NFL Football - Pick Up Artist

We are in the heart of the bye weeks right now and a lot of you are looking for bye-week replacements and guys to fill in for the injury plagued last week. I have included a few from last week’s Pick-Up Artist who are absolutely must owned going forward and some new ones.

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Quarterbacks

Christian Ponder (Vikings)                                        Yahoo: 10%               ESPN: 2%

I have to admit, Ponder was very impressive in his first-ever start in the NFL. The former Florida State Seminole threw for 219 yards and two scores against my Green Bay Packers. Week 8, the Vikings will play the Carolina Panthers who’s defense has struggled defending the pass this season. If you need a QB for Week 8 and going forward give this rookie a strong look; his ability to stretch the play with his feet makes him dangerous.

John Beck (Redskins)                                                 Yahoo: 10%               ESPN: 4%

Beck had a solid game in his first start of the season throwing for 278 yards with one TD and he also rushed for another TD. Beck did turn the ball over twice but could be used as a spot start for desperate owners during the bye weeks. Week 8 the Redskins play the Buffalo Bills which presents a reasonable matchup for this gunslinger; the Bills rank 30^th in pass defense.

Running Backs

DeMarco Murray (Cowboys)                                    Yahoo: 60%               ESPN: 30%

This guy needs to be owned in every league people. Murray exploded on to the scene Week 7 against the St. Louis Rams, rushing for 253 yards and one score. This weekend the Cowboys will play their conference rival the Philadelphia Eagles, whose defense has been very susceptible to the run this season. With injuries to Felix Jones and recently Tashard Choice, Murray will have the chance to have a big-time impact, and I honestly believe if Murray produces steadily while Felix Jones is out he will become the feature back, and Jones will be change of pace back.

Bernard Scott (Bengals)                                            Yahoo: 14%               ESPN: 4%

Starting tailback Cedric Benson, is finally serving his suspension, which will be one game instead of the three games that had originally been reported. Scott will take over the first-team carries, which will be a nice play for one week this season. Week 8 the Bengals will play the Seattle Seahawks, and Scott will have plenty of touches.

Jackie Battle (Chiefs)                                                 Yahoo: 50%               ESPN: 48%

In a crowded Kansas City backfield, Battle is emerging. He led the Chiefs with 16 carries on Sunday for 76 yards. He did not have a reception and his upside is limited when Kansas City hosts San Diego because he is not being used as a receiver. Even though Battle did not produce knockout numbers in last week's game, he did receive the majority of the carries, which means it looks like the Chiefs are serious about making him their #1 RB for the remainder of the season.

Ryan Torain/Roy Helu (Redskins)                           Yahoo: 58,17%          ESPN:96, 18 %

With Tim Hightower going down in last week’s game with a torn ACL, Torain will inherit the starting RB role in Washington for the time being. That is at least until rookie Roy Helu doesn't start stealing a good chunk of carries. A matchup this week against the so-so Bills run defense could easily net Torain something between 50-100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown this week, that’s if Helu doesn’t catch fire which is possible. So if your desperate pick these guys up at your own risk but in advanced I warned you.

Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown (Steelers)                                           Yahoo: 32%               ESPN: 6%

Just when I began to doubt Brown, he steps up and has his best game of the season, with seven grabs for 107 yards. With longtime target and future Hall of Fame WR Hines Ward’s career on the decline and possibly being out Sunday vs the Patriots, Brown will have their chance to shine. Brown is a risk-reward play in fantasy. However with the right matchup, he can be very productive.

Jabar Gaffney (Redskins)                                          Yahoo: 20%               ESPN: 7%

With Santana Moss out with a hand injury for at least a month, Gaffney will be asked to step up as the number 1# wideout.  He has significantly more value in PPR leagues, but with the exception of a matchup with the 49ers, there are some decent matchups on Washington’s schedule over the next month or so.  Terrence Austin has also showed some chemistry with Beck, so keep an eye on him as well.

Devin Hester (Bears)                                                  Yahoo: 52%               ESPN: 34%

The Bears seem to have figured out their pass protection woes from early in the season, and that has helped the play of Hester. Over the past three games this dangerous return-man has had 14 catches for 169 yards and one score. As long as the Bears can keep Jay Cutler upright, Hester will have plenty of opportunities to shine in the passing game. The Bears do have a bye in Week 8 , but Hester is a must own going forward, especially  in leagues that reward in return yardage and td’s.

Greg Little (Browns)                                                  Yahoo: 28%               ESPN: 9%

With Mohamed Massaquoi being knocked out of Sunday’s game with a concussion, Greg Little saw an increase in playing time. Week 7 the former Tarheel had five catches for 31 yards on 7 targets. The yardage was disappointing, but he’s emerging as a strong PPR league option and remains a solid red zone target.  Beware this week, as the 49ers have given up just one TD to an opposing wideout since Week Two.  Still, the Browns are sure to force feed Little the ball either way, as his chemistry with McCoy grows

Tight Ends

Heath Miller (Steelers)                                                           Yahoo: 32%               ESPN: 14%

Miller scored his second touchdown in three games against Arizona on Sunday. The veteran tight end is getting more involved in the offense 19 catches for 218 yards in the last five games. The Patriots have given up a couple big games to opposing tight ends, making Miller a solid bye week fill-in.

Visanthe Shiancoe (Vikings)                                       Yahoo: 20%               ESPN: 14%

Tight Ends can be a rookie qb’s best friend (see Jermaine Gresham),  and this  could help Shiancoe re-emerge as a fantasy factor over the remainder of the year.  Next week Minnesota takes on a Carolina defense that just got lit up by Fred Davis, which makes Shiancoe a reasonable option if you’re desperate, but he is worth rostering if you can afford the spot.