If I told you Darren McFadden had 324 yards rushing through week 7, you’d probably assume two things. One, you’d assume Oakland had it’s bye week already and you’d be right. Two, you’d assume that DMC has been hurt and missed a few games and that is where you’d be wrong. It’s sad but true, Darren is averaging 3.1 yards per carry and is on pace for only 864 yards on the ground. His only saving grace has been for PPR leagues in which he’s on pace for 445 receiving yards and over 65 receptions, though most of that is weighted into a 13 catch performance that happened game one of the season. When you look at the fact he just dropped a measly 53 yards vs the Jaguars on 19 carries, you start to understand why his owners might feel like Raising Hell. Well in the end, if they’ve had it with DMC you should be asking if you can have him. His remaining schedule is ridiculously fantasy friendly for running backs. The ‘best’ rushing defense Oakland has to face from here on out is Denver who are still giving up the 13th most rushing yards per game. When you factor in Carson Palmer finding a rhythm with Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey, it’s likely DMC will start finding the running game easier over time. I’d see if I can sneak him away for a bona-fide RB2 like Michael Turner with the hopes of getting an RB1 in disguise. In other fantasy football news…
Buy
Calvin Johnson – I already hinted at the idea that Calvin was a buy yesterday and here I am again, repeating myself. Now as much as I love the sound of my typed voice, I don’t like saying the same thing twice unless it’s really funny – to me – or really important. Calvin’s reception and yardage pace are on par with last year. The only thing he’s missing are the touchdowns and it’s what is pushing him down into WR2 territory in terms of yahoo rankings for the year to date. I mean, he’s ranked below Randall Cobb right now. You don’t need an expert to tell you that’s enough to line him up as a buy low.
Greg Jennings – I mentioned Greg as a buy way back in the way back. I mentioned Jordy Nelson in the same blurb so I’d say I’m at least 50% correct. No one can ever predict injuries in football and right now, the reports are saying that even if Jennings is healthy enough to play this week, the Packers might not play him anyway just to make sure he’s 100% and who could blame them? Green Bay is rolling without him. Of course, when he’s healthy, he’ll be back and a part of that offense. With only 12 receptions to his name on the season, see if the owner has lost hope.
C.J. Spiller/Fred Jackson – I’m tandeming these two while trying to atone for my mistake in saying F-Jax was a sell last week. Both are on bye and some owners are probably worried about the time share. Given how Buffalo has played with both of them back, I wouldn’t be. We might be seeing another Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw pairing with even higher upside as both are adept pass catchers. Fred looks like he’ll go the cheapest but I’m interested in them both now. Yes, I sell more waffles than IHOP. Mea culpa.
Kyle Rudolph – It usually only takes one bad week for someone to think a tight end who’se not Gronk or Graham is a sell. Just ask Dennis Pitta owners! Hrm, that was a bad example…oh well, what we need to look at is how consistent Kyle had been going into last week. Other than a week 4 disappearance, the worst line Kyle has produced was week 1 in which he had 5 receptions for 67 yards. Like it or not, Rudolph is a large part of the Vikings offense this year and leads them in rednose zone targets.
Sell
Josh Freeman – You enjoyed the last two weeks, don’t deny it. Now get off this Pirate before he Bucc’s you off…even I’m angry at myself for that pun. Don’t know who’s buying but after two straight great performances against two terrible defenses, it’s time to test the markets and see what you can get in return, even if he’s a sweetener. No, I’m not going into detail here, he’s not worth the amount of words I’ve already typed.
Ahmad Bradshaw – He went extremely cheap in drafts this year, much cheaper than he should’ve and he’s been paying dividends. Now call your broker to sell and buy into orange futures! Sorry, got lost at dividends…the point is he’s an injury risk, has already missed a game and just had a sideline spat with Coughlin. Ok, the last part doesn’t weigh very heavy for me but what does is his current ranking as the 25th best player according to yahoo and the 11th best running back while ranked three spots behind Marshawn Lynch. You tell me who you want more ROS, Marshawn or Ahmad? See, I didn’t even need to ask.
Vincent Jackson – If V-Jax is a top 5 WR for the rest of the season, then Josh Freeman is a viable starting QB in 12 team leagues most weeks. See how the ‘then’ resolved the ‘if’ there? You already know Vincent is a huge Radiohead fan with his ability drop 200 yards and a touchdown one week and then leave you with a 1 catch, 29 yard snoozer of a game. If you can trade Vincent at WR1 value, well all I can say is Hail To The Thief.
Andre Roberts – Scary truth: Roberts is currently the 13th best WR according to yahoo in PPR leagues and is ranked above his Arizona counterpart Larry Fitzgerald 47 to 65. Which number will hold? Which one will improve? Tune in on Sunday to find out! It would probably be hard to move Andre at this time given that most are just as scrupulous of him as I am but if you have a believer out there, hit them up.
