Dustin Keller Is Legit, Hillis To Be Useful…

November 16, 2008 at 7:38 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |

Could Brett Favre have a new favorite target? Could Mike Shanahan have a new favorite running back? There’s no way to know for sure, but fantasy owners need to be prepared for Dustin Keller, Peyton Hillis and others to continue to play well for the remainder of the 2008 season.

Rising - Dustin Keller, Jets TE - The Jets rookie TE has 14 catches for 194 yards and a TD in his last two games, and - more importantly - has become Brett Favre’s new favorite target over the middle of the field. Keller has cut into Laveranues Coles’ stat line huge recently, and should continue to be a difference maker for fantasy teams, as he’s essentially a wide receiver who is listed as a TE.

Rising - Peyton Hillis, Broncos RB - Hillis, a rookie fullback turned starting tailback, rushed 10 times for 44 yards and two scores, while catching three balls for more than 20 yards for the Broncos in Week 11. While P.J. Pope and Tatum Bell also played well in a Denver win, expect Hillis to be the team’s lead back moving forward. He’s a great PPR flex option.

Rising - Shaun Hill, 49ers QB - Since taking over as the Niners’ starter for J.T. O’Sullivan, Shaun Hill - who looks like he should have been the team’s starter all along - has tossed the rock for more than 213 yards and two TDs in each of his last two games. He should be a solid fantasy starter in deep leagues moving forward, as he faces the Cowboys, Jets, Bills, Dolphins and Rams.

Rising - Jerod Mayo, Patriots LB - Rookie LB Jerod Mayo - a first round pick of the Patriots in 2008, racked up 20 total tackles against the Jets in Week 11, and leads a bunch of sleeper LBs that highlight this week’s stock market report. Last season, Patrick Willis and Jon Beason emerged as late season IDP studs, and Mayo could very well be this year’s version.

Rising - A.J. Hawk, Packers LB - The Packers third year LB moved from the weak side to the middle to replace Nick Barnett - who hit injured reserve this week. Hawk racked up seven tackles (six solo) in Week 11 and should be a tackle machine moving forward at his new position.

Rising - Chad Greenway, Vikings LB - WOW. WOW. WOW. Is any fantasy LB hotter than Minnesota’s Chad Greenway right now? The Vikings’ third year strong side LB, has at least six solo tackles and one sack in each of his last three games, including a whopping 16 solo tackles in Week 11 against the Buccaneers. Greenway is an absolute must-start moving forward.

Rising - Matt Cassel, Patriots QB - It’s hard not to jock Cassel after he completed 30 of 51 passes for 400 yards and three TDs, while rushing eight times for 62 yards against the Jets. He’s playing smart, and really getting the hang of how to be an NFL QB. Not only is he a solid starting fantasy option in seasonal leagues, but the recent news of Tom Brady’s setbacks from knee surgery recovery are giving his dynasty owners some hope for his long term value.

Rising - Ben Watson, Patriots TE - Welcome back to the radar Ben Watson. After catching only 11 balls for less than 100 yards and zero TDs in his first 9 games, the 27 year old former first round pick - who has been nagged by injuries all season - caught eight balls for 88 yards and a score against the Jets. Watch him moving forward, as he could become a solid option for Matt Cassel.

Rising - Jabar Gaffney, Patriots WR - The 27 year old was relevant to fantasy owners for only the second time this season, hauling in seven passes for 86 yards and a TD against the Jets in Week 11. With Matt Cassel becoming more and more familiar with the Patriots’ offense, and the Dolphins, Steelers, Raiders and Cardinals up next, Gaff could be a solid fill-in in deep leagues.

Rising - Pierre Woods, Patriots LB - With Adalius Thomas out for the season, the 26 year old third year man from the University of Michigan filled in for him in Week 11 and racked up 11 tackles and a sack against the Jets. From special teams to a starting spot in one of league’s most versatile defenses, Woods is now worth a look.

Rising - Eric Barton, Jets LB - The Jets’ 31 year old LB is an IDP stud all of the sudden. With second year man David Harris injured, and having an off season in general, Barton has seven or more solo tackles in each of his last three games, including a 17 tackle performance in Week 11 against New England. Look for Barton to be a top end starter moving forward.

Rising - Thomas Davis, Panthers LB - IDPers, check your waiver wire, Thomas Davis may be available in your league. The fourth year LB who moved from the strong side to the weak side has four or more solo tackles in every game since Week 1, including 18 in his last two games.

Rising - Kevin Smith, Lions RB - Smith has rushed the rock for nearly 200 yards in his last two outings, including a 24 carry, 112 yard performance in Week 11, and a 25 carry, 96 yard, one TD day in Week 10. Smith is clearly entrenched as Detroit’s starter, and has proved that he can succeed against solid run defenses. Smith faces the Buccaneers, Titans and Vikings in his next three weeks, but should still be a solid flex option believe it or not.

Rising - Jonathan Stewart, Panthers RB - After gaining only 31 total yards on 15 carries in his last two games, the 13th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft got a confidence boost facing the Detroit Lions in Week 11. Stewart rushed 15 times for 130 yards and a TD, making him a solid flex option in the next couple weeks against the Broncos and Packers.

Rising - Larry Johnson, Chiefs RB - Johnson returned after four weeks off and carried the rock 19 times for 67 yards, almost getting into the end zone. He also caught a pass for 20 yards and looks to be entrenched as the Chiefs’ starter moving forward. LJ has the Bills, Raiders, Broncos and Chargers up next, and could be a solid fantasy starter down the stretch.

Rising - Joseph Addai, Colts RB - Addai not only bounced back with a huge game against the Texans in Week 11, racking up 105 yards and a TD on 22 carries, but also caught four balls for 48 yards and a score. Addai faces some friendly defenses moving forward, and the Colts are hitting their stride. Addai should be a must-start moving forward.