Week Eight Stock Up/ Down

Paging Randy Moss. Randy Moss!

Since catching 3 touchdowns in his first 2 games Wes Welker has gone scoreless in his last 4. When you compare last year's NE roster to this year it's almost understandable why his production has fallen off.

• The 2010 draft brought in two high-caliber tight ends to pick up that short yardage/ crossing route throws that Welker was so accustomed to getting come out of the slot. 
• The trade for Deion Branch reunited Tom Brady with one of his favorite targets from years ago. In Branch's first game back he had 9 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. That has "looking for him" written all over it. 
• Welker's production came before the running game opened up for new starters and scorers Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. Before the emergence of those two Brady needed Welker's presence to score at the goal line. 
• Although his production fell off before the Randy Moss trade; perhaps Welker needs Moss to insure he gets his share of targets. Now the best deep threat they have is a 31 year old Deion Branch.

A guy quietly making leaps and bounds in the receiving and running game is the afore-mentioned Danny Woodhead; coincidentally mistaken for Welker after a week 4 touchdown against the Dolphins by one of the announcers for the Patriots Radio Network. Save for last week's game at SD, even with a 2-4 record SD does play much better defense at home, Woodhead has put up double digit fantasy points in 3 of his last 4 games. On the flip side Woodhead is filling in nicely for the Sammy Morris role of the Patriots offense being utilized not only as a WR but as a RB as well. If you don't roll the dice on Danny be sure to keep an eye on him to see what his production is vs. that of Wes Welker.

Week Seven Starters and Bench Warmers

Touchdowns? Yes, I know them. 

Before we begin remember if you have anyone in your starting lineup from the Jets, Houston, Indianapolis, or Detroit to show them their way to the bench for the weekend.

Week Seven Starters:

QB, Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos: this week, at home, Denver faces the 13th ranked passing defense in Oakland, however, giving up only 197 ypg is only half the story. The Raiders have given up 12 touchdowns while only intercepting the ball twice! Combine that with a rushing game that is poor to say the least and we have the recipe for a killer fantasy game for Orton.

QB, Matt Cassel, KC Chiefs: albeit against the worst pass defense in the league last week, Houston, Cassel looked great throwing the ball downfield for 20/29 for 189 yards and 3 scores. Now back at Arrowhead, never underestimate the power of home field advantage in KC, Cassel faces the 30th ranked passing defense in Jacksonville who has given up 14 touchdowns to opposing QB's this year. Combine the fact their offense is starting their 3rd string QB, plus the only legitimate scoring threat for the Jaguars in MJD will be contained by KC's 3rd ranking rushing defense means more on field time for Cassel which will mean more points for you.

RB, Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: after driving his owners crazy all year Jackson finally scored his first touchdown last week against the Chargers, and has a favorable matchup this week against the 28th ranked rushing defense in Tampa Bay. Although Tampa has only given up 4 scores all year to opposing RB's, they are giving up the 2nd most yards per game of any team in 157 per game.

RB, Chris Ivory, NO Saints: with Pierre Thomas still out Chris Ivory looks to be the #1 back again this week. Last week Ivory blew the walls down with a 158 yards on 15 carries performance, and faces a Cincinnati team that gives up 111 yards per game to opposing RB's. The Bengals boast the 6th ranked pass defense in the league and look to keep Brees and company in check. However, remember once Thomas and Reggie Bush return back from injuries Ivory's value will diminish greatly.

WR, Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles: with Desean Jackson out with a concussion Maclin looks to be the deep ball threat in Philadelphia's offense as he was last week against Atlanta pulling in 7 catches for 159 yards and 2 scores. This week, on the road, the Eagles face the Titans who are giving up 257 ypg to opposing WR's. Look for coach Andy Reid to throw the ball a lot due to a revamped Tennessee rushing defense who has only given up 1 touchdown, while forcing 5 fumbles through 6 games.

TE, Ben Watson, Cleveland Browns: this is purely based on the fact that some top TE's are on bye, or out for several weeks due to injury, this week and Watson will give you some needed production among TE's that are virtually available in all standard leagues. Leading the team in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns Watson showed himself to be a safety target for Rookie QB Colt McCoy last week against the Steelers. This week Watson faces a Saints defense that has given up at least 6 receptions/ 60 yards to teams that use their tight ends regularly. With two of the Browns WR's questionable/out this week with concussions Watson should get more then the majority of passes from McCoy.

D-ST, KC Chiefs: the Jaguars offense looked horrible Monday night against the Titans at home, and things look no better Sunday on the road at Kansas City. Unless David Garrard passes his concussion tests Sunday (he has not practices all week) recently signed Todd Bouman will start. Who ever starts for the Jags will spell trouble for their passing game which in turn means heavy doses of MJD. However, the Chiefs rank 3rd in rush defense giving up only 90 ypg.

These guys deserve a nice welcome to your bench for this weekend:

QB, Alex Smith, SF 49ers: don't jump on this bandwagon too fast. Despite throwing 5 td's over the past two weeks Smith faces the 2nd ranked passing defense in Carolina who has more takeaways then touchdowns given up (9/7) through 6 games. Now while Smith may find the end zone it will only be after a couple of turnovers (averaging 2 per game), and Frank Gore finds the end zone again. The Panthers have given up rushing totals of 120-52-112-114-209 to opposing running backs, and Gore looks to continue this trend Sunday.

RB, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars: see Chiefs Defense above.

WR, Deion Branch, NE Patriots: who needs Randy Moss when Branch can bring in 9 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown? Despite being the new go to guy for Brady in the 4th quarter; Branch faces a tough contest this Sunday at San Diego. Combine the fact he plays for an east coast team going out west with the undeniable stats that the Chargers D plays so much better at home then on the road and the matchup doesn't look favorable. In 2 home games the Chargers D has forced 6 interceptions, sacked opposing QB's 11 times while only allowing 1 touchdown and 183 ypg.

TE, Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles: the Titans defense against TE's at home and on the road is a tale of night and day. Against opposing TE's they give up on average 3.33 receptions, 18 ypg, and no scores at home. Celek is already hampered by a wrist injury and his stats on the road are enough to bench him (3.33 receptions per game, 37 ypg, and only 1 td through 3 games).

Week Seven Pick Up

He's Buster. Not a bust. 

So it's a bye week and you need a wide receiver to replace Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Santonio Holmes, or Braylon Edwards production? May I interest you in a Buster, notice I didn't say bust, Davis of the San Diego Chargers?

Because of injuries Davis looks likely to be the best threat the Chargers will have on the field Sunday against the Patriots. Signs are pointing towards Legedu Naanee, Malcolm Floyd, and even Antonio Gates being questionable for game time leaving the door open for Davis to be the recipient of Phillip River's throws. Playing this role last week against the Rams Davis scored 1 touchdown on 3 receptions for 39 yards. Although a big game isn't expected from Davis a good points day is, and should really only be kept for this week as your other studs will return next week and so will the Chargers main receiving threats.

Other wide receivers of note:

• Deion Branch, NE Patriots: 9/98 and a score looks awfully good.
• Jabar Gaffney, Denver Broncos: the most consistent Broncos WR thus far has a very nice matchup this week against Oakland. 
• Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills: although the matchup doesn't look good, the Baltimore Ravens, he does have 4 touchdowns in his last 3 games.
• Danario Alexander, St. Louis Rams: yeah it's just one game, but with his big frame he could become Bradford's go-to-guy.