Walking the Waiver Wire – 5 Free Agents to Consider

1. Eric Decker – Brandon Lloyd owners were miffed after learning that the Broncos’ #1 WR would be inactive last Sunday despite practicing just two days before. In Lloyd’s absence, quarterback Kyle Orton leaned on second-year man Eric Decker in the passing game. Decker didn’t disappoint, catching five balls for 113 yards and two touchdowns in Denver’s 24-22 win over Cincinnati. We like Decker, and the fact that the Broncos aren’t very good and will be playing from behind in most games this season should bode well for his fantasy stats. Plus, it’s wishful thinking to expect Brandon Lloyd to duplicate last season’s numbers.

2. Denarius Moore – With the Raiders’ receiving corp resembling a MASH unit, it was rookie Denarius Moore who broke out in Week 2, catching five balls for 146 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. Injuries to Jacoby Ford, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Kevin Boss have quickly led to Moore becoming one of Jason Campbell’s favorite (and only) targets. That said, we’d like to see the rook string together a couple more productive performances before declaring him as a must-start.

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Fantasy Fives: Tom’s Terrific, Miles Magnificent, DeAngelo Disappears

Fantasy Aces

1. Tom Brady, Patriots – Brady will live in this space all season if he keeps this up. These numbers from Sunday’s win over the Chargers are insane: 31 of 40 for 423 yards and three touchdowns – 28 fantasy points. If Brady owners get 25+ points out of Brady week in and week out, winning your fantasy league quickly becomes a reality.

2. Miles Austin, Cowboys – With Dez Bryant out of the line-up and both Felix Jones and Tony Romo playing hurt, it was Austin who carried the Cowboys to an eventual 27-24 overtime win in San Francisco. He ended the day with nine catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns (2 from Romo, 1 from Kitna) – 32 fantasy points. After the game it was learned that Austin suffered a hamstring injury and could be out for an extended period of time. Bad news for the Cowboys, with their arch-rivals coming to town next week for MNF.

3. Vincent Jackson, Chargers – After a dud performance in Week 1, V-Jax brought his A-game to Foxborough. Jackson caught ten balls for a ridiculous 172 yards and two touchdowns – 29 fantasy points – in the 35-21 loss to the Patriots. The Bolts are headed back to the west coast for a favorable Week 3 match-up against the lowly Chiefs – we think it’s safe to say that Jackson should do pretty well.

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Walking the Waiver Wire – 5 Free Agents to Consider

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB (Bills) – The Harvard grad stunned a rabid Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, going 17 of 25 for 208 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 rout of the Chiefs. As funny as it sounds, Fitzpatrick’s comfort level in Chan Gailey’s offense should equal steady fantasy numbers throughout 2011. He’s a nice QB2 and could make an immediate impact in your starting line-up, especially in deeper leagues.

2. Fred Davis, TE (Redskins) – Could there be a changing of the guard at the tight end position in Washington? With Chris Cooley playing through pain in his knee, it was the younger Fred Davis who stepped up for Rex Grossman against the Giants, catching five balls for 105 yards – the first 100-yard game of his career. Davis entered training camp in tremendous shape and has a firm grasp of the Shanahans’ offense. Target Davis as a TE2 with the ability to crack your starting line-up provided the match-up.

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Fantasy Fives: Cam Shines, Rice Cooks, CJ2K Struggles

Fantasy Aces

1. Cam Newton/Steve Smith, Panthers – Newton wasted no time silencing his critics, going 24 of 37 for 422 yards and three touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing) in his rookie debut against the Cardinals. He ended the day with 29 fantasy points and also resuscitated the fantasy value of Steve Smith, who had 176 yards receiving and caught both of Newton’s touchdown passes. The Panthers may have lost the game 28-21, but have to be encouraged with Newton’s performance and his immediate rapport with Smith. It’s only one game, but fantasy owners may have to think about scooping up Newton before someone else does.

2. Mike Tolbert, Chargers – The Bolts’ bruising running back was responsible for all three of San Diego’s touchdowns in its 24-17 win over the Vikings. Both Tolbert and his counterpart in the backfield, Ryan Mathews, carried the ball 12 times each, but Tolbert also led the Chargers in receptions on this day with nine. His 26 fantasy points were a welcome sight to fantasy owners who started him and frustrating for owners who watched him light it up from their bench.

3. Kenny Britt, Titans – Those who spent a late-round pick on Kenny Britt in their fantasy draft look to be in for quite the season. On a day where the Titans got virtually nothing from Chris Johnson (more on that in a bit), Britt picked up the slack against the Jags, catching five balls for 136 yards and two touchdowns – 25 fantasy points, albeit in a 16-14 loss. Once Johnson gets acclimated to playing football at a high level again, we suspect that Britt could be even more dangerous.

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Fantasy Impact: 10 Rookies to Watch in 2011

As you prepare for your upcoming fantasy draft, let BumpAndRun.com throw a little advice your way. Today we take a deeper look at ten rookies poised to make noise in 2011 - maybe for your fantasy team:

1. Mark Ingram, RB (Saints) - The former Heisman Trophy winner looks to have the inside track to the Saints’ starting running back job, but he shouldn’t feel too comfortable with veteran Pierre Thomas and second-year bruiser Chris Ivory nipping at his heels. Ingram was drafted to bring some stability to an unreliable New Orleans backfield. If he can avoid the injury bug – something his counterparts have been unable to do in past seasons - expect solid RB2 numbers.

2. Julio Jones, WR (Falcons) - The Julio Jones bandwagon in gaining steam, and with good reason. The rook from Alabama immediately gets inserted into an offense that includes Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, hall-of-fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and arguably the game’s best receiver, Roddy White. If the Falcons’ third preseason game against the Steelers was any indication, Matty Ice will be chucking the rock a ton in 2011. Ryan put it up 42 times in the first half and targeted Jones 13 times. Remember, defenses need to account for Roddy White — which means Julio will have ample opportunities to make plays. I like Jones as a fringe WR3 with upside (think Dez Bryant in 2010).

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Fantasy Impact: 5 Players Entering 2011 With Questions

As you prepare for your upcoming fantasy draft, let BumpAndRun.com throw a little advice your way. Today we take a deeper look at five players entering 2011 with some question marks:

1. Peyton Manning, QB (Colts) – The Colts’ tradition of uninspired preseason play has never been a red flag in past seasons. However, the chatter surrounding Peyton Manning’s neck injury and his availability for the season opener against Houston has Colts fans and fantasy owners alike on pins and needles. Manning has not only been the NFL’s modern day iron man, but also one of the more reliable and consistent fantasy quarterbacks, maybe ever. When drafting, don’t select Manning before Vick, Rodgers, Brady, Brees or Rivers. But if you’re able to stock up on top backs and receivers early and Manning is staring you in the face in the fourth-round, snag him.

2. Chris Johnson, RB (Titans) - CJ2K’s contract dispute is just another reason why it’s always best to conduct your fantasy draft as late as possible. Remember, there’s a new head coach, quarterback and offensive coordinator in Tennessee this season — and training camp is now officially over with no sign of the Titans’ electrifying running back. While we think it’s likely that Johnson will be signed and ready to go by Week 1, there’s still some risk there.  If Johnson signed today, he’s a top-three pick, no questions asked. But at this point I’d feel more comfortable drafting Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles and maybe even Ray Rice before Johnson. Monitor the situation – and if you have a top-five pick, think of ways to delay your draft.

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Fantasy Impact: 10 Players with New Teams in 2011

As you prepare for your upcoming fantasy draft, let BumpAndRun.com throw a little advice your way. Today we take a deeper look at the fantasy impact of 10 players with new teams in 2011:

1. Chad Ochocinco, WR (Patriots) – An afterthought just two weeks ago, Ochocinco has made the most dramatic climb up the fantasy ranks since being traded to New England. Having Tom Brady as his quarterback as opposed to Andy Dalton or Bruce Gradkowski in Cincy makes Ocho a legit WR2 and a steal as a WR3 in most fantasy formats. That said, be sure to keep tabs on how comfortable he looks in the Pats’ offense this preseason. Target anywhere from Rounds 6-8.

2. Reggie Bush, RB (Dolphins) -  Let’s make one thing clear: Bush is not going to be an every-down back in Miami. The Dolphins drafted rookie Daniel Thomas to run between the tackles 12-15 times per game. While Bush’s role will be expanded from what it was in New Orleans, Drew Brees ain’t under center in South Beach. Target Bush as a flex in Round 10 or higher.

3. Darren Sproles, RB (Saints) – The Saints were able acquire Reggie Bush’s replacement at a discounted rate. With a log-jam at running back (Ingram, Ivory, Thomas), expect Sproles to be used heavily in the passing game and obviously as the punt returner. Fantasy owners should view Sproles as a reserve running back and a nice spot flex play. There are a lot of weapons for Drew Brees to appease in New Orleans, so don’t overreach — target in late rounds.

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Top 100 Fantasy Rankings 1.0: All Day is Our #1

With football finally back and free agency officially set for this Friday, it’s time to dust off the big board and start thinking about how to best build your fantasy squad. We’ve compiled our Top 100 Fantasy Rankings (excluding defenses and kickers, of course) to get you back to thinking like a fantasy GM before your draft(s).

With all the rapid player movement over the next two weeks, this list will obviously change like the wind. Don’t worry, we’ll update our rankings a few more times over the next month.

Click Here to Download Our Top 100 Fantasy Rankings 1.0

Fantasy Fives: Forte Flashes, Boldin Bombs in Week 5

Fantasy Aces

1. Matt Forte – Forte wasted no time bouncing back from Sunday night’s loss to the Giants. The third-year back from Tulane scored two touchdowns and had over 100 yards rushing in the first eight minutes of the game. He ended the day with 188 yards from scrimmage and those two scores – 30 fantasy points – and the Bears handled the toothless Panthers 23-6. It’s amazing when you consider that Todd Collins got the start for the Bears and threw four picks.

2. Ray Rice – That’s more like it. Rice owners finally got the performance they’ve been waiting for ever since investing a top five pick in the Ravens’ runner: 186 total yards and two touchdowns. Heck, even Willis McGahee got in the mix with a rushing touchdown. Rice is clearly healthy and should be counted on to carry the load for Baltimore, and your fantasy team, moving forward.

3. Hakeem Nicks – Nicks continued his breakout sophomore season with yet another all-pro performance – 12 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Nicks ran circles around the Texans’ secondary and continues to be one of fantasy’s most productive receivers. With six touchdowns through five weeks, Nicks has clearly elevated himself to WR1 status.

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Fantasy Fives: L.T. Runs Wild, Eagles’ Receivers Grounded

Fantasy Aces

1. LaDainian Tomlinson – Enjoying a bit of a renaissance with the Jets, Tomlinson ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns against the hapless Bills. L.T. has emerged as NYJ’s lead back and will continue to benefit from the much improved play of quarterback Mark Sanchez. He remains a must-start until further notice.

2. Terrell Owens – The T.O. Show made an appearance in Cleveland Sunday afternoon, albeit in a losing effort. Owens brought some life to the Bengal offense, exploding for 222 receiving yards and a touchdown, but the Browns still held on to win 23-20. A nice surprise for Owens owners, but don’t get used to it every week – there’s two diva wide receivers to satisfy in Cincy, remember?

3. Kyle Orton – The NFL’s top ranked passing offense (yes, you read correctly) put up another gem in a come-from-behind victory in Tennessee. Kyle Orton finished the day with 341 passing yards and two touchdowns, including the 6-yard game winner to Correll Buckhalter. Orton has been sneaky good this season and should be considered a fringe QB1 moving forward.

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