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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 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
Top 200 ranking: 5
Weekly ranking: 2
Difference: +3
Wilson and the Seahawks are coming off consecutive losses and look to get on the right track this week in Carolina. This is the same Panthers defense that Aaron Rodgers abused a week ago. The matchup looks like a “get right” one for the Seattle offense as they examine like after Percy Harvin. Wilson has quietly produced at an elite level and could have another 300-yard passing game this week.
Top 200 ranking: 17
Weekly ranking: 6
Difference: +11
Flacco has been red hot of late, leading the Ravens to blowout wins the past couple of weeks. This week, he faces a Bengals defense which Andrew Luck tore up last Sunday. We like Flacco's chances of throwing three – or more – touchdowns in the contest. The once-feared Cincinnati defense is not a profit center for opposing quarterbacks.
Running Back
Top 200 ranking: 15
Weekly ranking: 9
Difference: +6
McKinnon has seized the starting job away from Matt Asiata. We have predicted this outcome for the past three or four weeks. It was only a matter of time. This week's game against the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be McKinnon's coming out party as the Vikings will look to establish the running game early.
Ronnie Hillman
Top 200 ranking: 23
Weekly ranking: 10
Difference: +13
Hillman has enjoyed a great couple of games with Montee Ball sidelined. He will look to have another productive game this week as the Broncos host the Chargers. While San Diego is better than average defensively, there will be ample holes for Hillman to run through as the visitors hope to slow down the prolific Denver passing attack. Hillman is able to break open big runs against defenses focused on stopping the pass. We expect this trend to continue.
Top 200 ranking: 20
Weekly ranking: 13
Difference: +7
Tate has been the primary back since coming back from injury. He has been able to keep the two rookies on the sideline for the most part. The game against the Oakland Raiders this week should provide the ex-Texans tailback plenty of chances to rack up the yardage and possibly score. We like all running backs facing the Raiders, especially those with great offensive lines.
Wide Receiver
Top 200 ranking: 25
Weekly ranking: 13
Difference: +12
Edelman has not put up big numbers the past couple of weeks but we expect that trend to stop as the Patriots pass offense faces off against the porous secondary of the Bears. Chicago has let middling passing games (see Miami last week) dominate the once-vaunted defense. New England might throw every down considering the Chicago secondary is so weak. Edelman should have a big game.
Top 200 ranking: 45
Weekly ranking: 15
Difference: +30
Baldwin is coming off a big game in the loss to the Rams a week ago. His role will continue to grow as the Seahawks look for ways to replace Percy Harvin. Seattle travels across the country to play another NFC team limping along, the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers defense has not been strong and has but shredded through the air. We like Baldwin's matchup. This could possibly be his biggest production all season. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb had big outings versus Carolina last Sunday.
Top 200 ranking: 55
Weekly ranking: 16
Difference: +39
Shorts is now finally healthy and able to make big plays for quarterback Blake Bortles. We expect the Jaguars to trail in the game against the Dolphins this week and pass often in an attempt to catch up. This is one of those games that Shorts could rack up huge garbage-time statistics while the contest is out of reach.
Tight End
Top 200 ranking: 31
Weekly ranking: 4
Difference: +27
Unexpectedly, Gresham has filled the void left by the A.J. Green injury and has put up solid fantasy numbers. The game against the Ravens will give him an opportunity to find the end zone as Baltimore is not strong against opposing tight ends. Tyler Eifert will soon be back so this may be Gresham's best shot at fantasy relevance.
Top 200 ranking: 24
Weekly ranking: 12
Difference: +12
Harbor has quietly put up fantasy points the past few weeks while filling in for the injured Marcedes Lewis. The game game against the Dolphins this week should provide the athletic tight end ample opportunity to catch passes, and rack up the receiving yards. For those who need a tight end and cannot pull the trigger on Gresham above, Harbor makes a solid choice off the waiver wire.
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