By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 24^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Jerome Simpson (FI Rank: 44, PP: 8.1) – Second week in a row that our first flexy player is coming off of suspension.  Okay fine – we like bad boys, whatever.  Simpson has the potential to be your WR2 and his acquisition cost was very low.  Simpson is a wild card right now because of the new team and the untested role, but we think he is a great compliment to Percy Harvin and will be a great weapon for Christian Ponder.  Get him now, because he won’t come so cheap soon.

Mike Williams (FI Rank: WR31, PP: 11.6) – Many will point to Week 3 as a case in point why Williams may not be marriage material.  Just keep in mind that Dallas is currently giving up the least fantasy points to WRs in the league.  Guess who is number 1?  That’s right, the Washington Redskins.  Williams scored a TD in each of his first two weeks, got stymied versus one of the best pass defenses in the league, and will go off this week.  Washington has given up 6 TDs to WRs in three weeks.

Andre Brown (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 11.5) – You have already seen what this guy is capable of.  The return of Ahmad Bradshaw makes this backfield a bit of a mess, but talent is talent.  We think Brown is a legitimate flex play even if Bradshaw gets 15+ touches.  I’d actually be trying to trade for Brown in hopes of his owner being discouraged over the time share.  Not many see Bradshaw as a bastion of health, and I suspect we haven’t seen the last of Brown in the role of sole Giants’ RB.

Brandon Myers (FI Rank: TE18, PP: 5.9) – Here is an amazing stat for Myers: his catches in each of the last three weeks (5, 6, 4) exactly match his targets over those three weeks.  There is no one in the top 85 pass catchers (in terms of # of targets) who have caught 100% of their targets.  At some point, you’d think he’d be earning even more trust from Carson Palmer.  He hasn’t found the endzone yet, but he is averaging almost 70 yards receiving per game.  In addition, Denver is giving up the 4^th most fantasy points to tight ends in the league.  Get in on Myers while you can – he makes a great flex start this week, and will likely be useful again for you soon.

Ben Tate (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 10.8) – Tate disappointed last week for anyone that played him as a flex option…all I can say is, “this week will be better, I promise!”  You see that?  I promised.  But seriously folks, the Tennessee defense has always been kind to Tate.  Houston should romp in this one, and they could run the ball 50 times in this one.  Tennessee won’t be able to stop their run with eight in the box.  Tate is a good bet for a top flex performance this week (and beyond, we think).

Love Him and Leave Him

Laurent Robinson (FI Rank: WR44, PP: 8) – Robinson was in this exact spot last week and got you a goose egg.  On behalf of Laurent Robinson, we are very sorry about that.  He got a concussion – you didn’t want him to push it did you (don’t answer that)?  Robinson is gifted with another sweet matchup this week – should he stay healthy throughout the game, you’ll benefit from starting him.

Tashard Choice (FI Rank: RB36, PP: 5.6) – This is a tough week for a lot of potential flex plays, because of RBs that are questionable going into week 4.  When you first put in a waiver claim for Choice, you thought he was going to be the only back healthy.  Though that’s probably true, there is a chance that either Fred Jackson or C.J. Spiller could play this week, dampening the Choice enthusiasm somewhat.  Jackson is said to be closer, but that only means he’s got a 50-70% chance of playing. It’s not a great matchup, but Choice should get plenty of touches this week.

James Jones (FI Rank: WR63, PP: 5.4) – Most folks would think that with Greg Jennings back and healthy, Jones goes back to obscurity.  Not so fast – keep him around for at least one more week.  He’s got a great matchup and may be useful for you, if only this one last time.  We like the Saints matchup to yield an insane amount of yards and points.  Look for Jones to get in on the action.

Kendall Hunter (FI Rank: RB41, PP: 4.4) – What you might have circled on the schedule as a definite “SIT” week early in the preseason, now looks a little better a month into the season.  The Jets just haven’t been that stout in run defense as usual, and Hunter looks to have an opportunity this week to get you more than his typical output (certainly more than last week against an underrated Minnesota run D).  Start him this week with the expectation of a good 6-7 points with TD upside.

Last Call

Lamar Miller (FI Rank: RB47, PP: 3.9) – I was tempted to label Miller marriage material, but it’s looking more and more likely that Reggie Bush will play this week.  Either way, I am not a fan of Daniel Thomas who has proven to be little more than a lumbering, big back with no special skill set (as evidenced by his career yards per carry of 3.5 – Week 3 was his first TD).  Miller, meanwhile, is speedy and agile – certainly better suited for production against Arizona this week.  If Bush goes, then you’re counting on Miller getting touches ahead of Thomas (which we think will happen); if Bush doesn’t go, then you’ve got RB2 upside.

Jackie Battle (FI Rank: RB53, PP: 3.1) – Battle occupied this space last week, and with a favorable matchup against his former team (Chiefs), Battle is flexy this week…if you squint.  Mathews had some fumbling issues last week, so Battle’s opportunity has expanded just a tad.  If something does go wrong with Mathews, Battle is the guy.

Owen Daniels (FI Rank: TE13, PP: 11.4) – This is probably unfair to Daniels, who is probably a little bit flexier than a “Last Call” start at your flex spot.  That said, I like Daniels against the worst team versus tight ends in the league.  Good bet he gets a TD this week.  If injuries have hit you, Daniels might possibly be available in shallow leagues – pick him up if TE is eligible for your flex spot.

Armon Binns (FI Rank: WR61, PP: 5.6) – Binns is in a crowded “upside receiver” position.  We love Andrew Hawkins, and there are only so many balls to go around.  That said, the Bengals defense is weak, and that offense will be often playing from behind.  Binns has been getting better each week, but I don’t necessarily look for the same production from him as in Week 3 (63 yds 1 TD).  However, he seems like a good bet for 3-5 targets this week, and he should get you 50-60 yards.  Not super flexy, but it’s Last Call.

Adrian Balboa

Andre Roberts (FI Rank: WR62, PP: 5.6) – Roberts is not getting much love in the fantasy world, mostly because of his lousy QB situation. Roberts is super talented, and is poised to break out.  His is much flexier than he appears.  It just so happens that Kevin Kolb and John Skelton are his bad haircut and horn-rimmed glasses, respectively.  Obviously, the QBs won’t change – but we’re still believers (barely) in Kolb.  Kolb can improve and be what Roberts (and Fitzgerald for that matter) need to be in a QB.  He’s shown signs of life (great performance against a solid Philly D), so the savvy fantasy owner needs to see past the ugly to get a great WR.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 24^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Donald Brown (FI Rank: RB26, PP: 11.6) – I’m starting to think I may be the only guy who’s married to Donald Brown, but I press on nonetheless.  It’d help if Brown would start making me look smarter by…you know…scoring and stuff.  That said, I think his odds week-to-week of getting 50+ yards and a TD are high enough to put him within the top 25 RBs in the league.  This week’s matchup against Green Bay is not too shabby – the Pack is decidedly middle-of-the-road when it comes to their performance against running backs.  The matchup alone would prompt me to start Brown ahead of Chris Johnson (@ MIN), Fred Jackson (@ SFO) or Rashard Mendenhall (vs. PHI) in his first game back from injury.

Kendall Wright (FI Rank: WR77, PP: 4.1) – Did you think that Wright had sort of a rookie/2^nd year thing going with Jake Locker that would go away with Matt Hasselbeck as the starter?  You may not realize this, but Wright has led all Titans in targets for the past three weeks.  Though I’m a believer in Nate Washington picking things up soon, the fact is that Wright is a good bet for 8-10 targets each week.  And though Wright hasn’t exactly exploded for a big yardage game, he has gotten a TD in two of the last three weeks.  Meanwhile, Kenny Britt is out yet another week with an ankle injury.  I think Wright is a superb flex play and will be throughout the season.

Andre Brown (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 11.5) – After our most recent FINAL DECISIONS podcast this past Sunday (check it out here on Sunday at 12:30 EST: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasyinsights), I must have come off as a relative of Andre Brown’s.  After watching Brown romp through defenses in Weeks 2-3, it sure seemed like he was a force that would have to be reckoned with, Ahmad Bradshaw or no.  Instead, it was 6 meaningless touches.  Meanwhile, a report comes from Marc Sessler at NFL.com that says the Giants want variety in the backfield and that they will ride the proverbial “hot hand.”  Brown is reportedly struggling with pass protection, so perhaps they might give Brown early-down duty.  Regardless, I’m going to foolishly keep riding this train – I fully expect Brown to be fantasy relevant once again this season.  It could come in Week 5 with a nice matchup against the Browns.

T.Y. Hilton (FI Rank: RB51, PP: 6.8) – In our Week 5 Crystal Ball Rankings, our resident swami Dish Adams called Hilton an “interesting high-upside flex play.”  With a christening like that, it’s no wonder that Hilton makes it into Flex Appeal.  He’s flexy, there’s no doubt about it; the speed is tantalizing.  He has quickly seen his targets ramp up in three weeks, and he has certainly delivered the week his targets jumped to 8 (113 yards receiving, 1 TD).  He faces the Packers this week, and no doubt their attention will be on stopping Reggie Wayne.  The Packers will likely need to double Wayne to stop him (they didn’t double Colston last week and you saw what that meant).  I like Hilton both this week and beyond, but he’s not for the faint of heart.  Call him a high-risk, high-reward flex play.

Love Him and Leave Him

Jackie Battle (FI Rank: RB37, PP: 4.4) – Jackie is moving up in the world in Flex Appeal (Last Call last week!).  Much is being made of Norv Turner’s refusal to name a starting running back in Week 5.  Now I’m as big a fan of Jackie Battle as anyone who plays fantasy football (dubious honor?), but even I don’t believe he’ll supplant Ryan Mathews as “the man” in San Diego.  But goal line carries?  Oh absolutely.

Domenik Hixon (FI Rank: WR76, PP: 4.3) – I can’t say that I expect Hixon will repeat his performance from Week 4 (6 rec, 114 yds on 11 targets), but without Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden in the lineup, I could see 10+ targets again for Hixon.  The matchup with Cleveland is a juicy one (2^nd most fantasy points allowed to WRs), so it’s reasonable to expect great numbers from Hixon this week.

James Jones (FI Rank: WR31, PP: 11.4) – If you followed our advice in Week 4, you started James Jones in your flex spot and it paid off big time.  Not only is Greg Jennings out this week (again), but the WR-friendly Indianapolis Colts secondary is across the line of scrimmage.  Lots of flex appeal for a second week in a row.  Your time with Jones worked out well last week, why don’t you give him another chance?

Greg Little (FI Rank: WR47, PP: 7.7) – I can’t give Little a very strong endorsement because, honestly, there is not much to like here.  This week Little epitomizes this category of Flex Appeal: I am only interested in this guy for his matchup and circumstances this week.  Mohamed Massaquoi and Travis Benjamin are out this week, and the Giants will gear up to stop Trent Richardson.  Last week, Little tallied 4 catches for 77 yards – this represents the majority of his upside; though this blind squirrel might find his endzone acorn this week.

Michael Crabtree (FI Rank: TE27, PP: 11.8) – Crabtree has not done anything to make me believe that he will one day live up to the hype that came with him in the draft.  Right now, he is what he is – a mediocre NFL wide receiver.  And sometimes, mediocre is all you need.  This week, I look for Crabtree to be good – if not because of his skills, then the lack of the Bills’ skills (tied for most TDs given up to WRs in the league).  I look for him to find the endzone this week.

Last Call

Jeremy Kerley (FI Rank: WR52, PP: 6.5) – It’s getting late, and you’re two injuries and a bye week with which to contend.  It’s Sunday morning and you need to grab someone off of free agency.  Who are you going to choose for that flex spot, oh desperate one?  You could go Jason Hill here, but I don’t like the fact that he was just signed and wasn’t playing football.  Chaz Schilens?  He’ll get hurt coming out of the tunnel.  Kerley is a decent bet for a flex-worthy 50-60 yards receiving on 4-5 catches…maybe a TD (he has two, so it’s not unprecedented).

Bernard Pierce (FI Rank: RB38, PP: 4.3) – Pierce is getting ever-so-slightly more touches each week.  The Ravens should knock out the Chiefs expediently, and there is a chance that Pierce gets the better part of the 4^th quarter mop-up duty.  Pierce is a dynamic player who just needs more touches.  This might be the matchup that gets him more touches.

Scott Chandler (FI Rank: TE18, PP: 5.6) – This is not an overreaction to last week.  Chandler has “regression to the mean” written all over him (you know, that would be a really lame phrase to have written all over you); however, the 49ers have given up the 2^nd most touchdowns to TEs in the league this year.  Chandler doesn’t seem to do much more than find the endzone – it seems like a match made in heaven.

Robert Meachem (FI Rank: WR38, PP: 10.5) – Let’s make one thing abundantly clear.  I don’t like Meachem.  But at Last Call, that really doesn’t matter much, now does it?  You need to plug a guy into your lineup – how about Meachem, who faces a defense that gives up the 4^th most fantasy points to wide receivers in the league?  Also, consider that Meachem will be motivated beyond the typical to show up his former team.  All signs point to a decent flex performance this week.

Adrian Balboa

Shonn Greene (FI Rank: RB45, PP: 3.8) – Admittedly, this is an odd inclusion in this category, but the hate has gone too far.  Even deep within the bowels of Fantasy Insight’s own crystal ball, our rankings assume Bilal Powell is the lead back in New York.  Rex Ryan came out and said that despite Powell receiving more snaps than Greene in Week 4, it was not indicative of a change in the depth chart.  Now I’m not so naïve to think that a coach can say one thing and do another, but I truly believe that Greene remains the feature back.  Even when Powell supposedly “started” Week 4, he only got four carries to Greene’s 11.  My suspicion is that Greene will pick things up once Tebow starts at QB in the offense (and this will happen at some point).  I don’t know that Greene’s value has ever been lower.  I’m not saying that he will be a Top-10 running back this season, but I do think that he will be more useful for fantasy than he is currently.  See past the ugly and enjoy the payoff.  Oh, but keep an eye on recent pickup Jonathan Grimes just in case…just sayin’.

Flex Appeal – Week 6

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Alex Green (FI Rank: RB28, PP: 10.4) – Not only is Green getting the first crack at carries this week with Ced Benson out of commission, but I’ve maintained that this is possibly the most talented back on the roster.  Green could seize this job and never turn back.  Then again, it could be a three-way split with Green, James Starks, and John Kuhn – but I don’t think so.  Big caveat – it’s unfortunate that the first opponent is Houston.  This could cloud things because it’s a bad matchup for all running backs.  Don’t mistake a rough first game for a lack of potential.  Take the long view here.

Shonn Greene (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 4.9) – I listed Greene as an Adrian Balboa flex play last week – hidden beauty.  This is the week we find out if I was right.  If he stinks against the Colts’ defense (Top 10 defense for allowing fantasy points to RBs), then maybe he’s just not flexy.  I think there’s still talent there – it’s not like Bilal Powell has taken the job and run with it; Greene’s value jumps if Tim Tebow takes over at QB.  This week, I like him for a decent amount of yards and a score.

Andre Roberts (FI Rank: WR29, PP: 11.6) – If you felt let down after Roberts’ line for Week 5 (5 catches for 39 yards), don’t lose heart.  He’s had 19 targets in the last two weeks.  In every marriage, you will go through a rough patch or three.  This week, Roberts will make your patience pay off.  The Bills have given up an average of 2 TDs per week to WRs (tied for NFL lead) – Roberts should be an excellent start this week and very worthy of your flex spot.  Stay committed.

Andrew Hawkins (FI Rank: WR35, PP: 10.8) – Hawkins’ owners saw something in Week 5 that perhaps provided some encouragement after yet another week without a TD – 13 targets from QB Andy Dalton.  Hawkins is another great flex play this week (superb matchup against Cleveland – 2^nd worst defense vs. WRs) with the potential to become a WR2 with some more consistency.  Take note: Hawkins has gotten 3 looks in the red zone in the last two weeks.

Love Him and Leave Him

Vick Ballard (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 10.7) – As regular readers of Flex Appeal know, I’m a big fan of Donald Brown, and continue to trust that the points will eventually follow the talent.  I am not a big fan of Vick Ballard.  He has shown no threat of overtaking Brown – Ballard is averaging a whopping 2.0 yards per carry.  So why is he on this list?  Well, he’s going to be getting the majority of the carries versus a great matchup in the New York Jets this week.  With a similar opportunity and a great matchup, there are few running backs I wouldn’t start in a flex position. This is no endorsement of Ballard – just use him for what he gives you this week.  More on the future below…

Mario Manningham (FI Rank: WR38, PP: 10.7) – We predicted a great night for Robert Meachem last week – something about facing that former team gets players all fired up and playing their absolute best football.  Why can’t it be that way every week?  I don’t think we’ll ever know the answer to that.  Not only does Manningham have the “former team” matchup going on, but that former team stinks when it comes to stopping wide receivers.  Manningham should not be counted on for more than 5 catches and 50 yards, but look for the score this week.

LeGarrette Blount (FI Rank: RB30, PP: 8.7) – It looks like Blount and Doug Martin are in a full-fledged timeshare, which I thought would be an issue early and go away in time – it looks like the opposite is true.  Martin owners have to be concerned about Martin’s touches going down while Blount’s go up; not to mention that it is Blount who got the carry from the 2 yard line in Week 5.  If you are in need of a flex play, and Blount is available, you’ve got a running back with an excellent matchup this week (with the potential for flex appeal going forward).

Jeremy Kerley (FI Rank: WR42, PP: 7.8) – Kerley was one of our picks for “Last Call” last week, and he delivered to the tune of 5 catches for 94 yards.  Now that it’s been established that he’s the go to guy (9 targets last week), he gets an upgrade to “Love Him and Leave Him.”  The Colts are giving up almost 2 TDs per game to WRs, and Kerley has shown that he can get yards when given a chance.  Give him another chance and enjoy the results.

Last Call

Alfonso Smith (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 9.9) – Smith has been adopted by Fantasy Insights as our dark horse candidate to win the battle of Cardinals’ RBs.  Sure, if you have William Powell, you’ll want to start him this week, as he is going to get the first crack at carries.  LaRod Stephens-Howling has been down this road before (and has done nothing with it), and is also dealing with a hip injury.  Smith is the largest and fastest of the remaining backs, and the one that (in our estimation) is most likely to emerge as “the man.”  He got an opportunity in week 3 of 2011 when Beanie Wells was injured and he put up 75 total yards against a tough Seattle defense on the road.  Give him a chance if you’re desperate this week (speculative add if you’re not).

Jerome Simpson (FI Rank: WR52, PP: 5.7) – Simpson is questionable for Week 6, so I’m going to include Michael Jenkins in this Last Call (who filled in ably when Simpson left the Week 5 game early).  The key here is the matchup: the Redskins are giving up the most fantasy points to wide receivers in the league.  And though you know Percy Harvin is going to go nuts in this matchup, the Vikings have proven that they can’t go his direction for every play.  As the Redskins look to bottle up Harvin, Simpson and Jenkins should be running relatively unmolested.  If Simpson plays, we like him to have a nice performance – if he doesn’t, Jenkins will fill in the gaps.  Not a bad desperation play if you need to plug in a late injury-scratch for the late games on Sunday.

Joique Bell (FI Rank: RB45, PP: 3.6) – Bell is doing a Marcel Reece impression over in Detroit (is that a good thing?), by getting RB touches in the passing game.  He is not getting many carries in relief of Mikel LeShoure, but he is getting lots of targets from QB Matt Stafford.  In Week 5, he got targeted 8 times, with 6 catches and 72 yards.  Going forward, he can be a guy who sees around 5 carries and 5 receptions each week, which gives him some desperation flex appeal.

Adrian Balboa

Delone Carter (FI Rank: NR, PP: NR) – My not-a-fan-ness of Vick Ballard is well-documented (see above).  Last
season, Delone Carter was the en vogue running back who was going to take over Donald Brown’s job.  Carter did a half-decent job, culminating with a 10-carry, 89-yard performance against the Saints in Week 7 of 2011.  Why he ended up in the coaches’ doghouse, I’m not sure; maybe they just think he’s not as good as Ballard.  I disagree.  Fair to say Carter is on NO ONE’s radar; but he was active last week ahead of Mewelde Moore, and I think there’s more to this guy than meets the eye.  See through the surface ugliness, and add Carter with the hopes that he’s the guy that shines over Ballard.

Baron Batch (FI Rank: RB45, PP: 3.9) – With Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman out in Week 6, Batch was the guy who took the reins.  He did okay filling in for the starters, even managing a goal line TD.  The thing is that Dwyer has had multiple opportunities to prove that he can be a feature back – he doesn’t have it.  He’s not the guy.  He just isn’t.  You see it, right?  Now that doesn’t mean that Dwyer isn’t getting first crack at the carries – he is; look, nobody said the choices OC Todd Haley make are based in rational thought.  The matchup this week against Cinci is nice (9^th in points allowed to RBs) – long-term, I’ve yet to come up with any RB that slogged through an Achilles’ issue for a season.  If Mendenhall is dealing with a dinged up Achilles’, that seems to portend a more serious version of it in the future.  Yes, this is a bet, but I’ll bet against a weak Achilles’ tendon all day (does Vegas lay odds on that?).

Jeremy Kerley (FI Rank: WR65, PP: 4.5) – I had Kerley in the Love Him and Leave Him section of this article last week.  I also went on our FINAL DECISIONS podcast (check it out LIVE on Sundays at 12:30 EDT: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasyinsights), and I was the only one on our panel of experts to choose Kerley to start of Jermaine Gresham.  In hindsight it was a wrong call, but not for the reasons offered by my colleagues on the show.  It was brought up that with Stephen Hill and Dustin Keller back, Kerley’s targets were going to go down and he would be less productive. The thing is…he led the team in targets.  Hill and Keller accounted for 4 total targets in that game.  The deal was that Indy’s run defense was so poor, that there was no reason to force the passing game.  This week, the Jets play the Pats.  There is no way the Jets will be able to run on the Pats.  And against that offense, the Jets will have no choice but to pass the ball.  Sanchez’s number one target is Kerley (and will be for the rest of the season).  I’m stubbornly sticking with my guns here and saying Kerley will be a great play this week and beyond.  P.S. The Pats’ secondary is TERRIBLE.

Love Him and Leave Him

Daryl Richardson (FI Rank: RB37, PP: 4.6) – It remains to be seen whether or not taking carries away from Steven Jackson is limiting his potential for the Rams, as he is one of those backs that tends to get better as the carries mount and the game goes on.  But the Rams like the idea of a thunder & lightning backfield, and in fairness, Richardson has given them reasons to keep feeding him the ball.  He has struck for runs of 53 and 44 so far this season.  This may be one of the few weeks that you can use Richardson, though.  The Rams schedule looking ahead is brutal for running backs (NEP, SFO, ARI, MIN, TBB, SEA).  The Packers are by no means a shut-down defense, and Richardson should be a useful flex option this week.

Donnie Avery (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 5.2) – At first glance, all I see is a pathetic 21 catches on 48 targets.  Upon closer examination, the Colts have played some tough pass defenses.  The one week Avery caught the majority of his targets (Week 2), he went for 111 yards receiving.  This week, the Colts draw the Browns, a defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers.  What’s that you say?  Joe Haden is back from suspension?  Oh yeah, sure, I know – guess who he’s shadowing all game?  That’s right…Reggie Wayne.  Avery will have a very productive Week 7.

Domenik Hixon (FI Rank: WR56, PP: 5.2) – I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Hakeem Nicks almost back to 100%? Doesn’t Hixon fall off when Nicks takes back over?”  Yes, there is a lot of talk that Hixon goes back to irrelevance when Nicks comes back fully healthy.  But keep in mind that the only week that Hixon has not been flex-worthy was Week 2, when he was knocked out of the game early after one catch.  That game, Martellus Bennett went off.  Since then, Bennett has returned to fantasy irrelevance; Hixon goes back to the #3 in an offense that attempts the 9^th most passes in the league.  There will continue to be targets to go around, even with a healthy Nicks.  Oh, did I mention that the Giants face off against the team who gives up the most fantasy points to wide receivers?  Flexy!

LeGarrette Blount (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 8.7) – Blount repeats in this section for the second week in a row.  We were right about his opportunity against a lousy Chief defense.  This week the opportunity is even greater against the New Orleans run defense.  The Saints give up the most fantasy points to running backs of any team in the league.  Blount had 58 yards and a score on only 7 carries.  I don’t know that there is enough of a sample size to tell us if Blount’s success is matchups-related; for the moment, I’m going to assume it is.  For instance, I’m sure not using Blount against the Vikings in Week 8; but his usage as a goal line back against Washington was profitable for fantasy (Washington = Top 10 run defense).  Bottom line, I’m not ready to think of him as marriage material quite yet, but after a go with Blount this week, you might be ready to make a deeper commitment!

Last Call

Shane Vereen (FI Rank: RB54, PP: 2.8) – I continue to maintain that Vereen is the best back in the Patriots’ backfield.  To this point, I’ve obviously looked ridiculous (nothing new here).  But Steven Ridley has wilted a bit against tougher defenses.  Brandon Bolden is out this week, and he had gotten 10+ carries in 2 of the last 3 weeks.  If there are 10-15 carries up for grabs, they are going to Shane Vereen.  At minimum, he’ll be in on passing downs. Vereen has the ability to do something with the ball that Ridley can’t do – take it to the house.  I like Vereen as a desperate flex option in deep leagues where there is not much on the waiver wire.  Buyer beware, for sure, but it’s last call.

Montario Hardesty (FI Rank: RB52, PP: 3.2) – Trent Richardson is good to go for Week 7, so there are definitely diminished expectations for Hardesty this week.  There is definitely a chance that Richardson goes off against the lousy Colts’ run defense and Hardesty doesn’t sniff a carry.  Then again, Richardson is nursing tender ribs, and another big shot taken to the ribs could mean another chance for Hardesty.  He may get more touches than typical anyway, as a way to limit Richardson’s carries.  Hardesty is an interesting option in a week with few options sitting on the waiver wire.

Chris Givens (FI Rank: WR47, PP: 5.9) – Givens has become a very en vogue waiver pickup over the last couple of weeks.  Perhaps it is because he has three straight weeks with a 50+ yard reception.  Obviously there is some potential for Givens to be step up and replace Danny Amendola as a top target for Sam Bradford.  He is averaging 6 targets over the last two weeks.  There is a lot of risk in assuming he is going to deliver yet another huge play in Week 7, but it’s clear that the Rams are going to look his way.

Adrian Balboa

Delone Carter (FI Rank: NR, PP: NR) – For the second week in a row, we surveyed the ugliness in search of the hidden beauty, only to find the same results waiting for us.  Carter is a hidden beauty just waiting to be made over.  We thought it might come versus the Jets last week, but clearly the game got out of hand, and the Colts had to abandon the run game.  This week against the Browns, the Colts will be able to hang for four quarters, and there may well be 25 carries to go around.  Vick Ballard doesn’t deserve those carries – I’m as certain of this as I am of anything in fantasy football.  Who does that leave?  Our man Carter, who will prove that he belongs ahead of Ballard on the depth chart.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Pierre Thomas (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 7.2) – I have been a long-time advocate of Thomas getting a full-time job in New Orleans, but the Saints keep wasting opportunities on Mark Ingram.  Last week against one of the best run defenses in the league (TB), Thomas got his highest number of carries for the season (13).  I see this trend continuing, and Thomas being a viable flex play going forward.  He’s tied for the team lead in red zone looks among running backs, and he should be getting more time in the end zone soon.  I like him this week against the Broncos and going forward.

Cecil Shorts (FI Rank: WR46, PP: 7.2) – Shorts has darted in and out of fantasy relevance this season, but he’s now got the starting job in Jacksonville.  That resulted in 4 catches for 79 yards and a TD last week, and he is showing his QB that he can deliver.  After a 10-target week last week, he is now second on the team in targets.  Look for this trend to continue this week versus the Packers.

Donald Brown (FI Rank: N/R, PP: N/A) – Brown is questionable for this week, but he practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.  The matchup this week against the Titans could not be better.  Vick Ballard didn’t really prove a whole lot last week against the Browns, a team that’s given up the 4^th most rushing yards to RBs this season.  I see Brown getting 10-15 carries this week, making him a viable flex option this week.  If he doesn’t suffer a setback, then Brown is better than a flex option.

Ryan Broyles (FI Rank: WR32, PP: 11.1) – Broyles is a special player who is just now getting his opportunity with the Lions.  Broyles was a TD machine at the University of Oklahoma, and he did some of his best work in big games.  The Lions really need him to step up, and he is up for the challenge.  The Seahawks aren’t a particularly good matchup, but they will undoubtedly be focusing their attention on stopping Calvin Johnson (which very well may prove to be a big component to Broyles’ value this year).  But beyond this week, Broyles is putting out some serious flex appeal, now that he is getting his chance.

Love Him and Leave Him

Michael Bush (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 8.8) – Bush and the Bears face the Panthers this week, and the Panthers give up the 8^th most points to running backs.  Bush hasn’t exactly reprised his 2010-2011 role of uber-touchdown vulture, but he is tied for the team lead in red zone looks (tied w/ Brandon Marshall, not Matt Forte).  He’s still consistently getting opportunities to score, and this week, he’s getting them against a soft run defense.

Brandon Stokley (FI Rank: WR36, PP: 10.3) – The Saints give up the 2^nd most fantasy points to wide receivers; Stokley is an occasional security blanket for Peyton Manning, he has scored a TD in two straight weeks (three on the season).  Look for Manning to go his way again in the red zone this week, for what is sure to be a high-scoring affair.

Daniel Thomas (FI Rank: RB44, PP: 4.0) – The Dolphins played the Jets in Week 3, and Thomas had his best game of the season, with 80 total yards and a TD.  Granted, Reggie Bush injured his knee in the first half, and Thomas got 19 carries.  Don’t expect 19 carries here, but Thomas got 10 carries in his last game.  He has had two weeks rest and should be fresh for this game.  Meanwhile, Bush’s performances over the last three weeks have gotten worse each week.  Look for Thomas to be a solid flex start against a Jets defense that struggles to stop the run without Sione Pouha.

Greg Little (FI Rank: WR43, PP: 7.7) – So last week, against the Colts (the 8^th best defense to face for wide receivers), Little caught 6 passes for 52 yards and a score.  This week, guess who Little faces?  The 5^th best defense for wide receivers!  It’s a great matchup, Little is leading the team in targets, and the defensive attention will likely be focused on stopping Josh Gordon.

Last Call

Shane Vereen (FI Rank: RB40, PP: 4.4) – The Rams are not a good matchup.  They have been beyond solid against the run.  So why is Vereen listed here?  Because Belichick is starting to go with a bit of a “hot hand” approach with his running backs.  Ridley will get the first shot, and will be ineffective.  I believe Vereen will get the next opportunity and he’ll outperform Ridley.  Last week, Steven Ridley only had 32 of 80 snaps; Danny Woodhead had 31 of 80 snaps, and Vereen saw 17 of 80.  He was very effective with his 8 carries (49 yards).  As far as I’m concerned, he’s the most talented back on the roster, and I believe that Belichick will give him more opportunities after studying the film.  Not a huge endorsement, but you’re desperate.

Brandon Gibson (FI Rank: WR51, PP: 6.7) – Quite simply, Gibson is becoming a larger and larger part of the Rams offense.  He has had 16 targets over the last two weeks, while producing 150+ receiving yards over that time.  He’s Sam Bradford’s go-to receiver, so you can count on 5-7 catches this week, with 50-75 yards receiving.  Not bad for a desperate flex start.  It’s also worth noting that he’s gotten a red zone look each of the last two weeks – just hasn’t punched it in yet.

Andre Brown (FI Rank: RB45, PP: 3.6) – I thought it was interesting to see Brown get a successful goal line carry in Week 7.  Though he only got 5 carries in the game, you wonder if the team will continue to look to him as a goal line back, if only to save Bradshaw from some wear-and-tear, similar to what the Titans are doing with Jamie Harper.  Bradshaw is questionable this week with a foot injury, and he practiced on a limited basis on Friday.  That doesn’t mean he isn’t going in Week 8, but he could very well be limited. Considering injury risk and a potential goal line role, Brown makes a good flex start in a desperate situation.

Emmanuel Sanders (FI Rank: WR64, PP: 5.1) – Simply: The Redskins give up the most fantasy points to wide receivers of any team in the league.  Yes, you’d rather have Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, but if you’re desperate, why not take a gamble on Sanders?  You know he’s good for 3-4 catches; facing such a forgiving secondary, perhaps he breaks one of those catches open.

Adrian Balboa

Jon Baldwin (FI Rank: WR74, PP: 4.3) – Yeah, at first glance, Baldwin doesn’t get me too excited either.  But then again, his situation may not be the same going forward.  Dwayne Bowe is the subject of some trade rumors.  His contract will make it difficult to find suitors, but imagine someone with Bowe’s skills on a contending team that needs a push.  Tuesday is the trade deadline, and if Bowe does get moved, then hello Mr. Baldwin!  Baldwin is averaging almost 5 targets a game and this number will most certainly go up if he moves to the #1 WR spot.  If you are in a deep league with roster space, perhaps a speculative add in advance of the trade deadline makes for a nice, flexy lottery ticket.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Daniel Thomas (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 9.9) – As regular readers are aware, I am not a fan of Daniel Thomas.  But the realities of his situation are impossible to ignore.  Thomas has been taking more and more of Reggie Bush’s carries, culminating with 15 carries and a TD in Week 8.  Don’t get me wrong, Thomas is ineffective as a runner, and his forced split is akin to Mark Ingram’s situation in New Orleans.  But Thomas has gotten a TD in 3 of his last 4 games, and there doesn’t seem to be any plans to change the role.

Anquan Boldin (FI Rank: WR41, PP: 8.7) – Herein lies another example of a lesser player getting too much of a role on his team.  The danger in fantasy is that the savvy fantasy player trusts that talent will eventually win out.  In the case of Boldin, he should be ceding targets to Torrey Smith, the far more talented player.  Nevertheless, Boldin gets more targets (with the notable exception of Week 8), while Smith gets targeted on mostly low percentage deep balls.  The Ravens have an excellent matchup, and it will likely favor Boldin.

 Phillip Tanner (FI Rank: RB34, PP: 6.6) – This is less an endorsement of Tanner and more of a caveat emptor for DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones.  These two are about as sturdy as a haystack, and Tanner is likely to see his role continue on throughout the season, even as these other guys come back from injury.  Jones has been averaging a little over 2 yards per carry over the last two weeks on a balky knee, and Murray is not even back practicing yet.  Look for Tanner to dominate the touches this week, and possibly nab more of the carries going forward.

Jabar Gaffney (FI Rank: WR57, PP: 5.8) – Gaffney was active for the first time last week as the Dolphins waived Anthony Armstrong.  The Dolphins desperately need a shot in the arm in the passing game.  Gaffney can provide that spark, as he did with a 30-yard catch last week.  Even if Matt Moore is the starter at QB, Gaffney should be able to make enough of a difference to be flex-worthy this week.  Remember, he almost had 1,000 yards receiving last season.

Love Him and Leave Him

Ronnie Hillman (FI Rank: RB37, PP: 5.7) – Hillman looked very impressive in his most extensive action of the season in Week 8.  He got 14 carries for 86 yards, and looked ready to take a larger role in the offense.  Cincinnati gives up the 4^th most fantasy points to running backs – I like Hillman to get 10+ touches again this week, giving fantasy owners another fine option to consider this week against a weak run defense.

Nate Washington (FI Rank: WR67, PP: 4.6) – Washington, the forgotten man in the Titans’ receiving corps, is Matt Hasselbeck’s favored option when the chips are down.  His production has spiked in the last two weeks, as Hasselbeck has looked his way the most here recently.  The Bears aren’t exactly a primo matchup, but when Hasselbeck and the Titans are under duress, they look to Washington.  All bets are off once Jake Locker returns, but in the meantime, use Washington for the role he has this week.

Vick Ballard (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 10.4) – You know how much I dislike Ballard for fantasy.  You know how much I love the Miami run defense.  Why is Ballard here, you ask?  Donald Brown has been downgraded to questionable for Week 9 due to swelling in his surgically-repaired knee, so Ballard will receive 20+ touches this week, I predict.  20 touches against any defense make someone flex-worthy.  You’re hoping here for 50 total yards and a successful goal line carry; low expectations are warranted (don’t you dare reshape your expectations based on what you saw vs. the Titans).  It’s not quite a desperation play, as you know what you are going to get from him, and like it or not, it’s useful.  Take advantage.

Devin Hester (FI Rank: WR54, PP: 6.1) – The Titans have many weaknesses on defense.  But one of their most pronounced is stopping skilled runners in space.  Is there a better player in the NFL than Hester in space?  If the Bears know what’s good for them (I guess they do), they feed the ball to Hester early and often in this game.

Last Call

Joique Bell (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 6.8) – Bell has seen his role slowly improve in recent weeks, with 11 touches last week against a tough Seattle defense.  LeShoure only had 1 carry in the second half last week (some talk of injury?), and Bell is the preferred receiver out of the backfield.  It’s hard to predict what his output will be in any given week; but the Jacksonville defense is very soft vs. the run, and Bell could find success in the passing game.

Devery Henderson (FI Rank: WR47, PP: 7.1) – Philly has certainly not been who I thought they were on defense.  But they still have some skills in the secondary – you can bet that their skilled CBs will be focused on stopping Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham (and perhaps even Lance Moore to a lesser extent).  It means that stopping Henderson is probably priority 4 for the secondary.  Henderson has gotten some great production in the last two weeks – he’s an absolute boom or bust start week-to-week for fantasy.  But with the attention on all these other targets, combined with the relative effectiveness of the Eagles defenders, it should mean more open looks for Henderson.

Chris Rainey (FI Rank: RB44, PP: 4.0) – Rainey has not had that significant a role to date, but he is among the victors in the war of attrition.  Both Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer are doubtful for Week 9, meaning it’s Isaac Redman taking the bulk of the carries.  Redman has not averaged more than 3.2 yards per carry in any game this season – he has been largely ineffective.  Rainey could see more work this week the need for a dynamic player in the backfield is called for.  Kind of a risk, as he could also get 4 carries (Todd Haley is not known for his common sense); but the odds are that he sees more this week.

Kevin Walter (FI Rank: WR51, PP: 6.7) – Walter is something of an enigma; just when you think he is a serious part of the offense, he goes into stealth mode for three weeks.  He’s generally good for 3 catches a week; you’re hoping for him to break one for the TD.  There is a great chance of that this week versus a horrible Buffalo defense.  Look for Walter to match his season high in catches, with the upside for a TD.

Adrian Balboa

Chris Ivory (FI Rank: WR: NR, PP: N/A) – This is simply my darkhorse candidate for additional touches in New Orleans.  The Saints have a wealth of talent at the running back position, and Ivory is one of their most talented.  He was outstanding at the end of 2011, rushing consistently for 4+ yards/carry.  His role in 2010 was also productive for fantasy.  This is one of those players that fall below the radar for fantasy; but the moment he gets a role, he is immediately flex worthy.  The savvy fantasy owner sees past the current ugliness – preemptively grab Ivory and root for the role to expand with Sproles out for the foreseeable future.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Steven Jackson (FI Rank: RB32, PP: 7.2) – Yeah, this is how far Jackson has fallen.  We’re talking about him in a flex column.  If you drafted Jackson in the preseason, you probably have not been able to trade him as you’ve seen this season unfold.  The commitment of the coaches to Daryl Richardson has resulted in the cratering of Jackson’s value for fantasy.  Nevertheless, there is talent there, but there is also a low ceiling.  Since there is no way to move him, you have to re-calibrate your expectations and see S-Jax for what he is – a pretty good flex play on a regular basis.

Mohamed Sanu (FI Rank: WR62, PP: 4.8) – Fantasy Insights’ own Dish Adams indicated in our Crystal Ball Rankings that Sanu is the latest to be starting opposite A.J. Green in the Bengals offense.  He has lately started getting targets from Andy Dalton, and in Week 9, he put together a 34-yard completion using his excellent yards-after-catch ability.  I think the future is bright for Sanu, and I see him using this opportunity to separate himself from Andrew Hawkins and Armon Binns.  His upside this week is nice because of his matchup with the Giants’ secondary.  His upside for the remainder of the season will be due to increased confidence from Dalton after seeing Sanu in extended action.  I’m a buyer on Sanu.

Anquan Boldin (FI Rank: RB39, PP: 8.7) – Boldin is a carryover from last week, as I keep seeing the experts being down on Boldin and his decreasing targets.  It’s true that his targets have been declining, and it’s also true that he is not getting opportunities in the redzone (zero in last two weeks).  However, the “chuck it to Torrey Smith” strategy has not worked out so well (8 catches on 21 targets), and the Baltimore offense needs to go back to its productivity of the first few weeks.  Look for Joe Flacco to get back to forcing passes to the possession receiver (Boldin) and picking his spots to go deep (Smith), not the other way around.  His targets will improve, especially against Oakland this week.

Brandon Myers (FI Rank: TE17, PP: 6.6) – Here I include the rare tight end in “Marriage Material;” but that’s how much flex appeal I think Myers has.  Forget about his two touchdowns from last week; he is leading the team in both targets and receptions.  I would rather have Myers in a flex spot than the likes of Earl Bennett, Brandon Stokley, or even Darrius Heyward-Bey.  Myers is virtually a lock for 5-6 catches per week, and he’s averaging 11.3 yards per reception.  Now, I would concede that you may need to be using Myers as your TE1, but then again, you might have a decent option and you need the flex spot filled.  Keep in mind that Baltimore has given up 31 receptions to tight ends over the last 3 weeks (and yes, I did bold, italicize AND underline that stat – I trust you saw it).

Love Him and Leave Him

Taiwan Jones (FI Rank: RB45, PP: 3.9) – First of all, let me say that I’m operating under the very likely assumption that we won’t see either Darren McFadden or Mike Goodson this week due to matching high ankle sprains.  Full disclosure: I’m a bigger fan of Marcel Reece, but I’m honestly a bigger fan of Jones’ opportunity this week.  From Carson Palmer’s comments this week, it seems as though Jones is going to be the focal point for the running game (at least when it comes to carries).  I think Reece is going to be more involved than usual, so I see a lot of value with him as well – but the bottom line is that the Ravens’ run defense is TERRIBLE.  And I hear experts talking about how often the Raiders are going to have to pass the ball – there may be truth in that, but I sure see them trying to capitalize on one of the worst run defenses in the league.  Jones and his 4.3 speed can do damage if and when he ever gets the opportunity.  I believe it will come this week.  I expect 15 touches and a good amount of fantasy points.

Danario Alexander (FI Rank: WR47, PP: 7.7) – I think it’s a borderline indisputable fact – Alexander is a talented football player.  He is missing one very important skill – health.  He has it at the moment, and he has an opportunity.  If Alexander could stay healthy, he’d be a star, and he’d definitely be “Marriage Material.”  As it is, he can’t stay healthy, but his matchup this week makes him a must-start flex option.  He caught all three of his targets in Week 9, and he’s poised for more this week against Tampa Bay.  The Bucs give up the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers, so Alexander is very flexy this week.

Shane Vereen (FI Rank: RB40, PP: 5.1) – If it weren’t for Bill Belichick and his Mike Shanahan-esque ways, I might be tempted to elevate Vereen beyond this level.  Brandon Bolden has been suspended for four games, and Vereen is starting to separate himself from Danny Woodhead…at least in the running game.  Stevan Ridley has seen his touches drop in Week 9 to the lowest they’ve been since Week 3.  Vereen has also picked up a TD in each of the last two weeks.  I salivate when thinking about this matchup versus the Bills; not only are the Bills the worst run defense in the league, but once the Pats get out to a huge lead, Vereen is likely to take the load for Ridley in the second half.  I could see Vereen’s best game of the year coming this week.

Jerome Simpson (FI Rank: WR49, PP: 6.8) – To say that Simpson has been a disappointment this season is an understatement akin to, “Mitt Romney is bummed about the election results.”  Simpson’s best game of the season came in his first one (Week 4) when he caught 4 passes for 50 yards.  This week, go-to target Percy Harvin will likely not be playing.  If that’s the case, Christian Ponder may look to Simpson on some shorter routes, rather than only as a deep threat.  I like him to get his greatest number of targets on the season this week.

Last Call

Jonathan Dwyer (FI Rank: RB28, PP: 10.2) – Dwyer has proven this season that he can be more than a flex player.  However, the Steelers’ backfield is such a mess that there is no telling how many touches Dwyer might get.  It’s safe to say that Rashard Mendenhall will sit for another week, with Isaac Redman getting the start.  Redman will get the first crack, but the hot hand will probably take the majority of the carries.  I have faith that Dwyer wins the battle of touches, but the risk of course is that Redman has a good day from the start and never cedes the carries to Dwyer.  Kansas City is an excellent matchup for opposing running backs, so if Dwyer gets over 10 touches, he should have a flex-worthy day.

Kendall Wright (FI Rank: WR41, PP: 7.9) – There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when/why a particular Titans’ receiver will do well in a given week.  The targets are all over the place, and so there is no way to rely on any given receivers’ production.  That said, one trend that is easy to spot is that Jake Locker loves to target Wright.  In Locker’s first three starts, Wright got 30 targets, 14 catches and 1 TD.  I see that trend picking back up where it left off now that Locker is going to be back at the helm.

Daniel Thomas (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 9.9) – We had Thomas rated higher last week, and he ended up with his fewest number of touches (8) in three weeks.  If it weren’t for Thomas’ favorable matchup this week against the Titans, I would likely not use him in a flex spot.  But we should see lots of the Dolphins’ ground game, which means plenty of Thomas.  He will also continue to get the goal line carries, so his chances for a TD are high.  There’s risk that the trend of lower carries could continue, but my guess is that he’ll have enough carries to be flexy this week.

Danny Amendola (FI Rank: WR51, PP: 6.8) – Amendola, if healthy, is an automatic flex start.  Since this is his first week back supposedly, then caution is warranted.  But if you’re desperate, and you have limited options, perhaps you should go ahead and start him.  If he’s right, he’ll get you 5-7 catches for 70 yards this week.

Adrian Balboa

Josh Morgan (FI Rank: WR: NR, PP: N/A) – Morgan is not exactly the skill player you think of when someone brings up the Redskins.  His performance over the last two weeks belies his status as the #1 WR in Washington.  Looking ahead past this upcoming bye week, Morgan has some appeal for anyone needing a flex option down the stretch.  Morgan has gotten 20 targets over the last two weeks, plus two carries.  If you are in a PPR league especially, you should look past the pedestrian numbers for someone who could lift your team in an unexpected way.  Note especially the matchup of Morgan vs. Cleveland in Week 15 and the declining Philly D in Week 16.

Flex Appeal – Week 11

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Shonn Greene (FI Rank: RB25, PP: 11.4) – Greene is one of the least-loved consistently starting fantasy running backs in the NFL.  He is ranked somewhere between RB15 – RB20 for the season in your league depending on your scoring system, which is probably fine for where he was drafted.  There is a lot to be said for his consistency, as well as his ability to hold off his competition (guess that’s not saying much).  We have him ranked just outside of RB2 territory this week (not unusual), and I’m just saying I’d be happy to have Greene as my flex this week and through the remainder of the season.  Keep in mind that after two rough matchups in Week 12 & 13 (NEP & ARI), his situation improves dramatically with Weeks 14 & 15 (JAC & TEN).

Jeremy Maclin (FI Rank: WR38, PP: 11.1) – It’s clear that the QB rookie class of 2012 will go down as one of the great ones with Luck, Griffin, and Wilson standing out as potentially special long-term starters.  I’m throwing Nick Foles in with that lot – don’t be surprised if he ends up #2 on that list.  Oh yeah, this is about Maclin.  With so many QBs going down in Week 10, several WRs are projected to have off weeks due to the subpar backups running the show this week.  My prediction is that Maclin’s production will improve because Foles will be an improvement from Vick.

James Starks (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 8.5) – Starks is the man now in the Packers’ backfield.  In Week 9, Starks saw the most carries of his young season (17) and performed ably against a stout Cardinals’ run defense.  The Lions are no pushover in the running game, so don’t expect a big departure from Week 9’s numbers, but if Starks ends up with 60-70 total yards and a shot at a TD, that’s plenty acceptable for your flex spot.  Keep in mind that Starks may lose his value when Cedric Benson returns, but that is expected to be Week 14 at the earliest.

Laurent Robinson (FI Rank: WR78, PP: 3.2) – I get that Houston has a tough defense (few have been a bigger proponent of the Houston defense than me), and that the Jags’ offense will look ugly.  That said, yards will be gained and Robinson will get his fair share.  He had 3 catches for 49 yards before sustaining a concussion in the last Houston game in Week 2 (which still ended up being just under half of Gabbert’s completions!).  Given a full game, Robinson would’ve made anyone starting him in a flex spot thrilled.  Even if Gabbert only throws 19 passes again (as in Week 2, which isn’t likely), he will be looking for his reliable possession receiver for most of those targets.  I like Robinson to see 7-9 catches in this game.

Love Him and Leave Him

Mark Ingram (FI Rank: RB32, PP: 6.9) – Man, I can’t stand Ingram.  Let me take that back – I hate the Saints’ use of Ingram.  With exceedingly dynamic weapons such as Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory gathering dust in the garage, Ingram continues to rack up 2-3 yards per carry and steal red zone looks (11 on the season) from more talented running backs.  Oh yeah, I’m supposed to be telling you why I like him:  Week 10 saw Ingram get his greatest number of touches on the season (16) in a tight game against Atlanta.  The coaches think he is finally getting healthy – I see them loading up on Ingram this week, as they try to further justify the high draft pick’s spot on the team (cynical much?).  Don’t like the mix of FOUR running backs long-term, but against a sub-par Raiders’ run defense, he should have another nice week.

Brandon Lloyd (FI Rank: WR39, PP: 11) – Lloyd hasn’t been able to put together the monster game just yet.  He’ll have the game where he scores two TDs, or he’ll have the game where he’ll catch 9 passes for 110 yards, but not both.  Not yet anyway.  But with Indy missing their two starting cornerbacks, look for Lloyd to have his best game of the season this week (don’t be fooled by CB Darius Butler’s strong Week 10 outing – it was Jacksonville).

Joique Bell (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 6.8) – Bell has an oddly defined role in this Lions’ backfield; kind of like a “closer” of sorts.  That said, his output resembles what Marcel Reece is doing out in Oakland.  He has gotten the majority of catches in games where they lost, while the majority of his carries have come in games they have won.  If you are in a PPR league, the Lions face the Packers, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bell end up with 8+ targets and 6+ catches on the day.

Brandon LaFell (FI Rank: WR48, PP: 7.8) – I’m not a big fan of Brandon LaFell, but he tends to do well against poor secondaries (see Weeks 1-2).  He faced Week 11’s opponent (Tampa) in Week 1, and he put up 3 catches for 65 yards and 1 TD.  As well as Tampa’s offense is rolling right now, it seems likely that Carolina is going to have to throw to keep up.  With Steve Smith and Greg Olsen getting all the attention, look for LaFell to fly under the radar and have himself a productive day.

Last Call

Chris Ivory (FI Rank: RB41, PP: 4.3) – It’s hard to recommend a second Saints running back with such a crazy time share, but I feel that strong about Ivory’s talent.  You saw what Ivory can do over the last two weeks with limited touches (17 carries for 120 yards and 2 TDs); and that was versus defenses that are not nearly as porous as Oakland’s.  Even if Ivory only gets 6-8 touches this week, he could find the end zone.  Ivory is admittedly a risky option, but the bar has cleared out and you need to start somebody.

Ryan Broyles (FI Rank: WR42, PP: 10.4) – It looks like a bad time to be recommending Broyles after Week 10 saw him getting 1 target and catch for 6 yards.  Don’t be fooled by the lack of action last week.  This is not the last we’ve seen of Broyles – he’s a rookie and still looking to build rapport with QB Matthew Stafford.  Last week saw Stafford cranking up Calvin Johnson’s targets in an effort to get him going, while Joique Bell got a spike in targets as well.  If you are desperate this week, Broyles should again see 5-6 targets, which he can turn into 3-4 catches and a TD (He had 4 red zone looks between Weeks 7-9).

Chris Givens (FI Rank: WR45, PP: 7.9) – A victim of suspension following the ubiquitous “violation of team rules,” Givens returns to the field after rattling off five straight games with a catch greater than 50 yards.  This is a guy whose role with the team is pretty clear at this point: QB Sam Bradford is going to find this guy deep every game.  The chance of yet another 50+ yard catch seems remote, but not the continued integration of Givens into this offense.  Take the chance this week on a high-upside flex play.

Lance Dunbar (FI Rank: RB48, PP: 3.4) – I’ll admit, 6-8 carries from Dunbar aren’t exactly the same as 6-8 carries from Chris Ivory (see above).  But once again, if you are desperate and looking for a matchup that could pay off, consider Dunbar.  The matchup is solid – Cleveland gives up the 10^th most fantasy points to running backs.  DeMarco Murray is not returning this week, and Felix Jones isn’t exactly a 25-carry running back.  It’s also a given at this point that Dunbar has the 3^rd string job over Philip Tanner, so start Dunbar if you’re hurting for bodies in your lineup this week.  You can reasonably hope for 50 total yards and a potential score.

Adrian Balboa

Riley Cooper (FI Rank: WR59, PP: 6.2) – Now I know I’m not the only guy barking up this tree.  Cooper is seeing some faint love in the fantasy community this week, and I think it’s for good reason.  Cooper is a physical WR, at 6’3” 220 lbs and with good agility.  He’s one of those players that flies onto the radar a month at a time.  I think this is his month for 2012.  Jason Avant is out this week, so it puts Cooper in the WR3 spot in Philly.  He has been productive every time he’s seen extended action – look for him to get plenty of catches in this new combination of talent.  You can still get the jump on this story for the playoff run; Cooper will be a hot pickup in Week 12.

Flex Appeal – Week 12

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Ryan Mathews (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 12.2) – Mathews has scored one touchdown on the season, and he has averaged 77 total yards over his last three games.  That sounds an awful lot like a flex player to me.  A few “main-carry” RBs have devolved into that fantasy role simply due to ineffectiveness as a starter.  He isn’t useless though; he is averaging 5 receiving targets per game, and he’s a virtual lock for 20 touches per game.  His upcoming matchups aren’t that favorable, but you know he’s going to get his regardless.  Start him for his flex appeal and nothing else.

Mike Wallace (FI Rank: WR41, PP: 10.8) – Count me among those who don’t think Wallace is useless without Ben Roethlisberger (last week’s results notwithstanding).  Granted, he needs someone better than Byron Leftwich at QB, and he barely has that this week with Chaz Batch.  I have low-ish expectations this week, but there is no way I’m sitting Wallace.  I’m at least keeping him in as a flex play.  I’m not going to compare Wallace to Larry Fitzgerald, but their situations are similar.  You aren’t going to flat-out bench Fitzgerald because he has Ryan Lindley at QB…you don’t bench Wallace either.  His flex appeal is off the charts…consider your flex spot lucky to have the opportunity to be filled by such a great player.

Anquan Boldin (FI Rank: WR47, PP: 8.7) – Boldin is ranked 47^th in our Crystal Ball Rankings this week.  This is too low, especially with the Chargers across the line of scrimmage this week.  The Chargers have given up the most TDs to WRs of any team in the league – Boldin got 12 targets from Flacco last week – he’ll be a consistent focus of his QB, and they face a soft pass defense this week.  I’ve also got my eye on his Week 14 and 16 matchups (Washington and NY Giants), which should be very helpful in your fantasy playoffs.

Brandon Myers (FI Rank: TE14, PP: 11) – My biggest beef with our rankings this week is Myers at TE14.  This guy is a top 10 TE.  99% of the fantasy universe picked up Myers on waivers this season, so odds are you might have another good TE in the fold.  If you are in that situation, why not use Myers in your flex spot here on out?  Myers has gotten 30 targets, 19 catches and 3 TDs over the last three weeks.  The schedule over the next four weeks is beautiful, highlighted by the 8^th best defense for TEs to face this week (Cinci), and the best defense for TEs to face in Week 14 (Denver).

Love Him and Leave Him

Darren Sproles (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 11.8) – I had just gotten through swearing off ever putting a Saints running back in this article, when I saw that Sproles was likely to play this week.  Sproles has a crazy backfield situation and a horrible matchup in SF this week.  So why is he here?  Because the Saints aren’t going to be running the ball, they are going to be throwing the ball.  When he was healthy, Sproles was seeing 7-9 targets in the passing game each week, not to mention 5-6 carries per week.  Against the 49ers, Sproles is just another receiving option for Drew Brees.  For that reason, he is the only RB in that backfield with any flex appeal this week…and beyond.

T.Y. Hilton (FI Rank: WR52, PP: 7.7) – If you believe in the cyclical nature of things, maybe you think this is Hilton’s off week; the week he gets 3 catches for 35 yards (which slots neatly each week between his 6-catch 100-yard games).  I think he’s breaking through.  He’s building good rapport with Andrew Luck; add his developing role to the matchup with the Bills and you get a good bet for another 100-yard game.

Fred Jackson (FI Rank: RB32, PP: 11.1) – Jackson’s time on the sidelines only seems to reinforce what a great player backfield-mate C.J. Spiller is.  Now that Jackson is back, it’s easy to think that he will get “Wally Pipped” because of his time off the field.  But the Bills have proven many times over that this won’t be the case.  After missing Weeks 2-3, Jackson got 16 touches in Week 4.  Jackson is a good ballplayer – though not as good as Spiller by any measure – and the coaches are going to give him the ball.  The matchup against the Colts (8^th best RB matchup) makes him that much more appealing for a flex spot this week.

Sidney Rice (FI Rank: WR67, PP: 6.1) – Rice has scored four TDs in the last three weeks and is averaging just over six targets in that time.  The Seahawks face a defense that has given up the 11^th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season – what’s to think about?  I think Rice is oozing with flex appeal – our CB ranking is a little low for my taste.

Last Call

Jonathan Dwyer (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 10.2) – Yeah, I know, this is like the Saints’ backfield, and you’re probably better off staying away.  That said, what you can’t get out of the Saints’ backfield is reliable touches.  With Dwyer, you are going to get 15 touches; with Batch at the helm, Dwyer should get 20.  Yes, Mendenhall will pirate some touches, but I like Dwyer to take the majority this week.  Even if he doesn’t, the 12-15 he will get is worthy of a low-ceiling flex role

Mohamed Sanu (FI Rank: WR56, PP: 6.8) – We’ve been Sanu backers over the last month, and it’s worked out well.  I’m not ready to propose marriage though, and in fact, there are enough flaws here that makes me keep looking around the room for other options.  Let me explain: I’m a little troubled by his Week 11 numbers.  Week 11 was his first game with 100% of the offensive snaps, and he only ended up with 4 targets (2 catches).  If that’s his upside as a #2 WR in that offense, then I’m not that interested.  But he did get the TD in Week 11, and reviewing his red zone target numbers keeps me interested.  He has five red zone targets over the last three weeks, which is very encouraging.  Half of his four overall targets in Week 11 were in the red zone, so at least he is being targeted during the most “fantasy lucrative” times.

James Starks (FI Rank: RB36, PP: 8.5) – Starks doesn’t have a good schedule looking ahead, nor does he have a great situation.  He does have the lead role, and that means he’ll be good for 15+ touches each week (he got 26 touches in Week 11!).  He did get 3 red zone looks last week, but so far, no pay dirt.  He’ll probably only be worth the 70-80 total yards he gets you with some upside for more.  It’s last call, maybe you should live with that for today.

Kendall Wright (FI Rank: WR54, PP: 6.9) – The Titans’ WRs are kind of like the Saints’ RBs – it’s a jumbled mess.  That said, Wright is getting red zone looks, and he usually gets the first or second-most targets from Jake Locker.  The Miami game was a bit of an aberration; I don’t expect Wright to end with 9 yards receiving ever again in his life.  This game versus Jacksonville should feature more reps in the passing game; Wright will have value this week and the upside to be a great flex option for you.

Adrian Balboa

Cedric Peerman (FI Rank: NR, PP: N/A) – Peerman has more talent than BenJarvus Green-Ellis.  Um, yes, I do know more than the coaches.  BJGE is a pedestrian, reliable, plodding option.  Peerman is a dynamic rusher that would do more with the opportunities.  He has recently started getting 5-6 touches per week over the last two weeks.  In a lone Week 6 matchup, Peerman got 8 catches for 75 yards.  Peerman has the ability to be what Marcel Reece has been for the Raiders or Joique Bell for the Lions.  He can be more than that.  It may or may not be this year that it is realized, but Peerman is a BJGE injury away from being able to showcase his talent.  If you are in a dynasty league, I would consider a pickup of Peerman with an eye to 2013.  With the RB position being a war of attrition, it’s a matter of when, not if, Peerman gets his chance to shine.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (assuming a 12-team league).  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Adrian Balboa:  We all remember Adrian back in Rocky, right?  She was rockin’ the horn-rimmed glasses, seven sweaters, and a knit beanie that wasn’t doing her any favors.  This is someone that we think you should consider because, like Rocky Balboa, you have the vision to see the hidden flex appeal where others can’t get past the horn-rimmed glasses (which are, like, cool now, right?).  Buy this player some contact lenses and get him on your roster.  Down the road, after a makeover, you’ll be so glad you did.

Marriage material

Reggie Bush (FI Rank: RB25, PP: 12.0) – Bush went through a horrid stretch of production in Weeks 10-11, against some of the worst run defenses in the league.  His role has gone back-and-forth between main ball carrier and full timeshare.  It’s not been looking good for Bush as the season has progressed.  Unexpectedly, Bush had an excellent game against Seattle two weeks ago, rushing for 87 yards and a TD on 14 carries.  Last week he went for 64 yards on 15.  Is he back?  I think Bush was “taught a lesson” by the coaches who reduced his role for a stretch after a bad fumble, Bush had a bad attitude for a while, and now the chips are falling into place for a rally.  Even though it’s been a season of unmet expectations for Bush, it’s like golf – after playing terribly all day, you get that one swing on the 18^th that makes you want come back for more.  Bush will face this one speed bump in Week 14 against San Francisco, and then he finishes strong with Jacksonville, Buffalo and @ New England.  I would not hesitate to ride Bush at a flex position these last few weeks, despite this not-so-great Week 14 matchup.

Mike Wallace (FI Rank: WR40, PP: 10.8) – Okay, so Mike Wallace DOES need Ben Roethlisberger.  Well, guess what?  Wallace gets him back this week!  Wallace went MIA without Big Ben, and that’ll all change this week.

Bilal Powell (FI Rank: RB34, PP: 8) – I’ve been firmly in the Shonn Greene camp this season (wait, what?  There’s a Shonn Greene camp?), but I can see what’s going on here.  Last week, he carried the ball 12 times with 2 looks in the red zone (even though Greene got 24 carries).  I’m not saying Powell is going to supplant Greene.  I’m just saying, with as messed up as the QB situation is, the Jets are going to run the ball 35+ times.  Powell will get carries.   Moreover, with three TDs in the past three weeks, and a continued healthy number of looks in the redzone, Powell ssems like a very good bet for getting into the endzone.

Alshon Jeffery (FI Rank: WR39, PP: 10.8) – The Bears desperately need someone other than Brandon Marshall to be a target in the passing game.  Earl Bennett just hasn’t been getting it done.  It may seem like a risk

Love Him and Leave Him

Alex Green (FI Rank: RB28, PP: 11.6) – Green looked good in relief of the injured James Starks, carrying the ball 12 times for 58 yards.  The matchup gets a little tougher this week, as the Pack faces Detroit, but Green should be good for 20+ carries.  In Week 11, Starks carried the ball 25 times against the Lions.  The Packers won, so look for them to operate off of a similar blueprint.  If you can get a flex back to carry the ball 20+ times, you’ll take that all day.

Shane Vereen (FI Rank: RB46, PP: 5.1) – This is a risky pick, and you might say it belongs in the section below.  That said, I think Vereen is the perfect back to throw at the Texans.  The Texans will have no trouble stopping Stevan Ridley.  Ridley’s straight-ahead style works right into the Texans’ strengths.  Vereen is the niftier back, and he is the type that can have success against Houston. The only back to really gash the Texans was Chris Johnson.  Reggie Bush and Maurice Jones-Drew had modest success running on this defense.  C.J. Spiller did well in limited carries.  You know who didn’t?  Shonn Greene.  Mikel Leshoure.   Willis Magahee.   This may not be very scientific, but I’d bet Bill Belichick knows this and is planning on unleashing Vereen this week.  It’s why he only got 3 carries last week.

Riley Cooper (FI Rank: WR57, PP: 6.2) – Obviously, Damaris Johnson isn’t going to make people forget about DeSean Jackson anytime soon.  Taking the starting role, he only got one catch.  Cooper, meanwhile, got 5 catches.  Cooper’s success this week depends on Nick Foles, but the matchup gets significantly better this week.  The Cowboys are stout in pass coverage, the Bucs not so much.  Cooper should do very well in this matchup, as he should be good for 7 or more catches this week.

Last Call

Montell Owens (FI Rank: RB30, PP: 11.2) – Let’s not kid ourselves about what we have here.  This is not the next big thing.  Owens is not going to create a running back controversy in Jacksonville.  What he is going to get is carries.  And against one of the worst run defenses this season.  It’s simply a better-than-average chance at a TD, little else.

Beanie Wells (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 10.8) – This may be my most lukewarm endorsement of the season.  In what was a really nice matchup versus the Jets in Week 13, Wells offered fantasy owners a whopping 22 yards to show for 15 carries.  He has been ineffective as a runner all season.  Don’t expect that to change against Seattle this week.  But Week 12 gives you a glimpse into what’s possible (2 TDs).  And even though he was horrible against a bad Jets’ run defense, he did get 4 looks in the red zone.  That’s the key.  The Cardinals don’t have anyone else to go to – Wells is getting those important carries.  And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but with John Skelton back in the lineup, they should actually do a better job of moving the ball this week.

Andrew Hawkins (FI Rank: WR50, PP: 7.3) – With Mohamed Sanu out for the season, Hawkins comes back from his injury issues at just the right time.  His targets have risen appreciably (8 in Week 13), with A.J. Green being the only other legitimate option at receiver.  Even though he only ended up with 5 catches for 47 yards in his first game back, keep in mind he was targeted in the red zone twice (same as Green).  I don’t love this matchup against the Cowboys, but Hawkins is going to get his opportunities.

David Wilson (FI Rank: RB39, PP: 7.2) – This is a risky option, if only because Wilson has only been used sparingly this season and his role has been very limited.  That said, with Andre Brown out for the season, Wilson should be getting more action as their options dwindle.  They haven’t exactly trusted him in pass protection, and he’s definitely not a goal line back, but he’s going to get at least 5-6 carries per week.  Additionally, he’s getting return yardage as well, and he’s a threat to break a big one.  Last week, a gimpy Bradshaw got 24 carries.  With Bradshaw’s injury history and workload, Wilson could end up with the job all to himself.

Adrian Balboa

Brandon Lloyd (FI Rank: WR48, PP: 7.8) – Lloyd hasn’t been doing much lately.  In fact, last week he had just one catch on one target.  It’s looking pretty ugly for Mr. Lloyd, no?  But similar to the Shane Vereen hypothesis given above, Lloyd’s role was reduced as part of the plain vanilla offense being run a week in advance of what will be an important game with mini consequences.  With Julian Edelman out, the Pats have few places to go down the field with the ball.  Enter Lloyd, who I’m going to say was being saved for this special matchup with the Texans.  Jump on him now, get him into your lineup when it’s not popular to do so.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (RB), 37^th or beyond (WR), assuming a 12-team league.  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Marriage material

Mikel Leshoure (FI Rank: RB25, PP: 11.9) – Arizona has a reputation as a good run defense, but they have been gashed over the last 5 weeks.  Even though Leshoure is in a split-carries situation with Joique Bell, Leshoure will continue to get the majority of the touches, especially in the red zone (10 over the last month vs. 2 for Bell).  His matchup against Altanta is pretty good as well, so keep riding Leshoure through the playoffs.

Darren McFadden (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 11.4) – How the mighty have fallen!  That said, I think we have him ranked too low this week.  He may indeed prove to be a flex play, but his carries are going to increase from his 11 in Week 14.  Against KC, he should do well.  Expect 15+ carries and a TD this week.  Carolina in Week 16 is also a great matchup, so I wouldn’t hesitate to use him as a flex player.

T.Y Hilton (FI Rank: WR49, PP: 7.7) – Donnie Avery gets more targets, but Hilton is more effective in his touches.  This is about the point where Andrew Luck realizes he needs to be forcing the ball to Hilton.  I expect big touches and a TD in Week 15 against a Houston secondary that has proven to be a bit vulnerable.  Hilton isn’t just a deep threat – they’ll get him touches via slip screens and quick slants as well, to mitigate Houston’s pass rush.

Alex Green (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 11.7) – Green Bay cannot protect Aaron Rodgers.  That much seems clear.  Against teams with above average pass rushes, the Packer passing game takes a hit.  Just ask a Rodgers owner.  They are going to continue to pound the ball to mitigate that rush.  Look for Green to get 15-20 carries this week and beyond.

Love Him and Leave Him

Bilal Powell (FI Rank: RB28, PP: 11.7) – Week 14, Powell carried the ball 19 times, even though Shonn Greene got over 20.  The Jets are a mess, and they have no choice but to play to their strengths.  Powell will get lots of carries and he is getting more looks in the red zone than Greene (14 to 9 over the last month).  This week against Tennessee, Powell should do very well.   The schedule toughens up for the last two weeks of the year, so use Powell for this week only.

David Wilson (FI Rank: RB29, PP: 11.7) – Wilson went nuts last week and was the story of fantasy football.  We listed him as a desperate flex play last week, and because of Bradshaw’s injury woes, he’s a bona fide flex option in any league this week.  Atlanta has given up the 6^th most fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks.  The defenses get tougher after this, so this is a case of taking what you can get this week.

Rod Streater (FI Rank: WR44, PP: 8.4) – Streater has seen his production spike these last two weeks (7 catches for 196 yards), and this could be a case of giving the rookie a little more run in these final weeks of meaningless games for the Raiders.  He had the most targets on his team in Week 14, and especially if that continues, Streater will be a solid option this week.

Greg Little (FI Rank: WR54, PP: 6.7) – Little is averaging 6 targets a week over the last month; so when those targets come his way in Week 15, they’re going to count a little more.  Washington has been one of the softest teams in the league against the pass, and Little should have one of his best games of the season this week.  He’ll come back to Earth after this, so only think of this as a one-time deal.

Last Call

Dejuan Harris (FI Rank: RB50, PP: 4.4) – In his first usage of the season, Harris got 7 carries for 31 yards and a TD.  He got 2 looks in the red zone.  As much as Green Bay is trying to run the ball, Harris is a lock for 5-10 touches this week.  If they are using him in the red zone, then there is a good chance he gets another TD.  As a desperate flex  play, there is some definite upside here.

Ryan Mathews (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 10.8) – This is how far Ryan Mathews has fallen; he hasn’t averaged 4 yards a carry since Week 9 and hasn’t scored a TD since Week 5.  He has become a flex play of desperation at this point; your best hope is that he gets 20 carries, which means you’re in store for 60-70 yards rushing and 0 TDs.  Not too great.  But if you are desperate, perhaps you can live with that.

Louis Murphy (FI Rank: WR71, PP: 4.5) – It’s last call, folks, and desperation is the order of the day.  With Brandon LaFell likely out this week, we will likely see a repeat of his 9 targets from last week.  He scored a TD in Week 13, and he got 3 looks in the red zone in Week 14.  The combination of his targets and his usage in the red zone makes him a nice option for flex positions if you are in desperate need.

Dennis Pitta (FI Rank: TE16, PP: 10.2) – New offensive coordinator notwithstanding, Pitta is a flex option simply due to his three TDs scored in the last five weeks.  Denver has been one of the worst teams at defending tight ends over the season, and they will be much more focused on stopping the Baltimore WRs.  Pitta is one of the best receiving options on the team, and his lack of use has to be one of the considerations in Cam Cameron’s dismissal.  I think his usage will only go up.  There’s a risk, however, that his usage will remain inconsistent, so he is nothing more than a desperation flex play.

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (RB), 37^th or beyond (WR), assuming a 12-team league.  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Marriage material

Mikel Leshoure (FI Rank: RB26, PP: 11.9) – As long as we keep putting Leshoure outside of the Top 24, I’m going to keep talking about his Flex Appeal.  Leshoure has 8 TDs on the season (tied for 5^th in the league), and he is getting consistent touches.  He should get 15 carries this evening and be worthy of a flex start here on out.

T.Y. Hilton (FI Rank: WR38, PP: 11.1) – Hilton is an electric player, and I’ve listed him in this space a few times.  This week he faces the Chiefs, who have given up the 10^th most fantasy points in the league over the last five weeks.  Hilton is a great start this week, and will be next week against the Texans in Week 17.

David Wilson (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 10.6) – Ahmad Bradshaw is questionable for Week 16, and he practiced for the first time on Friday.  I’m not ready to call Wilson’s 15 minutes quits yet.  Even if Bradshaw plays, I doubt he is going to get a full load.  Wilson will get plenty of touches and he’s a threat to do some damage with 10+ carries.  Give him an opportunity against a Ravens defense that will give up some yards on the ground.

Rod Streater (FI Rank: WR42, PP: 9.3) – Streater’s ascent to fantasy prominence over the last three weeks has come in the midst of a dry spell for Denarius Moore.  Ride the hot hand, even though the Carolina matchup is not a particularly good one.  Streater has 13 targets in the last two weeks, so he is clearly a part of the offense.  They will find ways to get him the ball

Love Him and Leave Him

Curtis Brinkley (FI Rank: RB46, PP: 4.7) – I disagree a bit with the Crystal Ball here; Brinkley is the lead back, healthy Ronnie Brown or not.  Brinkley was effective in his limited carries last week, and he’ll be effective this week against the Jets’ defense that hasn’t been able to lock down too many running games.  I’m not worried about Jackie Battle, who won’t get enough carries to hurt Brinkley (though he should).

Nate Washington (FI Rank: NR, PP: N/A) – Washington has gotten a large number of targets in the offense with Jake Locker under center, and those targets are going to go up even more with Kendall Wright out of commission this week with sore ribs.  Washington led in red zone looks last week, and that will be trend that continues through the end of season.

Mark Ingram (FI Rank: RB34, PP: 10.1) – I hate to recommend Ingram, because I personally have a problem with him being the feature back in this offense.  That said, he’s the guy getting the carries, and over the last two weeks, he’s actually doing good work with them.  Last week against Tampa’s stout run defense, he rushed for 6.4 yards per carry!  Meanwhile, he has scored three TDs over the past five weeks.  With that being the case, you need to get him in your lineup.

Santana Moss (FI Rank: WR67, PP: 4.8) – Moss scored a TD the last time Washington faced of against Philly.  He’s gotten 10 targets over the last two weeks, and is on pace to score the most touchdowns in a season since 2005.  RGIII will likely be coming back this week, as will the deep passing game.  Meanwhile, for all the thought that Philly is a tough matchup, they’ve given up the most TDs to wide receivers of any defense in the last five weeks.

Last Call

Montell Owens (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 11.7) – I think Owens has done enough to quiet any critics of his pedigree.  He has filled the role ably these last few weeks.  He is the main-carry RB for an NFL team, so he warrants flex consideration.  The matchup against the Pats is not a good one, and frankly, I could see the Jags getting shut out.  But all it takes is one goal line carry to make it worth it.  If you’re desperate, there’s nothing wrong with putting Owens in there.

Riley Cooper (FI Rank: WR56, PP: 6.2) – Cooper is one of Nick Foles’ favorite targets, as evidenced by his 21 targets over the last three weeks.  The most important aspect of the Foles/Cooper connection is that they’re hooking up in the endzone.  Cooper has two TDs over the past three weeks.  Washington is a great matchup, so this is one of the easier desperation flex plays this week.

DuJuan Haris (FI Rank: RB48, PP: 4.4) – With Alex Green likely to miss Week 16 with a concussion, it’s an opportunity to get Harris and Ryan Grant more work in the running game.  This could be an even split of carries, but Grant has limited upside, while Harris has some nice potential to break out this week.  There is a chance he doesn’t end up with enough carries to warrant a start, so you’re taking a chance, but I like Harris’ chance at having a nice day.

Jon Baldwin (FI Rank: WR62, PP: 5.8) – This isn’t a start for the faint of heart.  At Last Call, we have to dig pretty deep.  This is a bet, not so much on Baldwin, as it is on Ricky Stanzi.  I’ve maintained that Stanzi is the next big thing, and I’ve been perplexed as to why the Chiefs keep trotting Brady Quinn and his immense mediocrity out onto the field.  Now that Stanzi is presumably getting his chance this week, I think he’s going to make an immediate impact.  With Tony Moeaki being out this week, Baldwin is the main red zone option.  Look for Stanzi to make the difference in this game.

Good luck this week!

By Todd Colburn

colburn@fantasyinsights.com

Follow on Twitter @colburnfootball

Flex Appeal is our weekly look at the sometimes painful process of deciding who to start in your flex position.  We’re going to look at four categories of flex starts each week based upon their “flex appeal.”  Please note:  To determine a flex play, I am using our own Crystal Ball Rankings for the given week, and I’m looking at least the 25^th position rank or beyond (RB), 37^th or beyond (WR), assuming a 12-team league.  For those of you reading this for the first time, our categories work like this (see if you can spot the very clever tie-in with the title of the article!):

Marriage Material:  This could be a free agent pickup or a player already on your roster that we would deem worthy of taking home to mama.  Introduce him to the folks, feel free to include him in the family portrait – he’s going to be around in your flex spot (or more) for a long time.  You two might want to look at getting a dog.  This player has value for you, not just this week, but likely beyond this week.  He’s a keeper!

Love Him and Leave Him:  This player has some flex appeal, but you’re really just using him for his matchup this week.  There are some red flags that give you pause: maybe he’s an injury risk, maybe he wilts under superior competition, maybe his last fantasy owner was a club promoter (RED FLAG!).  Hey kids, with relationships like this, there will always be risks involved. Either way, this guy ain’t marriage material; you just need him for what he can do for you this week.

Last Call:  Look, the bar is closing, and you’re desperate.  Jonathan Stewart was a late scratch; quick, who can I add to my roster?!  Let’s be honest.  There isn’t much flex appeal here, but you need the best possible flex option in a pinch.  We’ll give you the best of a rough-looking lot.

Marriage material

Ahmad Bradshaw (FI Rank: RB27, PP: 12.0) – Bradshaw is probable this week and should be getting more of his normal workload as the Giants put forward one last-gasp effort to make the playoffs.  Philly has been tough against the run, but they are going to be without rookie phenoms Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks.  Bradshaw should find plenty of running room this week.

Greg Jennings (FI Rank: WR37, PP: 11.1) – Jennings is back.  He got 9 targets last week, while catching 7 balls and a TD.  He got two looks in the red zone last week, so the likelihood of him getting another opportunity to score this week is significant.  Jennings is an easy WR3 this week and should definitely be used in a flex role if you have that luxury.

Michael Turner (FI Rank: RB31, PP: 11.1) – Before last week, Turner had scored a touchdown in five straight games.  His last game against Tampa was brutal (13 carries for 17 yards)…but he scored a TD.  Turner may not be a great RB at this point, but he’s scored 9 TDs this season – you can’t ignore him for fantasy.  He’s a legit flex play if not more.

Jackie Battle (FI Rank: RB36, PP: 8.3) – I disagree with our Crystal Ball’s assessment that Ronnie Brown is the lead back in this backfield attack.  On the contrary, I believe that Battle will again lead the way for San Diego.  Battle rushed the ball 19 times in Week 16, and that should be the case again this week.  Oakland has been clamping down a little bit in the running game over the last month, but Battle should be good for 50 total yards and a TD.

Love Him and Leave Him

Mark Ingram (FI Rank: RB28, PP: 11.7) – I’m just going with it at this point.  21 carries for 53 yards last week – not great production, but he got the TD again.  Just by virtue of those 20+ carries, he has serious flex appeal.  Look for another score (along with excruciatingly low yards/carry) this week from Ingram.

Brandon LaFell (FI Rank: WR42, PP: 10.1) – LaFell is marginally interesting, but he’s got a superb matchup this week.  He got a red zone look last week and he was back up to his usual 7 targets.  He should be able to do more with those targets this week and be flex worthy for you.

Jonathan Dwyer (FI Rank: RB33, PP: 9.9) – Admittedly, Dwyer is not too exciting of an option.  He has, however, scored two TDs over the last four weeks.  Cleveland has given up the 9^th most fantasy points to running backs of any team in the league.  I could see Dwyer getting 15+ carries this week and enough yards to warrant a flex start.

Santana Moss (FI Rank: WR39, PP: 10.8) – We listed Moss here last week, and it paid off with a TD.  We think he’s got it in him again this week.  Dallas has given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers over the last 5 weeks.  I don’t see Moss being a big part of the Redskins plans next season, with two young receivers in Leonard Hankerson and Aldrick Robinson, along with Pierre Garçon.  But he’ll be useful this week, and you should take advantage of this matchup.

Last Call

Alex Green (FI Rank: RB46, PP: 4.7) – Green is probable and should be playing this week.  On the surface, it looks like he just comes and crowds an already-crowded backfield.  But Green has earned the trust of the coaches, and he should be getting his usual 10-15 carries.  There’s definitely “usage risk” in this case, but the upside is that he takes his normal role and gives you a nice boost in your flex spot.

Emmanuel Sanders (FI Rank: WR61, PP: 6.1) – With Mike Wallace put on injured reserve, Sanders steps into a position to where he’s immediately flex worthy.  His upside is 5-6 catches for 70-80 yards, and he is probably sitting on waivers.  If you need to plug someone in for a desperation start, Sanders is one of the safest choices.

Lamar Miller (FI Rank: RB49, PP: 4.5) – Miller has supplanted Daniel Thomas, and he was very productive in his 10 carries last week.  Miller is sharing carries with Reggie Bush, and he will probably get the most carries he’s gotten all season in Week 17.  The Pats aren’t a great matchup, but if there is someone out there getting 10+ touches, you have to reckon with him for fantasy.  Miller carries the risk of not getting as many carries as last week, but the upside is great for someone who needs a high-risk, high-reward option.

A.J. Jenkins (FI Rank: WR66, PP: 5.6) – Jenkins is a talented rookie who hasn’t been given much of an opportunity this season.  With Mario Manningham out for injury, Jenkins steps into the role and I like him to be productive right away.  That said, he’s shown nothing this season, so there is definitely a risk here.  If you are desperate, here is an opportunity to start a guy with some great upside.

Good luck this week and thanks for reading this season!