Sound fantasy advice for the free-agent seeker
Spears is a first-year broadcast journalism major and can be contacted at rodney.spears@drake.edu
Ryan Torain (RB, Redskins)
With Tim Hightower out for the season with a torn ACL, the Washington Redskins will depend heavily on Torain, especially since John Beck is slated to start this week at quarterback. The Redskins take on the Buffalo Bills, which has the 30th ranked rushing defense.
Chris Johnson (RB, Titans)
If someone in your league is dumb enough to drop Johnson this week against the Colts, punish them by cashing in on his points. Johnson has been a complete bust this season, but he has to come out at some point. What better time than against his division rival at home.
Jason Avant (WR, Eagles)
Despite the Eagles’ struggles, quarterback Michael Vick has been averaging over 262 yards passing per game. Avant is the Eagles third leading receiver behind Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson, and he lead the Eagles in their last game with 139 yards on nine catches. With this production, it’s a steal to get Avant for waiver value or in a trade.
Robert Meachem (WR, Saints)
The new quarterback argument is Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers, but people always seem to forget that Drew Brees deserves to be in the conversation with those two. The New Orleans Saints take on the possibly Sam Bradford-less St. Louis Rams. The Rams defense will be on the field for a long time on Sunday due to their lack of offense, and Brees will shred them.
Andy Dalton (QB, Bengals)
In today’s NFL, you cannot be afraid to start a rookie quarterback because they put up big numbers, and Dalton is no exception. Dalton will take on the Seattle Seahawks’ 20th ranked pass defense with all the keys for a rookie quarterback’s success. The Bengals have a good running game in Bernard Scott, a stud wide receiver in A.J Green, a sure-handed tight end in Jermaine Gresham and the second ranked defense in the NFL.
Matt Hasselbeck (QB, Titans)
The veteran quarterback has been a staple in the NFL for over a decade. Hasselbeck is simply too good to not put up numbers this week against the Indianapolis Colts, which just relinquished 62 points against the Saints.
Aaron Hernandez (TE, Patriots)
Hernandez has three touchdowns in only four games this season. With Brady cranking off 32 completions a game, Hernandez is sure to snatch at least seven and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
Visanthe Shiancoe (TE, Vikings)
Rookie quarterbacks depend heavily on their tight ends, and Christian Ponder out of Florida State will make his second career start this week against the Carolina Panthers, which has the 12th ranked pass defense. I see a lot of running back Adrian Peterson and a lot of Shiancoe in the Vikings’ game plan this week.
Cincinnati Bengals defense
The Bengals defense in recent years has been in the top five in total defense, and this week they are ranked second only behind the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals take on the Seahawks, which can’t seem to find their bearings at quarterback, with Charlie Whitehurst only recording 97 pass yards last week.