Movers And Shakers Week 4

Posted 9/29 by Jeff Pasquino and Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive for Footballguys.com

This will be a weekly contribution to the Footballguys.com schedule. Each week, either Jeff Pasquino or myself will take a deeper look at the players with the greatest movements in our dynasty rankings. The focus will be on the players that move the most and why. The emphasis will be on the long-term talent and situations more than the performance in a given week.

You can find the dynasty rankings here.

Quarterbacks

Byron Leftwich, TB - (-13) - Leftwich started the season with two good fantasy games. The poor play of the Buccaneer offense against the Giants caused the team to rethink the quarterback position. During the game, Leftwich was replaced by Josh Johnson. It will be Johnson who starts this week. Josh Freeman is moved up to QB2 and Leftwich down to QB3. I moved Johnson up in the rankings to offset the Leftwich move. Tampa bay has little in terms of weapons so it is unlikely that Johnson will have big games.

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA - (-5) - My worries of Hasselbeck's health have come true. I realize I had him low to begin with, but the rib injury is just another reason to move him down further. The 34 year old is at the end of his career. While he may have a year or two left, Hasselbeck is not a strong fantasy starter anymore. The Seahawks are a team in transition and will look to get younger this offseason.

Matt Leinart, ARI - (+5) - The injury to the throwing shoulder of Kurt Warner in week two is concerning. It is becoming more and more likely that the aging veteran will not make it through the season. The game against the Colts on Sunday night illustrated that point. This ranking might be high to many, but I just cannot foresee Warner lasting throughout the season. Leinart is not a sure thing to be a huge success. His immaturity of the past is well documented. With the weapons in Arizona, it is tough not to have Leinart ranked over some of the quarterbacks who are NFL starters. For a dynasty fantasy team, it is much more desirable to own Leinart over the Jason Campbells that you hope to never start.

Running Backs

Jerious Norwood, ATL - (-15) - Norwood is an exciting player. His two concussions this season are something to watch. The head injury is what kept him out of the lineup this past week. Head injuries are nothing to quickly dismiss. I do like Norwood's talent a lot, he is a very good running back prospect. But, the downgrade is due to the multiple concussions. Norwood is expected back after the week four bye.

Mike Bell, NO - (N/A) - Bell was unranked and now is RB48, even though he missed this week's game with a sprained knee. Pierre Thomas was dropped 13 spots with the Bell move up the charts. It is still unknown how this situation will pan out, but there is risk with both ball carriers. Both are good players and will want the ball. What we do know is that the starting Saint running back will be a fantasy starter. In addition, Reggie Bush is not a rushing threat any more. So, that leaves Bell and Thomas to carry the load on the ground.

Steve Slaton, HOU - (-9) - Slaton, and the Texans, started the season with a tough schedule ... facing the Jets and Titans. These are two very good rush defenses. But, when watching the Texan offense, Slaton does not look to possess the playmaking skills he showcased last season. Coach Gary Kubiak replaced Slaton with Chris Brown for a good part of the second half in the barn-burner against the Titans. Slaton fumbled and lost the confidence of his coach. Also, the second-year runner is not as active in the passing game as he was last season. Houston got Slaton out in space often last season, so we was in a position to make plays.

Fred Jackson, BUF- (+14) - It is becoming obvious that Jackson will have a substantial role in the Bills offense after Marshawn Lynch comes back from suspension. I am moving Jackson up my rankings, and dropping Lynch accordingly. When the weather gets cold, the Bills will become a running team. Jackson and Lynch make a very good tandem for Buffalo. Jackson has proved that he can be a primary ball carrier so this great start is no fluke. For the Bills to win, they will need to run the ball and take pressure off of Trent Edwards.

Wide Receivers

Eddie Royal, DEN - (-8) - Admittedly, I had Royal too high. While he is still a great prospect, ranking him in the Top 12 receivers was a little ambitious. The Bronco offense is in the process of figuring out who it is and what personnel will be used in all formations. Plus, after the great rookie season, opposing teams have been giving Royal extra attention. He is a very good player for the future. The change in offense and quarterback only mean that it might be later in the season until we see consistent production from Royal.

Chad Ochocinco, CIN - (+3) - He has now made it into the Top 10 for dynasty receivers. Ochocinco was a Top 10 receiver for many seasons before last year when both he and quarterback Carson Palmer were injured. The lack of a true WR2 in Cincinnati illuminates how good Ochocinco is. He is the one playmaker for the Bengal offense. Coles and Henry have disappointed as weapons for Palmer. Coles has uncharacteristically dropped several passes while Henry has been inconsistent and hobbled. Ochocinco is still relatively young and is a legitimate dynasty WR1.

Lance Moore, NO - (-11) - Moore is a slot receiver coming off a big season in New Orleans. He has been limited by a hamstring injury this season. Moore benefited last season with the knee injuries to Reggie Bush and Marques Colston. In addition, Devery Henderson failed to emerge. With Jeremy Shockey now healthy, the Saints have too many options for Moore to be ranked so high unless there is a rash of injuries once again.

Santana Moss, WAS- (-8) - Shame on me for expecting Jason Campbell to develop into a decent NFL quarterback. I had high hopes for Campbell, with another season under the direction of Jim Zorn. But, it has not happened. Even though Zorn has stated that he will try harder to get the ball regularly to the ONLY playmaker on the Redskins, it has yet to happen. Moss is nothing more than a spot starter with the poor play of the Redskin passer. It has been an ugly start to the season. Moss had an awesome game against the poor Detroit Lion defense. Do not start to expect this type of production on a regular basis. Moss owners know. He is difficult to rely on.

Tight Ends

Jeremy Shockey, NO - (+6) - Shockey looks comfortable in the Saint offense. He enjoys having the field opened up for him to roam. Shockey started the season strong with a two-touchdown performance against the Lions. He makes a great low-end TE1 option for fantasy owners. As long as the ex-Giant can avoid the injury bug, he will be productive in New Orleans. Injuries have been his largest obstacle. That, and a bad attitude. But, he seems to be on his good behavior in The Big Easy.

Brent Celek, PHI - (+7) - Celek was one of my sleepers coming into the season. The Eagles like to throw to the tight end position. Celek showed his ability last season, with a couple of big fantasy games. This was with Kolb under center. We will need to see how he is targeted when McNabb gets back in the lineup. Celek is now a lower TE1 option, with few tight ends playing better. Celek is a player on the rise. His 100 receiving yards in consecutive weeks are an indication of the big games he is capable of any given week.

Until we meet again...