Week 2: Deep League Pickups

QB Mark Sanchez, ---

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Now that was a debut. Mark Sanchez directed the Jets to an impressive road victory, leading many to amp up the comparisons to Matt Ryan, while others are suggesting using this opportunity to promote the former USC star as a sell-high candidate. In some way, both sides are right; for all his hype, Ryan exceeded expectations for a rookie QB, but was not exactly a fantasy star last year. Still, it is hard to ignore the numbers Sanchez produced in the opener and you have to like the ground game and offensive line he gets to work with. Considering so many fantasy teams have solid, but pedestrian types like Kerry Collins and Jason Campbell as their QB2 (or worse, the turnover plagued Jake Delhomme), there is no reason to shy away from grabbing Sanchez as your backup for the right price.

Other QB options to ponder: Kerry Collins, Byron Leftwich, Jeff Garcia

Keep your eye on: Matt Leinart, Michael Vick, A. J. Feeley

RB Kevin Faulk, ---

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Nobody disputes that the Patriots backfield is as muddled as they come for fantasy owners, but based on their first game, Kevin Faulk is emerging as their valuable option. With the Patriots playing in catch up mode, the Pats' third-down back actually saw the most snaps on Monday night. That might not be a trend considering few think the Pats will be trailing very often this season, but Faulk is without question the back of choice when New England gets in one of their patented pass, pass, pass rolls. Fred Taylor scored on a goal line opportunity and has the best chance to be their top fantasy back, but Faulk is worth a roster spot as a RB4/5, especially in PPR leagues.

RB Mewelde Moore, ---

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Entering this season I was a big believer in Big Ben Roethlisberger in large part because of questions involving the Steelers' ground game, thus over time coach Mike Tomlin would keep the ball in the hands of his star quarterback more and more. After Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall showed little in the season opener, so there is no reason to change my tune on the Steelers offense, but one part of the evolutionary process should be an expanded role for Mewelde Moore. Though Moore will not take over as the primary ball carrier, he is the Steelers' version of Kevin Faulk and appears to be their most consistent weapon in the fourth quarter. Though Mendenhall remains the primary handcuff (even though he has yet to show that he is worthy of that role), Moore will likely outproduce him most weeks. Moore will be better in PPR leagues, but any team in a deep league -- especially those with Willie Parker on their roster -- should consider stashing him for future flex-play use.

Other RB options to ponder: Ricky Williams, Edgerrin James

Keep your eye on: Le'Ron McClain, Peyton Hillis, Jacob Hester

WR Davone Bess, ---

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It has been easier breaking down the various Health Care debates than deciphering all the smoke signals coming out of Dolphins camp in terms of their hierarchy at wide receiver. Davone Bess went a long way toward clarifying the situation by leading the team with seven receptions for 57 yards. Over his last seven games -- dating back to Week 12 last season -- Bess has hauled in 42 passes for 423 yards. (Ted Ginn, the Dolphins' more heralded receiver, caught 56 passes all of last season). Despite his lack of scores -- only one touchdown last season - - the second-year player should be owned in all but the shallowest of PPR leagues and owners in other formats with receiver depth issues can jump on the Bess bandwagon as well. Ginn gets the hype because of his big play ability while Greg Camarillo and rookie Brian Hartline are in the mix, but Bess is emerging as the Dolphins' most consistent weekly receiver.

WR Nate Washington, ---

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We talked last week about picking up the Titans' first-round pick Kenny Britt, and he delivered with four receptions for 85 yards. While he remains a strong long-term prospect, he is likely to move to a supporting role now that Nate Washington (hamstring) is expected to play "the number of plays a starter would play" in Week two against the Texans, according to Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. Justin Gage is the Titans' best bet for fantasy help this year, but Washington has the chance to be a WR3 option down the line; though let him show that he is ready to go before plugging him into your lineup.

Other WR options to ponder: Mark Clayton

Keep your eye on: Austin Collie, Louis Murphy, Andre Caldwell, Robert Meachum, Michael Clayton, Pierre Garcon, Mario Manningham, Malcolm Kelly, Devery Henderson