Week 4: Deep League Pickups
QB Shaun Hill, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The name Shaun Hill does cause Pavlovian-like drool from fantasy owners, but the former Maryland Terrapin just gets the job done for the Niners and is a decent bye week option, especially for Kurt Warner, Donovan McNabb and Matt Ryan owners in need of a Week 4 quarterback. Hill faces a Rams defense that has five TDP this season, and that total includes their Week 2, zero TDs allowed performance against the Redskins. Even without Frank Gore in the lineup, the Niners will continue to emphasis the run, but Hill showed last week he could score in the red zone with two touchdown passes and the coaches will likely lean on him even more now without their star back. Do not expected a bonanza of points, but Hill will not shoot you in the foot either.
RB Jerome Harrison, DET
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Recommending a Browns player for fantasy owners right now is like touting Mackenzie Phillips for relationship advice, but Jerome Harrison has a chance to shine if Jamal Lewis sits out for the second straight week. With Jamal Lewis on the sideline in Week 3, the Browns turned to Harrison over rookie James Davis and he racked up 52 yards on 16 carries before they went exclusively to the passing game in their blowout loss to the Ravens. The speedy Harrison also caught five passes for 33 yards in Week 3 and should be a contributor in the passing game the rest of the way regardless. If Lewis (hamstring) sits another week, Harrison has a chance to post solid numbers against the Bengals in what could be a trap game for their cross state rivals and give him a leg up on getting the starting gig should the Browns start planning for the future.
RB Maurice Morris, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that Lions starting RB Kevin Smith is "week to week" after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 3, opening the door for former Seahawks back Maurice Morris to get the start against the Bears in Week 4. Not a great matchup and the shifty Morris has not always stepped up to the challenge when given a start, but he should make some plays in the passing game, making him an option primarily in PPR leagues. Monitor the situation, but the Lions have some momentum coming off their first win in forever and those good vibes should lend themselves toward another solid game from the offense.
WR Bryant Johnson, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The second receiver on the Lions gets the benefit of seeing scant double teams with defenses so focused on Calvin Johnson lined up on the other side. So far, Bryant Johnson is taking advantage of that space, hauling in four catches in two separate games this year. That includes a 4-73-1 line against the Redskins in Week 3, hauling in an early 21-yard touchdown pass in the Lions upset win. Despite finally reaching the winners circle, the Lions will still be trailing more often than not and throwing to keep up. As long as Matthew Stafford keeps his head above water enough, Johnson will have opportunities to continue his solid start and makes for a bye week WR3.
WR Mike Sims-Walker, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Sims-Walker burst on the scene with 100+ yards and a score in Week 2 and he kept it going with another six grabs for 81 yards in Week 3. Still, he remains unowned in more than half of fantasy leagues, but that likely will not be the case after he goes up against a Titans secondary that has allowed seven touchdown passes and an average of 297 yards through the air this season. Factor in upcoming games against the spotty Seahawks and Rams secondaries and Sims-Walker is a nice WR3/flex option in most leagues and even a WR2 option in 14+ team leagues.
