Week 6 is in the books and your team’s prospects, for better or worse, are taking shape. Whether your trade deadline is early in the year (week 6) or late (week 12), it’s an important date to use to your advantage. If you’ve found extra depth on your roster, maybe you can selectively move a player for another position of need or a draft pick. If you have an aging team that is falling out of the hunt, perhaps it’s time to move those veteran performers for draft picks now, before they lose their value. In either case, understanding the shifting value of your players is an important aspect of getting back on top of your division or staying there for season to come.
RISING
Sam Bradford QB, STL
Too early to tell if Bradford is destined to be a future top-5 fantasy QB and this will be the last time I list him in this series. He’s done more than could be expected and has impressed many with his poise and leadership, including myself. He’s not posting eye popping numbers but given the cast around him, his performance to date has been nothing short of exceptional. Rookie of the Year may be going to a QB this year.
Ben Roethlisberger QB, PIT
He’s back and looking good. As long as his actions match his words going forward, most of his history will be swept under the carpet.
Colt McCoy QB, CLE
Could you have a tougher first game of your career? McCoy’s excitement must have been short lived when he realized the Steelers were on tap. From what I know about McCoy, there is little doubt that he felt he was up to the challenge. Make no mistake that he had a couple of bad interceptions, but he showed an intriguing set of skills that has to have Cleveland’s brass wondering just what they have. His value gets a boost solely on the fact that he’s starting again in week 7 on the road in New Orleans. Would be nice to see the kid get a shot at home in week 8 vs. NE.
Ryan Torain RB, WAS
It appears that coach Shanahan does plan on leaning on Torain and, based upon what I saw on Sunday, he should continue to do so. Torain isn’t a flashy back but he reminds me a lot of Arian Foster. His downside has always been his injury history and owners surely hold their breath with each carry. If you are an owner of Torain, you may want to consider a sell high strategy if you have depth at the position.
James Starks RB, GB
The rookie hasn’t even practiced yet but he’s rising on dynasty boards. Starks is due to hit the practice field on Wednesday and is likely at least a couple of weeks away from seeing the field. It wouldn’t be overly surprising to see him get a couple of snaps on Sunday as he’s been running full speed for more than a few weeks. He’s is a big back with incredible hands and his situation couldn’t be much better. He’s sure to be given a chance at starting in weeks to come. He hasn’t played football in almost 2 years, so expect the Packers to bring him along slowly.
Danny Woodhead RB, NE
The Chadron State star continues to look impressive as his touches continue to increase. Equally adept in the running and passing game, Woodhead is popping up in starting lineups and performing admirably, especially in PPR leagues. He isn’t likely to score many TDs but his touches combined with his impressive yards per touch makes him a nice by week or spot starter.
Deion Branch WR, NE
Just when you thought it was safe to drop Branch, he’s traded to N.E. and his career gets new life. Brady targeted Branch early and often in Sunday’s tilt, ultimately pulling down nine of the twelve targets for 98 yards and a TD. Branch will likely be a very solid WR2 going forward.
Danario Alexander WR, STL
The next receiver on the St. Louis carousel of receivers. Alexander has nice size and speed and is said to be able to jump out of the building. His size would suggest that he will never be an elite receiver, but he led the Rams in receiving and hauled in a nice TD grab in the process. Most importantly, he’ll be starting again this next week and the best you can hope for with young receivers is that get a chance to start consistently. He’ll be a hot waiver wire addition this week but keep your expectations low.
Deon Butler WR, SEA
Butler got his first start on Sunday and promptly responded by pulling down four receptions and a TD. The smallish receiver has good speed and is elusive in the open field. In a Seattle passing attack that needs play makers, Butler should continue to receive looks from aging veteran Matt Hasselbeck.
Anthony Armstrong WR, WAS
Much like Butler above, Armstrong received his chance to start and looked capable, hauling in five receptions. Nothing to get overly excited about, but Washington is in dire need of receivers and Armstrong is not without ability. He’ll start again this coming Sunday and is worthy of stashing on a dynasty roster.
Darryl Sharpton LB, HOU
Zach Diles LB, HOU
It’s still unclear who’ll take over for DeMeco Ryans (Achilles) but whoever does has immediate upside. Diles is expected to take over at MLB but watch the news closely.
FALLING
David Garrard QB, JAX
Garrard has actually posted nice back to back performances but the writing is still on the wall. The Jaguars will be moving on in 2011.
Mike Sims-Walker WR, JAX
MSW continues to disappoint and is likely to until the Jaguars find a modicum of QB consistency. Even then, he’s a WR3 at best.
Carnell Williams RB, TB
It’s becoming obvious that the Williams isn’t the long term answer in Tampa. With a falling ypc. average and a questionable offensive line, look for Bucs to start increasing the touches of younger backs in hopes of finding next year’s starter.
Kareem Huggins RB, TB
In what could have been a great opportunity for Huggins, it was ultimately not to be. Huggins was placed on IR this am after tearing ligaments in his knee on Sunday. He’s still worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues but the Bucs will most likely be shopping during the draft.
Michael Turner RB, ATL
Turner is starting to slip. He still has the ability to post solid results as exemplified in two of his six games this season, but it’s obvious that Turner is no longer a top 10 back. He’s a “sell” if you find yourself in a rebuilding mode. If you are playoff bound, realize that Turner finishes with TB in week 13, followed by CAR, SEA, NO, CAR. Very favorable.
Clinton Portis RB, WAS
The buzz is that Portis won’t be back with the Skins. That may be good news for his value ultimately, but until then ….
DeMeco Ryans LB, HOU
I expect that he’ll come back strong in 2011. He’s out for the remainder of 2010 with a blown achilles. Never good for your stock value.
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Interesting call on Turner. He’s really only had one good year in his 7 year career. He always looked good in San Diego but, you know, you don’t get to save those years. He was wasting away on the bench. He’s only 5 months younger than Clinton Portis. But then again, I didn’t see LT doing what he’s doing this year or Favre last year. Still, as every Shaun Alexander owner can attest, better a year too early than a year too late.
What do you think of Mike Thomas in Jax? He’s been better and more consistent than Louis Murphy and Johnny Knox. The problem is that none of these clowns can find the end zone. I’ve been playing Knox based solely on the potential output of the Chicago offense.
Turner is one of those guys that you probably need to move NOW if you aren’t in the hunt. Tough to do but he’s not dynamic enough to play beyond 30 in my mind. I’m just not sold on Mike Thomas although in that offense, they needs someone to step up.
I traded Turned last year (for Kevin Smith and a 1st)..then KS blows out his knee and the rest is history…
How about Keiland Williams? Heard Torain had his knee wrapped in ice after the game and might be a question mark for this weeks game.
I’m big on K. Williams, and have had him stashed away since his preseason splash. I was a little disheartened to see Torain suddenly do a switcheroo and leap into the #2, sending Williams to the PS (I still don’t understand why it happened like that in the middle of the season).
Regardless, Torain in an injury risk every game, and Williams fits the prototypical good-hands-good-zone-running back profile for Shanny. I fully expect at some point that he’ll be working the rock and making noise (so long as the O-line lets him)
I was going to put Keiland Williams on this list and somehow forgot to. He looked pretty good from the snaps that he got and I like his style. Again, in that offense and behind Torain, the RB2 there should get snaps.
Ryan Torain was thought to be injured after not finishing Sunday night’s game however he practiced fully on Wednesday and should be ready for this week’s.
What do you guys think about chad simpson RB for the skins.. I know torrain is suppose to be the man there now and williams is his backup..does should i keep simpson around?
No, unless your in return yardage league
you dont see any value next year at all? i figured with portis probably gone, he could steal some carries next year and get in the mix..but maybe not
Well i would contest that if Torain or Williams don’t turn into beasts, then you have to chalk WSH into the mix for drafting a high-grade RB next year, all together IMO you could make better with your Roster spot. If you’re looking for something deep, and your FA is pretty bare, try Andre Brown. I think he’d have a much better chance in IND now carving himself out a role sooner than Simpson
Chad Simpson is only a role player. I don’t think he has any really dynasty value.
Thanks for the advice, I think ill drop him later on in the season. Andre brown was not on our wire, we have a 60 man roster!
sixty man?? explain!
Interesting thoughts on Colt McCoy. What are his dynasty prospects compared to Tim Tebow?
I’d still rather own Tebow but McCoy looked better than i expected. I’d like to see him get two more starts, inc. one at home two weeks from now. I think they have to see what he’s got. He’s a leader and has a lot of confidence and that’s half the battle. Pocket poise is going to be an issue.
Some dumba$$ is mouthing off about my man Stark. He’s saying that Stark will only be used on special teams. Tell me it isn’t so….
“Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel predicts that Packers RB James Starks (hamstring, PUP) will have a role this season only as a kickoff returner or if injuries continue to strike the team’s running back corps.
The rookie is still limited to individual drills in practice and is a candidate for injured reserve. He’s been dealing with the hamstring injury for five months now and had a laundry list of ailments in college. Starks does have some natural ability, but you’re better off looking elsewhere for a second half sleeper.”
Starks isn’t a “big” back. I’d call him awkwardly sized. 6’2″ and 220 isn’t big. At 6’2″, he should be 235/240. 5’11 and 220 is a nice size, but 6’2 and 220 lbs is just a big thin target. Since he seems to run with a high pad level on top of being 6’2″, he’s a giant target for defenders to haul off on. He’s not strong enough to be a power back and not fast/elusive enough to be a speedster. Plus B.Jackson is running for 4.5 YPC, but the team isn’t even trying to be balanced. Bringing a guy like Starks who has no idea of the pass protection on a team that has had issues with pass protection would be a joke. Brandon Jackson is 5’10 and 220 lbs to give you a reference of how Starks is not a big back, because Brandon Jackson isn’t big and he’s the same weight but 4 inches shorter. It’s already been mentioned that he hasn’t played football in 2 years and has never even practiced in the NFL with pads on. I fail to see the upside that so many want to see in Starks. I’d sell before people come to reality on Starks.