Week 9 WR Recap

Keenan Allen and Riley Cooper had monster games in week nine but are they legit?

Analysis: Keenan Allen is quickly becoming a fantasy stud. He caught 8 balls on 11 targets for 128 yards and 1 touchdown Sunday afternoon against Washington. He now has three 100 plus receiving yard games in his last four games. Allen has 38 targets in that four game span and that many targets cannot be ignored. Allen’s fantasy availability is mixed, he’s available in 3-60% of fantasy leagues.

Riley Cooper scored 3 touchdowns Sunday in Oakland but he was only targeted 6 times. With Nick Foles now running the show in Philly maybe Cooper’s numbers will bump up consistently, but who knows? He’s worth a “stash and store” but he’s a better sell high option at this point. Cooper is available in 80-90% of fantasy leagues.

There was also a Dwayne Bowe sighting in week nine. He caught a season high 7 receptions on a healthy 12 targets for 67 yards. Bowe has just 2 touchdowns this year and zero games over 70 yards. He cannot be trusted but he is available in 4-15% of fantasy leagues.

PPR Help- Dexter McCluster

With an impressive eight carry and six reception game against Denver Sunday, Dexter McCluster will be attracting even more fantasy attention this week.

Analysis: Dexter McCluster carried the rock eight times Sunday, four more times than Thomas Jones who could only manage just four yards on the day. McCluster’s eight targets were three more than rookie Jon Baldwin and one more than Dwayne Bowe. McCluster is now averaging nearly eight carries per game over his last four contests and his twenty-nine receptions on the year is top ten among all fantasy qualified backs this season. McCluster isn’t going to win any PPR fantasy leagues by himself but his touches should remain solid as Thomas Jones continues to fall out of favor in Kansas City.

It appears that McCluster is finding a niche in the KC offense since Jamaal Charles went down and considering Jackie Battle doesn’t have the best of hands, McCluster is becoming a huge asset in their offense. Even though it is unlikely that the Chiefs will make the playoffs coming off of homes losses to Miami and Denver, they remain just one game back of Oakland. If they are to make a playoff push, Dexter McCluster will have to be on the end of more touches.

Draft Impact- Jonathan Baldwin

The Chiefs selected 6’5″, 230 pound Jonathan Baldwin with the 26th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. This pick just may take the Chiefs to the next level but it’s more likely that Baldwin follows the career path of one James Hardy.

Analysis: If you take a look at the positives you just may find yourself liking Jonathan Baldwin more and more. Outside of Dwayne Bowe and his 132 targets no other Chief wide out was targeted more than 43 times. Unless things go absolutely wrong at training camp, Baldwin should slot right into the number two receiver role in Kansas City. Baldwin does have 4.5 speed so he should be able to become a deep threat but his 42 inch vertical to go along with his 6’5″ frame is exactly why he was drafted in the first round. The Chiefs still remain a run first team at least while Thomas Jones is still in town so don’t get overly excited. Matt Cassel isn’t a slouch at quarterback so Baldwin should be getting some catchable balls but the question remains- is Baldwin the next James Hardy or is he a souped up version of Plaxico Burress? In dynasty leagues I’m taking the obvious guys along with Greg Little and Leonard Hankerson (needs a QB) before I’m taking Baldwin.

Projection: Baldwin is barely relevant in fantasy leagues this year. Expect 40 receptions, 480 yards and a few scores.

Bowe Will Dominant the Broncos

Kansas City WR Dwayne Bowe has had a touchdown in 7 straight games and will try to continue his hot streak against the Broncos.

Analysis: Bowe is obviously a must start receiver every week and will have a huge game against the Broncos poor secondary.  The Chiefs are coming into this game with something to prove after losing to the Broncos in week 10.  Bowe will be a huge part of their offense and will continue to be the hottest receiver in the NFL.

High/Low: Expect Bowe to have 20 to 30 points this week.