Player News – Page 59 – FantasySP Blog

Sticking With Blackmon?

Justin Blackmon is one of the most dropped fantasy wide outs over the past few weeks but a solid game in week four may have you thinking otherwise.

Analysis: Justin Blackmon was targeted 10 times Sunday, twice as many as any other Jacksonville wide out or back. His 6 receptions and 48 receiving yards also led the Jags. Considering Blackmon was only targeted an average of 5 times per game in his previous three contests it isn’t hard to see why he hasn’t been putting up numbers. In order to make a contribution in the fantasy world you have to score touchdowns and it doesn’t appear Blackmon will be lighting up the scoreboard any time soon.

At this point in the season Blackmon will make a solid depth addition in PPR leagues but in standard leagues he just isn’t going to have many 85 yard days or reach the end zone enough. The only reason to keep him around in standard leagues rests with the health of one Laurent Robinson. Robinson left Sunday’s game with a head injury just one week after suffering a concussion in week three.

Streaming Defenses- Week 4

There are a few solid options to stream in week four and of course the obvious choice is the Arizona Cardinals.

Analysis: The Arizona defense is available in two-thirds of fantasy leagues but the defense should be picked up for long term usage. They face Miami in week four who start rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is sporting a 58.3 passer rating this year with only one passing touchdown on 102 attempts. Arizona’s next four games look like this- vs. Miami/@ St. Louis/vs. Buffalo/@ Minnesota. None of the next four match ups strike fear when it comes to offensive potential. But let’s get away from the obvious choice here and focus on another D to use if the Arizona defense is unavailable.

The Tampa D has been impressive two of the three weeks this season. Even when giving up 41 points in New York to the Giants they still picked off Eli three times. The Tampa D is first against the run in the NFL only giving up 47 yards on the ground per game and a ridiculous 2.3 yards per carry average against. Tampa is also tenth in the NFL in sacks while their week four opponent Washington is seventh in sacks allowed, giving up nine sacks in three games this year.

Under The Radar- Jacquizz Rodgers

Jacquizz Rodgers was on the end of fifteen touches Sunday against the Chargers as he continues to make his case in PPR leagues.

Analysis: Jacquizz Rodgers was targeted five times in the Falcon passing game and caught five balls for 35 yards and a score. Rodgers also carried the rock ten times for just 32 rushing yards. I’m not really concerned with the yards per carry or even the rushing yards at the moment, so long as he continues to eat away at Michael Turner’s carries.

Whatever happens with Michael Turner’s DUI situation… he still looked solid Sunday. Turner put up 80 rushing yards on just fourteen carries and scored his second touchdown of the year against the Chargers. The Falcons have so many weapons in the passing game that it does make life easier for the aging Turner. This leaves very few consistent carries for Jacquizz Rodgers and certainly very few if any carries near the goal line. Regardless, Rodgers is available in over ninety percent of leagues and at the moment he is certainly a very interesting PPR back to watch. If he continues to carry the ball ten times a game and pull in five receptions, he will have a home in PPR leagues nationwide.

Give Carson Palmer Some Love

Carson Palmer is playing some solid and consistent football yet he’s not getting much love from the fantasy world.

Analysis: Palmer has thrown for an average of 293 yards per game and has 5 touchdowns with 2 interceptions through three games this season. He makes a great QB2 and he’s still available in plenty of leagues out there.

It is becoming rather apparent that Oakland is an unbalanced passing team, Darren McFadden has yet to carry the ball twenty times in one game this year as the Raiders rank second to last in the NFL in rushing attempts per game. With Palmer out there slingin’ it every week and not throwing tons of picks, he makes a better fantasy option than a Kevin Kolb or an Alex Smith. Palmer’s quarterback rating sits at 89.3, just above his career average and his best(at the moment) since his 2005-2007 Cincy days.

The Raiders are simply passing the ball too much and fantasy owners need to take notice. Palmer is second in the league in passing attempts while Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown 42 fewer balls this year. Palmer is one dangerous quarterback when he’s not making mistakes and at the moment he isn’t making many.

Last Call On Mikel Leshoure

Mikel Leshoure was on the end of 26 carries Sunday against the Titans in his official NFL debut.

Analysis: Leshoure put up 100 rushing yards and a score on 26 carries to go along with 4 receptions for 34 yards. Considering Leshoure is available in two-thirds of fantasy leagues out there you have to wonder why. Everyone knows he has first round talent and his two game suspension was over after week two. Regardless, 26 carries will catch the attention of the fantasy world so it’s time to make a move for the back because he’s quite capable of putting up solid numbers week in and week out.

There is a possibility that he may struggle but he will have a monopoly on those Detroit red zone carries which is always an added bonus. I’m not quite ready to project him as a RB2 yet but he is a must start at the moment. Just keep in mind that he does have a bye week coming in week five.

To put Leshoure’s talent into perspective, Detroit running back Kevin Smith was on the end of zero carries and zero targets in week three despite starting the first two games of the season.