Percy Harvin has a good chance to lead
the Bills in receiving with Sammy Watkins (calf) likley out.
Grab a Helmet
Percy
Harvin v. NYG: Opportunity and athleticism earn Harvin
this spot. With Sammy Watkins likely out with a calf injury, Harvin
should slide into starter’s snaps. Even on limited snaps, Havin
has shined, as the Bills are using him on drag routes to utilize
his quickness, with an occasional deep shot. Currently the WR24
in standard leagues, Harvin should soak up a few extra targets without
Watkins, much as he did last week when he had a season high 8 to
go along with 7 receptions for 66 yards. With a few extra shots
at a long gain on the ground, Harvin makes for an under the radar
WR2 with a high floor.
Jordan
Reed v. PHI: You’ve asked, and we’ve listened! For the
first time this season a tight end makes the Shot Callers Report!
The supremely talented, yet oft injured Reed was discounted by most
fantasy leaguers prior to the season. He spent another preseason
hurt, and didn’t have much chance at fantasy relevance. But then
the injury bug spread from Reed to his teammates (Niles Paul and
DeSean Jackson) and Reed once again found himself in a prime offensive
role. With 19 catches for 241 yards and a score, Reed has been money
as the No.5 fantasy tight end. Not bad for a guy you probably got
off the waiver wire for a few bucks! It looks like the DJax return
is still a week or so away, so fire up Reed as your TE1 with confidence
against an Eagles defense that lacks healthy playmakers at linebacker
and safety.
Martellus
Bennett: Woah nelly! Two in a row, and a Bear player
to boot! Sure this whole Bears offense has been a flop, but Bennett
is still seeing the ball come his way (9th in tight end targets).
He would benefit greatly from the return of Alshon Jeffery, and
it sounds like it could be this week. It also helps that the Raiders,
who have been absolutely bumrushed by tight ends this year, come
to town. 80-plus yards and a score are within the realm of possibility,
even with Jimmy C. doing the throwing. So unless you’re that owner
who nabbed Reed off the wire, run Bennett out there and see what
happens!
Grab Some Pine
Golden
Tate @ SEA: Normally I love guys with a chip on their
shoulder going against their former teams. But when that former
team hates you and plays elite defense, and the team you play
for can’t get out of its own way, my opinions change. Hang on,
I’m still scrolling down the FFToday stat page looking for Tate’s
receiver ranking. Oh there it is, on page 2! Like most feared,
Tate has taken a back seat to Megatron and the bevy of running
backs Detroit likes to throw swing passes to for two-yard gains.
I wouldn’t put it past the Seahawks to put an emphasis on knocking
Tate around this weekend, and with that kind of bullseye on his
chest, you’re better off going in another direction at the receiver
position. Kenny
Britt / Tavon
Austin @ ARI: By now it should be plainly obvious how
down I am on any and all Lions and Rams offensive players. Neither
team has any offensive identity, or can seem to string together
successful offensive possessions. Yeah, Kenny Britt breaks out
100-yard games now and then, but this whole Rams receiving corps
can’t make plays, and Nick Foles simply isn’t good enough to make
them look better. Tavon Austin is gadget player and kick returner,
so good luck picking the week he finds the end zone. Their most
talented receiver, Brian Quick has been a healthy scratch for
three weeks, so either St. Louis likes being ineffective, or he
isn’t that healthy. Austin and Britt are barely rosterable, let
alone startable in any sort of league. They’ll be chewed up and
spit out by one of the league’s best pass defenses.
Terrance
Williams @ NO: Williams’ owners probably felt like
champs when Dez Bryant went down in Week 1. The explosive Williams
was going to step into the spotlight and be a surprise WR2 for
the foreseeable future. Things looked great in Week 2, when Williams
finished with a 4-84-1 line. But then the reality of Brandon Weedon
set in, and the realization came that those WR2 dreams would fade
quickly. Quickly it was, as in Week 3 not a single Cowboy receiver
caught a pass. Look for the ultra-conservative passing game plan
to continue until Romo returns. For the next seven weeks Williams
will be nothing more than a weekly blind-folded shot in the dark
unless he lines up at tight end or running back.
