Over the past two weeks, we've discussed some potential rental/replacements that could fill the holes on your roster when you're starters have a bye week. The last two weeks were loaded with fantasy studs, and knowing who to grab can be the difference between a win and loss.
This week, there are going to be a lot of fans wondering how they're going to fill some significant holes. The Colts, Cowboys, 49ers and Dolphins all get an extra few days off this week, meaning owners will undoubtedly need to fill holes all over their rosters.
Let's take a look at a few players that might keep your roster competitive this week.
Quarterback
Bye:Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Shaun Hill and Chad Henne
Potential Rentals: Kyle Orton, David Garrard, Jason Campbell
If you can get your hands on Orton, by all means make it happen. Not only is he only owned in 62 percent of leagues, but he's starting to find rhythm with Brandon Marshall just in time to play the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are allowing a lot of passing yards this year, and Orton should have a good week.
Garrard and Campbell are more worth a look as much because of their matchups this week as they are because of their team's need to win. The Jags host St. Louis, while the Redskins host the Chiefs. Romo owners should know enough after last week to consider a quarterback against Kansas City.
Running Backs
Bye: Marian Barber/Felix Jones/Tashard Choice, Joseph Addai/Donald Brown, Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, Frank Gore
Potential Rentals: Ahmad Bradshaw, Tim Hightower, Carnell Williams
All three of these backs are owned in less than 72 percent of fantasy leagues, and have scored well enough to consider a rental position on your roster. Bradshaw has New Orleans, which might not be the best matchup but he's been the most effective back for the Giants.
Hightower has a vulnerable Seattle defense this week, while Williams is playing an apathetic Carolina squad. Any of these three backs could get you both rushing and receiving points, and could get into the end zone as well.
Wide Receiver:
Bye: Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Miles Austin, Ted Ginn Jr
Potential Rentals: Nate Burleson, Derrick Mason, Nate Washington
Again, you have to look for matchups and availability when wandering the waiver wire for talent. Burleson will be at home against Arizona, who's given up plenty of yards this year and Matt Hasselbeck has started to look for Burleson. Owned by 77 percent of fantasy leagues, he's already 358 yards and three touchdowns this year.
Mason is at Minnesota, who stops the run so well that Joe Flacco will likely have to air it out to keep Baltimore in the fame against the Vikings. Washington, meanwhile, is at New England and has a quarterback, Kerry Collins, trying to keep his job. He's caught three touchdowns already, and might get another one this weekend. Washington's only owned in 45 percent of leagues right now.
Tight End
Bye: Dallas Clark, Vernon Davis, Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano
Potential Rentals: Ben Watson, Marcedes Lewis, Kellen Davis
I'm sure most owners have at least heard of Watson, and should consider him as a potential end zone target for Tom Brady against Tennessee. Meanwhile, Lewis is a big target for Garrard against a St. Louis team that doesn't seem to stop much of anything this year.
The sleeper in the mix here is Davis. He's technically the third tight end on the depth chart of the Chicago Bears, but has seen more action that he would have because of an injury to Desmond Clark. He's already caught two touchdowns this year, and the Falcons defense paid a lot of attention to Greg Olsen when the two teams played last year. He might be an under-the-radar touchdown vulture this week.
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