Kermit the Frog nearly had it right. The Green Bay Packers are 2-3 and sit two games behind the Vikings and the Bears. As if losing to Indianapolis wasn’t bad enough, they have also lost RB Cedric Benson to a Lisfranc injury and he could be out for the season. That’s the same injury that knocked out Matt Schaub last season and Darren McFadden two seasons ago.
Since it seems like it might be a long season in Green Bay, I’ll lead off with the two running backs who will fill the spot Benson vacated.
Keep in mind that FAAB values are off a $100 budget and percentage is ownership in ESPN leagues. Chicago, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Carolina are on the bye this week. We don’t have any blockbuster breakout FAs this week, so this will be a little thin because the pool is thin.
Alex Green ($5, 0.2%) looks to be the back with the better upside to get with Benson out. James Starks also merits a mention here but has been battling turf toe and should be avoided.
Tennessee RB Jamie Harper ($1, 0.1%) would be merely a speculative add at this point but it makes sense. Javon Ringer is done for at least six weeks and that number one running back for the Titans who shall remain nameless has been performing like garbage. Perhaps Harper starts to steal some carries, especially late in the Thursday game against the Steelers.
Reuben Randle ($2, 61.6%) had a breakout game with Hakeem Nicks out of the lineup. Yes, it was against Cleveland but numbers are numbers. After Ramses Barden was declared out, Randle took advantage of the opportunity. He’s worth an add given how badly banged up the Giants receivers are.
Christian Ponder ($2, 72%) is leading a 4-1 Vikings team against the Redskins who got burned badly in the air by the Falcons. Don’t get too crazy about the Vikes. They’ve beaten San Francisco…and three other teams that are a combined 4-11. Either way, the formula of Opposing QB+WSH D=Points  still applies.
Devery Henderson ($1, 98.3%) Â is on a bye this week but he’s relevant for more than catching Drew Brees’ record-breaking TD. Â Lance Moore is hampered by a hamstring and tight end Jimmy Graham rolled his ankle in the win over San Diego. If either (or both) of them are out for any extended period of time, Henderson will get an expanded role in the passing game.
Chris Givens ($1, 99.7%) and Brandon Gibson ($1, 92.6%) will have some large shoes to fill in St. Louis. Wide receiver Danny Amendola is out for about six weeks with a clavicle injury. Givens and Gibson will be the top two wide receivers for Sam Bradford. With games against Miami, Green Bay and New England coming up, they will both be heavily involved as the Rams will be passing a lot. Sam Bradford ($1, 52.3%) could also be a decent add to help with bye weeks or injuries.
James Jones ($3, 31%) looks to be the #2 WR in Green Bay while Greg Jennings battles his groin injury. Jermichael Finley is also reportedly battling an arm injury so Jones should be getting plenty of targets. The other thing in his favor is that the injuries involved don’t have a firm time frame for recovery.
The Bills DST ($1, 63.6%) could be a sneaky pickup this week as they travel to Arizona. The Cardinals can’t run the ball worth anything and are not expected to pickup a running back this week in free agency. Arizona’s offensive line has allowed 17 sacks in the last two games. With a fierce front four anchored by Mario Williams, this could be another huge game for sacks for the team playing Arizona. Miami’s DST ($1, 95.8%) is also playing an NFC West team that doesn’t have much offense when they tangle with the Rams.
Guys to Avoid
Kevin Kolb QB Arizona is still one that should be on the wire. All Air-i-zona can do now is pass the ball since they have zero ground game. Buffalo has given up the second most passing touchdowns in the league but Kolb is still not worth picking up. Not behind that offensive line mentioned earlier which has been, well, offensive.
 Any Arizona RB See above on Kolb, Kevin.
Matt Hasselbeck, Brady Quinn nor Kirk Cousins. These are all backup QBs filling in for hurt starters (shoulder, concussion, concussion) that won’t carry any value unless in a deep/multiple QB league.
So there you have it on one of the thinnest wire weeks in recent memory. As always leave questions below and I’ll get back to them. Good luck in week six.
