McGahee Returns, Jones On Fire, Bills Struggling
November 10, 2008 at 10:16 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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| It’s taken 10 weeks for fantasy owners to put their fingers on several issues this season. Is Willis McGahee still the man in Baltimore? When will Kellen Winslow, Marques Colston and Peyton Manning bounce back? and - can Denver Broncos’ rookie Eddie Royal be counted on as a solid fantasy option?
Rising - Willis McGahee, Ravens RB - Talk about an up and down season. Ravens RB Willis McGahee has dealt with knee, ankle and shoulder injuries all year, and was a late scratch last week when rookie RB Ray Rice stepped in and blew up for more than 150 yards rushing. McGahee returned strong in Week 10, racking up 112 yards and two TDs on a season high 25 carries. All of the sudden, the 27 year old has four scores in his last five games and looks to be a solid RB2 in all leagues for the 6-3 Ravens, who are now right in the hunt for an AFC playoff spot.
Rising - Brandon Jones, Titans WR - The fourth year man from Oklahoma had been battling injuries all season, prior to returning strong in Week 8 against the Colts. Since then he’s had four or more catches in each of his last three games, including eight receptions for 82 yards against the Bears in Week 10. As more teams learn how to stop Chris Johnson and put eight in the box against the Titans’ rushing attack, the team will have to throw more. Kerry Collins can move the ball down field, and as long as Jones stays healthy, he has a serious chance to finish the season as a legit PPR fantasy WR3.
Rising - Thomas Jones, Jets RB - No RB is hotter than NYJ 30 year old Thomas Jones right now. He has seven TDs in his last five games after getting into the end zone three times against the Rams in Week 10. Jones will strut his stuff on Thursday night against the Patriots on NFL Network. While the schedule gets a little tougher over the next two weeks, Jones owners should be patient, as he’s likely to be a must-start down the stretch, which match-ups against Denver (Week 13), San Francisco (Week 14) and Seattle (Week 16).
Rising - Eddie Royal, Broncos WR - Are you kidding me? We knew this kid was going to surprise some people in his rookie season, but it really looks like he’s becoming a legit fantasy WR1 - at least dynasty owners should treat him that way. Not only has he caught five or more balls in six games this season, but he has three nine-catch outings, 13 catches for 234 yards and two TDs in his last two games, and match-ups against the Falcons, Raiders, Jets and Chiefs up next. With Denver having virtually no running game now - due to injuries to their entire backfield - expect Royal to be relied upon even more moving forward.
Rising - Kellen Winslow, Browns TE - We knew it was only a matter of time before he busted out. The 25 year old Browns TE hauled in 10 balls for 111 yards and two TDs on Thursday against the Broncos, and should continue to be the team’s top pass catching option moving forward, as new starter Brady Quinn plans to target him often.
Rising - Marques Colston, Saints WR - Many fantasy owners have asked us about the Saints 25 year old stud WR over the last few weeks, and we told them to have faith - especially long-term owners. He hauled in seven balls for 140 yards in Week 10 against the Falcons, and faces the Chiefs in Week 11. Match-ups in Week 15 against Chicago and Week 16 against Detroit should have seasonal owners targeting him via trade for their Super Bowl runs.
Rising - Peyton Manning, Colts QB - Okay kids, if you’ve been playing around with benching Peyton Manning recently, it’s time to stop. Things aren’t as bad as they seem, and he’s a must start. He has seven TD passes in his last three games, and while he hasn’t thrown for more than 300 yards since Week 2, that should change against the Texans in Week 11.
Rising - Peyton Hillis, Broncos RB - The rookie fullback from Arkansas could be the Broncos starting tailback in Week 11, by default. Andre Hall, Michael Pittman and Ryan Torain are on injured reserve, and Selvin Young isn’t fully healthy either, leaving Hills - who caught seven passes for 116 yards and a TD in Week 9 - the team’s only option. P.J. Pope and Cory Boyd will be moved up off the practice squad, but expect to see Hillis get the most work at tailback for the Broncos for the time being.
Rising - Curtis Lofton, Falcons LB - As 2008 second round pick Curtis Lofton’s rookie season has materialized, he’s gotten better and better, earned more playing time, and produced consistently. He has 14 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in his last three games, and looks to be a solid IDP sleeper moving forward. Dynasty owners should expect Lofton to truly breakout in 2009.
Rising - Billy Miller, Saints TE - The 31 year old TE from USC has been quietly having a great season. He has three or more catches in his last six games, including 12 catches for 147 yards in his last two contests. Until Jeremy Shockey proves he can catch the ball and pass protect, look for Miller to be a factor in the Saints offense. He’s a great sleeper pick up for seasonal PPR owners.
Falling - Jeremy Shockey, Saints TE - The 28 year old TE has been a horrible disappointment this season. Fantasy owners have cut him slack due to injury issues, but all that is beginning to fizzle, and now the real issue is that he can’t pass protect, or catch the ball. QB Drew Brees basically benched him for the entire fourth quarter for this reason, and even though Saints head coach Sean Payton down-played it, it’s clear that Shockey should stay on fantasy benches until he proves he can stay on the field.
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