This article will take a weekly look at players who could provide value in a given week. The basis for this value will be the difference between the Top 200 forward, a look at the top 200 players with the whole season in mind, and the weekly rankings. Both of these are from the Footballguys.com Insider content. An emphasis will be on the players with the largest differences between the season outlook and this week only. Also, a preference will be given to differences for the higher ranked players. Some of these differences will be due to injury, matchup of the week, or short-term situation. Now, let's take a look at this week's value players.
Quarterback
- Top 200 ranking: 9
- Weekly ranking: 3
- Difference: +6
The red-hot Brees has appeared on this list frequently over the past month. He and the Saints offense have been on a tear. The game in Washington is a plus matchup. The injuries have mounted for one of the more promising defenses, especially in the back. We expect Brees to dink and dunk his way down the field.
- Top 200 ranking: 21
- Weekly ranking: 8
- Difference: +13
Flacco and the injury-plagued Ravens face the Jaguars in what looks like a high scoring contest. Both defenses are in the bottom seven in the NFL in yielding fantasy points to opposing passers. Even without viable wide receivers, we expect Flacco to throw often and rack up the fantasy points. He makes a great desperation play if you have Carson Palmer or Andrew Luck as your fantasy starter.
Running Back
- Top 200 ranking: 26
- Weekly ranking: 9
- Difference: +17
Langford is coming off a strong showing in Monday night's win over the Chargers. This week, the rookie faces a strong Rams defense in St. Louis. While this is not a great matchup, Langford flashed enough pass receiving skills Monday to warrant a high ranking. Matt Forte should return in the next couple of weeks so this is the youngster's chance to show the team that he is ready to be the unquestioned starter in 2016. Forte is in the last year of his contract. Opportunity knocks for the youngster.
- Top 200 ranking: 25
- Weekly ranking: 15
- Difference: +10
Stewart has a great matchup against Tennessee this week. We expect the Panthers to jump out to an early lead on the Titans and ride Stewart the second half. He could top 100 total yards and a pair of scores. Carolina knows how to play with a lead, and it starts with the running attack.
- Top 200 ranking: 29
- Weekly ranking: 19
- Difference: +10
Starks will get the start with Eddie Lacy as was announced Wednesday. The soft matchup against the Lions provides fantasy owners a great opportunity to cash in on rostering Starks. Detroit is 25th in the NFL in yielding fantasy points (PPR Scoring) to opposing running backs (27 points per game). Green Bay is coming off consecutive losses on the road and will be hungry for a strong showing. Starks could have a monster fantasy outing.
Wide Receiver
- Top 200 ranking: 9
- Weekly ranking: 5
- Difference: +4
Thomas will be relied upon as Denver plays arch rival Kansas City. The Chiefs have struggled containing the big-play receiver and we expect the Broncos pass offense to rebound from the disappointing performance last Sunday afternoon. Emmanuel Sanders is nicked up so Thomas may see an uptick in pass targets.
- Top 200 ranking: 36
- Weekly ranking: 19
- Difference: +17
Cooks has a great chance for a breakout against the injury-riddled Washington secondary this week. The Saints play much better at home in the dome than on the road, but we still like the chances of New Orleans putting up big points while playing in the Nation's Capitol this Sunday.
- Top 200 ranking: 10
- Weekly ranking: 4
- Difference: +6
Beckham and the Giants are in for a shootout against the Patriots this week. New England is thin in secondary. New York has little in the passing game outside of the magnificent sophomore. He should see ample targets to top 100 receiving yards. Plus, if the Giants fall behind, we could see Eli Manning forcing the ball to the young star just to keep pace with Tom Brady and company.
Tight End
- Top 200 ranking: 9
- Weekly ranking: 5
- Difference: +4
Reed and the rest of his Washington teammates face one of – if not the – worst pass defenses in the NFL this week as New Orleans comes to town. In fact, the Saints are the worst defense at allowing opposing tight ends to score fantasy points. Yes, that is right. New Orleans is the top matchup for your fantasy tight end. We love Reed in this matchup.
- Top 200 ranking: 11
- Weekly ranking: 4
- Difference: +7
Barnidge has been a pleasant surprise for the Browns this season. He has picked up the slack in the Cleveland passing game without many weapons. The game against the Steelers should provide ample scoring opportunities for the journeyman tight end. Pittsburgh is the eighth worst defense in covering opposing tight ends in fantasy football. We like Barnidge's chances of topping 75 receiving yards and finding the endzone.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.
