Rams Running Backs Useless for Fantasy Owners

Some Rams running back will score, but which one??

Even against the lowly Jaguars, there’s no safe bet when it comes to plugging a Rams running back into your fantasy roster. At this point, there’s nothing left for fantasy owners except for buyer’s remorse. The team’s usual worthless starter, Daryl Richardson, tweeted at a fan yesterday that he would not be the team’s starter this weekend.

He has since deleted the tweet, likely as a formality since he’s probably not supposed be leaking that information via Twitter. It’s not entirely clear how seriously we should take that tweet, as Coach Jeff Fisher still hasn’t confirmed a starter for this weekend, likely opting for a “running back-by-committee” approach.

Some would argue that there’s no reason to start Richardson, even if he were to play. D-Rich is averaging just 2.7 yards per carry this season and still hasn’t scored a touchdown. His only saving grace is that he can catch the ball, racking up 200 yards from scrimmage in a total of 3 games played, an average of 66.6 yards per game.

In theory, it would be nice to start a Rams running back against the Jacksonville defense, which ranks 32^nd in rushing yards allowed, giving up an average of 165 yards per game. The defense as a whole is allowing an average of over 32 points to opposing offenses per game, likely paving the way for the Rams get a lot of scoring opportunities. A Rams running back is actually very likely get a touchdown in this game, it’s just very hard to figure out which player that might be.

With Richardson likely not starting, it’s not even clear which running back will be on the Rams roster. Between Zac Stacy, Isaiah Pead, Benny Cunningham and Chase Reynolds, 2 other backs should accompany Richardson on the active roster against the Jags on Sunday.

If one of these running backs actually ends up getting that “starting nod” for Sunday, he may actually have a great game. Yet it’s just far too risky to take a chance on any of them. Even if there’s a starter named, keep the Rams backs on your bench in standard leagues.

Don’t Sleep on Chargers QB Philip Rivers

Phlip Rivers is working over teams with weak secondaries

Now may be the last chance to add Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to your fantasy squad. Rivers is currently 72.3% owned in ESPN fantasy leagues, but he should be moving closer to 100% ownership after turning in another stellar performance against Dallas in Week 4.

Rivers threw for 401 yards, 3 touchdowns and just 1 interception in the Chargers 30-21 win over the Cowboys this past Sunday. The veteran has now racked up 1,199 yards and an amazing 11 touchdowns in 4 games so far this season. What’s most impressive is that he’s done all of this while completing 73.9% of passes and throwing only 1 interception, giving him a career-high passer rating of 118.8.

Rivers’ awesome numbers are spearheaded by his two high-volume performances against the Eagles and Cowboys, teams that rank 31^st and 27^th in the league in passing yards allowed. Rivers put up 820 yards in these 2 games, while totaling just 378 yards in his other 2 games against the Titans and Texans, who are top-10 in limiting passing yards.

It seems that Rivers’ numbers have had some correlation with the strength of the defenses he has been facing. However, the rest of his numbers have been great against everyone he’s played. His success should be enough for Mike McCoy to keep letting him throw the ball, especially with running back Ryan Mathews averaging only 3.5 yards per carry.

Rivers having below average weapons may eventually catch up with him, so don’t expect him to throw the 44 touchdowns he’s on pace for. There will continue to be matchups when he gets 40+ passing attempts and puts up 20+ points, but he’s going to have some low-scoring weeks as well.

It’s probably wise to only play Rivers in good matchups going forward. This Sunday against Oakland is a solid matchup, and if you need him to be your starter, he should be decent. Rivers match-ups coming up are up-and-down, so there’s no reason to stray away from adding him.

Grab Josh Gordon Before His Next Suspension

Gordon is down to one last chance with his drug issues

Browns star receiver Josh Gordon told reporters that the next time he fails a drug test, the league will be suspend him for an entire year. Gordon is returning to action this Sunday against the Vikings after being suspended for the first 2 weeks of the regular season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. 

Gordon is owned in 91.1% of ESPN leagues, but should be the top wide receiver to pick up off the waiver wire this week.

In 2012, Gordon recorded 50 receptions, 805 yards, and 5 touchdowns. These numbers were not amazing, but impressive for a rookie and seemed to be a sign of good things to come. Gordon put up those numbers while appearing in only 79% of the team’s offensive snaps. For Gordon to make a difference this season, the Browns will have increase his snap count.

Gordon’s 50 receptions came off a team-leading 96 targets, which makes it obvious that he’s Brandon Weeden’s top option in the passing game. His average of 6 targets per game last season should increase dramatically as Weeden searches for him more. Gordon’s raw talent gives him the ability to make “highlight reel” plays, giving his owners a high point total in any given week.

Last year, Gordon was just about the only thing defenses had to worry about when facing the Browns, but this season he has a better chance of getting open. Tight end Jordan Cameron has emerged as a dangerous receiving threat and will help draw defensive backs away from Gordon, to increase his chances of making massive plays.

Gordon may have some down weeks when he doesn’t make any huge plays, but he’s still going to be a decent FLEX option for the rest of the season. He’s an absolute must add if he’s still available in your league, and he’s also worth buying low on in a trade.

Grab Josh Gordon Before His Next Suspension

Gordon is down to one last chance with his drug issues

Browns star receiver Josh Gordon told reporters that the next time he fails a drug test, the league will be suspend him for an entire year. Gordon is returning to action this Sunday against the Vikings after being suspended for the first 2 weeks of the regular season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. 

Gordon is owned in 91.1% of ESPN leagues, but should be the top wide receiver to pick up off the waiver wire this week.

In 2012, Gordon recorded 50 receptions, 805 yards, and 5 touchdowns. These numbers were not amazing, but impressive for a rookie and seemed to be a sign of good things to come. Gordon put up those numbers while appearing in only 79% of the team’s offensive snaps. For Gordon to make a difference this season, the Browns will have increase his snap count.

Gordon’s 50 receptions came off a team-leading 96 targets, which makes it obvious that he’s Brandon Weeden’s top option in the passing game. His average of 6 targets per game last season should increase dramatically as Weeden searches for him more. Gordon’s raw talent gives him the ability to make “highlight reel” plays, giving his owners a high point total in any given week.

Last year, Gordon was just about the only thing defenses had to worry about when facing the Browns, but this season he has a better chance of getting open. Tight end Jordan Cameron has emerged as a dangerous receiving threat and will help draw defensive backs away from Gordon, to increase his chances of making massive plays.

Gordon may have some down weeks when he doesn’t make any huge plays, but he’s still going to be a decent FLEX option for the rest of the season. He’s an absolute must add if he’s still available in your league, and he’s also worth buying low on in a trade.

Running Back Giovani Bernard Smashing Expectations in Cincinnati

You might have lock this rookie up in the 4th round!

Bengals running back Giovani Bernard might ready to share the workload with fellow back Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis, but it’s also possible that he might be thrust into the starting role. The rookie out of North Carolina has proven himself as a threat to defenses in preseason thus far, and will look to continue his momentum into the 2013 regular season.

Bernard has basically taken the league by storm and continues to surge up the fantasy drafting boards. This move isn’t due so much to his preseason numbers, but more so because of his skill set being showcased with his play up to this point.

Bernard is expected to share time in the backfield to start the season, but will be the dominant receiving back. Between targets and rushes, he should start the season seeing seeing at least 15 touches per game.

At UNC in 2012, Bernard went off for 1,718 total yards (490 receiving and 1,228 rushing), and 17 touchdowns (12 rushing and 5 receiving.) He was a very efficient as a rusher at North Carolina last year, averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

This 21 year old rookie has the opportunity to take over the starting role in Cincinnati with some solid play early on. Bernard currently has an average draft position of 68. This indicates that he’s being taken late in the 5th round of most 12-team fantasy formats.

If fantasy owners really want him though, you might have to bite the bullet and take him in the 5th round.

Hakeem Nicks Keys in on Staying Healthy

Staying healthy has always been a challenge for Nicks

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks finally seems to be healthy after battling injuries for most of his young career. Nicks approached training camp cautiously this summer in order to give a groin injury time to heal.

In the Giants week 2 preseason loss to the Colts, Nicks had 2 catches for 20 yards each against the Colts first-team defense. Nicks and quarterback Eli Manning’s chemistry looked strong as ever, although they only connected twice. Hakeem admittedly didn’t move at 100% against the Colts, but claimed to feel good. Nicks’ route-running and strength still looked sharp as ever.

His last game against the Jets on Saturday night was a little more concerning after he dropped a touchdown catch in the end zone

Nicks has a long history of injuries during the course of his 5-year career. After a slew of injuries to his ankle, foot, knee and groin – staying healthy has not come easy for Nicks. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, his health this season will likely determine how lucrative a contract offer he gets next season.

With the emergence of 2nd year man Rueben Randle, Nicks’ fantasy stock may drop this year. His touchdowns will likely go down and it could lead to him and the Giants to part ways next year. If Nicks gets hurt again, the Giants will have a better chance at holding onto him as his value will begin to diminish.

Coach Tom Coughlin has expressed no concern in his star receivers ability to play during Week 1 against the Cowboys. If the Giants want to have the bounce-back season like they’ve been hungry for, staying healthy will be a key theme for Nicks and the entire team.

Hakeem Nicks Keys in on Staying Healthy

Staying healthy has always been a challenge for Nicks

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks finally seems to be healthy after battling injuries for most of his young career. Nicks approached training camp cautiously this summer in order to give a groin injury time to heal.

In the Giants week 2 preseason loss to the Colts, Nicks had 2 catches for 20 yards each against the Colts first-team defense. Nicks and quarterback Eli Manning’s chemistry looked strong as ever, although they only connected twice. Hakeem admittedly didn’t move at 100% against the Colts, but claimed to feel good. Nicks’ route-running and strength still looked sharp as ever.

His last game against the Jets on Saturday night was a little more concerning after he dropped a touchdown catch in the end zone

Nicks has a long history of injuries during the course of his 5-year career. After a slew of injuries to his ankle, foot, knee and groin – staying healthy has not come easy for Nicks. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, his health this season will likely determine how lucrative a contract offer he gets next season.

With the emergence of 2nd year man Rueben Randle, Nicks’ fantasy stock may drop this year. His touchdowns will likely go down and it could lead to him and the Giants to part ways next year. If Nicks gets hurt again, the Giants will have a better chance at holding onto him as his value will begin to diminish.

Coach Tom Coughlin has expressed no concern in his star receivers ability to play during Week 1 against the Cowboys. If the Giants want to have the bounce-back season like they’ve been hungry for, staying healthy will be a key theme for Nicks and the entire team.

Draft Zone: 4th Ranked Tight End – 49ers Vernon Davis

The San Francisco 49ers Vernon Davis is the fourth-ranked tight end in this year’s fantasy football draft standings. With an average draft position (ADP) of 54, that makes Davis a fifth-round pick in 12-team formats.

What really might give Davis a boost this season is the 49ers complete lack of experienced pass catchers on the team. The Niners lost the team’s top wide receiver Michael Crabtree to an Achilles’ heel injury while veteran wide receiver Mario Manningham is recovering from an ACL injury. But, as fantasy football often proves, one person’s misfortune is another fantasy owner’s opportunity.

Davis has been lining up as a wide receiver during through out the majority of the 49ers offseason. This can only boost his value at the tight end position, despite the fact that he had his least productive season in five years during the 2012 season.

Even though the chemistry was slow to develop between the tight end and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the two got in sync during the postseason when Davis pulled in 12 catches for 254 yards and a touchdown. Six of those catches were for 20 yards-plus.

Whether he’s lining up at tight end or wide receiver, Davis will be a top-tier fantasy tight end because of his great hands, ability to get to the second level of the defense and the amount of targets he’ll get in the Niners offense.

Owners can be happy with getting Davis in the late-fourth-to-mid-fifth-round range.

Draft Zone: 2nd Ranked Wide Receiver – Bengals A.J. Green

Another monster season on tap for number 18

Cincinnatti Bengals A.J. Green is the 2nd ranked wide receiver in this year’s 2013 fantasy draft standings. With an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 15, he’s likely to be taken sometime in the second round of most fantasy drafts.

Green is going into his third season as an NFL receiver, and things can’t get much better for this fantasy stud. Last season he caught 97 passes for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Green racked up his numbers in multiple ways in 2013. He was targeted sometimes as a possession receiver, converting 61 first downs for his team. He was also successful with the ball in his hands, ranking 10^th among wide receivers with 434 yards after the catch. He also recorded 9 receptions for 408 yards on balls that traveled more than 20 yards. He pretty much was able to do whatever the Bengals asked of him.

During the draft, the Bengals have added a few new intriguing targets to the team including Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard. Having more options should actually take a little pressure off of Green and help put up even better numbers than last season.

Quarterback Andy Dalton targeted Green 164 times last season and that is unlikely to change this year. Whether it’s deep down the field, in the red zone or in short yardage situations, Green should score points.

Green has recently missed a couple weeks of training camp with a seemingly minor knee injury. However, he’s back on the field and is expected to be just fine for the regular season. The Bengals are going to lean on their star receiver once again this year. Fantasy owners should not be afraid to do this either. Green is definitely a solid option as your number one receiver.

Draft Zone: 2nd Ranked Wide Receiver – Bengals A.J. Green

Another monster season on tap for number 18

Cincinnatti Bengals A.J. Green is the 2nd ranked wide receiver in this year’s 2013 fantasy draft standings. With an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 15, he’s likely to be taken sometime in the second round of most fantasy drafts.

Green is going into his third season as an NFL receiver, and things can’t get much better for this fantasy stud. Last season he caught 97 passes for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Green racked up his numbers in multiple ways in 2013. He was targeted sometimes as a possession receiver, converting 61 first downs for his team. He was also successful with the ball in his hands, ranking 10^th among wide receivers with 434 yards after the catch. He also recorded 9 receptions for 408 yards on balls that traveled more than 20 yards. He pretty much was able to do whatever the Bengals asked of him.

During the draft, the Bengals have added a few new intriguing targets to the team including Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard. Having more options should actually take a little pressure off of Green and help put up even better numbers than last season.

Quarterback Andy Dalton targeted Green 164 times last season and that is unlikely to change this year. Whether it’s deep down the field, in the red zone or in short yardage situations, Green should score points.

Green has recently missed a couple weeks of training camp with a seemingly minor knee injury. However, he’s back on the field and is expected to be just fine for the regular season. The Bengals are going to lean on their star receiver once again this year. Fantasy owners should not be afraid to do this either. Green is definitely a solid option as your number one receiver.