Pick Me Up
Rueben Randle WR NYG (33% ownership per CBS)
Randle tallied the best fantasy game of his short career this past Sunday. His 13 targets were the most he’s ever seen, while his six receptions matched a career high. The 96 yards receiving were only five yards short of his career high of 101 that he posted in week one.
While that game was against the Eagles secondary, there a few reasons to add Randle going forward. One is that the Giants are now 0-5 on the season and impending free agent Hakeem Nicks has been all the talk of water cooler trades among wide receiver needy teams. Nicks helped his stock as well Sunday, and with the league’s trade deadline coming, Randle would see a massive increase in value if a trade were to happen.
Even if Nicks isn’t dealt, the Giants have absolutely no running game to speak of. They now may have to start and rely on the flat tired Brandon Jacobs if David Wilson is on the shelf long after sustaining a neck injury. With games still scheduled against Vikings, Eagles, Raiders, Packers, and two versus Washington, Randle could be a solid third receiver or replacement during the bye week stretch.
Dive
Donald Brown RB IND (7%)
With Ahmad Bradshaw out with what could be a season ending neck injury, Brown has filled in nicely as the Colts change of pace back. Playing the backup role, Brown has more PPR points (21.6) over the past two games than freshly acquired starter Trent Richardson (19.2).
Brown has been far more explosive as well, carrying nine times for 102 yards with a score over the past two, adding four receptions. Richardson barely has more yards (116) on 38 carries (3.1 yards per carry) in those same contests. Richardson’s longest run on the season is 16 yards while Brown has at least one 16 plus yard run in each of the past three weeks. He may be no threat to achieve bell cow carry totals, but Brown may earn some more snaps based on his solid play.
Rod Streater WR OAK (14%)
Streater was a player we pegged as a late round target in late August due to his strong finish in 2012. While he’s not exactly setting the world on fire (16 receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown), he’s been extremely steady when Terrelle Pryor starts at quarterback. In Pryor’s four starts, Streater has averaged 10.5 points per game, with a low of 7.2. He’s topped three receptions and 40 yards in all four. As Pryor continues to improve as a passer, something he’s shown week to week thus far, more opportunities could exist in the future to make plays downfield in the Oakland passing attack.
Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
Zac Stacy RB STL (30%)
After being inactive in the three previous games, Jeff Fisher gave Stacy a chance to start this past Sunday to try and infuse any life into a futile ground game. In weeks two through four, Rams’ running backs carried 39 times for 94 yards total.
On Sunday Stacy answered the call, carrying 14 times for 78 yards, both team highs. The reason to add Stacy is because he’s already been named the starter going forward. The problem is he’s only an end of the bench add for owners in desperate times at running back.
Sunday was the first game over the past four in which the Rams did not trail by three or more scores at any point, contributing to the team throwing the ball on 68 percent of offensive snaps. That is something that could continue to be a trend going forward as St. Louis still faces a murderous schedule going forward.
If the Rams can’t stay in positive or neutral game flow, Stacy provides little extra credit as receiver. Yet to catch a pass in his two games this year, he had only 46 total receptions in his career at Vanderbilt.
Brandon Jacobs RB NYG (25%)
We’ve already touched on the increased role Jacobs could be seeing in the immediate future, but that doesn’t mean you need to go and make it rain FAAB dollars on him this week. Jacobs has a lower than plodding 48 yards on 22 carries so far and only one reception to go along with his season total of 9.3 fantasy points. With the Giants offensive line a mess and not built to sustain a ground game with one of league’s worst defenses, Jacobs can be ignored. If Wilson is out long-term, look for the Giants to bring in another back, perhaps Da’Rell Scott back, or give Michael Cox a bigger role.
Bye Bye Bye
Teams on Bye: Miami, Atlanta
Waiver wire QB with favorable matchups: Alex Smith (OAK), Andy Dalton (BUF), Joe Flacco (GB),
WR: Donnie Avery (OAK), Brandon Lafell (MIN), Terrance Williams (WAS)
TE: Tyler Eifert (BUF), Brent Celek (TB), Jordan Reed (DAL)
