By Dalton Del Don
RISERS
Ryan Moats, RB, HOU â After Steve Slaton lost yet another fumble Sunday, Moats stepped in and totaled 151 yards with three touchdowns. The performance came against a Billsâ defense that has allowed an NFL-high 5.1 YPC, but it was impressive nevertheless. Moats was drafted in the third round back in 2005 by the Eagles, but his NFL career has been non-descript, and heâs not nearly the receiver Slaton is. Still, Moats has clearly earned some carries in Houstonâs backfield, so heâs a must-add in all fantasy formats. If Slaton continues to fumble, Moats could easily turn into the Texansâ workhorse, which is a terrific situation to be in.
Kevin Walter, WR, HOU â Walter has taken a backseat in the Texansâ passing attack this season, but with the recent season-ending loss of Owen Daniels (knee), he should be relied upon far more moving forward. Walter is a weapon in the red-zone, and with an increase in targets in a passing attack that is one of the best in the league, Walter could be a difference maker from here on out.
Malcom Floyd, WR, SD â Not only has Floyd been moved into San Diegoâs starting lineup, former starter Chris Chambers has been subsequently released, so itâs Floydâs job for good now. Floyd was undrafted, but he has good size (6-5, 225 lbs) and speed, averaging a remarkable 22.8 yards-per-catch this season. Floyd is still no better than Philip Riversâ third read, but with the Chargersâ rushing attack struggling, and Rivers getting 8.6 YPA, that role can be plenty lucrative. After averaging just 29.9 pass attempts per game last year, Rivers is throwing the ball 34.0 times per contest in 2009, so Floyd could fast become a fantasy factor.
Vince Young, QB, TEN â Thereâs no need to rush to pick up Young right now, but heâs at least back on the radar. Thereâs little reason why he wonât be Tennesseeâs starter over the remainder of the season, especially after leading the team to its first victory last week. Young will never be an elite passer, but itâs great news to see him attempt 12 rushes against the Jaguars. Remember, Young ran for 528 yards over just 13 starts during his rookie year, which is gold from a quarterback. If he goes back to his running ways and stops trying to be primarily a pocket passer, he could once again be worth using in fantasy leagues.
Pierre Thomas, RB, N.O. â For the second straight game, Thomas received fewer carries than Mike Bell (14-to-17), but he was far more productive with his touches, getting 6.5 YPC compared to just 2.9 from Bell. On the season, Bell has gotten 4.4 YPC, whereas Thomas has gotten 5.8. Thomas is also the much better receiver out of the backfield, so while itâs likely to remain a committee, Thomas is so skilled and plays in such a terrific environment in New Orleans, he can retain plenty of fantasy value even without getting 20-plus carries. Bell is viewed as the teamâs âcloserâ and short-yardage back, but the fact remains it was Thomas who had the fewest stuffs/carry last season, and heâs gotten 7.4 YPC during fourth quarters this season.
Michael Turner, RB, ATL â Turner shouldnât be the type of back who needs weekly upgrades or downgrades, but Monday nightâs outburst (151 rushing yards) was just the second time all season he eclipsed 100 yards rushing, and it was the first time he got better than 4.4 YPC. The touchdowns have remained steady, but especially since he offers next to nothing as a receiver, the improved running game is big news for the future. New Orleans was missing Sedrick Ellis and Scott Fujita, but they have been generally strong against the run this year, and Turner looked rejuvenated, breaking numerous tackles in an impressive effort.
FALLERS
Steve Slaton, RB, HOU â Slaton entered last week on pace for 1,474 yards and 11 touchdowns, so even though his 3.1 YPC mark is brutal, he remained highly productive. Unfortunately, he put the ball on the ground yet again, losing his fourth fumble over the past five games and his fifth of the season, resulting in a benching for the rest of the game. To make matters worse, backup Ryan Moats replaced him and shredded a bad Buffalo run defense for 151 yards and three touchdowns, so at a minimum, Houstonâs backfield looks like a committee. How the carries get distributed is a mystery for now, and Slaton will probably get a chance to redeem himself, but the fumbling issue is clearly in his head, and if he loses another one, all bets are off.
Kevin Smith, RB, DET â Smith managed just 2.8 YPC in a home game against the Rams last week before exiting early with yet another shoulder injury. Heâs still productive as a receiver, and more holes should open up once Calvin Johnson (knee) returns to the lineup, but Smithâs 3.1 YPC mark is simply unacceptable. Heâs also making a habit of leaving games early with injuries, and while his latest one was said to be minor, Smith missed practice Wednesday, so his status for Week 9 is a bit uncertain. Maurice Morris should be added in fantasy leagues just in case Smith is unable to go Sunday.
Eli Manning, QB, NYG â Over the first five games of the year, Manning got 9.0 YPA with a 10:2 TD:INT ratio while taking just two sacks. Over his last three games, Manning has gotten 6.0 YPA with a 3:6 TD:INT ratio while taking six sacks. The competition has no doubt improved, and while Manning is probably somewhere in between the two starkly different quarterbacks weâve seen this season, the latest stretch has really been brutal. Heâd never admit it, but maybe the foot problem is a bigger issue than Manning has led us to believe.
Anquan Boldin, WR, ARI â Itâs admirable watching Boldin fight through pain and refuse to miss games, but his current problem is a high ankle sprain, which typically keeps players out multiple weeks. Instead, Boldin has played through the injury, but itâs clear heâs far from 100 percent. For everyone involved, itâd probably be for the best if he sat out a few weeks and returned 100 percent, because even he admits the only way for it to truly heal would be through rest. The current version of Boldin is a shell of his former self.
Owen Daniels, TE, HOU â Daniels was in the midst of a career-year and was one of the three best fantasy tight ends before suffering a torn ACL last week, ending his season. Itâs a huge blow to fantasy owners and the Houston offense alike, as Daniels entered last week on pace to finish the season with 89 catches, 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Derek Anderson, QB, CLE â Not that Anderson was fantasy relevant, but his ineptitude is worth discussing regardless. Heâs gotten 4.4 YPA with a 2:12 TD:turnover ratio over six games, completing just 42.9 percent of his passes while recording a 36.2 QB rating. Somehow, he seems to be the favorite to remain the starter in Cleveland, which makes little sense in a lost season. The team needs to be sure Brady Quinn isnât the answer, and he hasnât played enough games to fully declare so.
Roy Williams, WR, DAL â Williams is getting paid like a star No. 1 wide receiver, but right now, heâs not even playing like a WR3. Despite playing alongside a quarterback that has gotten 8.3 YPA with 12 touchdowns passes over seven games, Williams is on pace to finish the year with 37 catches, 664 yards and five touchdowns. He hasnât surpassed 35 receiving yards in a game since Week 3. While Williams looks slow and lacks burst, Miles Austin has developed into Dallasâ clear-cut No. 1 WR. Michael Irvin recently said on his radio show that while Austin was receptive to advice during Dallasâ training camp, Williams was unwilling to listen, so it appears he simply doesnât get it. Donât be surprised if heâs not even in the league two years from now.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, SEA â Like Roy Williams, Houshmandzadeh is another overpaid wideout, only he also continuously complains about his role in the offense. He has good hands and is a weapon in the red zone, but Houshmandzadeh isnât much of a deep threat and lacks explosiveness. He hasnât topped 10.9 yards-per-catch since 2006. Teammate Nate Burleson, who has seen the sixth most targets in the NFL, has more receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Houshmandzadeh has scored in just one game this season, and heâs eclipsed 80 yards receiving also just once. Heâs not much of a fantasy option.
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