Free Agents To Target Week 4

wide right · Sep 25, 2007

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans - Schaub is still available in about 48 percent of leagues polled and is definitely worth consideration if you're looking for a No. 2 option. He is averaging 229.3 yards passing, 1.33 passing touchdowns and one interception per week. Despite being without his No. 1 option (wide receiver Andre Johnson) in Week 3, he still threw for 236 yards and a touchdown. Johnson (knee) and rookie Jacoby Jones (shoulder) are banged up, so he could be without two of his top three weapons at receiver for a bit. Either way, Schaub looks to have the polish and ability to spread the ball around. He is worth stashing for a few weeks until his receivers are no longer on the mend.

Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins - Campbell didn't light up the New York Giants like many thought, throwing for just 190 yards and one touchdown. Available in 91 percent of leagues, he is averaging 207.0 yards passing, 0.67 passing touchdowns and one interception per week. He has only hit a disappointing 52.4 percent of his passes, though, so there are still some growing pains that need to be addressed.

Trent Green, Miami Dolphins - Is Green getting more comfortable with his new team? After a disastrous Week 2, he turned around to post a solid Week 3 by throwing for 318 yards and one touchdown. Through three weeks, he is averaging 274.7 yards passing, 1.33 passing touchdowns and 1.67 passing touchdowns. He isn't posting amazing numbers, but when you compare them to guys like St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger or New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who are struggling, you might actually find yourself looking to play him based off matchups.

David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars - You won't receive anything flashy out of Garrard, but he is posting decent numbers. Hitting an average of 64 percent of his passes, he is averaging 210.0 passing yards and one passing touchdown per week. He is also chipping in 33 rushing yards per game on an average of seven scrambles per week. Even more importantly, he has yet to throw an interception and has lost just one fumble in three weeks.
Keep an Eye On...

Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns - Anderson is now available in about 73 percent of leagues, as many jumped on his bandwagon after a huge Week 2. He did enough to keep rookie Brady Quinn on the bench in Week 3, but he hit just 48.6 percent of his passes. In Week 3 he tossed 248 yards worth of passes with one touchdown and two picks. Over the last three weeks, he is averaging 253.3 yards, 2.33 touchdowns and 1.33 interceptions. He is doing well but this is a volatile situation because of the first-round pick invested in Quinn.

Daunte Culpepper, Oakland Raiders - Quarterback Josh McCown (foot) is less than 100 percent, which led to Culpepper seeing playing time in Week 3. He completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 118 yards, no scores or interceptions. Remember, both of these players are placeholders for the remainder of the year until rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell is deemed ready to play by the coaching staff, so this further diminishes their value. Culpepper is available in 95 percent of leagues polled.

Joey Harrington, Atlanta Falcons - The pressure is on with the addition of quarterback Byron Leftwich and Harrington responded in Week 3, hitting 70.5 percent of his passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. In the last three weeks, he is averaging 253.3 yards, 0.67 touchdowns and 0.67 interceptions. If he keeps playing like he did last week, Leftwich may remain an afterthought. Harrington is available in 98 percent of leagues polled.

David Carr, Carolina Panthers - Carr, the No. 2 option in Carolina, is available in virtually every league polled. With quarterback Jake Delhomme (elbow) banged up, Carr could be in line to see some playing time. He is mostly an insurance policy for Delhomme owners. He hit 75 percent of his passes for 56 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions during Week 3 in relief of Delhomme.

Brian Griese, Chicago Bears - Is this the week the Bears make a change at signal-caller? "Train" Rex Grossman currently leads the league in interceptions and once again struggled on the field. In his defense, his receivers dropped some catchable passes throughout the game. Griese is the frontrunner to replace him should head coach Lovie Smith choose to make a change. Griese is available in almost every league polled.

Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals - Warner is available in almost every league polled but, after a strong Week 3, that could change. The team sat quarterback Matt Leinart down during the game when they were trying to run their no-huddle offense. Warner entered, proceeding to look like his former MVP self, hitting 75 percent of his passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Are the Cardinals ready to get away from Leinart? Head coach Ken Whisenhunt says no, but if you entered the year depending on Leinart it is time to handcuff Warner to him without a doubt.
Running Backs

Kevin Jones, Detroit Lions - Jones (foot) saw his first action of the regular season during Week 3 and it was limited as expected. He did, however, find the end zone. Jones is available in about 75 percent of leagues polled. He finished Week 3 with three rushing attempts, five rushing yards, one touchdown, one reception and 16 yards receiving. He was utilized just four times in Week 3, but saw one look inside the 5. Provided his foot responds well, he will continue to see more and more looks. Don't expect miracles out of him just yet, but he is showing enough signs of life that you need to pick him up if he is on your league's wire.

Derrick Ward, New York Giants - Ward has quietly been a little beast for the Giants since taking over for injured runner Brandon Jacobs (knee). In the last three weeks, he has averaged 91.0 rushing yards, 4.67 receptions, 29.3 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns per game. He has been utilized an average of 24 times per game, including 3.67 within the red zone. The only real knock on him fantasy owners have is he has not scored a rushing touchdown. Even more frustrating, Reuben Droughns was a touchdown bandit twice in Week 3 after Ward did all the work between the 20s! Ward is still available in about 32 percent of leagues polled and should be picked up.

Brian Leonard, St. Louis Rams - The Rams will be without running back Steven Jackson (groin) for at least one week, as he suffered a slight groin tear during Week 3. Enter Leonard, the team's second-round draft choice. Leonard is a fluid receiver out of the backfield and was expected to be the change-of-pace back this year used to give Jackson a blow when he needed it. The team gave him plenty of work in the preseason (39 carries, 125 rushing yards, one touchdown, 10 receptions and 63 yards) just in case they ever needed to see him in an expanded role like they will now. With three games under his belt, he is averaging 4.33 utilized plays per game. He has averaged seven rushing yards, 2.00 receptions and 13.7 receiving yards per game. With the Rams' offense being as poor as it has, one cannot think Leonard is going to come in and explode. The line is patchwork, the passing game is struggling and, until Jackson rushing for over 100 yards last week they didn't have a running game worth mentioning, either. Leonard needs to be picked up right away, but keep the expectations tempered because he is not stepping into a pretty situation. He is available in almost 99 percent of leagues polled.

Reuben Droughns, New York Giants - Droughns is available in about 96 percent of leagues polled but found the end zone two times in Week 3. He became the touchdown bandit we thought he could, while Ward was seeing all of the action between the 20s. He has been utilized just two times per week the past three, including 0.67 within the red zone and 0.67 within the 5. Droughns is only averaging 2.7 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks, so beyond his two scores there isn't much to be excited about. He has better value in scoring only leagues, but lets not go too crazy over him just yet as this was the first game they used him in that role. By the way, Ward injured his ankle last weekend, so it could lead to a bigger role for Droughns if he is not able to recover in time.

Sammy Morris, New England Patriots - It's all about opportunities. Morris isn't flashy, nor is he dynamite. He is, however, averaging 11.7 touches per game over the first three weeks of the season. He is averaging 50.3 rushing yards, 0.67 rushing touchdowns, 0.67 receptions, 3.7 receiving yards and zero receiving touchdowns per week. He has been utilized 11.67 times per week, which isn't that far behind Laurence Maroney's 18.33 utilized plays per week. In the red zone, Morris has been utilized 3.67 times, including an average of one play within the 5. He is also available in 95 percent of leagues polled. Morris won't bring you big numbers but he is getting consistent touches each week, making him valuable with Bye weeks and injuries starting to hit.
Keep an Eye On...

Kenny Watson, Cincinnati Bengals - With running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring) banged up, Watson stands a chance to see more playing time. Sources note he isn't anything special, but this one is more based off potential opportunity should Johnson be slowed by his injury. Watson is averaging 20.0 rushing yards, 0.33 rushing touchdowns, 0.67 receptions and 0.7 receiving yards per game. He is simply a handcuff for Johnson owners.

Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Graham got a chance to be involved in the offense a bit more in Week 3, rushing for 75 yards and two scores. The problem? Cadillac Williams is the team's starter; the Bucs rarely run a lot and toss in Michael Pittman at fullback. Were Week 3's numbers an aberration, or will Graham see more time after a nice game? Overall, he has been utilized an average of 4.67 times per week, including an average of one play in the red zone. With Jon Gruden's unorthodox game calling, it is too uncertain to bank on but he is worth a look as a rent-a-car (handcuff) for Cadillac owners.

Correll Buckhalter/Tony Hunt, Philadelphia Eagles - Surprise, surprise... Brian Westbrook (ribs) is banged up again. That will probably always be the case, which means keeping an eye on the Eagles' backups is always crucial. It would likely be a committee approach if Westbrook ever has to sit, with Buckhalter and Hunt, a rookie, sharing time. In the Eagles' rout of the Lions, Buckhalter had 43 yards and a touchdown while Hunt also found the end zone. Buckhalter has been utilized an average of 5.00 plays per week, with an average of 0.67 plays within the red zone. Hunt was utilized until Week 3, seeing four plays with two of them coming inside the 5. Both are available in virtually every league polled.

Wide Receivers

Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions - For the third week in a row, McDonald got the job done on the field. In Week 3, he caught five passes for 76 yards and a score. Over the last three weeks, he is averaging six receptions, 79 yards and 0.67 touchdowns per game. Are you a believer yet? It is starting to be hard not to believe in him! He has been targeted an average of 8.67 times per game, second most amongst the team's receivers, with 1.33 plays coming on average in the red zone. By the way, he is still available in about 55 percent of leagues polled. With rookie Calvin Johnson (back) at less than 100 percent, it could lead to more time for McDonald.

Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks - Wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) remains out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, and Burleson is doing a nice job staking claim to the starting role he has taken over. He is averaging 3.33 receptions, 52.0 receiving yards and 0.67 receiving touchdowns per week. He has scored in each of the last two games and is being targeted an average of seven times per week. Why is he still available in roughly 95 percent of leagues polled? Grab him!

Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers - Jennings missed the first two weeks of the season but returned nicely in Week 3. He caught four passes for 82 yards and a score while being targeted seven times. Of those seven targets, one came in the red zone. Due to his early season health issues, people started dropping him in leagues. He is available in roughly 31 percent of leagues polled. With the Packers running game non-existent, quarterback Brett Favre should continue going to the air early and often.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs - Bowe, a rookie, remains available in 88 percent of leagues polled and has quietly come on as the team's No. 1 receiver with Eddie Kennison (hamstring) injured. In the last three weeks, he has been targeted an average of 5.67 times per game, with one look each week in the red zone. He is averaging 45.0 receiving yards, 3.33 receptions and 0.67 receiving touchdowns per week. He is a rookie, so he will have growing pains, but the Chiefs are looking his direction. Someone other than tight end Tony Gonzalez has to catch some passes for them, right? It appears Bowe is going to be that player. Keep your expectations tempered, though, as the team's offense really is ugly right now.

Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks - We have been touting Burleson for weeks, but there is another Seattle receiver you should be reacquainted with, too. Engram, the team's slot receiver, has the trust of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and will continue to keep the chains moving for the team. Through three games, he is averaging 5.67 targets per game, with 0.67 coming in the red zone. He is a clutch, third-down option that has value in point-per-reception league formats because he is averaging 4.33 receptions, 65.7 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns per game. He is available in 95 percent of leagues polled.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers - Jones tore it up in the preseason, and we were waiting for it to happen during the first two weeks. While he didn't stand out with wide receiver Greg Jennings out, he showed up well working as the team's No. 3 receiver. Jones has been targeted an average of seven times per game, with 1.67 plays coming within the red zone. He is averaging 4.67 receptions, 61 receiving yards and zero touchdowns through three games. Week 3 was his best to date, so the return of Jennings may be opening things up for Jones in the slot. He missed scoring his first career touchdown by inches in Week 3, as he was downed just before the goal line. He is available in 91 percent of leagues polled.

Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons - Are we really touting an Atlanta receiver? Armageddon is not here, but it feels like it writing about a Falcons wideout. The passing game with Atlanta is by no means a dependable situation and could get uglier if they start playing quarterback merry-go-round, but White is producing. He is averaging five receptions, 79.0 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns per game through three weeks. He has been targeted an average of seven times per week, including 0.33 looks in the red zone. Harrington, as discussed earlier, caught some fire in Week 3. Will it continue? Tucking White away just in case it does isn't a bad idea. He is available in almost every league polled.
Keep an Eye On...

Andre' Davis, Houston Texans - This is more a situation of opportunity than anything else. Davis, who has had some success as a deep threat in the league, stands a shot at seeing a lot more playing time with receivers Andre Johnson (knee) and Jacoby Jones (shoulder) banged up. Schaub, as discussed previously, is getting the job done and spreading the ball around. In his only game this year, he was targeted five times. In the process, he caught four passes for 70 yards and no scores. If you're really hurting he is available in every league polled.

Tight Ends

Jeff King, Carolina Panthers - We have been talking about King for a couple of weeks so far. He gave a big boost to his numbers in Week 3, finding the end zone for the first time this year. He already had value in point-per-reception leagues, averaging 4.33 receptions, 43.3 receiving yards and 0.33 touchdowns per game. With a lot of speed at wide receiver, King is being worked in the middle and the soft coverage is helping him chip in weekly. He has caught no less than four passes in each of his first three games and had a season-high 56 yards receiving in Week 3. Even better, he is being targeted six times per week and is available in almost every league polled!

Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers - With no running game, the Packers are relying on the short passing game to keep the chains moving. That is where Lee is causing some damage. He is being targeted a healthy 5.33 times per game, including 0.67 plays within the red zone and 0.33 inside the 5. He is averaging four receptions, 35.3 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns per week. He is available in about 96 percent of leagues polled.

Bubba Franks, Green Bay Packers - The second Green Bay tight end finds his way on this list, too. Franks is seeing almost as many looks each wee as Lee, averaging five targets per game, including 1.33 in the red zone and one inside the 5. He is averaging just 2.33 receptions and 14 receiving yards per game, but has scored two touchdowns in three games. He has already scored more this year than he has in the last two years combined! His yardage and receptions are not going to tickle your fancy, but the touchdowns are definitely making him worth considering owning. He is available in about 98 percent of leagues polled.

Place Kickers

Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh Steelers - Reed is seeing plenty of chances for the Steelers, averaging 3.00 field goal attempts and 3.33 extra point attempts each week. Not only is he seeing plenty of chances, he is also making good on all of his attempts. He has hit all of his field goal attempts (nine) and extra point attempts (10), making him perfect on the season. He is available in about 65 percent of leagues polled.

Nick Folk, Dallas Cowboys - Rookie kickers typically don't impress us that much, but it is hard not to pay attention to what Folk is doing. The Cowboys offense has been dynamite so far this year, and Folk is definitely benefiting from it. He has missed just one field goal attempt while averaging 2.00 field goals and 4.67 extra points per game through three weeks. The only negative is he isn't hitting a lot of long field goals, going just 2-for-2 from beyond 40 yards out. He is available in about 87 percent of leagues polled.

Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers - Here is another rookie place kicker seeing plenty of work early in the year. The Packers offense still hasn't been able to mount a running game, which means struggles in the red zone are likely from time to time. Crosby is averaging 1.67 field goal attempts and 3.33 extra point attempts this year. He connected on 1.33 field goals and 3.33 extra points per game. He has had a long of 53 yards and is 2-of-3 from beyond 40 yards out. He is available in about 80 percent of leagues polled.

Lawrence Tynes, New York Giants - Tynes is averaging 2.33 field goal attempts and 2.00 extra point attempts each week this year. He is averaging 2.00 field goals and 2.00 extra points per game in the process. He hasn't attempted any field goals from beyond 50 yards yet, but is 3-for-3 from 40-49 yards out. Tynes is available in about 92 percent of leagues polled.
Click to expand...

Source: Ryan R. Bonini, KFFL

After 3 weeks you should have a good feeling about the direction of your team. This is also the time of the year when you can pick up the players that emerge from nowhere. So who do people like? I am really interested in seeing how Brian Leonard handles being the starter in St Louis.

Garnett · Sep 25, 2007

I've already picked up Brian Leonard and Bobby Engram. I'll be scouring for more; I'm so upset with my teams at this point.

Edit: Also grabbed McDonald and some others, too many to remember.

lruddicks · Sep 25, 2007

i picked up mcdonald and bowe hope they keep getting better

wide right · Sep 25, 2007

I picked up Leonard this afternoon after hearing Rudi Johnson might not play and my depth at RB is pretty low. I dropped Leon Washington who I wanted to hold onto but starters don't usually fall onto your lap like that so I had to make the move. I really want to add Sammy Morris but don't really have the roster space for him due to other injuries on my team.

Brandon Marshall is still out there in my league too. I'm surprised he's lasted this long on the ww. I'm thinking of dropping Reggie Brown for him. Thoughts? (1pt/15yd, no ppr. Other starters: TO, Housamenzada, Boldin Bench: Wes Welker, Brown)

yisman · Sep 25, 2007

wide right said: ↑

I picked up Leonard this afternoon after hearing Rudi Johnson might not play and my depth at RB is pretty low.
Click to expand...

Steven Jackson

wide right · Sep 25, 2007

yisman said: ↑

Steven Jackson
Click to expand...

Sorry for the confusion. You may have misunderstood my post. I have Rudi on my ff team and since he might not be playing I picked up Leonard as a possible substitute.

yisman · Sep 25, 2007

but wouldn't you want to pick up leonard either way?

Bears 88 · Sep 25, 2007

Picked up Bowe and King.

Leonard is next.

yisman · Sep 25, 2007

rough week for me. LJ Smith and Hines Ward are injured, Colston and Brees are on bye (although what's the difference there, really?), vicious is against Baltimore, etc.

Plus, Brian Leonard, Matt Schaub and others aren't available in my league. schaub and leonard were drafted

and jeff king was claimed before I could get him. :(

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