Another week in and I hope everyone is doing better than me in their fantasy leagues this season. Going forward, I now have Dez Bryant, LeSean McCoy and Ben Roethlisberger riding the bench for at least the next couple weeks. I guess it was a good thing I traded for Larry Fitzgerald. If you are feeling the heat of injuries and are forced to dig deep into the waiver pool this earlier into the season or if you have a group of players will early bye weeks, this may be the week to start paying attention to this article.

Why do I suggest you read this article? Because maybe, just maybe, my picks have been somewhat decent. I went two for three in week 2. Let’s look at this week’s numbers before we jump on any conclusions regarding my job this season. Josh Robinson (RB, IND) – 8 total yards – Terribly wrong; Rishard Matthews (WR, MIA) – 6 catches for 113 yards and two TDs, good enough for 20-plus points – My best pick of the season thus far; Scott Chandler (TE, NE) – 2 catches for 25 yards for 3.5 points – So, let’s call it one out of three last week.

All I can say it good luck and here are a few names that may be worth targeting this week if you need a spot start.

 

1) Cameron Artis-Payne- RB, CAR @ TB

Owned in 11% of Fleaflicker leagues

This may be a pick that even I look back at and try to figure out what I was thinking. But, as of the time I am writing this article, starting RB Jonathan Stewart and power back Mike Tolbert are yet to practice this week. This leaves the backfield to the rookie Artis-Payne and journeyman Fozzy Whitaker. Given their skill sets, Artis-Payne should see the early-down work if Stewart and Tolbert are both to sit against the leaky defense of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

While his sample size is small three games into his career, the ability is there. He had a strong career at the University of Auburn and produce roughly 4.5 yards per carry in the preseason. So far this season, he only has played on seven snaps, but he did receive three carries last week once Stewart left the game. This may not be the flashiest of picks, nor turn into the best pick up of the week, but it is certainly a player to consider, especially in the deepest of leagues. A decent amount of yards and a rushing TD may be the ceiling, regardless if Stewart plays or not.

Prediction: 8 carries, 35 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown

 

2) Cecil Shorts - WR, HOU @ ATL

Owned in 14% of Fleaflicker leagues

This is a player that has been under the radar all season. Does anyone remember a couple years ago when Shorts broke out for the Jacksonville Jaguars? He put up 55 catches, 979 yards and 7 TDs in 14 games. That is almost 18 yards per catch. Since then, he has become more of a possession WR and less of a big-play threat, but that should not hurt him this week.

Going against the Falcons’ weak pass defense, Shorts should have plenty of space to move around underneath the coverage. Atlanta’s top cornerback, Desmond Trufant, will more than likely shadow DeAndre Hopkins. Fellow WR Nate Washington will be looking to take the top off the defense. With these in play, Shorts should see plenty of targets this week and do not be surprised if he finds the endzone for the first time this season.

Shorts’ value, I believe, would actually be going up should RB Arian Foster make his season debut this week. Not only would the defense have to worry about Hopkins, but now they need to crowd the line of scrimmage to defend against a healthy Foster. Regardless, expect a worthy stat-line this week against Atlanta.

Prediction: 5 receptions, 60 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

 

3) Gary Barnidge - TE, CLE @ SD

Owned in 15% of Fleaflicker leagues

Everyone has been asking all week: Gary who? Regardless of which team he has been on in the past few seasons, be it the Carolina Panthers or the Cleveland Browns, Barnidge has been buried on the depth chart playing behind Pro-Bowl tight ends in Greg Olsen and Jordan Cameron. Now, he finally gets his chance on an offense that really does not have any primary pass catchers.

Can we take another look at his stats from last week against Oakland? He finished with 6 catches for 105 yards and a TD. He set a career-high in catches and yards and almost matched his total yardage from last season (156 receiving yards). And, he did this with the old arm of Josh McCown under center.

This week, McCown will more than likely be responsible for throwing him the ball again. It will be up to Barnidge to prove that he was not a one-week wonder and show that he can produce every week, especially against a strong defense like the Chargers have this season. While it may be a tough match up, Barnidge would need to put up a respectable line to make himself relevant in fantasy land, especially in deeper leagues.

Prediction: 5 receptions, 50 receiving yards

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room