QB Kirk Cousins (Washington)

Percent owned (ESPN): 3.0%

Kirk Cousins wasn’t perfect or anything, but he put up big fantasy numbers against Atlanta’s defense in his first start, throwing for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns, to go with 2 interceptions. Atlanta’s defense didn’t represent much of a challenge, but neither do the defenses remaining on his schedule as he faces Dallas and then the New York Giants in week 16 and week 17 respectively. He’s a low end QB1 for the remainder of the season for those who need one.

WR Marvin Jones (Cincinnati)

Percent owned (ESPN): 21.1%

Marvin Jones was on here earlier this season for an 8 catch for 122 yards and 4 touchdowns performance against the Jets, but he never lived up to it. However, he just played the highest percentage of snaps he’d played in a single game this season against the Steelers and he now has 8 catches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns in the last two weeks. He looks to be emerging as a true starting receiver in this offense and if that’s the case, he could be very valuable. He ranks a respectable 31^st in the NFL in yards per route run, out of 95 eligible and he’s already scored 9 times.

WR Andre Holmes (Oakland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.4%

Andre Holmes continues to be steady for the Raiders as he now has 14 catches for 257 yards and a touchdown in his last 3 games. Even with Denarius Moore back, Holmes played ahead of him and he seems to have emerged as Matt McGloin’s favorite target. There’s definitely some appeal here in deeper leagues and he should be at least owned in most leagues.

RB Jordan Todman (Jacksonville)

Percent owned (ESPN): 2.3%

In Maurice Jones-Drew’s absence, Jordan Todman carried the load and rushed for 109 yards on 25 carries with 4 catches for 44 yards. Jones-Drew could be back this week, but the Jaguars may also opt to shut him down, with the season essentially over, like they did with Cecil Shorts. Jones-Drew is probably not going to be back next season and it would be in their best interest to evaluate Todman as a potential starter in 2014 and beyond. He’s worth stashing and could be startable in some leagues if he continues to get the start.

TE Tim Wright (Tampa Bay)

Percent owned (ESPN): 1.7%

He continues to be inconsistent, but Tim Wright had a good game this week against San Francisco, catching 7 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. He now has 30 catches for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns over his past 8 games, which extrapolates to 60 catches for 666 yards and 8 touchdowns over a full season. Those are essentially low end TE1 numbers. If you’re in need of a tight end, this is the guy to target. He might let you down, but there’s a better chance he doesn’t and he’s the best available option.

RB LeGarrette Blount (New England)

Percent owned (ESPN): 6.4%

Blount remains unowned in most leagues. At this point, we pretty much know what we’re going to get from him. He’ll carry the ball between 8-12 times and rush for 40-50 yards, something he’s done in 4 of his last 6 games, including the last 3. If he scores a touchdown, he was a worthwhile start. If not, he’ll disappoint you. If you’re desperate in a deep league, this is your guy.

RB Edwin Baker (Cleveland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.0%

Edwin Baker, not Chris Ogbonnaya, was the lead back with Willis McGahee out, rushing for 38 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries, while contributing 4 catches for 46 yards through the air. Willis McGahee could be back this week and it’s important not to get too excited about a guy with 8 career carries who was recently signed off of Houston’s practice squad, especially against a team like the Jets, who the Browns face this week and who have a very tough run defense. However, he might have earned himself more playing time so if you’re completely desperate, give him a look.

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WR Da’Rick Rodgers (Indianapolis)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.1%

The Colts might have found their replacement for Reggie Wayne. In the first real action of his career, the troubled but talented Rodgers caught 6 passes for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns, despite not playing even close to all of the snaps. He’ll almost certainly play above the useless Darius Heyward-Bey going forward and play in two-wide receiver sets opposite TY Hilton. He could be inconsistent as an undrafted rookie, but he had the talent to go a lot higher and there will be plenty of opportunity for him to put up big numbers.

RB Daniel Thomas (Miami)

Percent owned (ESPN): 5.1%

Daniel Thomas led the way at running back for the Dolphins against the Steelers, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He could do so again this week with Lamar Miller dealing with a concussion. Even better, he gets the Patriots’ putrid run defense this week. Assuming Miller is ruled out, Thomas is going to be startable this week.

TE Dennis Pitta (Baltimore)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.8%

In his first game back from hip surgery, Pitta caught 6 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown despite not playing even close to a full set of snaps. His playing time will only increase going forward, as will his health and comfort level with Joe Flacco. He’s easily Flacco’s 2^nd best receiver after Torrey Smith and has a very good chance to be a TE1 throughout the fantasy playoffs if you’re starved for a tight end. Rob Gronkowski owners should take a good look.

RB Jordan Todman (Jacksonville)

Percent owned (ESPN): 1.1%

Jordan Todman only rushed for 14 yards on 7 carries against the Texans, but with Maurice Jones-Drew possibly out for this week’s game against Buffalo, Todman could be the lead back. He’s averaging just 3.2 yards per carry on the season though and the Bills have an underrated defense, but he’s worth a pickup and would be startable in deep leagues and for desperate owners if Maurice Jones-Drew were ruled out.

WR Michael Crabtree (San Francisco)

Percent owned (ESPN): 24.6%

Michael Crabtree’s numbers through 2 games back don’t look great, as he’s caught 6 passes for 108 yards, but he didn’t play a full set of snaps against St. Louis and had a very tough matchup against Seattle last week. He’ll only get more playing time, get healthier, and get more comfortable with the offense going forward. Tampa Bay this week could be a tough matchup, but he has a dream matchup week 16 against Atlanta right in time for fantasy championship week.

WR Andre Holmes (Oakland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.6%

Andre Holmes didn’t match his big Thanksgiving outburst, when he caught 7 passes for 136 yards, but 3 catches for 63 yards against the Jets this week wasn’t awful. His numbers over his last 2 games still look pretty good and Denarius Moore doesn’t seem to be anywhere to be found. He’ll continue to start and fellow undrafted free agent Matt McGloin seems to love throwing to him. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues.

RB James Starks (Green Bay)

Percent owned (ESPN): 17.1%

James Starks has proven he can get the job done when necessary, rushing for 346 yards on 65 carries this season, an average of 5.3 yards per carry. It might be necessary this week as Eddie Lacy is shaping up as a game time call with an injury. Lacy is probably more likely to play than not, but it’s a later game so, at the very least, Lacy owners should pick up Starks to protect themselves, especially with a dream matchup against Dallas up next.

RB Chris Ogbonnaya (Cleveland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 15.4%

To this point in the season, Ogbonnaya has almost as many catches (41) as carries (42), but with Willis McGahee possibly out for the season and definitely out for this week with a concussion, Ogbonnaya could see a significant uptick in touches. Projecting 10 carries and 5 catches per week for him wouldn’t be ridiculous and he gets a dream matchup against the Bears this week.

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WR Michael Crabtree (San Francisco)

Percent owned (ESPN): 17.6%

Michael Crabtree returned to limited action this week, catching 2 passes for 68 yards. We know Colin Kaepernick loves throwing to him, but his playing time is only going to go up, unless he suffers a setback, so he could be a real asset in the fantasy playoffs. He might not make much of an impact against Seattle this week, but he gets Atlanta during week 15.

WR Andre Holmes (Oakland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.1%

Andre Holmes played well in Denarius Moore’s absence this week, catching 7 passes for 136 yards and displaying strong chemistry with Matt McGloin. Moore could be shut down for the season with the Raiders essentially out of it, so Holmes could have some value going forward. He’s worth a bench stash in deeper leagues.

TE Heath Miller (Pittsburgh)

Percent owned (ESPN): 15.8%

In 10 games, Heath Miller has 46 catches for 468 yards, which extrapolates to 74 catches for 749 yards over 16 games, which is solid production for a tight end. His only issue is he’s only caught one touchdown, but that kind of thing tends to be inconsistent. He’s worth a look if you’re desperate for a tight end. He can get you consistent yardage production.

RB LeGarrette Blount (New England)

Percent owned (ESPN): 4.8%

With fumbling Stevan Ridley inactive, LeGarrette Blount led the way, rushing for 44 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. He’s worth a pickup if you’re desperate, but he’s not going to be dependable. Bill Belichick is notoriously inconsistent with his running backs. Blount could be benched for a fumble. Ridley could randomly get 20 carries again next week. The Patriots could also go a completely different direction at the running back position with someone like Brandon Bolden or Shane Vereen depending on the matchup.

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WR Nate Burleson (Detroit)

Percent owned (ESPN): 3.0%

Nate Burleson returned from injury last week and didn’t waste any time, catching 7 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He might not do that every week, but he’ll be the #2 option in an explosive passing offense from here on out and he’ll see plenty of one on one coverage opposite Calvin Johnson. He’s worth owning in all leagues and could be worth a start this week against Green Bay’s weak secondary.

RB Benny Cunningham (St. Louis)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.7%

Zac Stacy sustained a concussion in a win over the Bears. Cunningham came in and rushed for 109 yards and a score on 13 carries. If Stacy doesn’t play this week, Cunningham will be the starter and feature back. Temper your expectations for him though. He won’t get to face Chicago’s pathetic run defense again. San Francisco has one of the best run defenses in the NFL and held Cunningham to 6 yards on 4 carries in a backup role in their matchup earlier this year and that was without Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith.

RB Dennis Johnson (Houston)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.4%

Arian Foster is done for the season and Ben Tate is struggling, getting benched in the middle of a 7 carry, 1 yard performance against the Jaguars for Dennis Johnson, who promptly came in and rushed for 74 yards on 13 carries. Even if Tate does get his starting job back against New England this week, Johnson could still see an increased role and we all saw how bad New England’s run defense is last week. Johnson could also see an increased role over the end of the season as well.

TE Tim Wright (Tampa Bay)

Percent owned (ESPN): 2.6%

Tim Wright has been inconsistent this season, but he’s coming off of an 8 catch for 75 yard performance against Detroit and the Buccaneers have all sorts of injuries at tight end. Wright could be an every down player going forward, which should lead to increased targets for him. He’s their #2 passing options after Vincent Jackson and the surging Mike Glennon seems to love throwing to him. He’s a deep league tight end option.

RB Chris Ogbonnaya (Cleveland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 12.5%

Ogbonnaya once again led the Browns in rushing. Granted, that was with 26 yards on 4 carries, but he’s their best all-around running back and a matchup with Jacksonville this week should lead to increased rushing attempts for the Browns. Ogbonnaya is also a good pass catcher with 36 catches on the season and could see 10-15 touches this week. He’s a desperation play and worth picking up in deep leagues.

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RB Andre Brown (NY Giants)

Percent owned (ESPN): 23.7%

Andre Brown carried the load in a big way in his first game back, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. He doesn’t really have any competition for carries and he’s by far their most talented back. He’ll continue being the feature back going forward and he should be owned universally. He’s startable on a weekly basis.

WR Aaron Dobson (New England)

Percent owned (ESPN): 10.5%

The Patriots were on bye this week, so people might have forgotten to pick up Aaron Dobson, but he has a lot of value and upside going forward. Dropson has come a long way. The raw rookie 2nd rounder has shed the Dropson moniker and broken out as the primary outside receiver in a suddenly explosive again New England offense. Fellow rookie Kenbrell Thompkins was a healthy scratch against the Steelers, while Dobson caught 5 passes for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. He now has 18 catches for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns in the last 4 games and is on pace for 55 catches for 807 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. He could be worth a start weekly going forward if he and the rest of the Patriots’ offense keep this up and he’s definitely worth picking up.

QB Case Keenum (Houston)

Percent owned (ESPN): 9.0%

The Texans haven’t won a game under him yet, but Case Keenum continues to put up big numbers, throwing for 822 yards and 7 touchdowns in 3 games, while not throwing a single interception. If you have an unsettled quarterback situation, there isn’t a better pickup than Keenum right now. He has an easy schedule going forward and will have borderline QB1 value on a weekly basis.

RB Jonathan Stewart (Carolina)

Percent owned (ESPN): 4.1%

In his 2^nd game back, Jonathan Stewart led the Panthers in carries, carrying it for 41 yards on 13 carries. He had a very low YPC because he was facing the 49ers’ loaded defense, but he’ll have easier matchups. He’s averaging 12.5 touches per game in 2 games back and should be in that 12-15 range weekly going forward. He’s worth a bench stash.

RB Brian Leonard (Tampa Bay)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.2%

Doug Martin and now Mike James are both done for the season. Brian Leonard led the way on the ground against the Dolphins after Mike James went down on the first drive and managed 57 rushing yards on 20 carries. He’s a plodder, but he’s a starter and he’ll continue getting 15-20 targets per game. He’s also by far their best 3^rd down back. He’s worth a pickup.

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RB Zac Stacy (St. Louis)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.6%

5^th round rookie Zac Stacy was the lead back for the Rams this week, after they benched Daryl Richardson mid-week following a pathetic showing against the 49ers week 4. He carried the ball 14 times for 78 yards. He won’t always get to face the Jaguars’ putrid defense, but he showed enough that he should continue to be the lead back going forward, as Richardson had just 48 yards on 13 carries. He needs to be picked up in all formats.

RB Willis McGahee (Cleveland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 22.2%

Willis McGahee isn’t very good anymore, but he’s the Browns only option and he ran for 72 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries against the Bills. That’s a pretty bad average, but he should continue being the lead back going forward and any running back who gets at least 15-20 touches per game is automatically worth a flex look, especially as we get deeper in the bye week section of the season.

RB Andre Ellington (Arizona)

Percent owned (ESPN): 4.0%

Andre Ellington didn’t lead the Cardinals in carries, but he led them in rushing yards, with 52 yards on just 7 carries. Lead back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for just 43 yards on 17 carries, so Ellington who has 120 yards on 18 carries this season, should push for more carries going forward. He’s also a big part of the passing game, catching 13 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown this season in limited action. He’s definitely worth a bench stash.

RB Marcel Reece (Oakland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 3.7%

Darren McFadden is supposed to be out for another week and Rashad Jennings left last week’s game with a hamstring injury and is questionable going forward. Marcel Reece should be the feature back if both don’t play this week. He has a huge impact in the passing game, in addition to running the football.

RB Pierre Thomas (New Orleans)

Percent owned (ESPN): 15.6%

Thomas led the Saints in carries this week, rushing for 36 yards on 19 carries. He’d be higher on this list if I didn’t recommend Khiry Robinson last week, only to watch him rush for 9 yards on 3 carries this week. Thomas had just 1 rushing yard on 4 carries the week before so he’s risky, but Mark Ingram is no longer part of the plan in New Orleans and Thomas contributes in the passing game even when he’s not getting carries, with 28 catches for 166 yards on the season. He’s probably the New Orleans back to own.

RB LeGarrette Blount (New England)

Percent owned (ESPN): 16.8%

With Stevan Ridley out this week, LeGarrette Blount rushed for 51 yards on 12 carries. He was also getting action with Ridley in the lineup and now he has 180 rushing yards and a touchdown on 35 carries in his last 3 weeks. I’m concerned that he fumbled, but he’s worth rostering in case Ridley’s injury turns out to be a multi-week deal.

WR Keenan Allen (San Diego)

Percent owned (ESPN): 1.2%

It’s tough to count on rookies, but Philip Rivers is playing well right now and someone has to catch his passes. With Malcom Floyd out, that someone has been Keenan Allen, who has caught 11 passes for 195 yards and 1 touchdown over the past 2 games. He’s worth a flier.

RB Brandon Jacobs (NY Giants)

Percent owned (ESPN): 1.4%

Brandon Jacobs is not good at all, but David Wilson hurt his neck against the Eagles and isn’t expected to be able to go on a short week against the Bears this week. The Giants have brought back Da’Rel Scott to play passing downs, but Jacobs will be the lead runner this week against a Chicago defense that isn’t as good as it was under Lovie Smith. There are worse desperation plays.

TE Garrett Graham (Houston)

Percent owned (ESPN): 3.4%

Owen Daniels is not expected to play against the Rams’ putrid defense this week. Garrett Graham would get the start. He’s been decently productive as the #2 tight end, catching 15 passes for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns in 5 games this season. He could be a nice plug and play option for guys with tight ends on bye or Owen Daniels owners.

RB Brandon Bolden (New England)

Percent owned (ESPN): 5.6%

Brandon Bolden also got more action with Ridley out, rushing for 24 yards on 5 carries and catching 6 passes for 40 yards. He’s just 2 weeks removed from a 100 yards from scrimmage performance. He’s worth rostering in deep leagues because Ridley is hurt right now and Blount fumbled.

WR Terrance Williams (Dallas)

Percent owned (ESPN): 1.3%

Terrance Williams had 151 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. Tony Romo won’t throw for 500+ yards and 5 touchdowns every week and Williams’ targets are going to be inconsistent. He was actually only targeted 4 times in this game and Miles Austin could be back any week. Most likely, this was just a Kevin Ogletree type performance. He’s worth snatching up in really deep leagues though.

TE Sean McGrath (Kansas City)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.5%

Alex Smith loves intermediate targets, including tight end and Sean McGrath is all he has right now. He’s impressed as an injury fill-in, catching 9 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in his last 2 games. In deep leagues, you could do worse as a bye week filler at tight end.

WR Harry Douglas (Atlanta)

Percent owned (ESPN): 2.1%

Julio Jones is done for the season. Matt Ryan is still going to throw for plenty of yardage and Harry Douglas, who has had some nice performances as the #3 receiver this year (4/93/0, 5/68/0), will be the #2 wide receiver now. He’ll be Matt Ryan’s 3^rd option after Tony Gonzalez and a hobbled Roddy White. He could be fantasy relevant based on pure volume.

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WR Julian Edelman (New England)

Percent owned (ESPN): 4.2%

Julian Edelman caught 7 passes for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Patriots’ opener. Someone needs to catch passes for Tom Brady and he seems more comfortable throwing to Edelman than any of the rookies. Edelman is worth picking up going forward solely because he’s a starting wide receiver in New England, but he has a lot of upside if Brady continues to look his way.

TE Julius Thomas (Denver)

Percent owned (ESPN): 19.4%

Thomas caught 5 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Broncos’ opener. He’ll probably see inconsistent week to week production behind Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, and maybe Eric Decker for targets and Peyton Manning won’t usually play as well as he did against Baltimore, so I’m not as high on Thomas as most, but he’s worth a pickup.

WR Leonard Hankerson (Washington)

Percent owned (ESPN): 0.4%

Leonard Hankerson was Robert Griffin’s favorite target in the opener, especially around the end zone, as he scored twice to go with just 6 catches for 80 yards. He’s a talented 2011 3^rd round pick who has flashed at times and he could be putting it all together in his 3^rd year in the league, a frequent breakout year for receivers.

QB Terrelle Pryor (Oakland)

Percent owned (ESPN): 7.2%

Pryor isn’t a very good real quarterback, but he’s an intriguing fantasy quarterback because of his rushing ability. Pryor 112 yards rushing are still 2^nd in the NFL through 1 week and he also added 217 yards through the air, though with just 1 score and 2 picks. Few QB2s have more upside so he’s worth a bench stash.

TE Kellen Winslow (NY Jets)

Percent owned (ESPN): 1.6%

Someone has to catch passes for the Jets and Geno Smith seemed very comfortable throwing to his tight end Kellen Winslow, who caught 7 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. Winslow is a proven veteran. He looked done last year, but he’s only 30. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues.

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