There have been a few things coming out over the past few days. Injury to Matt Stafford. Injuries across the wide receiver board. So there have been some shifts in the rankings.
Yesterday, I posted my Waiver Wire pick-ups, and felt the need to add some names to that list. I know the Wire scramble is over for many of you, but if these players are still floating in free agency, snatch them up.
Damian Williams (as one of my readers very wisely pointed out last week) had a big day on Sunday and has emerged as the top target in Tennessee. I have him higher than Nate Washington in my rankings. He should be improving every week when it comes to fantasy production. So, shout out to my readers on that one.
Denarius Moore of the Oakland Raiders was far and away the favorite of Carson Palmer last week. He took over Jacoby Ford's spot pretty handily. It is tough to see Ford playing this week, and Heyward-Bey has done little since Palmer landed in the driver's seat in Oakland, so if you need it, Moore looks like the best WR option in a very good Raiders matchup.
Harry Douglas of the Atlanta Falcons is another good WR add. I mentioned him much earlier in the season when the Falcons were going through some injury problems and he managed to come up big then. With Julio Jones likely out, and with a decent matchup, Douglas could be a big play target with the defense focusing most of their efforts on Roddy White.
I made these rankings with injuries in mind. I really don't see Michael Vick playing, so Vince Young gets the cut for the Eagles, which is why you see some of the backup Eagle WRs lower on the list. I am assuming that Frank Gore and Willis McGahee play for list purposes. It is still yet to be determined how active they will be in the games, so as more news comes in on them you will have to adjust Lance Ball and Kendall Hunter accordingly.
And despite my ballsy Jon Baldwin claim, he is still low on the rankings just for risk issues. I do find it very likely that he will lead Chief receivers, but Bowe still has to remain the top dog just because he has been more consistent and the number one throughout the year.
So, without further ado... the fantasy football position rankings...
Quarterback Rankings
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Tom Brady
3. Tony Romo
4. Cam Newton
5. Matthew Stafford
6. Matt Ryan
7. Eli Manning
8. Tim Tebow
9. Carson Palmer
10. Mark Sanchez
11. Philip Rivers
12. Jay Cutler
13. Ryan Fitzpatrick
14. Josh Freeman
15. Joe Flacco
16. Vince Young
17. Sam Bradford
18. Matt Hasselbeck
19. Alex Smith
20. Andy Dalton
21. John Skelton
22. Christian Ponder
23. Matt Moore
24. Tarvaris Jackson
25. Rex Grossman
Running Back Rankings
1. Adrian Peterson
2. LeSean McCoy
3. Ray Rice
4. Matt Forte
5. Maurice Jones-Drew
6. DeMarco Murray
7. Michael Turner
8. Steven Jackson
9. Fred Jackson
10. Michael Bush
11. Shonn Greene
12. Frank Gore
13. Marshawn Lynch
14. Ryan Mathews
15. Brandon Jacobs
16. Chris Johnson
17. Reggie Bush
18. Willis McGahee
19. Beanie Wells
20. Jonathan Stewart
21. Lance Ball
22. Cedric Benson
23. LeGarrette Blount
24. Mike Tolbert
25. Roy Helu
26. Jackie Battle
27. Kendall Hunter
28. Maurice Morris
29. James Starks
30. Chris Ogbonnaya
31. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
32. Daniel Thomas
33. DeAngelo Williams
34. Ryan Grant
35. Marion Barber
36. Joe McKnight
37. Danny Woodhead
38. Felix Jones
39. Ryan Torain
40. D.J. Ware
41. Dexter McCluster
42. Javon Ringer
43. John Kuhn
44. Ricky Williams
45. Bernard Scott
46. Jacquizz Rodgers
47. Kevin Smith
48. Kregg Lumpkin
49. Stevan Ridley
50. Tashard Choice
Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Calvin Johnson
2. Wes Welker
3. Greg Jennings
4. Larry Fitzgerald
5. Steve Smith (CAR)
6. Dez Bryant
7. Roddy White
8. Brandon Marshall
9. Hakeem Nicks
10. Brandon Lloyd
11. DeSean Jackson
12. Vincent Jackson
13. A.J. Green
14. Jordy Nelson
15. Santonio Holmes
16. Steve Johnson
17. Dwayne Bowe
18. Anquan Boldin
19. Laurent Robinson
20. Denarius Moore
21. Victor Cruz
22. Sidney Rice
23. Mario Manningham
24. Plaxico Burress
25. Earl Bennett
26. Michael Crabtree
27. Mike Williams
28. Percy Harvin
29. Deion Branch
30. Eric Decker
31. Vincent Brown
32. Harry Douglas
33. Damian Williams
34. Torrey Smith
35. Early Doucet
36. Greg Little
37. Steve Breaston
38. David Nelson
39. Jabar Gaffney
40. Nate Washington
41. Darrius Heyward-Bey
42. Steve Smith (PHI)
43. Michael Jenkins
44. Jon Baldwin
45. Devin Hester
46. Jerome Simpson
47. Nate Burleson
48. Riley Cooper
49. Preston Parker
50. Andre Roberts
Tight End Rankings
1. Antonio Gates
2. Rob Gronkowski
3. Jason Witten
4. Tony Gonzalez
5. Jermichael Finley
6. Greg Olsen
7. Aaron Hernandez
8. Vernon Davis
9. Kellen Winslow
10. Brandon Pettigrew
11. Jake Ballard
12. Brent Celek
13. Fred Davis
14. Jermaine Gresham
15. Dustin Keller
16. Ed Dickson
17. Visanthe Shiancoe
18. Anthony Fasano
19. Benjamin Watson
20. Scott Chandler
Kicker Rankings
1. Dan Bailey
2. Jason Hanson
3. David Akers
4. Billy Cundiff
5. Mason Crosby
6. Sebastian Jankowski
7. Stephen Gostkowski
8. Matt Bryant
9. Robbie Gould
10. Nick Novak
11. Nick Folk
12. Mike Nugent
13. Rob Bironas
14. Steven Hauschka
15. Dan Carpenter
16. Josh Scobee
17. Connor Barth
18. Alex Henery
19. Graham Gano
20. Olindo Mare
Defense Rankings (SDS)
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Chicago Bears
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. New York Jets
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
7. New York Giants
8. Green Bay Packers
9. Detroit Lions
10. New England Patriots
11. Cincinnati Bengals
12. Cleveland Browns
13. St. Louis Rams
14. Philadelphia Eagles
15. Oakland Raiders
16. Tennessee Titans
17. Seattle Seahawks
18. San Diego Chargers
19. Atlanta Falcons
20. Minnesota Vikings
ok so injuries and byes hurt me alot this week (8-2) and a game away from clinching playoff spot. But i want the number 2 seed so i'm still playing. My main questions is do i roll the dice on Vick/Young, knowing Andy Reid is someone transparent regarding injuries and starters and play the named starter? Or do I mak a move on the waiver wire and pick up Freeman this week against the packers? He has dissapointed in previous favorable matchups so i'm anxious to hear your opinion on this matter. My linup as of now is : (btw glad Big Bens got a bye week to heal up but damn im hurting without M. Wallace & Antonio Brown)
ReplyDeleteas of now i have
QB- V. Young
RB1- M. Bush
RB2- MJD
FLEX- R. Mathews (good god just finish 4 quarters for once please)
WR1- Laurent Robinson
WR2- Sidney Rice
TE- A. Gates
D/ST-JAGUARS
K- S. Gostkowski (NE)
BENCH
QB- M. Vick
RB- D. McFadden
RB- L. Blount
WR- M. Wallace
WR-A. Brown
WR- Darius Heyward-Bey
TE- Vernon Davis
(btw just dropped Jacoby Ford for Laurent Robinson... Good band-aid? or did i infect a wound? I like the upside but would appreciate your thoughts. (Denarius Moore was already swooped up but idk why but i like this Oakland team lol)
I would go with whichever Eagle is named. I have serious doubts that Vick will take the field. Young is risky, but he wins games and was never a terrible fantasy play.
ReplyDeleteRobinson is a band-aid, but probably the best bandaid there is. As long as Austin is out, he is going to put up top WR statistics. Defense will focus on Witten and Dez leaving Robinson with a lot of opportunities and big plays. He is still probably a fantasy starter for 2-3 weeks til Austin is back.
I like your lineup. Fortunately for you, the backups that you have starting this week all have pretty favorable matchups. Should be good to go. Good luck.
So my last place trade partner balked on CJ so I offered the second package of FJax, Freeman, Julio and Pettigrew and received Arian Foster, Denarius and Heath Miller. With Cam & Hernandez, I only expect Foster and Moore to start for me. At 7-3 and second overall, I'm content with making this trade during the bye week as I have a decent option in Mo. Morris. Now I've traded a hamstring risk for a No. 1 downfield threat and a top consistent RB for perhaps the most dynamic RB w/ a cake schedule. Now hopefully I can get by with Moore, Manningham and Laurent/Miles Austin considering everyone I have..
ReplyDeleteI told my league I wanted a TE because mine have been underproducing (Daniels, Pettigrew), so one guy offered me Aaron Hernandez for Mike Tolbert. Should I do that, then drop Pettigrew and grab Felix Jones or Marion Barber for insurance? Here's my team:
ReplyDeleteQB Brees, Smith
WR Nicks, Marshall, D.Moore, Robinson, Harvin
RB AP, Forte, Murray, Tolbert
TE Daniels, Pettigrew
K Kasay, Bryant
DEF Matchup-based
Thoughts? This is a 10 team non ppr league with 2 WR 2 RB and 1 W/R
Also, I have Philly D but will probably drop them. Which of these is the best pickup for the week: Cleveland, New England, Seattle, St. Louis
I am in the position of having to start either Lance Ball or Ogbonnaya at RB2 this week… It looks like Lance is the better option regardless if McGahee plays?
ReplyDeleteAlso, my top 2 WRs are Fitzgerald and Lloyd, but I like to carry 4 in total. I currently have Jacoby Ford and Damien Williams, but would you recommend Earl Bennett, Vincent Brown, or anyone else as upgrades for ROS? Or, if they are somewhat similar, perhaps I could replace one with whoever is highest in this week’s rankings (I have to start 3 this week)? What would you recommend? Thanks!
Real quick question
ReplyDeleteDo you think i should go with Blount, Hunter, or Damian Williams for my Flex?
in a ppr, who do you start I need 2, M. Bush, Fred Jackson or Ryan Mathews, also Im 7-3 and number one in my league, just made a trade Fred Jackson and Miles Austin and I gave out B. Wells and B. Marshal, my Wr are now Austin, Andre Johnson, Victor Cruz, D Moore and Earl Bennet, I did that trade thinking of your schedule list and hoping Austin would be better by playoffs. Am I fine or should I look to get a better wr maybe giving away bush now that i can sell high? by the way I also have gronkowski as my te and vick for QB and its a 14 team. Thanks a bunch!!!
ReplyDeleteStart Mathews or Jacobs this week?
ReplyDeleteGood work. Foster has proven that he is good for at least 20 points nearly every game. I really dont see the lack of Schaub being a factor in his totals either. Denarius is a bit risky, but had a good game and with Ford out, he should be the man in Oakland.
ReplyDeleteYou are solid at RB. Tolbert is nothing more than a bench player. Trading a bench player for someone you will start is always a yes. Do it.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am relying on Ball in one of my leagues and I do think that he will have an impact. Ogbonnaya had a good week last week, but that was against an awful defense. JAX is much better and remember that Ogbonnaya got shut out by Houston in his first start.
ReplyDeleteI like Damien Williams. He seems to have emerged as a number 1 in TEN. Ford can go for me. I like what Bennett has been doing in Chicago, so he would be my pickup.
Right now, I'd say Williams. Blount has a tough matchup and if Tampa is wise, they will try to stay in the air against GB. Hunter is impossible to call right now until we learn more about Frank Gore.
ReplyDeleteIf Gore is out, it might be worth the gamble to play Hunter over Williams here, just as RBs are less inconsistent than WRs.
Until Austin gets back, you will be running a little weak at WR, especially with Johnson out. But Johnson will play next week, and Austin is expected to return after the Thanksgiving game. Trading Bush would be a great option here since he is a high sell. You are going to have to do it with someone that might not know that Darren McFadden is on his way back soon. Should be able to swing a pretty good WR if that goes through. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably go with Jackson and Bush this week. Mathews matchup scares me a bit.
I've got them back to back. Jacobs was pretty quiet last week, but that was against the best rush defense in the league. This week he is against the Eagles, which is very beatable for RBs. He has a lot of upside here. Mathews has been better to this point, but the matchup is tough. I'd probably roll with Jacobs.
ReplyDeleteDeep league question:
ReplyDeleteFelix Jones, Dexter Mc Cluster and Steve Smith (PHI).
Need 1RB and 1flex.
I'm thinking using both RBs. Your thoughts?
Wassup GHL!
ReplyDeleteHelp at RB!
Team 1: Choose 3: Ryan Matthews, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Michael Bush.
Team 2: Choose 3: Michael Bush, DeMarco Murray, Fred Jackson, Michael Turner.
Thanks!!
GHL- need advice on starting RB's. Do I use Ryan Matthews, Ball or Hunter at RB2?
ReplyDeleteNot sure who to run with this week: Harvin or Cruz?
ReplyDeleteTough one. I would have to make Felix one of them. He should see 10-13 carries this week, and when he works less he generally does better.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know how McCluster has been this season. I dont hear his name much so I'd imagine that he is a hell of a stretch. Steve Smith will be playing the slot a lot this week. And could do well if Vince Young gets the start. Both are very risky here, as neither of them really has enough stats to draw a solid conclusion. I say stick with the gut and go with your two RBs.
Hey BigHurt.
ReplyDelete1) I'd probably leave Johnson out of this one. He is coming off his best weeks, but they were also weak opponents. ATL is pretty tough against the run recently, and you have good matchups for Matthews, Jackson and Bush. If you like Johnson here, then Mathews would be the one to sit. I think Jackson and Bush are must starts.
2) That you have these four guys to choose from is outstanding on your part. Any combo would be a great play as all four of them are in my top 10. I'd opt to sit out Jackson here, personally. MIA is surprisingly solid against the run and Bush is on fire.
Mathews. No question about it. Ball is still the RB2, and it is impossible to predict how much he will be used with or without McGahee. Hunter will only be startable if Gore is out, and even then, he isnt as stong as Mathews.
ReplyDeleteGiants playing against Philly. Gotta imagine that the top two corners will be covering Nicks and Manningham. Cruz has been solid all year long, no matter who is on him, I think that he has a nice day with Eli this week.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Tebow or Freeman?
ReplyDeleteLynch or Matthews? Thank-you
ReplyDeletethank you
ReplyDeleteOf course! thats what we do here!
ReplyDeleteBuh. hard to tell. Tebows got all the upside here. Freeman has a great matchup, but TB has not been clicking at all. I'm going to give it to Tebow. He'll be doing a lot of running tonight.
ReplyDeleteClose for me. I think Lynch will have another stellar game, but it is really hard to be on any Seahawk. Mathew has the harder matchup, but he has been getting better and better and is pretty much a must start in fantasy now.
ReplyDeleteIf you are the gambling type or comfy in your league, I'd take the risk with Lynch. Want more consistency, go Mathews. I'm just saying this because my gut is going Lynch and stats are pointing to Mathews. and I always say go with the gut.
I liked the posts about playoff strength of schedule and the smack the bench. My fantasy team has not be doing to well this year as i am currently sitting at 4-6 in tied for 5th in my division. It is a 12-team standard league and luckily top 3 from each division make playoffs. I am currently 1 game behind the three teams tied for second in my division and I play one of them this week which is huge because the playoffs are weeks 14-16.
ReplyDeleteTwo quick questions... Who should I start at QB and who should I play in the flex position
QB - Vick (if he plays), J. Freeman, or Cutler(currently on waivers)
WR - Nicks
WR - Bryant
RB - R. Rice
RB - Jacobs
RB/WR - Wells or D. Moore
TE - Winslow
Bench - Sproles, J. Graham, M. Williams, C. Ogbonnaya
Knowing how terrible Freeman has played in the past, I am leaning towards picking up Cutler to play this week. If Vick decides to play, it will be a tough choice on whether to start him or not. What are your thoughts?
As always thanks for the help in the past week and good luck in your leagues.
how about bush and cruz for fitzgerald and daji karim?
ReplyDeleteVick worries me. I doubt he will play, and even if he does, he did not look great at all last week with the rib problems. That will limit his throwing ability and practically negate him completely from the running game. Freeman has a nice matchup against GB, but hasnt really done anything impressive this year. Cutler has been coming on strong recently. The matchup isnt perfect, but SD has been burned before. I think he might be worth the gamble here. Much higher ceiling than Freeman.
ReplyDeleteWells has been a disappointment for the last two weeks. Kansas City is generally pretty easy to run on, but so were the Eagles and Rams and he did nothing at all in those games. Moore had a killer week last week and could very well do it again. He is a risky play, as we still don’t have any real background to go on with Oakland’s performance, but his ceiling is high. Potential for a lot of points. Also, potential for very few points.
Because of Wells injury issues and past performances, I say go big or go home this week and start Moore at flex.
You'll have to give me a little more information than that. I assume that you'd be getting Fitz and Karim?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know your roster and which Bush you are talking about.
michael bush. Im left with:
ReplyDeleteVick
A. Johnson,
Fitz
M. Austin
D. Moore,
Little
Fred Jackson
Mathews
Ced Ben
Daji karim
Gronkowski
GB defense
Dan bailey
14 team ppr
Yeah id be getting Fitz and karim but would be left with benson as a backup whos schedule is pretty sweet in the playoffs, the rest of my team is as follows
ReplyDeleteso i have laurent robinson, kendall hunter, and beanie wells. which 2 should i start?
ReplyDeleteGHL great site man
ReplyDeletein my league standard league i need to start one kicker, one defense:
currently i have gostkowski, rackers (bye) as kicker and back-up
and then jaguars d (just picked up for this week) texans, steelers
My question is after this bye week (or right now) should i drop one of my two kickers, (if so who?) and 1 or 2 of my defenses (who?)
Thanks a bunch
also whats your opinion bout steelers d this year? worth a bench spot if i have texans?
ReplyDeleteHey man, long time no speak.
ReplyDeleteI am 7-3 and 1st/2nd place in both leagues. I have a big issue this week that I thought you could help me with.
RB's: McCoy, Gore, K. Hunter, M. Bush, Marshawn Lynch
I need 2, but also a FLEX. I was going to go with McCoy and Bush as locks, but am apprehensive of Gore. He's hurt and Hunter may see more carries. Also, I am buying Marshawn Lynch. However, I may not pay an RB at FLEX because of the following:
WR's: Brandon Marshall, Vjax, Laurent Robinson, and Victor Cruz. Marshall has been consistent for me all year (PPR league), Vjax pisses me off, Robinson was clutch for me last week seeing as I am a Cowboys fan and notice Austin will also not play this week, and Cruz is also pretty special, leading in targets. Which three would you start?
Finally, of the RB's and WR's that are left over, who would you play at FLEX? Thanks a lot man, your advice has been crucial to my success this season.
RB help!
ReplyDeletefred jackson or
Micheal bush?
Thanks!
Give it to me straight. Do you start CJ2k this week against the Falcons?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a solid trade. Youve got Jackson and Mathews who are both doing well. You'd only need to use Benson if one of them goes down.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are still giving up too much. Both Bush and Cruz are pretty high, and you are only getting Fitz, who is kind of inconsistent this year at scoring points. I'd prefer a higher WR, since Karim is essentially a throwaway.
But if this is your only option, I can see taken it.
Gore should play. Impossible to tell how long or how effective. Sucks to say Wells since he is going up against the best run defense in football...
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely start robinson. And wait for news on Gore. If they are saying that he will play and is feeling good, I think you'll have to go with Wells here. Hunter would just be too risky.
Thank you sir.
ReplyDeleteI always carry only one of each. So I would say definitely, no need to have them really. The fact that the ones you have are so good though, is a little interesting because you do want to keep them off of other teams.
If you are really struggling at other positions and need the bench room, I'd go ahead and drop them. Likely the Texans and Rackers. With Schaub out, defense is going to be on the field a lot longer, and it is going to be tougher to get into field goal range.
I can see keeping both defenses, but no matter what, it is never a good strategy to carry two kickers. Dump rackers no matter what.
Depending on your scoring system... Texans should be way the hell ahead of the steelers in points. Also, they have a prettier closing schedule.
ReplyDeleteI dont think it is necessary to keep the steelers if youve got houston.
At WR I'd go Marshall, VJax and Robinson.
ReplyDeleteBecause the injury situation is not so clear in SF, I'd avoid both of them leaving me with Lynch and Cruz.
I like Lynch this week, he has been getting hotter, and is facing the worst run defense in the league. If he is going to get some big points, this is the game to do it.
Cruz has been good all year, facing Philly, he should have a decent time in the slot getting receptions, since the Eagles' big guys will be on Nicks and Manningham.
You can make an argument for both. Being PPR, I'd imagine that Cruz is a bit higher ranked here. Lynch is inconsistent, so he is really hard to recommend here. I do like his chances though.
Sitting so high in your league, it might be ok to take such a risk. So if you are feeling good about how you are matched up this week, and think you'll win either way, I say go for it and start Lynch.
If the matchup could be tight and you cant afford a bit of a gamble, then Cruz should go.
This is a pretty nice problem to have. I have the ranked at 9 and 10. An argument can be made for either. Dolphins have been good stopping the run recently, currently sitting at 2nd in the NFL in points given up to RBs. Bush is facing MIN which is a lot easier.
ReplyDeleteBoth are good plays. Flip of a coin really. I'd go with the matchup and roll out Bush.
Not a fan. 130 last week was impressive, but it was against a miserable miserable run defense. Atlanta is much better.
ReplyDeleteCJ has shown improvement which is why he makes it up a bit in the rankings, but I don't see him getting much done this week. Even if he gets 25+ carries, I don't feel he matches last week's numbers.