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Value Players
This article will take a weekly look at players who could provide value in a given week. The basis for this value will be the difference between the Top 200 forward, a look at the top 200 players with the whole season in mind, and the weekly rankings. Both are from the Footballguys.com Insider content. An emphasis will be on the players with the largest differences between the season outlook and this week only. Also, a preference will be given to differences for the higher ranked players. Some of these differences will be due to injury, the matchup of the week, or short-term situation. Now, let's look at this week's value players.
Quarterback
- Top 200 ranking: 28
- Weekly ranking: 4
- Difference: +24
The uncertainty caused by Tony Romo now healthy leaves Prescott down the list in the Top 200, even with quality performances the past few weeks. The contest in Pittsburgh this week could be a shootout. Plus, the Steelers secondary gives up yardage by the boatload.
- Top 200 ranking: 7
- Weekly ranking: 3
- Difference: +4
While the big quarterback looked far from his old self in the loss to the Ravens last week, we expect him to look much better at home versus the Cowboys. Even with the rust, the veteran passer had a quality fantasy game in the game versus Baltimore. Roethlisberger plays much better at home than on the road so there is hope for a big fantasy game against a nicked-up Dallas secondary.
Running Back
- Top 200 ranking: 17
- Weekly ranking: 8
- Difference: +9
Forte has enjoyed a solid string of strong performances the past three games. In his nine games this season, the veteran tailback has four games with at least 20.5 PPR fantasy points and four games under 9 PPR fantasy points. He usually has very good or very poor fantasy outings. While the Rams have a good rush defense, the sixth-best defense versus fantasy running backs, the veteran back will do damage as a receiver out of the backfield.
- Top 200 ranking: 21
- Weekly ranking: 10
- Difference: +11
The diminutive back has overtaken Ryan Mathews for the starting job in Philadelphia. Sproles excels as a receiver and should get the opportunity to catch several passes against Atlanta this week. With the chance this game is high scoring, Sproles could have a monster fantasy performance like the game against Pittsburgh earlier in the season where he caught six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Sproles has the chance to put up big fantasy points in high scoring contests.
- Top 200 ranking: 31
- Weekly ranking: 7
- Difference: +24
West has been inconsistent this season, scoring more than 6.7 PPR fantasy points in only three games. He will be holding off Kenneth Dixon once the rookie gets back to health. But, the matchup against the Browns this week will offer West an opportunity for a big fantasy performance. Baltimore should be able to jump out to a lead and run the ball most of the second half. Available on many waiver wires, West is a solid RB1 contender versus Cleveland.
Wide Receiver
- Top 200 ranking: 18
- Weekly ranking: 6
- Difference: +12
Thomas is a big-play receiver coming into a game which should be full of big plays. The injuries to each team’s secondary will translate to high scores and fantasy statistics in the contest. This is a great matchup for the Denver pass catchers.
- Top 200 ranking: 26
- Weekly ranking: 13
- Difference: +13
Landry did not see many passes last week and coach Adam Gase has vowed to get the possession receiver more targets. We see the game as high scoring and Landry will be a big part of the Miami offense.
- Top 200 ranking: 24
- Weekly ranking: 7
- Difference: +17
Sanders has not enjoyed a great fantasy season as Denver moved to a run-oriented offense. In fact, the veteran receiver has just two games over 15 PPR fantasy points. Like Thomas, above, Sanders gets a great matchup in what appears to be a very high scoring contest. The games the Saints play at home are usually very high scoring. We expect the Broncos to attempt to run the ball but throw much more just to keep pace with the Saints.
Tight End
- Top 200 ranking: 21
- Weekly ranking: 12
- Difference: +9
Fiedorowicz has emerged to become a viable option in the Houston passing game. Before last week’s bye, Fiedorowicz had five consecutive games with at least 8.5 PPR fantasy points. This included three games over 14.8 PPR points. He will be targeted often in the contest against the Jaguars. The young tight end will benefit from the injury to Will Fuller who is iffy for the game. If he misses the game, Fiedorowicz will be even more heavily involved in the offense.
- Top 200 ranking: 17
- Weekly ranking: 10
- Difference: +7
Barnidge has been involved in the Browns offense and put up consistent fantasy numbers most every week. He has caught at least three passes in every game this season. Plus, Barnidge has topped 50 receiving yards in five of eight contests. His lack of touchdowns (with zero scores on the season) is the reason few are endorsing the veteran for another strong finish to the fantasy season. The game against the Ravens should lead to quarterback Cody Kessler throwing often in an attempt to keep pace with Joe Flacco and company.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.