Hot Pickups – Week Seven
Christine Michael – Christine Michael has been gobbling up first team reps for the Cowboys and while he is probably in a position to fail with Dez Bryant still sidelined the fact of the matter is Joseph Randle has been demoted for being as pedestrian as always and there is a huge opportunity for this long time dynasty hold to finally get some run as a starter. We like his chances behind the Cowboys dominant offensive line especially when Dez returns. Look at Michael as a RB3 with RB1 upside until we see exactly how large a role he will have going forward. Michael is available in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is this week’s top pickup for.week seven.
Stefon Diggs – Vikings rookie Stefon Diggs had his coming out party this past weekend and may have made the case to be a PPr fantasy fixture for years to come. Operating as Minnesota’s slot man Diggs was found over and over again by Terry Bridgewater and watching the game led one to believe that this could become one of the most prolific duos over the better part of the next decade. Diggs was already trending upwards after a strong week four but has quite clearly ascended the target totem pole now that this preseason star has made his way to the starting lineup. View the 95 percent available Diggs as a WR4 who is one step away from WR2/WR3 status in PPR leagues.
Michael Crabtree – Crabtree leads the Raiders in targets and should be owned in all PPR leagues. Somehow available in 54 percent of Yahoo! leagues owners in need of wideout depth or help in general should look hard at Crabtree. Crabtree is Carr’s third down target and chain mover and figures to remain in a high volume target role for the rest of the season with Latavius Murray proving to be more hype than substance to this point in the season. Fire Crabtree up as a flex option with WR2/WR3 upside week to week.
Darren McFadden – While it is disappointing for McFadden owners that he did not get first crack at lead back duties in Dallas the fact remains that he is the team’s passing down back a role that can yield solid fantasy production with the Cowboys expected to be in gameflow trouble most contests until either Dez or Romo return and perhaps beyond. McFadden is somehow available in 69 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
James Starks – The 83 percent available Starks is a solid add in deeper leagues after going off for 115 yards and two touchdowns on just eleven touches in week six. Starks often sees looser boxes than Eddie Lacy and has higher upside as a receiver so we could see Starks role expand in this offense if he can keep producing in his current change of pace role. Lacy is still the starter here and is in no danger of losing his job but he may not be fully healed and may allow Starks to force his way into a bigger timeshare than anticipated for someone who was expected to be one of the league’s rare workhorse backs. Add Starks where needed as a bye week filler with flex upside.
Lance Moore – Moore seems to have gained a deep league role in the Lions offense and is worth a look as a bye week filler or flex3 in larger league formats. Moore has familiarity with the offense and went off this past sunday for five receptions, 106 receiving yards and a touchdown. Moore is nothing more than a bye week filler for now but could see his role expand if he can put together another strong game or two.
Eddie Royal – Royal has been targeted heavily the past two weeks and looks to see a bump in his fantasy value increase now that he will see easier looks with Alshon Jeffery demanding attention now that he has returned for the Bears. Royal still has a low floor but should be owned in more than 35 percent of Yahoo! leagues. View Royal as a WR4 with borderline WR2 upside in PPR leagues going forward. Add Royal where needed.
