Rising:
Brandon Jacobs:
Old reliable, Brandon Jacobs, seems to have re-emerged as a serviceable fantasy running back after not even having a contract a few weeks ago. This week he totaled over 100 yards rushing, with two touchdowns, in place of the oft-injured and perpetually disappointing David Wilson. I don’t expect Wilson to get much better this year, which makes Jacobs a solid flex play for the foreseeable future.
Joseph Fauria:
Three receptions, three touchdowns — don’t expect Joseph Fauria to repeat this stat line next week, or possibly ever again. That being said, the Lions don’t like to run the ball in the red zone, and Matthew Stafford only had eyes for Fauria this week. This six-foot-seven-inch tight end won’t be a stud, but he is worth owning on your team for bye-week sub-ins or if you mistakenly drafted his Lions’ counterpart, Brandon Pettigrew.
Maurice Jones-Drew:
Maurice Jones-Drew seems to have lost a step in the last year after claiming the rushing title in 2011. But he is still Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars’ offense is rapidly improving — note Justin Blackmon’s 326 yards receiving in the last two weeks — and they even put up a fight against the Broncos this week. As Jacksonville improves, so will Jones-Drew, so buy low on him while you still can.
Falling:
Calvin Johnson:
Don’t worry if you didn’t take my advice and drafted Calvin Johnson in the first round of your draft — he is still a top 10 receiver. But you didn’t draft Calvin Johnson to be a top 10 receiver, you drafted him to be the top receiver. It looks to be a down year for Johnson as he battles nagging injuries and catches a disproportionately low number of balls thrown his way — only 38 percent this week. Don’t trade him, but don’t count on him being the foundation of your team.
Marques Colston:
Speaking of traditionally strong receivers who are having down years, meet Marques Colston. Colston is typically a lock for 1,000 yards and around seven to 10 touchdowns. This year, he is on pace to be just shy of 1,000 yards and only three touchdowns. Jimmy Graham has completely taken over the passing game in New Orleans, leaving Colston to be an average WR2/flex option, but not much else.
Anquan Boldin:
Anquan Boldin had one of the best games of his career in Week 1 — totaling 208 yards and a touchdown. It seems as though defenses took notice, since he has only gained 213 yards and another touchdown in Weeks 2 through 6, combined. Teams are tasking their best cornerbacks with covering Boldin, and Boldin simply does not have the speed to beat them. Expect around 50 yards per week from Boldin, which makes him a weak starter in most formats.
