By: Gabriel Harber
The bye week madness is fully upon us and for those of you
sitting at 2-4 or 3-3 this means scrambling on the wire to find a suitable
replacement, before you drop too far out of playoff contention. It’s important to keep your cool in these
frantic times as I’ve seen more than one owner in my leagues throw a guy like
Steven Jackson or Antonio Gates on the wire for a one week fill-in.
Don’t be that guy.
The human psyche is an interesting place indeed. Capable of producing the greatest scientific,
philosophical, and technological accomplishments, we can also become creatures
of base instinct at the first sign of chaos.
I say this all to serve a cautionary tale. Be careful of the activity you engage in
during these trying times. Should I blow
my number 1 priority? Am I just going to
drop him after this week? Do I think my
injured/underperforming stud will get it together after I drop him, not only weakening
my team, but strengthening another? All
questions that need to be asked before you make any move from here on out.
Take a slow, deep breath, and let’s look at our options this
week.
Remember Us? (Bye Week
Steals)
Jackie Battle: If no one snagged him after his week 4
coming out party, then they most likely forgot about him again because of the
bye week. Against a weak Oakland run
defense this represents more than just a bye week fill-in, but a long term
option. The buzz coming out of KC is that
coaches have faith in his ability, and as long as he performs, the starting gig
is his to lose. It’s a rare gem indeed
to find a feature back this late in the season.
Doug Baldwin:The name isn’t recognizable, and the team is unassuming, but Baldwin has quietly been the most productive offensive weapon on a suddenly surging (and I use that term loosely) Seahawks team. As the Birds continue to find their stride, I expect more games like he had in week 4. You’ll want to grab him no matter what.
If They Are Still There
Antonio Gates: I noticed many disgusted owners dropping
him after he posted pathetic numbers followed up with a goose egg against New
England. You can take advantage of those
who refused to read in between the lines, as Gates has been planning on
returning after the bye week all along.
He practiced Monday and claims that while he can never guarantee how his
foot will feel day to day, it currently feels 100%.
Steven Jackson: This is another guy that was prematurely dropped. I’m sure most owners had full intentions of riding out the injury on account of their 3rd round pick investment, but when the Rams started sucking figured it was time to look elsewhere. SJax has looked as powerful as ever the last two games, and with the addition of Brandon Lloyd on the outside to stretch the safeties, better days are ahead in St. Louis.
Earnest Graham: He should have been grabbed before this week with report of Blount’s injury ranging from 1-2 weeks to “several.” An MCL tear of any variety is cause for concern, and with the performance Graham gave on Sunday, the Bucs will be in no hurry to rush their young franchise player back. If your league is PPR you have an additional interest here as Graham is an exceptional pass-catcher.
Fred Davis: There was a moment where everyone on the Freddie-wagon was worried that Cooley had swooped in, and in one hunk of a man Fabio moment, stolen his job back. I scoffed and quietly held onto Davis in two of my leagues. Now it seems that Cooley is out for significant amount time again, and the Redskins are back to giving their second most talented offensive weapon his due targets. Davis is a top 10 play from here on out. If you can grab him off the wire consider yourself blessed.
Demaryius Thomas/Eddie
Royal: With Brandon Lloyd on his way
out of town, someone will have to step up in the new Tebow led offense,
opposite of Eric Decker. Both wideouts
are expected back against the woeful Dolphins this week, and I actually like
Thomas a little more here as the flashes of brilliance he displayed before
going down with an injury last season have me excited about his potential. Regardless, these are more boom/bust than
usual, as the offense could take some huge steps backwards and become much more
run-oriented. Proceed with optimistic
caution.
Preston Parker/Arrelious Benn: These two are a little safer as we already know what to expect. Both receivers have put in an above average body of work thus far, and I see the Tampa offense continuing on an upward trend from here on out (think Josh Freeman finding his stride mid-season last year.) Parker probably represents the greater value if you’re PPR, while Benn is the better standard league option.
C.J. Spiller: Let me start off by saying this is a guy I have never been a fan of. Do you ever have someone that gets under your skin for no real reason? That’s Spiller for me, and I suppose it probably has something to with all the hype he has continually received in place of Fred Jackson, whom I’ve been saying is the real deal the past two and half seasons. Well it finally seemed like the rest of the world had caught up to my genius, and then the Bills coaching staff gives me a reason to actually endorse the guy. Spiller lined up as a wideout Sunday and played the role to moderate success, especially for those of you in PPR formats. While I don’t think he’s going to blow our minds and take Stevie Johnson’s place, he could develop into a unique talent with RB/WR eligibility making him a rare breed, and one that you wouldn’t mind rostering for softer matchups or bye week fill-ins.
Jake Ballard: In a suddenly high flying show in New York, a new tight end has emerged. Ballard has caught at least 3 passes in the past 3 games, went for over 70 yards twice, and scored a touchdown in two of them. As long as Nicks, Manningham, and Cruz continue shredding the corners, the seam will stay open and Ballard represents strong TE2 value.
Other Notables: John Beck, Greg Little, Danario Alexander, Greg Salas, Torrey Smith, Visanthe Shiancoe.
Take a deep breath, consider your options carefully, and click that “add” button with confidence. Until next week gentlemen, g’day.
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