Pick Me Up
Montee Ball RB DEN (36 percent ownership per CBS)
With Ronnie Hillman finding the sidelines after fumbling consecutive weeks, Ball was given new life again in the Denver offense. He carried 11 times, his highest total since week three, for 37 yards and a score. The 30 snaps on offense were a season high and more than his past four weeks combined. He also played consistently near the goal line, with three carries inside the five yard line to one for Knowshon Moreno. He’s not much of a factor in the passing game (two catches on five targets for the season) but that’s not why you want to scoop him up if he’s available.
He’s not only a worthy stash if Moreno was to go down, but he could also develop into a fourth quarter grinder as Denver keeps Moreno fresh for their inevitable playoff push. Peyton Manning has always raised the fantasy value over talent value from the backs he’s attached to. With Hillman losing favor, the opportunity is available for Ball to take over as the number two in Denver full time.
Drew Davis WR ATL (1 percent)
Davis has been getting plenty of time on the field with all of the injuries to the Atlanta receiving corps, playing on over 90 percent of offensive snaps the past two weeks. Last week, he made the most of that playing time, catching five of seven targets for 77 yards and a score.
The Falcons are dead last in the NFL in rushing attempts (18.4) and yards (62.4) per game and are the only team in the league currently throwing the ball over 70 percent of the time (71.2). As a team they’ve only reached 90 rushing yards in one game this season and have rushed for only 45 yards total the past two weeks. They have a brutal run schedule coming up, meaning their pass happy ways should continue to be a trend. Davis will also see plenty of time on the field when Roddy White returns since Harry Douglas spends the majority of his time in the slot (64 percent of his routes are from inside). In three wide sets on a pass first club, Davis can be an impact player through the remaining bye weeks.
Marvin Jones WR CIN (39 percent)
Everyone will be rushing to pick up Jones this week if he is still available in your league. There’s a definite reason to grab him besides the four touchdown performance he posted versus the Jets this past Sunday. He’s now gone three consecutive weeks with five targets or more with at least one touchdown. He’s not only been effective near the end zone, but he’s also been a factor on the deep targets he’s been given. Per Pro Football Focus, he’s caught three of his four targets over 20 yards in the air for two scores.
Sure, he scored his four touchdowns Sunday on only 19 snaps, but the game was also a massive blowout. He has averaging 31 snaps per game in the five previous weeks. The impending return of Andrew Hawkins could cut into a piece of his pie, but your expectations shouldn’t’ be chasing another four touchdown game.
Tim Wright TE TB (15 percent)
Since Mike Glennon has taken over as starting quarterback for Tampa bay, Wright ranks 12th in tight end targets (26), tenth in receptions (19) and 12th in receiving yards (195). He’s had at least five receptions, six targets and 40 yards in three of those four games while seeing his snap count climb each week. The Buccaneers are also throwing the football 70 percent of the time since Glennon has taken the reigns (third most in the league over that stretch), with him attempting at least 43 passes each week. Add that growing snap count to what will undoubtedly be a larger role with Mike Williams now out for the season and the Bucs thin replacements at the receiver position.
Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
David Nelson – Week Eight line: Eight catches on 12 targets for 80 yards (16 PPR PTS)
Nelson did most of damage in junk time as the Jets trailed 35-6 at the half versus the Bengals. With Santonio Holmes on the mend, let someone else chase a repeat performance.
Lance Moore – Week Eight line: Three catches on four targets for 34 yards, one touchdown (12.4 PTS)
Those three receptions were a season high and Moore has never seen more than four targets in any game this season. His long reception on the season is only 16 yards and he’s clearly behind emerging rookie Kenny Stills in the pecking order.
Bye, Bye, Bye
Teams on Bye: Denver, Detroit, NY Giants, Arizona, San Francisco, Jacksonville
Waiver Wire QB with favorable matchups: Jake Locker (@ STl), Alex Smith (@ BUF), Terrell Pryor (@PHI)
WR: Kenny Stills (@NYJ), Kendall Wright (@ STL) Nate Washington (@STL)
TE: Tyler Eifert (@MIA), Heath Miller (@NE)
