On ESPN 101.3 FM yesterday, the host, Coach Les, asked me what most surprised me about Week 4. Beyond the obvious, I said RB Charcandrick West's ascension to Jamaal Charles' backup was the most surprising. As many of you know, Knile Davis--last year's roughly 30th highest scoring fantasy RB--was one of my preseason bold predictions. About five weeks ago, I also wrote that if Davis falters, West will have more upside than nearly every other RB handcuff.
I'm not suggesting everyone needs to pick up West. But if you're holding onto lower-upside guys like Tre Mason, or, in non-PPR leagues, a sporadically effective guy like Shane Vereen, it's probably worth the risk.
Other deep-dive players worth grabbing if you're positionally needy:
QB Matt Cassel might replace Brandon Wheeden this week. Maybe it'll be next week. But the point is clear: With Romo recovering from a serious injury that will sideline him for most of the season, Cassel is a long-term upgrade over Wheeden, and should be good for 15+ points most weeks.
I'm still high on RB Matt Jones, even though he's had only one decent game in four weeks. The reason is Alfred Morris, whose 62 yards on 17 carries (3.6 YPC) mark a third straight week of pedestrian running. Jones is raw and more mistake-prone, but he's also more talented. That makes him a much better long-term play.
WR Keith Mumphery might start opposite DeAndre Hopkins for Houston this weekend. The rookie was not highly touted in the NFL draft and was not expected to make any contributions this season beyond special teams. But for the truly desperate, he should see 6+ targets if Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts sit, making him an interesting flier.
Delanie Walker--last year's ninth best fantasy TE--is unowned in one-third of ESPN leagues. He needs to be owned in at least 80%, and that's conservative. Walker has had one good and one decent game when healthy this season. 8+ fantasy points are realistic at least every other week.
I'm not suggesting everyone needs to pick up West. But if you're holding onto lower-upside guys like Tre Mason, or, in non-PPR leagues, a sporadically effective guy like Shane Vereen, it's probably worth the risk.
Other deep-dive players worth grabbing if you're positionally needy:
QB Matt Cassel might replace Brandon Wheeden this week. Maybe it'll be next week. But the point is clear: With Romo recovering from a serious injury that will sideline him for most of the season, Cassel is a long-term upgrade over Wheeden, and should be good for 15+ points most weeks.
I'm still high on RB Matt Jones, even though he's had only one decent game in four weeks. The reason is Alfred Morris, whose 62 yards on 17 carries (3.6 YPC) mark a third straight week of pedestrian running. Jones is raw and more mistake-prone, but he's also more talented. That makes him a much better long-term play.
WR Keith Mumphery might start opposite DeAndre Hopkins for Houston this weekend. The rookie was not highly touted in the NFL draft and was not expected to make any contributions this season beyond special teams. But for the truly desperate, he should see 6+ targets if Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts sit, making him an interesting flier.
Delanie Walker--last year's ninth best fantasy TE--is unowned in one-third of ESPN leagues. He needs to be owned in at least 80%, and that's conservative. Walker has had one good and one decent game when healthy this season. 8+ fantasy points are realistic at least every other week.