Stefan Anderson reviews the latest players to add and drop in fantasy football.
Week 6 in the National Football League provided a bit of clarity for fantasy owners.
We know Robert Griffin III is this year’s Cam Newton. We know A.J. Green is the new Megatron.
And after Green Bay’s lopsided victory over Houston, we know Aaron Rodgers is officially back.
Owners have a pretty good idea of what to expect from their players. Six weeks is exactly 42 per cent of the fantasy season excluding playoffs, so now is the time to make those fortune-changing additions and subtractions.
Here’s the latest of who’s hot and who’s not.
WHO’S NOT: BenJarvus Green-Ellis (RB, Cincinnati Bengals)
We the fantasy owners find the defendant, Mr. Green-Ellis, to be guilty of treachery. The “Law Firm” and his disappointing season continue and so does the frustration of those who drafted the former 1,000 yard rusher.
Thus far, Green-Ellis has yet to eclipse the 100-yard barrier and only has one score on the season. He also hasn’t averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry, apart from his Week 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Expect more of the same when the Bengals face a Steelers squad that ranks 10th defending the run. Sell now.
WHO’S NOT: Steven Jackson (RB, St. Louis Rams)
Same story as last week. Low carries, low production.
Action Jackson has been the underpinning of the Rams offence for the past few years, but to quote Bob Dylan, the times they are a-changin’.
The Oregon State alumni is no longer the workhorse of the team thanks to the emergence of rookie Daryl Richardson, who had 11 carries for 76 rushing yards against the Dolphins Sunday.
Jackson has only had one 20-carry game (Week 1 against the Lions), has yet to find the end zone and has just 323 rushing yards on the season. The outlook looks bleak for S-Jax owners as a timeshare agreement is in the making.
WHO’S HOT: Kyle Rudolph (TE, Minnesota Vikings)
Five touchdowns in the past five games. That’s all you need to know about this sophomore.
Rudolph has been instrumental to the success of the surprising Vikings and leads all tight-ends in scores, ahead of marquee names like Vernon Davis and Tony Gonzalez.
His receiving yards (225) won’t wow you, but the Cincinnati native is a favourite red-zone target of quarterback Christian Ponder. He faces a staunch Arizona Cardinals defence next week but then has a favourable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed 312.2 passing yards per game.
Snatch him if he’s still available.
WHO’S HOT: Josh Gordon (WR, Cleveland Browns)
Drafting or adding a fantasy player from the Cleveland Browns is comparable to taking your cousin to prom. It’s not ideal, but sometimes it’s just the best you can get.
Fortunately, there is one standout beside Trent Richardson who is worthy of a look. Gordon leads the lowly Browns in receiving yards (274), touchdowns (3) and yards per reception (22.8) and remains a preferred target of quarterback Brandon Weeden.
The 21-year-old rookie recently torched the Bengals secondary for 99 yards and a score and has a great opportunity to be the focal point of the Browns passing game against the Indianapolis Colts this week.