With so many options to choose from, sometimes fielding a fantasy lineup can be quite the headache. Obvious are the starts akin to Antonio Brown, Brandon Marshall, Matthew Stafford, Adrian Peterson and the games other bigger names. However, it’s the tougher choices – namely the less obvious starts – that will end up winning your league.
Here are a few names you might want to consider:
Johnathan Dwyer RB Arizona – Lead back Andre Ellington is out for a significant amount of time – 4-6 weeks or more. If you drafted the injury prone Ellington, you would have been smart to draft Dwyer, but if he was on your waiver wire – snag him and start him when the matchup is right. This week, the matchup could be right. Arizona plays at home against San Diego, whose team defense finished near the bottom last season (especially on the road) and they haven’t really done much to improve for 2014. Dwyer might not catch a lot of balls in the backfield, but is a big, plodding runner who was already expected to handle a good amount of goal line duties. Now, with Ellington out of the picture, he will get the chance to rack up some serious yards, especially with Arizona’s pass attack opening up the run game. Stephan Taylor will also see some reps, but I expect Dwyer to hit the 100-yard mark with a few catches and at least one score as a strong RB2 play.
Darren Sproles RB Philadelphia – Philadelphia didn’t sign the super versatile Sproles to sit on the bench. This week the Eagles take on what could be the worst NFL defense this season and Sproles will certainly get his shots in Chip Kelly’s high flying offense and when he does the Cowboys will have a tough time containing him. It might be a stretch to start Sproles as your number two running back in Week 1 (although he could pay off), but he will make a nice flex option as a lower-end RB2 with a ton of upside. Starting running back LeSean McCoy has already admitted he expects Sproles to get a good amount of action, and in Kelly’s fast-paced offense, there is certainly room for both.
Ryan Fitzpatrick QB Houston – If you are in a league that starts two quarterbacks or more, Fitzpatrick could be a sneaky QB2 pick. Apparently, there is still a quarterback competition going on in Houston with Ryan Mallett standing by if Fitzpatrick falters – talk about incentive. Houston plays at home against a Washington defense who struggled against the pass last season and any quarterback who has an Andre Johnson to throw to can never be discounted. I like Fitzpatrick as a QB2 with big game potential. 250 passing yards and a couple of scores are not out of the question.
Emmanuel Sanders WR Denver – Talk about a year with breakout indications written all over it. Sanders now is hooked up by one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Peyton Manning, Eric Decker has split to New York and Wes Welker a concussion away from retirement and is currently serving a four game suspension due to breaking the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Let’s not forget that Sanders has always had speed and talent. Week 1 has Denver hosting Indianapolis in what should be a shootout. Sanders will certainly benefit. He was dealing with a minor thigh issue, but fantasy owners should not worry as he has already practiced in full in will be a full go on Sunday. Sanders should be started as a WR2 with confidence and WR1 potential in this very favorable match-up.
With so many options to choose from, sometimes fielding a fantasy lineup can be quite the headache. Obvious are the starts akin to Antonio Brown, Brandon Marshall, Matthew Stafford and the games other bigger names. However, it’s the tough choices – namely the less obvious starts – that will end up winning your league.
Here are a few names you might want to consider:
Ryan Tannehill QB Miami –Tannehill was on the hot seat as recently as a couple weeks ago but then cemented his spot, at least for now, with a strong performance against Oakland when the two teams hooked up in London. Throwing for 278 yards with two touchdowns in the contest, Moore may have gotten his self-confidence back but also comes into this Week 6 matchup well rested after a much needed bye. Tannehill will be at home against Green Bay, and though the Pack has not been too bad against the pass, Miami will most likely be forced to pass as they will probably find themselves trying to play keep up. Confidence, rest and a game that most likely will call for much passing all adds up to Tannehill being on your QB2 radar this week.
Shane Vereen RB New England – Shane Vereen has been getting increased carries over the past three games and there is no reason to think the trend won’t continue this week when New England goes to Buffalo. He’s always been a pass catching machine and though not as much as expected so far this year, he does have two games with five grabs. The Bills haven’t allowed more than 86 rushing yards to a team so far this season so don’t expect a huge ground game from Vereen. He should still top 60 rushing yards but his big damage could come in New England’s short passing attack. Vereen is a solid RB2 this week.
Emmanuel Sanders WR Denver –The Jets are ranked 25th against opposing wide receivers - like that even matters with Peyton Manning coming to town. Sanders has 18 catches on 24 targets in his last two games for a whopping 250 receiving yards. 149 of those yards were on the road against a very tough Seattle defense, making Sanders a receiver you’ll want to ride until he cools down – if he ever does. Sanders is a must start in all leagues and will be a WR1 so long as he has Manning throwing him the ball like he has been so far this season.
Brian Quick WR St. Louis – A star in the making, Quick is starting to make some noise in the NFL snagging three touchdowns in his last two games. This week St. Louis gets San Francisco at home and the 49ers defense has not been very scary since losing some key elements in the offseason and suffering a handful of big injuries.There’s always the Austin Davis factor to consider but it seems the two have been on the same page as of late. Quick makes a decent bye week replacement or serviceable WR3 with potential to do more.
Eric Ebron TE Detroit – Many drafted Ebron as a sleeper with high hopes of sneaky value from the tight end position. However, Ebron has not lived up to expectations as of yet. This week Detroit goes up against Minnesota who is currently ranked against opposing tightends. Detroit wants to see Ebron more involved in the offense and this could be the week in a heated division rivalry game. There are plenty of tight ends who I would rather start in a single tight end league, but that doesn’t mean Ebron won’t put up nice numbers. In leagues that start two tight ends, Ebron should be a decent TE2.