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Quarterbacks

Russ Wilson
Wilson has now thrown for over 200 yards in three of his last four games, after not being able to do it the first four games. He just isn’t ready to be a quarterback of fantasy relevancy. He has a total of ten touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. If he is not producing double digit touchdowns he is surely going to offset his numbers with interceptions.

Blaine Gabbert
Gabbert and the Jaguars have played two solid games in a row. One against the Raiders Gabbert could not finish due to injury or they may have won at Oakland by double digits. Gabbert may be one of those old fashioned young quarterbacks that needs a year or two under center before true growth happens. He has had flashes and this game is another. Wait for a string of quality games before picking Gabbert up.

Running Backs

Donald Brown

Brown’s return from injury did not mean he would get the near full load of carries like he did prior. Indianapolis spread the carries out just about even with Vick Ballard and Brown. Brown has shown he can not handle a majority of the load. Maybe this will boost his yards per carry and effectiveness in a Felix Jones type of way.

Ronnie Brown
Some games defenses are just able to master a plan against an opposing quarterback. That’s exactly what the Browns did Sunday against Philip Rivers. Rivers is the type of quarterback that likes to take risks anyways, but must have had the Broncos game still in the back of his head. Instead of gunning the football in tight spots he settle for check down throws to Ronnie Brown. Fifteen fantasy points for Ronnie Brown as a pass catching running back will not happen again this season.

Wide Receivers

Cecil Shorts

It’s clear that Shorts has developed into the Jaguars number one receiver, but for how long? As the season stretches past the mid point you have to believe Justin Blackmon will come on eventually. Give Shorts credit though as he fought his way up the roster past Laurent Robinson and has been fairly consistent even when Gabbert was struggling.

Jason Witten
During Tony Romo’s interception fest first half, someone telephoned down to him to stop throwing the ball so much to Dez Bryant when you have sure handed Jason Witten. Romo may have got the advice late but he made sure Jason Witten had about four games worth of catches. Eighteen catches is unheard of from even a wide receiver. Witten has fought off a few injuries this season and likely will re-shift to the first option for Romo to safeguard his throws. But 18 catches is definitely a one week wonder stat.

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Week five was a rather calm one in terms of fantasy football production. The bye weeks likely played a factor in that. Here are the wonders from this weeks games.

Quarterbacks

Andrew Luck-

Luck’s had a terrific game against Green Bay to lead the Colts back in a riveting win. After a sub-par first half the Colts offense launched thanks to Luck’s ability to continually hit Reggie Wayne. Momentum was just on the side of the Colts in the second half. Luck’s upside is obvious, but the rookie will be hurt in certain games due to the Colts lack of a running game.

Alex Smith-
Buffalo kept things close for almost two quarters on the scoreboard. What happened in the second half could be seen coming, as the 49ers were gaining huge chunks of yards on the Bills every way possible. A turnover right before the half by the Bills got things rolling for the 49ers. Smith has shown he can be a fantasy backup quarterback but three touchdowns through the air from him is definitely not going to happen weekly.

Running Backs

Ahmad Bradshaw-
Bradshaw ran with aggression and ease after fumbling early in the ball game. Lanes began opening up for Bradshaw after Eli Manning threw all over the Browns dinged up secondary in the first and second quarters. As they began to play the pass more, Bradshaw’s involvement in the running game spiked. Credit Bradshaw for bouncing back after a tough game a week ago.

Wide Receivers

Josh Gordon-
Gordon is the epitome of a one week wonder. Cleveland had a big play early in the game to Gordon, as he ran past a linebacker with no safety help. Weeden is improving but he has not found a consistent target yet at receiver. Greg Little was held without a catch. Gordon’s two catches for two touchdowns should not be looked at as a waiver wire addition.

Rueben Randle-
Cleveland’s secondary seemingly wanted Randle to be the one that beat them, not Victor Cruz. One plan worked, but Cruz had a field day himself with wide open touchdown catches. Randle saw action because of Nicks and Barden out, and showed he can fulfill spot duty action. He did have a few drops though that would have been highlighted more if the Giants were in a closer game.

Santana Moss
Moss’s glory days appear to be long gone. The change over has occurred in Washington with an infusion of young talent. Moss is a veteran presence right now to mentor and be a team leader. He still has his speed but is never going to be the same big play threat he use to be years ago.

Kendall Wright
Tennessee’s woes with Chris Johnson are well known, and that is causing them to have to be a team they know they can’t be. By having to throw the football more than they want, it’s resulting in more turnovers for Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker. Tennessee has solid receivers in Nate Washington, Kenny Britt, and rookie Kendall Wright. For now though Wright is going to have to wait his turn amongst the veterans and tight end Jared Cook. His PPR points of nine Sunday will likely be a season high.

Robert Meachem
Meachem came up big against his former team with two touchdowns. For the rest of the game though he only had one other catch. Just like in New Orleans, Meachem is one of those receivers that’s an all or nothing type for fantasy football. If he isn’t catching touchdowns he brings little value as his catches are not high enough for owners in PPR leagues.

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Quarterbacks drafted in round one finally broke out to high performing standards, and quelled the rest of fantasy drafters that still ignore the value of a fantasy quarterback. Here is the post week four listing and analysis on weekly wonders. Three were actually profiled as fantasy under the radar starters this week that outperformed mild expectations with scorching results.

Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill-

What a game from the rookie Tannehill. This will boost his confidence for the remainder of the season. Errors did come happen though on a few occasions, including a costly interception in overtime. Overall you’d have to give Tannehill an A though. Arizona came in winning seven in a row at home, and Miami established a 13-0 lead. After taking a sack on second and goal that pushed Miami back to the twenty. Tannehill still tried for the endzone, hitting Hartline to the Cardinal one. Miami’s ground game was effective but Tannehill was the one that established the offense. This won’t be a typical game from him, but his upside is bright towards the second half of this season.

Peyton Manning

Manning had a near flawless game that would be even hard for the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees to have right now. The effect from a year off of football and recovery from neck surgery has not entered the part of the season you’d expect a decline to happen. Once it’s midseason and beyond will be the tough question for Manning’s body to answer. At age 36, can he complete a full season at a high rate, attempting thirty eight throws?

Running Backs

Michael Turner-

I listed Turner as a start this weekend but expected more carries than thirteen. The fact that he had a big game may lead to the Falcons re-establishing Turner and the run game. With how well Matt Ryan and the passing game is going Turner’s carries per game are going to be a huge question mark. It’s his first quality fantasy game of the year that also featured a pass catching touchdown for Turner.

Brandon Bolden-

Bolden is going to be a consensus hot waiver wire pickup this week. His hundred yard game and the fact that he is on New England are all good reasons to think so. You just never know on a given week if Danny Woodhead is going to get some carries, or if the Patriots are going to even run the ball consistently. Against Buffalo they ran the ball forty times. A lot of those carries came during the fourth quarter explosion of 31 points off of mental miscues and interceptions by Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Wide Receivers

Anquan Boldin-

Boldin’s individual tenacity and leadership are now higher skill sets for him than on the field talent. Baltimore can depend on the veteran for intermediate catches, and using his physical skill set to separate from defenders. Though Baltimore is throwing the football more he should still finish around the same numbers he has the past two seasons. Even against Cleveland a lot of his catches were due to the fact that Joe Flacco was delivering the football with precise accuracy, not because Boldin was getting proper separation.

Brian Hartline-

Hartline was another fantasy start listed in week three starters. His game was an obvious career day and a new record for the Miami Dolphins. If anyone anticipated Ryan Tannehill throwing for over 450 yards at any point this season kudos to you. I did expect Hartline to have a good game though due to Miami’s offensive line holding up against the Cardinals pass rush. Hartline exposed William Gay almost every drop back Miami had.

James Jones-

The Packers passing attack showed its first Packer like performance Sunday. Jones will have a higher role as Greg Jennings sits out to heal a re-injured groin. Jones prior role a few years ago was as a deep threat, but that has now been filled by Jordy Nelson and even Randall Cobb. Jones is now the intermediate threat Donald Driver filled for many years. Jermichael Finley is still getting back into the flow of things after missing last year with injury. Once his production gets back to where everyone expects him to be, I believe Jones value takes a huge hit.

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Week three was not as eventful as the first two weeks. That can be good or bad depending on your wins and losses in your fantasy leagues. Three weeks ia good feel for how your team is. It may be time to think about trading, but do not over react to the following players solid weeks.

Quarterbacks

Andrew Luck-
The more and more the Colts running game suffers, the more you have to worry about Luck’s progression this season. Right now he has only faced one quality defense in the Chicago Bears. Once teams amp up the pressure on Luck and drop more men back in coverage, a huge spark in interceptions will likely occur.

Jake Locker
Locker’s time is coming in the near future, but the offensive outpour by the Titans will obviously be there high point of the year. You have to credit Locker though for how he has performed since taking over the job from Matt Hasselbeck. Some young quarterbacks fold in these situations, but Locker has done well even with Chris Johnson struggling

Running Backs

Michael Turner-
In the first half Turner was at the pace of his first two games of the season, with basic numbers. In the second half he did the most of his damage. San Diego’s defense began to realize their offense just didn’t have anything for the day. Turner is just resting on fantasy roster benches until a successive sequence of solid outings occurs.

Ryan Williams-
The Arizona Cardinals running game is likely going to be one of the worst in the league this season. Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells have been banged up thus far this year, and neither has had proper expectations with carries. Williams has already fumbled the football twice, so those expecting him to bypass Beanie Wells better think again. Another fumble and Williams carries per game may have a max.

Wide Receivers

Davone Bess-
Bess went into the season as a solid option in deeper leagues at the third receiver spot. That can’t be said anymore as Ryan Tannehill seeks him as his third or fourth option. As the season goes on maybe more chemistry will develop between the two. For now I’m going to consider his game against the Jets as a one week wonder.

Kyle Rudolph-
There is no doubting that Christian Ponder likes to target Rudolph. For a season though, Rudolph is not going to continue his pace for touchdowns. He’ll taper off and be in the range of six to eight touchdowns. He’d be a justifiable fantasy starting tight end if you could depend on better yardage numbers. Rudolph is of the old mold of fantasy tight ends, where you would just hope for a touchdown.

Damaris Johnson-
Speed is what the Eagles love to have, and they have that with former Tulsa wideout Damaris Johnson. With injury prone receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, the possibilities of Johnson having an impact for a handful of games is there. Until an injury is relevant for a period beyond two games than Johnson is classified as a one week wonder.

T. Y. Hilton-
With Austin Collie back in the fold, Hilton’s plays offensively are only going to fall back a bit more. As long as Collie can stay healthy, Hilton is going to be an option only for spread formations. With the Colts poor running game they may be in it more than most teams, but not enough to make Hilton a sleeper.

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Week two had that usual dramatic appeal that we all have come to love in the NFL. The great plays, hits, and fourth quarter play. Fired up coaches and players, and the comical replacement referees. There were not too many prolific individual performers that jump out on a given week, but there are still some that played way above what their season weekly average will be.

Quarterbacks

Brandon Weeden
Talk about a reversal for Weeden. He looked like he might take a full season to properly adjust to the NFL. Kind of like what use to be the trend for a rookie quarterback. All it takes is a solid running game for a rookie or veteran for that matter to be relaxed. As long as Trent Richardson is able to rush the football like he did Sunday, Weeden will feel less pressure but his issues with turnovers are not going to disappear completely. Cincinnati’s pass defense has a ways to go. Weeden will be tested all year vs. the Baltimore Ravens, Steelers, and plethora of other tough defenses.

Matt Cassel
And the winner for garbage fantasy points of the week goes to……Matt Cassel. With the Chiefs down 35-3 in the fourth quarter, Cassel came out firing like the Chiefs were down by a field goal. He hit Dwayne Bowe for two touchdowns and ended up eclipsing the three hundred yard mark. Cassel in the Chiefs look like they are in a world of hurting again, after starting the season with two straight blowout losses.

Mike Vick
Vick makes this list based on his turnover rate to start the year. For how poor the Eagles have played they have managed to squeak out two victories. If those games would have been losses, Vick’s five interceptions to start the year would have been magnified by the media. He’ll calm things down and the team will adjust as whole and rally behind Vick.

Running Backs

Lamar Miller
Miami ran wild all over the Raiders defense even with quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Daniel Thomas missed the game but will remain a big part of the Dolphins backfield. Reggie Bush had twenty six carries and a field day as well. This backfield is dynamic and maybe Miami can use all three backs to keep things simplified for Tannehill and allow for growth. Miller is one of those backs you can stash for a rainy day if you have the roster spots available to do so. Other than that, his fantasy point total this week will likely be his high for the season.

CJ Spiller
It’s not that CJ Spiller won’t have great value but at the rate he is doing it is in question. He is averaging a ridiculous amount per carry, because he has broken off long gainers in both games this season. His carries have not eclipsed fifteen in either game. He is definitely the leagues new home run back but will it tail off, and how will Fred Jackson affect Spiller upon his return?

Wide Receiver

Brandon Tate
Tate reappeared after being yet another forgotten receiver that has departed New England. Andy Dalton is a capable quarterback of spreading the football around, but they are not going to dazzle the league weekly with points. You’re probably looking at a team that may average in the high teens to low twenties at best. Dalton is also not going to be in the top fifteen for touchdown throws by a quarterback. That lessens the value of a receiver especially a third such as Tate.

Mike Williams
Williams makes a repeat entry into the wonders category. He just does not perform for full four quarters as a receiver should. Maybe these two touchdowns the last two weeks will turn things around, but he just does not get enough catches to make him a fantasy starter. If he isn’t scoring touchdowns he is not worth starting. Unless he scores sixteen touchdowns that just isn’t going to happen. He has had five catches this year and two for touchdowns.

Dante Rosario
All Rosario did was infuriate all the Antonio Gates owners out there. Tennessee didn’t want to cover Rosario in the red zone thinking that he can’t catch the ball or without Gates the Chargers do not have a tight end. Obviously Rosario will not repeat a three touchdown performance. Keep an eye on Gates though as the injury history is prevalent every year.

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Tuesday will feature the waiver wire pickups post week one. Before the dash to click the add/drop button in your league there are a few things to consider. And no, waiver wire priority order is not one of them. Pick your spots before being one of those fantasy managers that is enamored with the waiver wire every week. Here are this weeks one week wonders.

Quarterbacks

Robert Griffin III- His dazzling week one performance is going to be attached to his career for quite awhile. Credit Mike Shanahan for fantastic play calls. He called specific options or run plays for Griffin that the defense seemed unprepared for. Game tape is always a young quarterbacks worst nightmare. Griffin will keep having solid games, but one without turnovers consistently will be hard to imagine. Worthy of a waiver pickup if he is out there, but do not expect to start him for at least another month.

Mark Sanchez- The Jets went from incapable of scoring a touchdown in the preseason to lighting up the Buffalo Bills. Sanchez and the offense seemed in the flow of things, and Buffalo gave them whatever they wanted. The performance of the Jets offense is not typical of a Rex Ryan coached team and will not continue. Turnovers led to a good portion of Jets points which they were able to capitalize off of.

Kevin Kolb- Kolb came in for one drive after John Skelton went down to an apparent gruesome injury. With teammates seemingly looking affected by the injury, Kolb was unflustered. He came in and looked prepared and ready to seize command of the game. He did just that, shaken off Whisenhunt running onto the field for a timeout, and throwing the game winning touchdown. Skelton’s injury looks like a season ending, and Kolb will have the duties for the year if so. With Kolb though he is the type of quarterback that just can’t put four quarters together.

Russell Wilson- I’ll add Wilson to this list based on hype. He was favored on the road against Arizona based on his preseason performance. A condensed NFL preseason experience is not going to mean a great career or regular season. Wilson seemed bothered by pressure, falling backward in the pocket at times. It does not look like Pete Carroll will expect Wilson to do more than be a game manager for a length of time.

Running Backs

CJ Spiller- Whenever an injury occurs to a top twelve fantasy back, immediate action is to pickup the next guy. Especially one that ran wild as Spiller did with 156 yards. As long as Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to be shaky with his arm, defenses are going to drill in on the ground game. Spiller is not a heavy work load back, which means he has to make the most out of twelve to fifteen carries.

Alfred Morris- The young back ran his heart out and demonstrated why Mike Shanahan wants to have him as their main back. He falls forward and carries defenders on his back. That’s the problem with Morris as he does not seem to have the ability to make a cut and give an extra burst. Shanahan is not afraid to use his full roster of running backs throughout the season. If RG3 is going to continue to have success he is going to need a back to average better than 3.8 yards per carry.

Wide Receivers

Kevin Ogletree- Ogletree will likely still be a solid contributor for the Cowboys, but week one will by far be his best game of the season. Tony Romo even stated he had become use to Ogletree with Witten and Austin out in training camp. He had eleven targets from Romo, which can’t be a weekly occurrence for someone that will be the teams fourth option.

Mike Williams- Williams has seemed to turn into a tier three tight end of sorts. A red zone specialist and that’s it. All other parts of the football game he just can’t be a factor. Since his rookie year in 2010, Williams has dropped off the radar considerably. A touchdown here and there is not going to cut it.

Stephen Hill- Of Mark Sanchez’s three touchdowns two went to Stephen Hill. Hill has outplayed veteran Chaz Schilens for roster depth, and appears to have developed the Plaxico Burress threat they are looking for. A big target that can haul in deep balls, Hill will be a factor in certain instances. Besides being a big play threat, Hill is going to have a tough time being a consistent every down threat. He is still learning the nuances of the game and developing at the receiver position.

Cecil Shorts- Even with Jacksonville likely to have an increased passing attack with the maturation of Gabbert, their receivers having a fantasy impact are going to be minimal. Marcedes Lewis and Justin Blackmon should be the only two Jaguar targets on your fantasy roster. Laurent Robinson has struggled since becoming a Jaguar but between him and Shorts, they’ll offset between decent fantasy noticeable games.