Hot Pickups – Week Two
Josh Gordon – With news that the NFL and NFLPA are working towards a new drug policy and that he may see his suspension reduced Gordon needs to be stashed in all leagues. Somehow despite news of this possibility breaking last week he is still available in 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Telling you to check your wire and to add him wherever available should go without saying.
Mark Ingram – Ingram is probably owned in most competitive leagues but is still available in 44 percent of Yahoo! leagues so it is worthwhile to take a look at your wire just in case as Ingram seems primed to finally deliver on his ten touchdown potential; Ingram got his run to that number started off in the right way with an impressive two touchdown performance against the Falcons.
Terrance West – After a preseason full of hype West’s stock dropped as Ben Tate was named the bell-cow back, but than, as expected, Ben Tate went down with an injury and Terrance West was able to put on a show. West managed 100 yards on 16 carries for an impressive 6.25 yards per carry. West earned himself a bigger role when Tate returns and should be able to deliver on his RB4/Flex value with Tate healthy, and will be a RB2 with Tate out of the lineup. West is available in 62 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Lorenzo Taliaferro – With Ray Rice being released from the Baltimore Ravens it opens up an opportunity for rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro who is running behind Bernard Pierce who has not impressed since his rookie season. Taliaferro is currently third on the depth chart behind Pierce and Justin Forsett but was handpicked for Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme and could find fantasy relevance within a few weeks and is well worth a bench stash flier. Taliaferro is available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Rod Streater – Despite going off for eight touchdowns and over 800 yards as a rookie, Rod Streater has been overlooked by fantasy experts and fantasy owners alike and is still available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Streater only had five receptions for 46 yards and the score but was targeted seven times and one expects Derek Carr to get more aggressive as the season wears on making Streater an ideal upside bench stash.
Allen Hurns – Despite being named the starter before game-time UDFA rookie Allen Hurns is still available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues and will be one of the top pickups this week after going off for 110 yards and touchdown on four receptions. Hurns was targeted nine times and earned himself a role going forward regardless of the health of Cecil Shorts, Marqise Lee or Allen Robinson.
Isaiah Crowell – Crowell strutted his stuff to the tune of two rushing touchdowns after Ben Tate left this past Sundays game with an injury. Crowell is available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Crowell is among the most impressive rookie running backs in this draft class but depth chart issues should cause potential owners to temper their expectations. Crowell was clearly Terrance West’s backup once Ben Tate inevitably went down but his touchdown numbers make him a solid bye week filler if Ben Tate misses significant time.
Steve Smith – Available in 62 percent of Yahoo! leagues the written off Steve Smith turned back the clock with seven receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown off of a whopping 15 targets. Granted most of Smiff’s damage came off of a highlight reel 80 yard reception but it is the targets that should be of more interest to fantasy owners here as it signifies Smith will have a fantasy relevant role for the Ravens even when the Ravens pass the ball less than 62 times per game.
Chris Ivory – Available in 69 percent of Yahoo! leagues Ivory went off for the Jets proving that he will indeed have some flex value this season even if Chris Johnson is the starter. Ivory ripped off an impressive 71 yard run that boosted his ypc from average to elite so that should be taken into account when prioritizing your waiver claims this week.
