Hot Pickups – Week Six
Alex Green – Cedric Benson was forced from this past Sunday’s match-up with the Colts with a foot or ankle injury and Alex Green got a chance to strut his stuff with James Starks being declared a healthy inactive. Green ripped off a 41 yard run (Benson’s longest this season was 11 yards) and finally seemed to gain some confidence on the ground. Green has earned himself a bigger piece of the workload going forward and is a top waiver add with Benson set to miss the next eight weeks. James Starks is also worth an add in most formats. Green and Starks are available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues. There is no way to say who wins this battle but the smart money is on Green leading the way until Starks proves he is over his turf toe and makes the case that he is still a superior option to the versatile Alex Green.
William Powell/LaRod Stephens-Howling/FA back – Whoever the cardinals sign or trade for is probably the best bet of the bunch but if forced to go with a Cardinals running back currently on the roster I like Alfonso Smith just as much as I like William Powell, which is not much at all as more than a bye week filler/trade bait.
Kendall Wright – Wright is emerging as a legit flex option for PPR leagues after hauling nine of his eleven targets this past Sunday. While Wright has amassed a ton of targets and receptions this season he has yet to truly has his inevitable breakout game. Wright is currently on pace for 80 plus receptions and it is time fantasy leaguers take notice before he enters the fantasy spotlight and requires a top waiver claim. Wright is currently available in 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Andrew Hawkins – Despite a pedestrian stat line (6 touches, 52 yards) in week five Hawkins amassed 13 targets in week five signalling that he has finally emerged as the Bengals number two receiver. The Bengals often line up in the I formation so seeing Hawkins with a team high 13 targets (tied with A.J Green) is a very encouraging sign. Hawkins is available in 57 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Robert Meachem – Meachem is available in 58 percent of Yahoo! leagues and after finally showing some chemistry with Philip Rivers he needs to be owned in all leagues. Meachem is a high upside flex2/bye week filler with the potential to accrue WR3 value over the next few weeks. He will continue to be inconsistent but will undoubtedly be a more reliable option going forward.
Josh Gordon – After the Browns talked him up this week as they increased his first team reps during practice last week Gordon made good on his coaches belief in him turning in a two touchdown performance despite catching balls from Brandon Weeden. Gordon has earned himself a bigger role going forward and as the only player on the Browns roster who truly has number one skills he has significant upside. Gordon is available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is a solid bye week filler with the potential to emerge as a legit flex/flex2 option going forward.
Kendall Hunter – Kendall Hunter has been rock solid this year and has averaged 5.4 yards per carry thus far this season. Hunter has emerged as one of the top backups in the NFL but despite that will likely not be handed the feature job anytime this season with Frank Gore also playing well. Hunter is a solid roster stash for anyone, not just Gore owners and is playing well enough to be a bye week filler after posting 81 yards off of 11 carries in week five against the Bills. Hunter is available in 78 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jahvid Best – Best is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues, especially PPR formats. Now while LeShoure has carved out the feature back role on the Lions, they hope to employ best similarly to how the Saints utilize Darren Sproles in the passing game. Best said he feels good, but still needs to receive medical clearance, which may never happen, but could happen as early as week seven. If Best returns he looks like an upside flex2/bye week filler with the talent to work his way into an every week flex play. Best is available 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Ronnie Hillman – Hillman is now back on the fantasy radar after Moreno lost his grip on the number two duties behind Willis McGahee. Hillman won’t wow anyone and is more of a third down back but is someone with good vision who can get what is blocked. Hillman is a must-have handcuff for McGahee owners and is worth a roster stash in case of injury or a unlikely depth chart change. Hillman is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Devery Henderson – Devery Henderson exploded on Sunday Night football for 123 yards and two touchdowns off of eight receptions. Henderson like a lot of deep threats will be inconsistent from week to week but is worth a start as a flex2 or bye week filler. As evidenced Sunday night Henderson has significant upside when him and Drew Brees are clicking. Henderson is available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
