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Start 'Em:
Wide Receivers Who Will Outperform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Roddy White vs. DEN
Sharod L. “Roddy” White has six TD catches (ties his
career high) in just nine games and is well on his way to his
best season as a pro. The Broncos have given up an average of
242.8 YPG through the air and 14 TDs. CB Dre Bly will likely match
up with White; he is no match for Roddy’s combination of
speed and precise route running. White should produce very good
numbers against a leaky D missing 5 starters.
Lee Evans vs. CLE
Lee burned me last week but I am rolling him out again. Although
he has been quiet for two consecutive games, I still like his
chances to break out against the Browns on Monday night. Last
Thursday (vs. Broncos), Cleveland showed their vulnerability against
the pass; they have difficulty getting to the QB (14 sacks) and
can easily get beat deep. Evans is due.
Marques Colston @ KC
Colston owners should be salivating over a match up against a
suspect Chiefs defense. With his hand injury seemingly behind
him, Colston had his best game of the season last week (7 catches,
140 yards) and Drew Brees will look to him early and often again.
Keep an eye on his knee; he has been limited in practice this
week but all indications are that he will be ready for deployment
on Sunday.
DeSean Jackson @ CIN
Cincinnati’s pass defense – allowing an average of
193 YPG - is not what it seems; they have faced many of the league’s
weaker passing teams. DeSean is getting more involved in the Eagle
offensive attack, last week rushing 3 times for 24 yards and a
TD in addition to his 4-catch, 61-yard effort. He is clearly the
most explosive receiving option on the Eagles and should be in
your lineup this week.
Bobby Engram vs. ARI
With injured starters Matt Hassebeck and Deion Branch returning
to the starting lineup this week for the Seahawks, Bobby Engram
will move to the slot where he had 94 grabs last year. Of equal
significance, the Cardinals have given up an NFL-high 18 passing
TDs, including 2 last week to Shaun Hill. The Seahawks are going
to have to throw the ball to keep up with the Cardinal, and while
Seattle’s erratic offense is scary, Engram can be a decent sleeper
this week.
Santana Moss vs. DAL
In Week 4, Moss had 8 grabs for 145 yards against the Cowboys,
his 3rd straight 100-yard game against Dallas and 4th in his last
5 games against them. While the Cowboys passing defense isn’t
terrible, Moss consistently finds a way to exploit them using
his speed. If RB Clinton Portis is unavailable, Moss’s numbers
could take a little hit, but he still makes for a solid WR2 option
this week.
Bench 'Em:
Wide Receivers Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Matt Jones vs. TEN
Cocaine busts aside, Jones has put together a nice season and
clearly emerged as David Garrard’s favorite target. However, a
thigh bruise could limit him on Sunday making an already mediocre
play even worse against the Titans. Tennessee has only allowed
five passing TDs, good for second-best in the NFL. I think it
will be tough for him to duplicate the 6-catch, 80-yard effort
he had against CB Cortland Finnegan in Week 5.
Bernard Berrian @ TB
Berrian wasn’t able to make the stat sheet last week against
the Packers and his schedule stays tough again this week against
the Buccaneers. Tampa’s defense has the ability to contain
speedy receivers; while I don’t think Berrian will get shut
out again, he could find it difficult making a significant impact
in this game. On a positive note, his schedule eases up a bit
in the coming weeks.
Chris Chambers @ PIT
Same thing goes for Chambers, except his matchup last week was
exploitable and he did nothing, albeit in a limited role. Still
– not one single catch? It will not be any easier for him against
the Steelers, the best defensive unit in the NFL. While Chambers
missed time due to injury earlier in the season, Philip Rivers
developed a rapport with his other receivers (Jackson & Floyd);
a healthy Antonio Gates is the best Charger receiving option once
again.
Calvin Johnson @ CAR
Johnson is a guy that you roll with regardless of matchup, but
we need to keep our expectations in check here. Daunte Culpepper
still has his training wheels on with this offense and Sean McDonald
is not scaring anyone on the other side of the field - making
it tougher for CJ. Last week was the third time in nine games
that Johnson recorded only two catches. Additionally, the Panthers
have one of the top passing defenses in the league, giving up
only 7 aerial scores and 185.3 YPG through the air.
Braylon Edwards @ BUF
Braylon has had two good games this season, and he could only
manage one catch against the inferior pass D of the Broncos last
week. New starting QB Brady Quinn prefers the quick short pass
and seems to have eyes mostly for Kellen Winslow. Braylon’s big
season from a year ago was largely due to Derek Anderson’s penchant
of throwing downfield, something that may not happen as much with
Quinn at the helm. The Bills have only given up seven passing
TDs in nine games, tied for third in the NFL.
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