 KFFL: Free Agents To Target Week 2
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Quarterbacks
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans - Available in nearly 78 percent of the leagues polled, Schaub is someone you should look at as a backup option. We are not ready to completely jump on his bandwagon just yet, but he hit 73 percent of his passing attempts in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. With capable receiving options in wide receivers Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones, along with running back Ahman Green and tight end Owen Daniels, Schaub has the potential to spread the ball around. He threw for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Week 1 while completing 73 percent of his passes. He will be more of a situational matchup player in the coming weeks rather than a starter for your team, but it's worth tucking him away at least for the short term to see what he's made of.
Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers - Delhomme may be quietly fighting for his job after a lot of fingers were pointed at him last year. In Week 1, he did a good job silencing critics by throwing for three touchdowns and 201 yards on the strength of 66.7 completion percentage. He is only available in about 14 percent of leagues poll but can make an ideal backup or bye-week replacement. Wide receiver Steve Smith is as deadly as they come, but wide receivers Keary Colbert and Drew Carter seem to be coming into their own, too. Carter, for example, had two touchdown receptions in Week 1. Snag him if available.
Running Backs
Chris Brown, Tennessee Titans - The Titans are going the running-back-by-committee approach, teaming brown with LenDale White. During Week 1, Brown was dynamite. He rushed 19 times for 175 yards and caught one pass for an additional three yards. He was utilized 20 plays, good for 26.37 percent of the offense. While he did not find the end zone, he was utilized in the red zone three times and once inside the 5. It will take another strong showing or two from Brown before we're ready to declare him the real deal, but a strong preseason coupled with an amazing Week 1 has us starting to believe. As long as he is able to stay healthy, and a committee approach may help that, he is going to be a solid component of the Titans' up-and-coming offense. He is available in roughly 98 percent of the leagues polled.
Derrick Ward, New York Giants - The G-men are likely to be without running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) for a few weeks at the least due to a sprained knee so now is the time for Ward to be given a chance to shine. Ward had 13 carries for 89 rushing yards in Week 1, replacing Jacobs in the lineup. He also chipped in another 27 yards on four receptions and found the end zone in the passing game. Ward was utilized 25.35 percent of the team's offensive plays, good for 18 plays in Week 1. He was also utilized four times within the red zone. With Reuben Droughns working as the team's fullback, Ward could be the feature back while Jacobs is on the shelf. He is a definite pickup for owners of Jacobs. At the very least, he has shown he can be a capable handcuff, and he is available in almost 99 percent of leagues polled.
Kenton Keith, Indianapolis Colts - Watching running back Joseph Addai be assisted off the field during Week 1 should have been enough to put this thought in your mind: Pick up Keith. He is simply a handcuff pick to Addai and holds little-to-no value if Addai stays healthy. However, Week 1's scare was enough to make many put him high on their list and rightfully so. He is available in nearly every league polled. He was utilized only six times in Week 1, and that may be about his ceiling as long as Addai keeps playing well.
Others to consider or keep an eye on...
Ron Dayne, Houston Texans - Dayne was utilized 14 times in Week 1, good for 26.12 percent of the team's offense. He also saw two plays within the red zone. He finished Week 1 with 13 carries (just three less than starting tailback Ahman Green) and 33 yards rushing. He is available in about 99 percent of leagues polled.
Michael Pittman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - With Cadillac Williams (ribs) questionable for Week 2, Pittman is worth a passing glance - especially in point-per-reception leagues. The only question is: Will the Buccaneers call enough running plays? He was utilized in 19.57 percent of the team's plays in Week 1 but didn't see any work in the red zone. He finished the game with three rushes, six yards rushing, five receptions and 32 yards receiving. He is available in about 99 percent of leagues polled.
Wide Receivers
Patrick Crayton, Dallas Cowboys - With the future of Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) very much in question, Crayton has stepped into the starting lineup. He did not make much of a fantasy impact in Week 1, catching just three balls for 51 yards. Crayton was targeted four times, good for 7.5 percent of the offense. He didn't see any looks within the red zone, though. It is important to remember Crayton is a fourth-year receiver and in a contract year. While wide receiver Terrell Owens and tight end Jason Witten blew up in Week 1, Crayton will get his due as time goes along. He is available in roughly 93 percent of the leagues polled.
Ronald Curry, Oakland Raiders - When he is healthy, he is the Raiders' best wide receiver. Right now, he is dealing with a hamstring injury but had a great Week 1. Available in about 33 percent of leagues polled, Curry is someone you definitely want to look towards if available in your league. In Week 1, he was targeted 12 times - three times more than any other receiver on the team - including two looks in the red zone, with one in the five. He had 10 catches for 133 yards and one touchdown versus the Detroit Lions and should continue to be the focal point of the receivers regardless of who ends up starting at quarterback.
Antwaan Randle El, Washington Redskins - While we are not quite ready to jump with both feet on the Randle El bandwagon, he did put together a very strong Week 1 showing. He had five receptions for 162 yards, with a long of 54 yards, against the Miami Dolphins. He was targeted seven times, good for 10.80 percent of the offense with no looks coming in the red zone. Available in about 95 percent of the leagues polled, Randle El is an interesting option. Quarterback Jason Campbell has a strong arm, and Randle El is now a starter seeing Brandon Lloyd just didn't pan out, so Randle El should continue to see plenty of looks each week while defenses focus on keeping Santana Moss in check. He is worth a strong look as a No. 5 receiver on your roster to see if Week 1 was a fluke or the start of something potentially special.
Amani Toomer, New York Giants - This cagey vet is coming back from a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament but showed no signs of being slowed down due to the injury or his age (33) in Week 1. He caught nine passes for 91 yards and would have had a touchdown if he was able to drag his toe a second earlier! Available in nearly 89 percent of leagues polled, Toomer is a starting receiver that deserves consideration if you're weak at the position. He was targeted 11 times in Week 1, or 15.49 percent of the team's offensive plays. That includes four looks in the red zone. At 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, he definitely has the size and quarterback Eli Manning was not shy about looking his direction. Some caution should be had, as Manning suffered a shoulder injury during Week 1, and there are mixed reports on his status entering Week 2.
Wes Welker, New England Patriots - Nobody spreads the ball around better than quarterback Tom Brady, which is good and bad news for the team's receivers. We all saw wide receiver Randy Moss explode in Week 1, but most did not pay attention to Welker quietly catching six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. He works out of the slot, has tremendous hands and is going to be a strong check-down option for Brady in the passing game. His yardage rarely will be in triple digits, but he could contribute well in point-per-reception leagues as a depth player and spot starter. He was targeted nine times in Week 1, good for 14.03 percent of the offense and saw two looks in the red zone, which was good for 12.66 percent of the team's plays in that critical area of the field. With Moss and Donte' Stallworth on the outside along with big tight end Benjamin Watson drawing most of the defense's attention, Welker will often find himself in situations he can exploit. He is available in roughly 78 percent of leagues polled.
Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions - Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz loves to pass, there is no question or argument there. Even though McDonald is the team's No. 4 receiver, it appears he is going to see enough playing time to make him worthwhile for fantasy consideration. In fact, he was the most targeted receiver amongst the Lions in Week 1, seeing seven plays, good for 12.10 percent of the offense. He did not see any looks in the red zone, though. McDonald also led the Lions in receiving with six catches, 90 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, McDonald had a strong preseason for the team, catching 13 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Remember, he played under Martz with the St. Louis Rams so he knows this system inside and out. If the Lions' offense can continue to click, it is entirely possible they could have four options at the receiver position that deserve to be owned. However, keep in mind that so many options can lead to feast or famine on a week-to-week basis. McDonald, by the way, is available in virtually every league polled.
Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos - Marshall is a player we ranked highly in the preseason, and he started to live up to that billing in Week 1. Targeted on eight plays, good for 11.14 percent of the offense, he also saw one look in the red zone, and that was inside the 5. With defenses turning their attention to Javon Walker, who starts opposite, Marshall should continue to see single coverage. He finished Week 1 with five receptions, 52 yards and one score and is available in 95 percent of leagues polled.
James Jones, Green Bay Packers - Jones only caught four passes for 29 yards in Week 1, but he was targeted eight times with one coming in the red zone. With wide receiver Greg Jennings (hamstring) less than 100 percent, he could continue to see a larger role. It is important, however, to remember he is just a rookie so there will be some growing pains along the way. Moving back into the slot role once Jennings returns may help him even more, as he will be able to exploit miss-matches on the field.
Others to consider or keep an eye on...
Drew Carter, Carolina Panthers - Carter is the team's No. 3 receiver but found the end zone twice in Week 1. He was only targeted three times, with all three coming in the red zone. He caught all three of his passes but had just 19 yards during the game. Obviously, scoring a touchdown 67 percent of the time is not going to continue. He is, however, worth keeping a close eye on incase the team continues to look his way after such a strong performance.
Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs - This isn't a priority pickup, as he is a rookie receiver on a team that features a power-running game. However, with Eddie Kennison (hamstring) banged up, Bowe could get a chance to see a lot more playing time. Sources close to the situation have noted he just isn't ready yet to emerge as he wasn't able to be out Samie Parker during training camp. Bowe is available in about 89 percent of the leagues polled but is more of a reach pickup at this time unless you are really hurting. He was targeted seven times in Week 1, good for 13.35 percent of the offensive plays with no looks in the red zone.
Dennis Northcutt, Jacksonville Jaguars - Northcutt was targeted nine times in Week 1, good for 18 percent of the offensive plays. He also saw one look within the red zone. The Jaguars are a run-first mentality, but Northcutt clearly caught the eye of starting quarterback David Garrard last weekend. He is better to keep an eye on than acquiring, at least for the time being. He is available in almost 99 percent of leagues polled.
Tight Ends
Eric Johnson, New Orleans Saints - We pegged Johnson as an undervalued player during the preseason, and if Week 1 was any indication he is going to have a very fine fantasy year. Johnson had eight receptions for 57 yards in Week 1 versus the Indianapolis Colts. He didn't score, but the Saints' offense had troubles even getting into the red zone. Quarterback Drew Brees is no stranger using a talented tight end (think Antonio Gates) and had no problems checking down to Johnson often in Week 1. If you missed out drafting one of the "elite" tight ends during your draft, Johnson is definitely someone to look toward. Plus, he is available in almost 44 percent of the leagues polled. Snag him.
Others to consider or keep an eye on...
Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders - Available in nearly 83 percent of leagues polled, Miller is the team's focal point at tight end. Sources close to the situation note he may have the best hands on the team. He was targeted six times in Week 1, good for 9.3 percent of the offensive plays but didn't see any looks in the red zone. He finished the game with three catches for 23 yards.
Jeff King, Carolina Panthers - Sources close to the situation note the team is going to make a concerted effort to use tight ends this year and King won the starting job in training camp. In Week 1, he was targeted 9.2 percent of the time, good for six plays. None of those plays were in the red zone, though. He had five catches for 35 yards in Week 1 and is available in every league polled.
Marcus Pollard, Seattle Seahawks - Pollard is available in about 60 percent of leagues polled and should be kept an eye on, too. The Seahawks like using the tight end in their West Coast offense. He was targeted five times in Week 1, catching all of them for 43 yards. He had one look within the red zone, too.
| Source: Ryan R. Bonini, KFFL |
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