Week 5: Pickups of the Week
QB Kevin Kolb, ---
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For a guy who was Arizona's Plan B, Kolb isn't half bad. He's now 4-0 as a starter on the season and has put up seven touchdowns against only two interceptions. What's more, he seems to be getting better by the game (66 yards and a TD, 140 yards and a TD, 222 yards and two TDs, 324 yards and three TDs...). Can he continue his impressive run? The schedule is certainly in his favor. After a trip to St. Louis this week, the Cardinals host the lowly Bills in Week 6 then travel to Minnesota to take on a suspect Vikings secondary in Week 7. If nothing else, consider making Kolb your fantasy Plan B.
QB Ryan Tannehill, ---
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The quarterback position in Miami has been a running joke ever since the great Dan Marino retired, but no one was laughing yesterday. Tannehill -- mocked by many simply because he had the misfortune to follow the Chad Hennes, Matt Moores, Chad Penningtons and Cleo Lemons of the world -- wiped the smirks off thousands of faces by shattering Marino's Miami rookie record for passing yards in a single game. The game resulted in a narrow overtime loss and, though he's not out of the woods yet, Tannehill's 431-yard night was an eye opening performance and a possible herald of better days to come. Accuracy (completing just 55 per cent of his passes) and turnovers (six interceptions, two fumbles) will likely continue to be a concern, but his aerial display against the Cardinals showcased some of the vast potential the Dolphins thought they were tapping into when they drafted him with the 8th overall pick.
RB Jackie Battle, ---
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First, the fine print: Battle isn't likely to out-carry Ryan Matthews again. Matthews is the starter and will be getting a bigger workload in future games. But don't dismiss Battle. He was used as the team's goal-line back last weekend and his nose for the end zone (four touchdowns on the season) means the team will keep finding ways to mine value from the former Kansas City Chief. Battle and the Chargers next face off against New Orleans -- the league's worst rush defense. Even with Matthews getting the majority of carries, there will be plenty of opportunities in this game for both San Diego backs.
RB Brandon Bolden, ---
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As an undrafted rookie and struggling special teamer, Brandon Bolden was well off the fantasy radar. Most passed off his Week 3 TD against the Ravens as nothing more than a blip, but it was a big sign of things to come as he exploded against the Bills with 16 carries, 137 yards and another score. The performance most likely wasn't enough to unseat Stevan Ridley as New England's top back, but it should be enough to at least earn Bolden a larger role going forward. A big bruising back who has shown he can be effective when given a heavy workload, Bolden looks like a candidate to carry the running game if at any point Ridley should get injured.
WR Leonard Hankerson, ---
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Hankerson led the team in targets again last week despite the return of Pierre Garcon. When he's back to full health, Garcon will command more attention -- both from his QB and from opposing defenses. Even hobbled, he occupied Tampa Bay's top corner on Sunday allowing Hankerson to exploit some weak coverage. This dynamic helps boost Hankerson's weekly appeal, making him a decent bye week fill in or matchup play. Count on him seeing plenty of targets as the Redskins take to the air against the 4-0 Falcons this Sunday.
