens was and is the most pro ready between him and Brian Quick and it has shown with half of the season now in the books. The Rams second rounders will get it going eventually but for now it is Chris Givens and Daryl Richardson who should be owned in fantasy leagues and not the more heralded higher draft picks Isaiah Pead and Brian Quick. Givens is available in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
James Starks – Though still nursing a turf toe injury, Starks is healthy enough to be active on game days and with sophomore Alex Green struggling in a feature back role it is only a matter of time before Starks gets his number called. Starks is not overly impressive between the tackles but has enough skill to accrue about 80 yards from scrimmage per game given featured touches. Add Starks as a upside stash. Starks is available in 89 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Mark Ingram – The Saints traded up to make Ingram their feature back last year but the addition of Darren Spoles excluded Ingram from the passing game and excellent change of pace back Pierre Thomas has been better at producing with a limited workload marginalizing this terrific talent in the Saints offense. With Sproles now injured Ingram may finally get his chance to show why he was a 1st round pick. Thomas will likely be the first man up but if Ingram gets going with increased touches he may finally be given the feature back role he was drafted for. Ingram is available in 77 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Cecil Shorts – Even with Laurent Robinson due back this week Cecil Shorts will remain a starter. Cecil Shorts has averaged 97.5 yards over his past two games and is the only Jaguars receiver that has shown any semblance of consistency this season. Shorts should be added in deeper formats as a flex option with WR3 upside. Shorts is available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Daniel Thomas – Daniel Thomas has a ton of talent and even though his yards per carry have yet to indicate it thus far in his career his role is growing in Miami. Averaging 12.5 touches over his past two games it is only a matter of time before Thomas gets going. Thomas is the type of back who needs the ball 20+ times a game to be at his most effective, but he has high touchdown upside giving him value in fantasy leagues. Thomas has found the end zone in three of his last four games and figures to keep that trend going versus a weak Colts run defense. Thomas is available in 76 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Shane Vereen – Shane Vereen is a very explosive and strong running back who can run between the tackles as well as operate in space. The problem with Vereen thus far in his career has been staying healthy, but when he is healthy he is roster worthy. With Ridley operating as the thunder back Vereen looks to assume the lightning role. He has amassed just under ten touches a game over the past two weeks and his role figures to expand if he emerges from the bye healthy. Add wherever possible. Vereen is available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
