Fantasy football mailbag: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Andre Johnson, defensive teams
Wait on AJ? In this case, probably best
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@KTj0930
Thoughts on Housh signing with Raiders? Fantasy value?
T.J. Houshmandzadeh's familiarity with Carson Palmer and Hue Jackson from their Cincinnati Bengals days would lead some to think he can make an impact. Expect Housh to be used in the Oakland Raiders' slot on occasion; that's his style.
Sure, he might have some rapport with Palmer ... but doesn't anyone remember Housh's complaining on his way out the door in Cincy?
If you're in a PPR league with, say, 14-plus teams, there's a little more impetus to add him. But he's a WR6 at best. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore, Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy - not a bad young corps. Maybe comfort will bring out the teacher in - and the retro incarnation of - Housh, but fantasy players shouldn't go nuts here. He doesn't have much left in the tank.
@tomschrank1981
Would you trade a. johnson and mcoy for newton, rice and burress? my other WRs are J. Nelson and VJax and RBs are Battle and Murray.
How many teams in your league? Is it PPR? Who's your quarterback(s)? A reminder that anyone asking questions should include these facts to help us give you the most complete answer possible. Are you talking about LeSean McCoy? Shady is at least on the same fantasy level as Ray Rice, if not slightly better thanks to his offense. So they're a wash in the best possible way.
Andre Johnson is inching back, albeit slowly. When he returns, he should be more valuable than Plaxico Burress. Your wideouts could use the boost that a healthy AJ would provide.
Expect Eagles to keep flying
But Vincent Jackson is a solid candidate to improve, and Jordy Nelson is a notable complementary fantasy piece. Waiting on AJ to come back - and him possibly not - could cost you ample opportunities to improve. Plax's involvement isn't consistent (most of his recent success came off his three-touchdown Week 7), but his opponents' pass defenses in the near future say he could continue climbing. Plus, his team is going run-first, so he might not yield WR1 numbers all the time. The New York Jets have been wanting to involve him more, too, and he has reportedly looked studly in practice. He might be enough to help you tread water while also trying to find another WR.
This trade primarily depends on your QB situation. Cam Newton is prime medicine if you need a fix. If you need to upgrade your slinger, then do the deal and find another WR on the wire to pair with Burress on your bench. They're more abundant, after all. But if your QB situation is good and WR is your place of bigger need, it might not be worth doing it. Johnson's upside will suit you well.
Either way, before you pull the trigger, check the wire for names like Darrius Heyward-Bey, Greg Little, Mario Manningham, Early Doucet, Jonathan Baldwin or someone else that could provide a jolt. Twitter follow-up encouraged!
@esauseesau
Which DST ROW: PHI, NYG, HOU?
Love Rest Of Season/Way questions.... The Houston Texans hold the most favorable schedule, but their Week 11 bye puts a damper on holding them for the rest of the season. Plus, losing Mario Williams for the season and Danieal Manning for a few more weeks hurts their playmaking. Declining pass rush means their DBs might start to look more like last year's burnt toast.
I like basing my defensive team analysis on the quality of each squad's pass rush, and the G-Men's has been the best in the league over the last month. They looked explosive versus the Miami Dolphins, and it isn't a stretch for that to continue, given their reputation. Unfortunately, look at their upcoming schedule. How far can their front seven take them against those foes?
Standing in a close second among this trio in getting at the QB, The Philadelphia Eagles thrashed the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday in a sign of what's to come. They tightened their Wide 9 during their Week 7 victory, so their run D has looked better of late. Their secondary is by far the best of these three choices.
Maybe all Juan Castillo needed was a little more prep time in his daunting transition to DC. Jim Washburn's dynamic D-line scheme has reignited this team. Philly's schedule after their Week 12 dance with the New England Patriots should make fantasy owners drool. And, of course, Philly has D-Jax as a threat in the return game.
The Giants have the most powerful pass rush. The Texans have the weakest upcoming slate. But the Eagles have the best combo of both, making them the most attractive commodity.
