Fantasy owners are running around looking for healthy, productive running backs.
Reggie Bush is out at least three weeks with a knee injury. Willie Parker (knee), Joseph Addai (hamstring) and Felix Jones (hamstring) missed Week 7, and Brian Westbrook (ribs) is trying to get healthy coming off a bye. And now Larry Johnson, who was suspended Sunday, could face more disciplinary action.
Welcome to the middle of the NFL season.
Heading into Week 8, with Matt Forte, Michael Pittman, Ryan Grant and Adrian Peterson also on a bye, finding a potential starting running back could be tough. It doesn't help that the top backups -- Dominic Rhodes (93 percent), Correll Buckhalter (81 percent) Warrick Dunn (81 percent), Tim Hightower (80 percent), Deuce McAllister (77 percent), Sammy Morris (76 percent), Fred Taylor (75 percent), Kevin Smith (73 percent) and Mewelde Moore (72 percent) -- are owned in the majority of leagues on CBSSports.com.
|
|
|
Owners might want to take a chance on Shaun Alexander leading up to Week 8.
(US Presswire)
|
|
Obviously, if any of those players are still out there, add them immediately. Otherwise, here are some running backs who could help you this week.
Based on his matchup and recent play, you should add Ahman Green (28 percent) this week against Cincinnati. Green had 14 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown against Detroit. He's sharing carries with Steve Slaton, but Green still has 34 carries for 150 yards the past three games and should get a chance to make plays against the Bengals.
Also in that game, Cedric Benson (37 percent) is now the starter for Cincinnati. He had 14 carries for 52 yards against Pittsburgh this week and one catch for 10 yards. The Texans have struggled against the run, so Benson could have a breakout game -- who would have thought that?
In deeper leagues, Leon Washington (23 percent) against Kansas City and Shaun Alexander (30 percent) at Detroit could be worth using this week. Both face terrible run defenses and could get extended carries late in the game, but Washington has much more value than Alexander at this point and scored against Oakland on Sunday. Fred Jackson (24 percent) at Miami could also be good if Dolphins defensive tackle Jason Ferguson (knee) is hurt.
Maurice Morris (22 percent) outplayed starter Julius Jones on Sunday at Tampa Bay with 56 rushing yards compared to 42 for Jones. Morris will likely remain the No. 2 option for Seattle, but the Seahawks have a good matchup at San Francisco, which makes Morris worth adding as well.
Justin Fargas (61 percent) is back as the starter in Oakland and had 28 carries for 74 yards against the Jets. He has a tough matchup at Baltimore this week, but he will get the majority of touches.
With Bush out, plan on Aaron Stecker (1 percent) being an attractive option for the Saints. Last year, when Bush and McAllister were out in December, Stecker had three games with at least 80 total yards and four touchdowns.
McAllister will get the majority of carries, but Stecker could play Bush's role as the receiver and third-down back. He is worth adding but not using just yet in Week 8 against the Chargers in London.
Kolby Smith (8 percent) is also worth adding with another suspension looming for Johnson. Smith started for Johnson against the Titans and had 10 carries for 20 yards.
Since Johnson hasn't been ruled out against the Jets this week, don't go overboard with bid points on Smith. And he will still share carries with Jamaal Charles (18 percent), who had three carries for 17 yards and four catches for 26 yards against Tennessee.
Derrick Ward (59 percent) and Ryan Torain (21 percent) are also worth adding but not using this week. Ward has at least 50 total yards in every game this season and has played well with limited touches, and Torain, who is out with an elbow injury, could be the featured running back in Denver later this season when he returns after the bye.
In case you haven't noticed ... It's time to add Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia. As we mentioned in this past week's Start 'Em and Sit 'Em, Garcia was a good starting option against Seattle, and he didn't disappoint with 301 passing yards and a touchdown. He now has 483 passing yards and two touchdowns in two starts since replacing the injured Brian Griese (elbow) and will start against at Dallas in Week 8, which is a favorable matchup. He is only owned in 37 percent of leagues, so add him now if you need a starter this week. And Garcia has helped Antonio Bryant (33 percent) regain some value after he had six catches for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks.
Each Monday we will highlight players who might be available in your league and whether you should consider picking them up off waivers based on their recent performances. The players chosen are based on the percentage of ownership in CBSSports.com leagues.
Add 'Em
Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis
Owned: 13 percent of leagues
Week 7: Had five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown against Dallas.
Analysis: Last week we told you to monitor Avery after he caught four passes for 73 yards at Washington. He followed up that performance with another solid outing against the Cowboys and is proving why he was the first receiver taken in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Rams offense is starting to click the past two weeks, and Avery returning to health is a big reason why. He is a speedster and should be able to catch a few deep passes this season, and he already has two catches of at least 42 yards this year.
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta
Owned: 65 percent of leagues
Week 7: On a bye.
Analysis: We told you to add Ryan last week, and we're saying it again here. He has the chance to be a good bye-week replacement or even a Fantasy starter down the road. Don't plan on using Ryan this week at the Eagles, but he could be useful against New Orleans in Week 10 and Denver in Week 11. Ryan had 301 passing yards and a touchdown in his last game against Chicago and is starting to display solid skills with a developing receiving corps, which is led by Roddy White. Add him now before someone else in your league does.
Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago
Owned: 69 percent of leagues
Week 7: Caught six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota.
Analysis: Olsen is playing like the tight end most expected when he was drafted last year and is developing into a must-start Fantasy option. He has 16 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns in his past four games and has benefited with Kyle Orton's improved play. Look for that to continue and plan on adding Olsen and using him in Week 9 when the Bears come off their bye week. Hopefully his hot play will continue against the Lions.
Avoid 'Em
Bobby Engram, WR, Seattle
Owned: 67 percent of leagues
Week 7: Had one catch for 8 yards at Tampa Bay.
Analysis: Engram is still available in some leagues because he missed the first three games with a shoulder injury. He could also be out there because he's been a disappointment this season due to poor quarterback play. Don't plan on adding Engram due to his name recognition. There are better receivers out there, and Engram has struggled with Charlie Frye and Seneca Wallace replacing the injured Matt Hasselbeck (knee). Engram has one catch for 8 yards the past two games.
Brad Johnson, QB, Dallas
Owned: 68 percent of leagues
Week 7: Completed 17-of-34 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions at St. Louis.
Analysis: Johnson will likely play better than what he showed against the Rams, but who knows if his performance will force Tony Romo (broken finger) back on the field sooner than expected. Johnson also isn't going to post overwhelming stats on a weekly basis. There are better quarterbacks out there right now than Johnson even though he has talented weapons in Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Marion Barber. And he has a tough matchup against his former Tampa Bay team this week.
Javon Walker, RB, Oakland
Owned: 22 percent of leagues
Week 7: Caught five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.
Analysis: Walker had his best game since joining the Raiders, but I'm not sure if this is a sign of things to come. He was thrown at nine times, but he only had five catches for 59 yards coming into this game. JaMarcus Russell is still an unproven quarterback, and the Raiders face a cross-country trip for a 1 p.m. ET start against Baltimore in Week 8. I don't see Walker becoming a factor on a weekly basis, and the Jets secondary has been beat up by previous opponents, so just consider it a good game for the fading star.
Others to monitor ...
Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis
Owned: 48 percent of leagues
Week 7: Completed 14-of-19 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown against Dallas.
Analysis: Bulger hasn't turned the corner yet, but he showed signs against the Cowboys and now has two good receiving options in Torry Holt and Donnie Avery. That will open up the field for him, and Steven Jackson remains a tremendous weapon out of the backfield. Bulger has a good matchup at New England in Week 8 if he could figure out his road woes. If you're looking for help at quarterback, add Bulger now and hope he starts looking like the quarterback we all remember by the end of the year.
Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego
Owned: 3 percent of leagues
Week 7: Had four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown at Buffalo.
Analysis: Floyd was an "avoid" last week, but he played well against the Bills with Chris Chambers (ankle) out again. That could continue if Chambers is out this week in London against the Saints. Floyd now has seven catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots and Bills. He is a good deep threat and is developing a solid rapport with Philip Rivers. If Chambers is out again, consider adding Floyd for Week 8 in London.
Mike Furrey, WR, Detroit
Owned: 1 percent of leagues
Week 7: Had six catches for 89 yards at Houston.
Analysis: Furrey appears to be the first receiver to benefit with Williams traded to Dallas. He led the Lions in catches against the Texans and that could continue playing opposite Calvin Johnson. Shaun McDonald will play a role also, but keep an eye on what happens with Furrey going forward. If Dan Orlovsky continues to look in Furrey's direction -- he was targeted eight times against Houston -- then he could be worth adding in deeper leagues.
Do you have a question? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Waiver Wire in the subject field. Include your name, hometown and state.
