Fantasy Wednesday Could Get Used To This Winning Thing
By Matt Snyder
Possible Starters
These are the guys on your fantasy roster that you either should start or consider starting.
- RB – Jahvid Best – Jahvid didn’t score in last week’s win over St. Luois, but he accumulated over 100 all-purpose yards making him a serviceable fantasy back. He hasn’t put up the rushing yardage totals that we thought we’d see, but his receiving ability makes up for it. Through five weeks he’s averaging 99 total yards and a touchdown. That’s usually good enough for me. He’ll go up against a Giants’ defense that’s 9th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.Week 6 outlook: start him.
- WR – Calvin Johnson – Calvin got razzed by Lions fans after the first three weeks, but he responded with touchdowns in week’s four and five. He ranks ninth among WR’s in total fantasy points (Yahoo! scoring). Calvin needs to be active in the offense for the Lions to have a good chance at winning the game.Week 6 outlook: start him.
- QB – Shaun Hill – Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Orton, Drew Brees, Shaun Hill. Those are the top six fantasy QB’s after five weeks. I’m still a bit skeptical that a backup QB from Detroit can be a safe play, but I started him last week and it worked out. It’s sounding like Stafford may be back after the bye week, so this may be the last chance that Hill owners get to start him. Week 6 outlook: good bye week replacement
- K – Jason Hanson – Hanson has put up some strong numbers that last two weeks. He’s shown that his leg and accuracy are as good as they’ve been. Week 6 outlook: start him.
- TE – Brandon Pettigrew – He hasn’t always shown the best hands, but he’s been a favorite target of Hill’s. He’s going to get the targets, and he’s been the tenth highest scoring TE through five weeks of fantasy play.Week 6 outlook: good.
Reaches
These were lineup spots that should be filled by someone else.
- WR – Nate Burleson – Burleson had a nice day for the Lions on Sunday in his return from injury. I would still probably look somewhere else for a receiver, but he did add a nice dimension to the Lions’ passing game.Week 6 outlook: fair.
- TE – Tony Scheffler – Tony hasn’t put up quite as good of numbers as Pettigrew has, but I won’t tell you not to start him. I consider it pretty much a coinflip for which TE will get the numbers each week. Hill looks to both often. Week 6 outlook: fair.
- DEF – Detroit – What is the world coming to? The Lions’ defense is fourth in fantasy point through five weeks. My brain is going to explode. Week 6 outlook: still poor, right?
| First | Last | Pos | Price | Earnings | E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon | Pettigrew | TE | $106.25 | $51.15 | 48.14 |
| Jason | Hanson | K | $84.05 | $40.00 | 47.59 |
| Jahvid | Best | RB | $238.83 | $112.80 | 47.23 |
| Tony | Scheffler | TE | $89.76 | $41.40 | 46.12 |
| Calvin | Johnson | WR | $183.98 | $72.05 | 39.16 |
| Kevin | Smith | RB | $71.65 | $11.40 | 15.91 |
| Nate | Burleson | WR | $120.07 | $18.75 | 15.62 |
| Matthew | Stafford | QB | $214.85 | $3.80 | 1.77 |
Pettigrew, Hanson, Best, and Scheffler are must haves, in my opinion. Touchdowns (or big yards, or FGs in Hanson’s case) from these guys will cause their price to jump significantly. Calvin could also be a good buy before Sunday’s game. I’d buy and hold if he scores a TD, but sell of quickly after the game if he doesn’t. It might also be worth keeping an eye on Burleson in case he has a monster game.