Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers, Week 6

Brandon Marshall WR DEN

Just when you didn't think that Marshall's stock could rise anymore, he goes and scores twice on Sunday. It has always been apparent that Marshall has some of the best talent in the league, he just has some off the field issues that get in the way. Now that all that is sorted out, I think it's safe to call Marshall a WR1 option on your team.

Marshawn Lynch has been eased into the starting role in Buffalo and he's ready to get most of the carries. Look, I know Lynch is a bone-head. I know he's a circus act. I know he has problems off the field. But during the game, all that goes away and the team wants to give the ball to who gives them the best chance to win. Marshawn Lynch is that guy, so expect him to get around 75% of the carries by Week 8. Buy on him now while he still is relatively cheap.

Roy Williams who? In the preseason people expected Williams to be the go-to guy for Romo, but so far he has been the least effective starting WR on the team. Even Jason Witten has more yards than Williams. It just seems like Romo and Williams do not have that connection necessary between a QB and WR. Enter Miles Austin: Down-Field Threat Extraordanaire! We know Romo loves to air it out, and Austin/Crayton seems to be getting most of those deep balls these days (See week 5 performance, 250 yds and 2 TDs for Austin). Now, you are probably asking me "why on earth sell a guy who just broke out??" Well people, Miles Austin did not break out...he got lucky. He's never been a really great receiver and the only reason I have to believe he has any success the rest of the season is that he is in his third year in being involved with the offense (His rookie year all he did was return kicks). If there is a Dallas homer or something in your league who believes Miles Austin is the next TO, then see what you can get for him.

Despite all the injuries that Matt Hasselbeck has seen recently, he is in fact a good QB. He showed the world why he used to be considered one of the top tier QBs last weekend. I don't expect performances from him like that for the rest of the season, but you could definitely do a lot worse than Hasselbeck. If you are in need of start-worthy QB still, don't hesitate to trade for Hasselbeck.

Is the neckbeard his good-luck charm? I don't know what it is, but Orton has been the captain to the magical Denver-express. No one expect the Broncos to win half their games, let alone be one of the only undefeated teams after five weeks. The thing to like about Orton is that he will not turn the ball over. He is always going to give you around 12-15 points with the upside to get more in case the game turns out to be a shootout. Orton is a free agent in a lot of leagues still, so grab him if you need a QB.

You had to see this coming, right? If you didn't see the fall of Jackson coming, you either really hate Lynch or you have an unusual love for Fred Jackson. Fred Jackson might have showed his talent to the league, but the fact is that Marshawn Lynch is much more talented as a runner. Last week Fred Jackson got 13 touches to Lynch's 17, and I expect that ratio to change in Lynch's favor a little bit each week until we start seeing Jackson get about 6 or 7 carries per game.

What does TO stand for? Skip Bayless on ESPN likes to think it stands for Team Obliterator, which I can partially agree with. The thing about him is, he always ends the season with great numbers. Why think that Buffalo will get in his way to do that yet again? I have a feeling that by the trade deadline, we will see Owens on a new team and that he will tear it up in the second half of the season. If you own Owens, let him sit on your bench. He won't hurt you there. If you don't have Owens, try to send a low-ball offer for him and see if you can get him while his price is incredibly low.

Last week I mentioned it would be wise to sell on Steven Jackson, and it seems like that is becoming more and more of a reality. The only good thing going for the Rams these days is that someone is actually showing interest in buying them. Their offense is woeful, and that isn't helping Steven Jackson. Until Jackson gets hurt though, I feel like in most leagues you could get first or second round value out of him in a trade. Get rid of him while it's not too late people!

Do people really expect Vince Young to just waltz right into the starting role for Tennessee and magically become a great fantasy QB? I've heard a few people mention picking up Vince Young...that is the craziest thing I've heard all season. He might win games, but that does not translate into fantasy points my friends. Even if Young has a good game out of the gates, I still have no faith in starting him. He would need to prove his consistency for a few weeks before I start him. Don't make the mistake in adding this brand-name...keep him on waivers.

Oh Steve Slaton, how you tease us. In week 4, Slaton had a great game and rewarded his fantasy owners who stuck with him. Last weekend though, he put up a major stinker against the Cardinals. Now, the Cardinals don't have an amazing run defense, so what gives? Well I'll tell you what gives: Houston's game plan never was to run the ball down Arizona's throats last weekend. I mean, why run the ball when down 21 - 0? They had to throw the ball to get back into this one. Houston won't be playing catch-up every game, so Slaton should recover from that bad game and be a good fantasy play from here on out. Please don't try to pawn him off to some other team for a bunch of chumps!

DeAngelo Williams RB CAR

Man, I'd love to just sit here and brag about how right I was about DeAngelo Williams being a bust this year, but you know what? The season isn't over yet. Last year, Williams broke lose truly in week 8 and didn't look back. He may be just waiting to break out this season, so don't abandon ship on him yet despite his average stats. His upcoming schedule isn't anything to get excited about, so we may not see him break out, but if you drafted him in the first round you really have to ride this one out and hope for the best.