Movers And Shakers Week 6

Posted 10/13 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

Chad Pennington, MIA- (-N/A) - Pennington drops out of the rankings after suffering a career-threatening shoulder injury. At this point, it seems unlikely that the veteran passer will ever be a fantasy factor again. This was the last season he was under contract with the Dolphins, so Pennington will need to prove his worth, and health, to another franchise. Miami has second-year passer Chad Henne for the future. Henne is moved up accordingly in the rankings.

Derek Anderson, Cle - (+13) - Anderson has taken the reins of the starting job from Brady Quinn. The Browns are likely to see what Anderson can do. The Cleveland offense is more productive under Anderson, even with the poor statistical game Sunday. Anderson only completed two passes on the day. The Browns will want to see what they have for the future. He has a big arm and the team will be throwing often in order to catch up many games.

Josh Johnson and Josh Freeman, TB - (+11 and +12) - Now that the Buccaneers have removed Byron Leftwich from the starting lineup, it is up to each of the two youngsters to show that they deserve the starting job. Johnson is now the starter, but his hold on the title of starter is tenuous. He did play much better this week than last. Even though I am not as high on Freeman as others, he will get a shot this season. It has been reported that Freeman has been lazy and not learned the playbook, which will give Johnson a longer look. Both are athletic and will need to prove they are good passers that can read defenses. Tampa Bay is a team in transition, with few weapons. This is not a good situation to produce great statistics, but it is way too early to give up on either quarterback. Each has plenty of room for growth and development.

Running Backs

Jerome Harrison, Cle - (+N/A) - Harrison has easily outplayed Jamal Lewis this season even though Lewis was more productive against the Bills Sunday. Harrison has been able to be productive, even against some of the top defenses in the AFC. He is in the last year of his contract in Cleveland and is playing for a larger deal, whether with the Browns or elsewhere. The team only has injured rookie James Davis as a younger back for the future. Jamal Lewis is long past his prime and is on his last legs as a starting running back in the NFL. Harrison looks to be a committee back going forward in his career, and could help several teams needing a playmaking rusher, that is a good receiver out of the backfield.

Pierre Thomas, NO - (+13) - My, what can happen in just two short weeks. Mike Bell got off to a fast start before suffering the same knee injury as Thomas. Now, it is Thomas who has solidified his hold on the starting running back job in New Orleans. He has looked awesome since returning to the lineup. After the bye week, it will be interesting how the Saints utilize the talents of both backs. But, Thomas appears to have the superior talent, and just needs to remain healthy. This week's game against the Giants will be a great test.

Larry Johnson, KC - (-12) - I already had Johnson low, but it has become apparent that he has little chance of being an every-week fantasy starter any time soon. Whether the blame is placed on the poor play of the offensive line, Johnson losing a step, or the total ineptitude of the Chief offense, the result is the same. Johnson has no business in fantasy lineups, unless in very large leagues. Kansas City will likely cut ties with their veteran back this offseason.

Thomas Jones, NYJ- (-10) - Jones is a player who looks to have lost the explosion that made him productive last season. Yes, he got two touchdowns late in week one, but that is the most we have seen from the aging rusher. He is in his last season in New York, and could see his role reduced as rookie Shonn Greene emerges. The Jets have a strong stable of backs so it is unlikely that Jones will see enough carries in a given week to be a viable fantasy option. He is a player to sell as soon as possible.

Wide Receivers

Steve Smith, NYG - (+35) - Admittedly, I was slow to come around to the upside of Smith. He averaged less than ten yards a catch coming into the season and I was slow to appreciate his abilities. Smith has been the top option for quarterback Eli Manning this season, setting a club record for the number of receptions through the first four games of the season with 34. Smith is now a viable fantasy option each and every week.

Mike Sims-Walker, JAX - (+N/A) - Sims-Walker has emerged as the WR1 in Jacksonville, and is a great options for fantasy owners. It seems odd that he needed an injury to Troy Williamson in order to emerge. Sims-Walker has tremendous hands and runs good routes. With an aging Torry Holt as the other starter for the Jaguars, Sims-Walker is the primary target when quarterback David Garrard needs a big play. Injury is the only worry. The talent is most certainly present. The unexpected suspension for a violation of team rules was a surprise, but it does not detract away from Walker-Sims' talent or situation, as long as it does not linger.

Vincent Jackson, SD - (+9) - Jackson has emerged as an elite fantasy receiver. He is considered as valuable as many thought untouchable in dynasty leagues. His yards per reception average illustrates the big play ability of Jackson with Rivers throwing the ball. He, too, is in the final year of his contract and the Chargers will look for ways to keep the big play pass catcher in San Diego. Some have been touting Jackson for a couple of seasons, but he is now joining the group of young, elite pass catchers.

Brandon Marshall, DEN - (+7) - Marshall has now emerged from coach McDaniels' doghouse to be the long playmaker in Denver. He has easily surpassed Eddie Royal as the primary receiver. Marshall's outstanding game-winning catch and run versus the Dallas Cowboys in week four still is fresh on many memories. After the big game against the Patriots, Marshall has caught touchdown passes in three consecutive games. He has always possessed the talent, but had shown poor decision-making skills. Marshall is also in the last year of his contract, and it will be interesting to see if the Broncos fork over the money needed to sign the talented receiver long term.

Tight Ends

Vernon Davis, SF - (+14) - With the 49ers short on talent at the receiver position, Davis has become a favored target of quarterback Shaun Hill. Hill looks to Davis, especially in the red zone. We have to give kudos to coach Singletary and his motivational techniques. Davis is now playing like the player San Francisco wanted when they selected him high in the first round. He is presently a TE1 option, and is still very young. Davis still has much room for improvement and development.

Brent Celek, PHI - (+7) - Celek was one of my top sleepers coming into the season. The Eagles have utilized the tight end position with Donovan McNabb at quarterback. Celek showed his ability last season, with a couple of HUGE fantasy games. The two big games this season were with Kevin Kolb under center while McNabb was ailing. Celek is now a legitimate TE1 option, with few tight ends playing better. He is a player on the rise. Celek's 100 receiving yards in consecutive weeks are an indication of the big games he is capable of any given week. He is young and playing well in a productive offense. That is more than you can say about many of the tight ends routinely ranked higher.

Until we meet again...