Last week I said I wanted to track Antonio Gates down like that dude did in “The League.” I was very tempted to strongly advocate for him, but he is due to see a doctor about his foot and it is hard to say how that will play out. I am an aggressive owner so I will be throwing out some super low ball offers for Gates. If you decide to do the same, just be advised that it could totally blow up in your face. But to win, you have to take risks.
Tier I
Rashard Mendenhall (18) – Not someone I was huge on coming in to this season but he has been off to an even slower start than expected. Make sure if you get him, you’re getting a discount
Chris Johnson (18) – His owners are starting to panic and should be very open to lopsided trade offers. CJ2k has been in my column since Week 1 and he will stay in here until he turns it around or gets injured.
Roddy White (18) – Has not been terrible but still slightly disappointing. There will not be a repeat of last years performance but Roddy should still be considered a first tier receiver.
Hakeem Nicks (17) – The injuries at WR have not translated to an increase in production for Nicks yet. That is partly because teams are keying in on trying to shut him down. Eli will put up at least 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns and Nicks should get his share.
Tier II
Dez Bryant (17) – He looked healthier than anticipated on Monday Night. I cannot get over how much of a stud this dude is . You still might be able to get him on the cheap. I smell a big game coming on…
Steven Jackson (17) – Sometimes you have to make exceptions for injured players. Jackson has played through injury in the past and there is a good chance that he will be healthy enough soon to do the same. The discount should be heavy and for the right price, I would get him.
Mike Williams (16) – Much like Hakeem Nicks, he is experiencing the joys of having a breakout season and having defenses focus on shutting him down. I like his production to increase from here on out.
Sidney Rice (16) – If his owners were patient enough to wait out the injury, I doubt you will get a huge discount on him at this point. The Seahawks are a train wreck but I believe in Rice’s talent. It is worth throwing some trade offers out there.
Mark Ingram (16) – He has been sort of blah thus far but looked pretty solid. It is clear that he will not be a Ryan Mathews type rookie bust, nor will he be a Steve Slaton type rookie dynamite. The truth lies somewhere in the middle and that is good enough for a flex start in most any league.
Tier III
Bernard Scott (15) – I sort of cringe at even putting him on here because he has been so awful in the past when given an opportunity. Regardless, Benson will be out for three games at some point and Scott is the starter and that has value. He is more than worth scooping up and throwing on the bench or, if you are really hurting, in your lineup.
Alfonso Smith (15) – Thanks to the good ‘ol Sunday Ticket I got to catch quite a bit of the Cardinals game last weekend. Smith started and although he did not have a big day, he looked really good. Beanie will be taking his job back but if he re-aggravates his quad, the job will be Smiths.
Chad Ochocinco (15) – This is another tough call. What is this dudes deal? With T.O. at least he worked out and practiced like a beast. I have a sneaky suspicion that Chad has lost his desire to compete in the NFL because he thinks he will be able to get rich and famous via ridiculous statements or bad acting. What I am banking on is that he will realize no one will care about him without on field production. I snagged him in one of my leagues and am content to let him sit on the bench and hope for a turnaround.
C.J. Spiller (15) – The Bills are obviously going to go undefeated so it is prudent to start stashing some of their bench players. Fred Jackson has been such a beast thus far and a large part of it is the new dynamic offense in Buffalo; I cannot believe I am saying that. If Jackson gets hurt, Spiller could be enormous.
Roy Helu (15) – He has really looked pretty good thus far and the Redskins coaching staff has done nothing but praise him. Everyone is fixating on Tim Hightower but I really think there is a good chance you will see Helu as the more productive back toward the middle/end of the season.
