Pick Me Up
Robert Woods WR BUF (15% ownership per CBS)
Woods notched four grabs for 80 yards and a score this past Sunday against a Baltimore defense that hadn’t allowed a passing touchdown since their opener in Denver. He also had a second touchdown overturned on a questionable review.
Over the past two weeks, Woods has been on the field for 98 percent of the Buffalo offensive snaps, opposed to only 86 percent of teammate Stevie Johnson. He has 24 targets over the past three weeks and is currently ranked at WR35 in PPR leagues. He’s worth a stash to end of your receiving stable even as a stash. Rookie receivers are known to peak late and the Bills play the Falcons and Jaguars during the fantasy playoff season.
Kendall Hunter RB SF (35%)
For the second consecutive week Hunter scored on the ground. He totaled 11 carries for 49 yards to go with that touchdown on Thursday night against the Rams as the 49ers got back to the ground and pound mentality that won them double-digit games over the past two seasons.
Coming off a partially torn Achilles suffered last season, Hunter appears to be full strength. Currently he’s more of a stash type of player, but it’s worth noting that the San Francisco schedule gets extremely light after facing Houston this week. Only three teams remaining on their docket currently have a winning record. As the Niners attempt to keep their 30-year-old workhorse, Frank Gore, intact, Hunter could close out many more game in a similar fashion as this past week.
Dive
Keenan Allen WR SD (3%)
Allen saw his first real extended playing time this past Sunday versus the Cowboys. He played 70 snaps total after playing in only 45 and 49 over the previous two weeks. Taking advantage, he collected five grabs on his six targets while leading the Chargers receivers through the air with 80 yards. The Chargers are about to play a three game slate against Oakland, Indianapolis and Jacksonville, so Allen may have a chance to take the receiver two spot away from the struggling Vincent Brown with a few more strong performances while Malcom Floyd remains out.
Rashad Jennings RB OAK (2%)
After losing both Darren McFadden (hamstring) and Marcel Reece (knee) for the game, Jennings subbed in providing 116 total yards on 15 carries and eight receptions. The injury to Reece is already expected to keep him on the shelf for at least this week versus the Chargers. If Run DMC is still nursing another soft tissue injury, Jennings could play a nice role in week five for fantasy purposes. The Chargers are allowing 5.2 yards per carry to the opposition (fourth worst in the league), and have allowed three backs in the first four weeks to total five or more receptions in a game.
Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
Jerricho Cotchery – Week Four Total: Five receptions for 103 yards, one touchdown 21.3 points
Cotchery found the end zone for the second time this season but offers no long-term value as the Steelers inevitably will begin to incorporate rookie Markus Wheaton into the offense. With Pittsburgh off to an 0-4 start, the vet will have a hard time holding onto the snaps he’s already playing.
LeGarrette Blount – Week four Total: nine carries for 64 yards, one touchdown 12.4 points
The former 1,000 yard rusher added his name to the hat of want to be useful Patriot running backs for fantasy purposes. Unfortunately for Blount, he will still need a Stevan Ridley injury to gain any real significance. Blount and Ridley are essentially the same player in terms of their role in the New England offense. At best, his current value is in ruining Ridley’s value. Blount has 21 career receptions in 44 games players, adding no reason to add him in PPR leagues unless his rushing floor is raised to starting production.
Bye Bye Bye
Teams on Bye: Tampa bay, Washington, Pittsburgh and Minnesota
Waiver wire QB with favorable matchups: Sam Bradford (JAC), Brian Hoyer (BUF), Philip Rivers (OAK), Eli Manning (PHI)
WR: Rueben Randle (PHI), Austin Pettis (JAC), Jason Avant (NYG), Jeremy Kerley (ATL)
TE: Brandon Myers (PHI), Charles Clay (BAL), Kellen Winslow (ATL)
