By Mike Cannici
QB
Matt Stafford –Stafford put up big numbers last week, hooking up with Calvin Johnson for three touchdowns in his return from a shoulder injury. The injury had him sidelined since week one, and now draws the Jets defense this week. It’s not a great matchup for him but you’re looking to pick this guy up for the long haul. The game is also at home where the Lions have been much better than on the road. Stafford should be owned in all 12 team and bigger leagues and worth a look in 10 team.
David Garrard – Garrard absolutely shredded the Cowboys defense last week for 261 yards and 4 touchdown passes. Garrard the last few seasons has finished in the top 12 in fantasy points amongst QBs and its looking more and more likely that he’ll do that once again. He’s not an every week starter, but the fact that he can run as well as pass makes him a week to week matchup play.
RB
Keiland Wiliams– The severity of Ryan Torain’s ankle injury is not yet known, but if he isn’t ready to go after the bye, Williams would be the guy. I’ve been touting this kid since the preseason and have vouched that at some point he would be the starter. He is a must own in most leagues right now and definitely in PPR leagues. In the two games relieving Torain this year, he has totaled 37 yards rushing and a touchdown and 7 receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Not huge numbers but in PPR leagues that’s a total of 27 points in only three quarters of work.
LaGarrette Blount– We spoke of him in last week’s waiver wire, and based on his performance, he must be spoken about again. He had 120 yards and 2 TD in the win over the Cardinals, and could have had a third if not for being tripped up ever so slightly to cause him to slow down and be tackled. That final TD would have been a 94 yarder and he made a great leap up and over a defender to get that run going. He didn’t touch the ball much in the first half, but was very active in the second and is definitely going to be the main guy for carries going forward with Cadillac in as a change of pace and 3rd down back. Blount MUST be owned in all leagues.
Chester Taylor– The Bears are coming off their bye and Taylor has now been announced as the goal line guy. This means he has even more value in PPR leagues and decent value in standard leagues. The guy has talent but has always been put into bad situations. In his one year as a full time starter before the AP era began in Minnesota he had 1200 yards and six touchdowns. He’s a must own in all 12 team and PPR leagues and speculative add in standard leagues.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis– BJGE is back in business after last week’s huge game against the Vikings. After struggling yardage wise the previous few weeks, Green-Ellis put up 112 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, and now has scored at least a touchdown in 5 straight games. He’s a guy that should definitely be owned in all leagues, but I wouldn’t quite expect this type of game week in and week out until he shows some consistency. The touchdown consistency is real nice but yardage and carries have been sporadic, but would you expect anything else from a Bill Belichick coached team?
WR
Steve Breaston– Made his return to the team in week 8 and posted 8 catches for 147 yards in his biggest game in his short career. He is a solid WR3 going forward if as long as he can stay healthy, and should also continue to help Larry Fitzgerald get more action.
Nate Washington– With the loss of fellow receiver Kenny Britt (hamstring) for who knows how long, Washington now becomes the go to receiver for the Titans. Washington put up four catches for 117 yards and a touchdown which was a 71 yard reception. Washington is a solid flex play going forward and should be owned in all 12 team and deeper leagues.
Nate Burleson – With Matthew Stafford back under center, and Calvin Johnson playing his butt off, Burleson is in line for some big time production going forward, as long as he can stay healthy, which is always a big IF with him. He caught 7 balls for 47 yards on 9 targets so is definitely a bigger asset in PPR leagues. If the two above receivers are off the wire in your league, Burleson isn’t a bad consolation, and could even out produce them with Stafford as his QB as opposed to Derek Anderson/Max Hall or Vince Young.
Anthony Gonzalez– Gonzalez finally made his return to the Colts lineup Monday night and had a solid game catching 4 balls for 55 yards on 6 targets. With Austin Collie out a few more weeks and Dallas Clark done for the season, Gonzalez has a lot of potential if he can avoid the injury bug that has plagued him recently. He’s a must own in deeper leagues and I’d hold off one more week in shallower leagues if there are better options out there.
TE
Jacob Tamme– With Dallas Clark done for the season, I personally didn’t think another Colts TE would step up as quick as Jacob Tamme did Monday night. He posted a 6 catch, 64 yard and a touchdown stat line against the Texans and is looking like a must start at the TE position. He’s definitely the top TE pickup this week and could come close to Clark’s numbers going forward.
Fantasy Savvy 