Wassup guys? By now we know the drill. I’m looking at target trends and you’re looking for a W on gameday. Let’s rock.
Sensational in Week Six
Michael Crabtree: So far this season the crab tree has been more crabby than fruitful and more gimpy than nimble. However, this past Sunday the former first rounder showed his pedigree, catching nine passes for 77 yards on a whopping 15 targets (ten more than anyone else on the team). I’ve spotted him on waivers in two of my leagues and chances are, other impatient owners have dropped him too. He’s a number one receiver with talent and the way the Niners are playing, I would want this guy on my team. With the golden boys on bye, your chances of acquiring Crabtree are even greater.
Nate Burleson: I actually dropped Burleson last week, fearing Young’s emergence and Pettigrew’s studliness. Those who played him were rewarded with a touchdown and ten targets (2nd behind Pettigrew) as well as a mediocre four catches for 39 yards. He certainly trumped Titus in the target department, doubling him up to the tune of ten to five, but I’m still not buying a complete resurgence. Perhaps it’s because I don’t want to look like an idiot for dropping him, but perhaps it’s because he is, at the very least, the fourth best receiving option on the team. I still like him a bit more than Titus for the time being however, and those desperate for bye week plug ins could do much worse. You have to like the Lions offense at home this week against the Falcons.
Jerome Simpson: I should have known that our country’s legal system runs on high viscosity motor oil because I haven’t heard anything on Simpson’s case in a coon’s age. Despite his obvious distractions, Simpson has commanded the second most receiving targets in Cinci over the last three weeks (Green) and has only one fewer reception than his young stud teammate (13). He has, however, failed to reach the endzone and it’s clear that he is at most the second best receiving target, and possibly third if you give the nod to Gresham. Nevertheless, he’s a decent desperation bye week play, especially against Seattle whom they meet after the bye.
Pierre Garcon: One thing Reggie had on Pierre was targets, but after three straight weeks of blatant favoritism on Painter’s part, Pierre now holds the target title too. Leading the way with 11 targets (to Wayne’s 6) Garcon had another solid performance, catching eight passes for 52 yards. He has 323 receiving yards over the last three weeks and he has a clear chemistry with Painter, who seems to be finding his sea legs with each passing week. Last week I said that I liked Wayne slightly more than Garcon, but now I’ve got them neck in neck with the smart money on Garcon going forward.Â
Fred Davis: Fred is once again right said after a solid week six performance during which he saw a spike in targets (11), receptions (6) and receiving yards (95). The better statistic may be that counterpart Chris Cooley only commanded one target. For the moment I still see him a notch or so below TE1 capability, but he’s strong play against the Panthers this weekend and he could be a great safety net for John Beck if he indeed gets the nod.
Jabar Gaffney: Though Davis has once again found success, these last few weeks have not been particularly friendly for teammate Santana Moss. It’s no joke that Gaffney has only two fewer targets than Moss over the last two games (14) but 40 more receiving yards and only one fewer reception (6 to 7). The numbers aren’t great for either receiver however, and considering the potential for some QB confusion, I don’t know if I love either one. Gaffney will obviously be an asset, however, if he does indeed challenge Moss for the number one receiver role, or at least number one receiver stats.
Antonio Brown: Ok ok. I’m sorry for all of you who have played him over the last two weeks. I’ve suffered too, but you have to admit that the last two weeks have been bizarre for the Steelers to say the least. Two weeks ago, Big Ben throws five td’s, two of which were to Ward and last week Ben only had a total of 12 completions. I know we’re supposed to look for trends, and trends over the last two weeks suggest that Brown is down, but dare I say that these last two weeks have been aberrations? I still believe that Brown is the # 2. Get it, Brown is the #2. Laughing is better than crying.
Darius Heyward-Bey: I wrote about him last week and all he did was solidify the fact that he is the number one in Raiderville. Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford are nothing if not inconsistent but Bey is even keel. Darius more than doubled up his competitors with nine targets for six receptions and 82 yards and he has been absolutely rock solid over the last three weeks (4/115, 7/99/1, 6/82 respectively). Though I don’t expect Palmer to light the world on fire, there is no doubt that he is a better pure passer than Jason Campbell which means I like DHB even more now than I did 24 hours ago. It wouldn’t be surprising, however, to see a slight dip in production for a couple of weeks while the two build chemistry. My advice would be to stalk your prey carefully and bounce when the time is right. Grab him if he’s out there and keep an eye out for impatient owners who may drop him.
Greg Little: Playing more like a giant, Little has commanded more targets than any Browns receiver over the last two games (20) and has seen more production in every other statistical category. With six receptions and over 50 yards receiving in each of his last two games, the little engine is showing that he can provide owners with modest serviceability. Clearly no Browns receiver is going to wow the fantasy world, but it is clear now that Little is your best bet. He’s a sneaky play against the Seahawks this weekend.
Aaron Hernandez: Since he returned two weeks ago from injury, Hernandez has shown us why Brady likes his tight end better than Gronkowski’s. Once again Hernandez led the team in targets (14) and in the two games he has been back, Hernandez has outperformed Gronkowski to the tune of 13 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. Over that same span, Rob has mustered a measly 11 receptions for 105 yards and he hasn’t scored a touchdown in three weeks. If you can still buy Hernandez low, good for you. If you can still sell Gronkowski high, good for you.
Random Awesomeness (courtesy of FFtoday.com and KFFL.com)
Top Ten Week Six Target Tarantulas (not necessarily your household names)
- Michael Crabtree 15
- Brandon Marshall 13
- Mike Williams 13
- Greg Little 12
- Marques Colston 11
- Pierre Garcon 11
- Danario Alexander 10
- Miles Austin 10
- Nate Burleson 10
- Jabar Gaffney 10
Top Fifteen Receiving Targets in Last Three Weeks (all players)
- Jimmy Graham 37
- Wes Welker 32
- Mike Williams 30
- Michael Crabtree 29
- Calvin Johnson 28
- Brandon Pettigrew 28
- Hakeem Nicks 28
- DHB 28
- Pierre Garcon 27
- Jeremy Maclin 26
- Darren Sproles 25
- Kellen Winslow 25
- A.J. Green 25
- Roddy White 25
- Victor Cruz 24
