Fantasy Roundtable: Players to stash
KFFL.com hosted this week’s 4th and 1 Fantasy Roundtable. The question posed to the participants:
Which two players are you stashing for the second half? Why?
And the answers:
The New England Patriots‘ BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Why not Laurence Maroney, you might ask? Well, I won’t argue taking Maroney before Green-Ellis if he is available. However, it’s going to be tougher to secure Maroney’s services. If you are in an auction league, it’ll cost more to secure the former University of Minnesota rusher, and if you are tight for FAAB or want to save some dollars, I’d go for Green-Ellis.
Worth stashing for a playoff run
Maroney continues to show that he likes to dance before he hits the hole and can’t stay healthy while carrying a full workload. Green-Ellis averaged 9.6 yards per carry last week against the Tennessee Titans. He was also an adequate fill-in for the Pats last year, finishing the year with 275 yards and five scores on 74 carries. He has shown a nose for the end zone, too. New England also faces some poor run defenses during the fantasy playoff schedule with the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans in Weeks 14 through 17.
Another back I’d try to roster now: the New Orleans Saints‘ Mike Bell. The former Denver Broncos starter received an equal number of utilizations last week (15) as Pierre Thomas. These two backs could cannibalize each other’s looks, but New Orleans’ head coach Sean Payton seems to like Bell, especially in the short-yardage situations.
Also, Reggie Bush is a completely different weapon from either of these two rushers; he’s likely not going to cut into their carries that often. Both Thomas and Bush have yet to prove they can stay healthy, too. There should be plenty of work for all the backs in this offense as New Orleans should be nursing a lead in most of their remaining starts. The Saints still have games remaining against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (two), Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers (two) and St. Louis Rams.
Ryan Lester – LestersLegends.com
The two players that I am stashing away for the second half are the Arizona Cardinals‘ Chris Wells and the San Francisco 49ers‘ Michael Crabtree. Both have had tumultuous starts to their promising NFL careers, but I feel once they get up to speed that they should be solid fantasy contributors.
Wells is more likely to make an impact this year. He hasn’t been given an opportunity to show what he can do, initially because of his contract situation, and later because of injuries. He also had some fumbling issues, which lost the trust of Ken Whisenhunt. I feel he’s too talented of a back to sit on the sidelines. Eventually he’s going to get a chance at the stripe and deliver. Once he gets his confidence back, along with Whisenhunt’s, the sky is the limit. That’s assuming that the Cardinals attempt to balance their offense a bit. They were at their best last season in the playoffs when they ran the ball more. I believe they will get back to that at some point this year. When they do, I want to have Beanie on my roster.
The other high-profile rookie I would stash is Michael Crabtree. I know he missed a ton of time, probably too much to make an impact this year, but I believe in his skill set and think he’ll get an opportunity down the stretch to show what he’s capable of.
I wouldn’t consider him anywhere near the level of Randy Moss, but I do see some similarities. Both believed they were wronged in the NFL Draft, and I think Crabtree shares the same motivation to prove everyone wrong who doubted him. It’s not like the 49ers have major roadblocks in his way either. Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan aren’t high-end starters. Crabtree’s role will be limited initially, but by season’s end, there is a great chance he works his way into the starting lineup. Who knows? Perhaps, he works his way into your fantasy starting lineup as well.
Eric Stashin – RotoProfessor.com
One player I’m stashing, if possible, is the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Jamaal Charles. While Larry Johnson is coming off his best game of the season (averaging just 3.6 yards per carry), he has been virtually ineffective all season long. Injuries could also become a concern, having played in just 26 games the past three seasons. With the Chiefs already buried in the AFC West, it just makes sense that they begin to figure out what they have for future seasons. A third-round pick in 2008, Charles has the potential to be the running back of the future for the Chiefs, contributing in both the running and passing game. It’s only a matter of time, so if you have the space he’s worth stashing.
Another player I like is the Arizona Cardinals‘ Chris Wells, who we all know has to be given an opportunity sooner or later. Why would you draft a player in the first round if you are just going to bury him behind Tim Hightower, who has just 557 yards rushing in 21 games? Wells missed time in training camp with an ankle injury, certainly putting him behind the curve, but as the week’s pass by we should be getting closer and closer to him making an impact.
I like the Philadelphia Eagles‘ LeSean McCoy and the Arizona Cardinals‘ Chris Wells as two players who are worth retaining on your roster by virtue of their potential to have a more significant impact in the second half this year.
As Brian Westbrook’s primary backup for the Eagles, McCoy has already had the opportunity to show his potential, with a 20-carry, 84-yard, one-TD outing versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. He’s a versatile runner, with the ability to effectively run inside, while also showing great hands and terrific outside running speed. McCoy has already secured a role in the Eagles backfield, but the possibility of Westbrook missing time later in the season is what makes McCoy especially intriguing.
Wells has not had much of a chance to show his abilities, but he is another rookie running back who offers enough potential to arguably keep on your roster. Wells is fairly similar to incumbent starter Tim Hightower, in that they are both power running backs who excel between the tackles. What distinguishes Wells is his burst, acceleration and ability to turn outside for large gains. It remains to be seen if Wells can overtake Hightower as the starter this season, but the chance of a transition makes Wells a good player to retain if possible. Also consider that the Cardinals have an especially nice schedule during the fantasy playoff weeks, as they face the San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions, and the St. Louis Rams.
Kurt Turner – Top-Fantasy-Football.com
Take advantage if an owner has dropped Keller
I’m stashing the Indianapolis Colts‘ Anthony Gonzalez and the New York Jets‘ Dustin Keller on my bench. Keller continues to lead the team in targets but has been smothered in double coverage since the start of the season. The acquisition of wideout Braylon Edwards will reduce the double coverage Keller has been facing. Naturally the growth of Sanchez, Edwards, and Keller will progress and things should start to click before you know it. I say by week 9 Keller will be looking really hot!
Gonzalez has Peyton Manning tossing him the pigskin, need I say more? He is an immediate upgrade once he comes back and no doubt will return as the starter in a high-flying potent offense. Gonzalez is owned less than 40 percent of fantasy leagues and is easily the biggest wavier wire stud available. Plant that seed now by adding him to your roster and you’ll have a stud come Week 9.
Jacob – FantasyFootballFools.com
For the second half, I’m stashing LeSean McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles. While running back Brian Westbrook is back and healthy right now, it wouldn’t surprise many of his fantasy owners to see him miss another game or two down the road. In his absence, McCoy showed that he could be just as dynamic as a receiver out of the backfield and running back for the Eagles. In the short-term, his impressive play while Westbrook was recovering from injury has earned McCoy a committee share in the running game, which makes him a decent bye-week fill or desperation play through the rest of the season even if Westbrook doesn’t get hurt again.
The Eagles face some tough defenses down the stretch and in the fantasy playoffs, but stashes like McCoy are what fantasy championship teams are all about. If things break right, he could be a huge factor late in the season.
I’m also stashing the New Orleans Saints‘ Mike Bell. It’s unclear how exactly Bell and Pierre Thomas will split the touches in New Orleans, but regardless of how they are used, all fantasy owners should want a piece of the action. The Saints have one of the easiest rushing schedules in the league from here on out. With a stout defense finally making plays and quarterback Drew Brees to keep defenses more than honest, the Saints running backs could lead the league in rushing, or at least fantasy points at running back, from here on out. Not to mention, the Saints high-powered offense gets them in the red zone at will.
Both Thomas and Bell have shown the ability to excel as a part of this offense. Thomas has the top spot at the moment and is in line for a nice second half of the season, but if he were to be injured or if Bell earns a larger portion of the carries, Bell would benefit from the easy schedule and powerful offense.
If you have the room to pack him away, Bell’s a great stash at this point in the season while things in New Orleans are still unclear.
Smitty – FantasyFootballExtreme.com
The Arizona Cardinals‘ Chris Wells is my No. 1 secret weapon for the second half of the 2009 fantasy football season. He isn’t a waiver wire grab, as he is almost surely on a roster in your league, but if you don’t own him currently, trade for him now and stash him away. He is a potential top 5-10 fantasy rusher, and I think we will see signs of that talent down the stretch. He is already getting more touches as in last week (12 carries last week to Hightower’s 13). Once he explodes and has that breakout two-TD game – game over. He will then be untouchable in any format. Buy-low in dynasty leagues, especially, before it’s too late!
As far as waiver-type players to stash, my vote goes to Justin Forsett of the Seattle Seahawks. He could get more touches each week moving forward. I can see him starting to finish out the season. Grab him now.
Paul Greco – FantasyPros911.com
After Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) went down with a knee injury, I was surprised to see many fantasy football owners dumped the speedy running back. The savvy owner that I am, I picked him up, stashed him away on my bench, and now am looking forward to getting him in my lineup during the second half of this season. The second-year running back out of Arkansas scored three of his four touchdowns a year ago in the months of November and December, meaning, he scored when it counted for your fantasy team. As he makes his return to the Raiders offense, look for McFadden to have an impact on the offensive side of the ball and your fantasy team.
Remember Emmitt Smith, you know the Hall of Famer? Well, watch how Tashard Choice runs. If Choice had the No. 22 stitched on his back, you would swear it was actually Smith running with the ball. Choice is that good, and the Dallas Cowboys know it.
With the bye week now in the rear view mirror, the Cowboys, and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, have a tough decision to make. How much time to give Choice? The numbers are there for Choice. Over his last three games, Choice has averaged five yards a carry and 13 fantasy points. But with Felix Jones (knee) scheduled to come back and Marion Barber III (quadriceps) at 100 percent, when will Choice touch the ball? If history tells us anything about Jones and Barber, it’ll be soon. Both have been riddled with injuries throughout their career, and now is the time to stash Choice away. He’ll get his chance and when he does, you’ll look like a genius because you already have him on your team.
KFFLians think:
I do not think you understand the Mike Bell + Pierre Thomas situation.
Pierre is the saints starting running back, he will get the ball quarters 1-4. Mike Bell will be a change of pace back that will be subbed in to give a fresh burst in short yardage situations.
The only reason Bell had 15 carries was b/c he got many of those carries in garbage time after the game had been decided.
In terms of goal line looks – Bell got the looks in the Giants game, but Reggie Bush got a look as did Pierre.
Pierre is excellent in short yardage situations and one of the best in the league. It is only a matter of time before Pierre solidifies himself as the go-to-guy in the redzone.
JOEBLOW,
Just because Pierre Thomas is starting does not mean Bell won’t see his fair share of touches. The Saints are going to be playing from ahead a lot; Bell is probably going to be the finisher for them. I see no reason why Sean Payton will go away from Bell in the short yardage situations; he has proven so far that he can excel in that kind of work.
Also, Thomas, Reggie Bush and Bell haven’t shown they can handle the workload of a main back for a long period of time. I think New Orleans will continue to split the touches between them in order to keep them all relatively healthy for the postseason. Bush, anyways, won’t really eat into Bell or Thomas’ carries. They’re used in different situations.
If I had the choice, I’d take Pierre, but he isn’t going to be available in any leagues. Bell is someone you should still be able to pick up and stash for later in the season.
Have a bit of a roster conundrum involving a couple of these sleepers.
Have “Beanie” Wells on my roster… only, someone just dropped LeSean McCoy. He’s clearing waivers tomorrow. Do I drop Chris for the Westbrookian Mr. McCoy? I like his running style, but McCoy looks just as good, if not better, and it just seems like Wells has a couple more obstacles (team style, pass/run playcalling, Hightower) between him and a productive starting role than does McCoy (basically, an injury to the very breakable Mr. Westbrook).
Who goes, and who’s the better second-half stash (*in a non-PPR league)?
Other droppable RBs I’ve got: Derrick Ward, Chester Taylor (along with Adrian Peterson and Ryan Grant).
It’s good to see two guys i targetted last week after they were supposed to have break-out games but failed to capitalize in Beanie Wells and Justin Forsett on many of the lists (well, Beanie atleast). Looking at remaining schedule and pure talent, Wells has to be the best buy-low candidate out there.
I was a little surprised to see one name left off of all lists and that’s the #2 rookie WR phenom Hakeem Nicks. Everything is in place for him to stride through the rest of the year putting up ridiculous numbers. He’s a player the Giants build plays around (like Percy), has an incredible balance of speed and size (again, Percy) and plays in one of the most well-balanced teams in the league (Mr. Harvin, please stand up!) The best part is, because of Percy Harvin’s pre-season hype and in-season play, Nicks continues to fly under the radar.
longwinded, but Wells, Forsett and Nicks should pay huge dividends to anyone willing to take a flier on em.
@NO. 3 FE Dude, drop Derrick Ward. He’s doing nothing. Pick and McCoy and keep Wells. A win/win :)
FE,
I wouldn’t consider dropping Taylor, Grant or Peterson.
The player that stands out as the one to drop, at least more than Wells, is Ward. He hasn’t done much of anything in TB, they’re going to be playing behind a lot and Cadillac Williams is healthy and the clearcut No. 1 option.
Lance,
I agree with you on Nicks. He could turn in a respectable second half. I still think New York has so many other targets (Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon) that Nicks’ looks could be erratic. Still, he’s definitely someone to stash.
I went with the RBs, though, because I feel they are tougher to find. Usually is quite a few WRs you can find out there on the wire, at least later in the season.
Derrick Ward.. whats his deal?
seems like everybody here is high on beanie wells and even gonzo. so question:
i own donald brown, maroney, and lynch in a league where beanie and gonzo are available. do i drop a combination or one of these players for either beanie/gonzo?
and in another league i can pick up gonzo but id have to drop either austin miles, austin collie, sims-walker, or hakeem nicks.
opinions?
Changed my claim to Ward… and got snaked for McCoy by someone whose backfield is in worse shape than mine. Alas.
@ Calvin.
I wouldn’t drop any of those guys for Beanie, frankly. Inconsistencies aside, Maroney HAS the starting job right now for a great run-blocking team, Lynch is the primary in Buffalo and seems to be a 20-touch-plus presence there even WITH Fred Jackson in the picture, and Donald Brown is startable most weeks– with plenty of goal-line touches and non-garbage time red zone time– even as the secondary back.
Drop Collie in the other league, probably– Gonzalez will take away both his and Garcon’s looks in chunks.
The Vikes have a better line to block for Chester Taylor, then do the Eagles victimized with 6 sacks by the Raiders. Mccoy is unpredictable for touches as the Eagles can choose to pass more, and their schedule is tough including week 14 against the Giants, and week 16 against Denver. Mccoy is over-rated compared to Chester taylor and Bennie Wells for the remainder of the season. Green-Ellis should take over, as Maroney is unlikely to repeat his frozen snow field TD run against a humilated blowout tennessee defense. Remember the last pre-season game Green-Ellis carried almost 30 times, and earned his roster spot in a game when Maroney looked on as a bystanding observor.
Well after reading the 4th and 1 debate “which players you need to stash away for the second half” it appears im pretty solid in the RB catergory for the second half of the season:(1.Steven Jackson,2.Cedric Benson,3.Ahmad Bradshaw,4.Mike Bell,5.LeSean McCoy). My concern is that I feel like I need to try and trade for a WR that I can rely on for the second half of the season with a few big weeks. My WR’s are: (1.Mike Sims-Walker 2.Larry Fitzgerald 3.Brandon Marshall 4.Hakeem Nicks)
I have 3 very good Flex RB’s and Im trying to figure out if I have any value to try and pick-up another stud WR. Who do I keep and who do I try and trade. Thanks