Each week I pull up the rankings from Yahoo, ESPN, and CBS to find calculate an overall view on who to start. This helps me find the outlier – either someone who might be poised for a breakout or a goose egg. Below is what results of hours upon hours of research.
QUARTERBACK
Don’t Ever Trade: Peyton Manning, Broncos
Is there any doubt that we’re in a pass-happy era of football? Peyton Manning and Tony Romo combined for nearly 1,000 yards passing last week alone. That would be considered a shootout in college. The National Park Service has shown better defense. In a typical Yahoo league they got 51 and 45 points respectfully – that was basically good enough to almost single handedly win the week. Manning has averaged 39 points per week which is 11 points higher than the next guy (Drew Brees).
Worth a Second Look: Tony Romo, Cowboys
Last week wasn’t a fluke. Romo has averaged 27 points in a typical Yahoo league, which is third best. This week he is facing one of the worst pass defenses in Washington. He is ranked second on ESPN, CBS and Yahoo’s combined rankings this week.
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Eli Manning, Giants
This is a season from hell for Manning and the rest of the Giants. Things will not be sunshine and rainbows this week at the Bears’ Soldier Field.
Sleeper Pick of the Week: Joe Flacco, Ravens
Flacco is very good at the long ball. Torrey Smith is very fast. Green Bay is suspect in the secondary. It isn’t complicated to see the potential here. Chad Henne is a great sleeper too against soft Denver D.
Top Tier: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Robert Griffin III
2nd Tier: Jay Cutler, Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson
Shaky starts: Phillip Rivers, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Joe Flacco, Alex Smith
Bye Week Only: Chad Henne, Colin Kaepernick, Terrelle Pryor, Matt Schaub, Andy Dalton
Don’t Bother: Ben Roethlisberger, Terrelle Pryor, Nick Foles, Eli Manning, Sam Bradford, Carson Palmer, Mike Glennon.
RUNNING BACK
Don’t Ever Trade: Chris Johnson, Titans
It is easy to want to give up on Johnson if you took the risk on drafting him in the first couple of rounds. At this point it is okay to be a little disappointed but you’re not going to get what you want from any trade. Stick with him. In fact, be a little optimistic. With ineffectiveness troubling the Titans’ other short-yardage backs, the Titans may be handing the ball over to CJ. This is great news for your running back who has zero, nil, no touchdowns so far this year.
Worth a Second Look: LeVeon Bell, Steelers
After missing the first three weeks of the season, there was a valid concern of owners that he wouldn’t be a starter when he finally came back. He was in the majority of snaps in week 4 and got 20+ touches. Coming off the bye week, expect Bell to be the main man in the Steel City. He’s still unowned in over 20% of Yahoo leagues – that is insane for a starting RB.
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Trent Richardson, Colts
The only week that Richardson has beaten his projection was week 4 against the lowly Jaguars. The naysayers who have doubted him since college may be right after all.
Sleeper Pick of the Week: Danny Woodhead, Chargers
I never like taking advantage of someone’s injury but… wait a minute… yes, I do. Ryan Matthews is hurt, so expect more touches for Woodhead. He is already leading RBs in receiptions, so this will round out his team.
Top Tier: Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles, DeMarco Murray, Doug Martin, LeSean McCoy
2nd Tier: Matt Forte, Frank Gore, Alfred Morris, Danny Woodhead, Reggie Bush, Ray Rice, DeAngelo Wiliams, Giovanni Bernard, Ed Lacy
Shaky starts: Knowshon Moreno, Trent Richardson, Pierre Thomas, Le’Veon Bell, Willis McGahee, C.J. Spiller, Darren Sproles
Bye Week Only: Brandon Bolden, Zac Stacy, Ronnie Hillman, Fred Jackson, Rashard Mendenhall, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Brandon Jacobs, Steven Ridley , Maurice Jones-Drew
Don’t Bother: Bilal Powell, Joique Bell, LeGarrette Blount, Ben Tate, Ryan Matthews
WIDE RECEIVERS
Don’t Ever Trade: Dez Bryant, Cowboys
Here is Bryant’s Yahoo weekly scores in a typical league: 2, 20, 9, 20, 25.
Toss the first week and he is averaging 18.5 points. You could trade him for a quality runner or quarterback, but you could keep him and win almost any match-up against your opponent.
Worth a Second Look: Justin Blackmon, Jaguars
Yes, I’m suggesting a Jaguar. After sitting out the first month, Blackmon lit up the board with 136 yards and a TD. Not too shabby. Owned in only 62% of Yahoo leagues, he is a steal. The King of a small team is still a king.
Sleeper Pick of the Week: Alshon Jeffery, Bears
You can see for yourself that Jeffery was a top five receiver the past three weeks. However, he is only owned in 69% of Yahoo leagues. He went from a fourth option for Cutler to a go-to option. Expect major things against the putrid Giants.
Top Tier: Dez Bryant, Victor Cruz, Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, A.J. Green, Andre Johnson, Jordy Nelson, Torrey Smith
2nd Tier: DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Marshall, Pierre Garcon, Josh Gordon, Randall Cobb, Justin Blackmon, Antonio Brown, T.Y. Hilton, Steve Smith (CAR), Hakeem Nicks
Shaky starts: Eric Decker, James Jones, Cecil Shorts, Danny Amendola, Larry Fitzgerald, Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston,
Bye Week Only: Anquan Boldin, Michael Floyd, Vincent Brown, Mike Williams, Dwayne Bowe, Sidney Rice, Greg Jennings, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Eddie Royal, Chris Givens
Don’t Bother: Golden Tate, Julian Edelman, Tavon Austin, Santana Moss, Emmanuel Sanders, Nate Washington, DeAndre Hopkins, Andre Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson, Mohamed Sanu
TIGHT END
Don’t Ever Trade: Jimmy Graham, Saints
Unless you have Jordan Cameron or Rob Gronkowski and can afford to get value from one.
Worth a Second Look: Heath Miller, Steelers
He is the 10th in receiving, so it is a matter of time before more TDs come his way.
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: You second TE
Serious, why do you have two tight ends? There is only the minimal of differences between the tenth and twentieth ranked guy.
Sleeper Pick of the Week: Garrett Graham, Texans
With Owen Daniels out, the Texans will use Graham in the same way.
Top Tier: Jimmy Graham
2nd Tier: Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Jordan Cameron, Julius Thomas
Shaky starts: Vernon Davis, Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen, Martellus Bennett, Heath Miller, Garrett Graham
Bye Week Only: Coby Fleener, Jordan Reed, Jermichael Finley, Scott Chandler
Don’t Bother: Any one else
DEFENSE
Don’t Ever Trade: Kansas City Chiefs
How good have the Chiefs been in the past month? About 33% more per average points than the second place Seahawks. First in sacks. Second in TDs. And, first in points allowed. Ride them until their bye week.
Worth a Second Look: New Orleans Saints
The Saints are third in points allowed in the past month and seventh in interceptions. They are facing a struggling Pats team this week; they won’t get a ton of turnover points but won’t kill you either.
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Baltimore Ravens
A great team normally, but they will be facing the high-powered Packers.
Sleeper Pick of the Week: New York Jets
C’mon… we all know the Steelers are more Flubber these days.
Top Tier: 49ers, Chiefs, Seahawks
2nd Tier: Bears, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Cardinals
Shaky starts: Jets, Broncos
Bye Week Only: Vikings, Colts, Lions, Eagles, Titans
Don’t Bother: Any one else
KICKER
Don’t Ever Trade: Matt Prater, Broncos
You won’t ever trade a kicker so let’s call this “Don’t Ever Drop” category.
Worth a Second Look: Adam Vinatieri, Colts
He is tied for third in most field goals made in the past month and the Colts don’t look like they’ll struggle soon.
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Justin Tucker, Ravens
Much like my high school experience, I expected picking him would provide more benefit.
Sleeper Pick of the Week: Kai Forbath, Washington
Forbath is owned in only 3% of leagues which is more unfortante than Washington’s nickname.
Top Tier: Matt Prater, Steven Hauschka, Robbie Gould, Dan Bailey
2nd Tier: Adam Vinatieri, David Akers, Billy Cundiff, Kai Forbath, Mike Nugent, Alex Henry, Mason Crosby
Shaky starts: Sebastian Janikowski, Phil Dawson
Bye Week Only: Shaun Suisham, Blair Walsh, Jay Feely, Nick Folk, Ryan Succop
Don’t Bother: Any one else
Good luck out there… and when in doubt, always bet against the Jaguars.
Brian Reddoch is a CraveOnline reporter and rabid fan of all teams Seattle. You can follow him on Twitter @ReddReddoch or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
