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 of these 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, matchup of the week, or short-term situation. Now, let's take a look at this week's value players.
Quarterback
Andy Dalton
Top 200 ranking: 11
Weekly ranking: 7
Difference: +4
Dalton and the Bengals host the Falcons in a game that looks to be a shootout, just like Atlanta's week one contest against New Orleans. The Cincinnati quarterback has the weapons to put up points in bunches, especially against Atlanta.. The Falcons defense is a sieve and will yield big plays. In a week where several top quarterbacks have poor matchups, we like the ginger-haired passer to have a quality outing.
Jake Locker
Top 200 ranking: 22
Weekly ranking: 8
Difference: +14
The Titans host the anemic Dallas Cowboys defense in a game which will allow the Tennessee passer to have ample chances for big plays. This might be Locker's best matchup all season. He has great weapons in Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright, along with veteran Nate Washington. This game looks to be very high scoring as Tennessee slugs it out with Tony Romo and company.
Running Back
Giovanni Bernard
Top 200 ranking: 9
Weekly ranking: 4
Difference: +5
Like Dalton above, the Cincinnati tailback gets a plus matchup against Atlanta. This is the defense that allowed the Saints running backs to have big games, including three scores on the ground, a week ago. Bernard is just now coming into his own and looks the part. Plus, the coaches are figuring out how to best use this difference maker.
Terrance West
Top 200 ranking: 42
Weekly ranking: 27
Difference: +15
West takes over this week with the knee injury to starter Ben Tate. After a middling preseason, West had a solid week one against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns meet the Saints, a defense that allowed the Falcons running game to have a big outing a week ago. West is a player who could vault to an every-week starter with a strong outing.
Justin Forsett
Top 200 ranking: 35
Weekly ranking: 24
Difference: +11
Forsett takes over for Ray Rice as the Ravens take on the Steelers. The shifty journeyman played well against the Bengals last week and will find a much softer run defense in week two. Consider Forsett a viable fantasy RB2 candidate off the waiver wire. This ranking would be even better in PPR leagues. Considering the poor outing of quarterback Joe Flacco last week, a strong running game may be what the Ravens need.
Wide Receiver
Andre Johnson
Top 200 ranking: 14
Weekly ranking: 7
Difference: +7
Johnson seems to have a strong rapport with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in last week's victory over Washington. This week, the Texans meet the Raiders, another soft secondary. While aging, Johnson has a great chance to be a Top 5 player at the position this week. Johnson will dominate for stretches of this contest and Fitzpatrick will lock on to the aging star.
Roddy White
Top 200 ranking: 19
Weekly ranking: 10
Difference: +9
The Falcons are coming off a great win against the Saints and now face the Bengals. Usually, the Cincinnati pass defense is strong, but we like both White and Julio Jones to have big outings. The Atlanta passing attack is brimming with confidence after scoring so well against the Saints last Sunday. Keep an eye on White's knee injury that cost him a little time during that contest.
Reggie Wayne
Top 200 ranking: 39
Weekly ranking: 22
Difference: +17
On Sunday night, Wayne looked completely healed from the knee injury that cost him much of the 2014 season. The matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles should be a high scoring one , and provide the veteran Colts receiver plenty of opportunities for big plays. With the way Allen Hurns tore up the Philadelphia defense, Wayne could have a monster game.
Tight End
Delanie Walker
Top 200 ranking: 19
Weekly ranking: 13
Difference: +6
Walker was heavily involved in the Titans pass offense last week against the Chiefs. This week, he gets a cream puff matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the team that allowed Vernon Davis to run around uncovered all last Sunday afternoon. If you lost Jordan Reed to injury last week, Walker makes a great start off the waiver wire. Jake Locker targets the athletic tight end often.
Larry Donnell
Top 200 ranking: 30
Weekly ranking: 12
Difference: +18
Donnell had a solid game last week, with many garbage-time pass targets. He looks to be Eli Manning's dump off target. The Giants face possibly the worst defense against tight ends this week, the Arizona Cardinals. Let's remember last year that Arizona allowed several tight ends to have career games. Donnell could really spring onto the scene with a monster outing.
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