Pick Me Up
Brandon Bolden RB NE (3 % owned in CBS Fantasy Football leagues)
In his first action of the season (knee), Bolden played 26 snaps Sunday. He carried three times for 51 yards, but that’s not why you should be adding him. 21 of his 26 snaps were passing plays as he added five receptions for 49 yards on six targets. His ability to be a factor in the Patriots passing game will earn him snaps regularly on pass downs as Stevan Ridley (10 career receptions) and LeGarrette Blount (21 catches) are non-factors as receiving threats. In an offense starving for playmaking through the air, Bolden could carve out a solid role until the return of Shane Vereen.
Jonathan Franklin (12%)
After James Starks (filling in for Eddie Lacy) left the game in the second quarter, Franklin ran 13 times for 103 yards and added three catches for 23 yards. It was the first 100 yard rushing game the Bengals have allowed over their past 12 games. He had one critical mistake, fumbling a fourth and inches carry that was returned for the game deciding score. He still showed a ton of speed and versatility in the game and with the Packers headed into a bye week that could create an opportunity to incorporate him more into a change of pace role.
Dive
Nate Washington WR TEN (6%)
After posting eight receptions for 131 yards on 10 targets versus a porous at best San Diego secondary, Washington is still the main option in the Titan passing game. He now leads the Titans in targets (22) and receiving yards (227) and is tied with Kendall Wright with 15 receptions on the season. Washington has averaged 10.3 yards per target compared to the pedestrian 6.5 yards per target of Wright, making him the teams’ downfield option in the air. With multiple games left versus Jacksonville and the Indianapolis secondary, Washington is a solid add to the end of your bench on his current opportunity within the Tennessee offense.
Jordan Reed TE WAS (7%)
Reed has seen his snap count increase weekly to start the season. With Fred Davis being inactive this past week, he participated on 32 plays, 23 of which were passing plays. He’s used primarily as a pass catcher on the season as well. Washington has called for a pass on 82 percent (69 of 85) of his snaps on the season. He is currently the 15th highest scoring tight end while catching 13 of his 15 targets for 106 yards and a score.
Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
Isaiah Pead STL RB (31%) Week 3: six carries for 20 yards, seven receptions for 43 yards, 13.3 points
I know it’s hard to encourage that you avoid a running back during these trying times at the position, but Pead is a player who is truly fool’s gold and part of a miserable situation. Although he had 13 touches, only three were when the score was within 21 point Sunday. The Rams have fallen behind by over 20 points in back to back games, but they aren’t built to run anyways. The team has run just 44 times for 139 yards (3.2 yards per carry) in the first three weeks with only 23 attempts for 67 yards over their past two. Outside of having garbage time receptions while Daryl Richardson is out, Pead is avoidable
Ted Ginn (2%) Week 3: three catches for 71 yards, one touchdown 17.2 points
For the second consecutive week Ginn was on the receiving end of a 40-yard plus touchdown toss from Cam Newton. He won’t get to face the Giants and Bills every week, meaning his two catches per game won’t always find the end zone.
Zach Miller TE SEA (16%) Week 3: two catches for five yards and two touchdowns, 14.5 points
Miller turned two of his three targets into scores near the goal line Sunday, but don’t count on an abundance of scores going forward. Coming into the game, he had only eight targets on the season and hasn’t had more than three touchdown receptions in a season since 2010.
Drop Them Like They’re Hot
Lance Moore (75% owned) – has only four receptions on 11 targets for the season and left Sunday’s game with a wrist injury. With so much ambiguity in the Saints’ passing attack outside of Jimmy Graham, Moore is expendable.
Kenny Britt (73%) – Britt has only five catches on 16 targets for 43 yards. He played on only 39 snaps this past week and was not on the field during the Titans game winning drive versus the Chargers. With his chronic knee and off the field issues, combined with plenty of in house competition, he’s a safe drop.
Bye Bye Bye
Week 4 is the first weekend for Bye weeks. This week’s Byes: Carolina and Green Bay
QB Pickups with favorable matchups: Alex Smith (@ NYG), Jay Cutler (@ DET), Ben Roethlisberger (@ MIN) Terrelle Pryor (WAS)
WR: Santana Moss (@ OAK) , Donne Avery (@ NYG), Emmanuel Sanders (@MIN), Rod Streater (WAS)
TE: Scott Chandler ( BAL), Heath Miller (@ MIN), Jordan Reed ( @ OAK), Rob Housler (@ TB)
*Stats used were provided from ProFootballFocus, Pro-Football-Reference, CBSSportsline.com, NFLData.com, NFL.com, ESPN
