Week 9: Pickups of the Week

QB Vince Young, ---

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Young was an efficient 15 for 18 last week with a TD and no picks -- a nice change after Kerry Collins' reign of INT terror (the old man had thrown interceptions in each of the six regular season games he played in 2009). For those of you who needed to see more of Young before investing, you can now do so with a little more confidence. This former Rookie of the Year showed he can still make plays with his legs, but he was also willing to stand and deliver. More importantly, he made smart decisions with the football. The concern going into last Sunday was about how Young would respond -- emotionally -- to a return to the NFL spotlight. He answered quite a few critics and put up a solid, confidence-building effort. It was a game he can build on and he'll have the opportunity to do so this week against a 49er team that is already giving up more than 250 yards per game through the air and will now be without star corner Nate Clements (broken scapula).

RB Jamaal Charles, ---

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Turns out Larry Johnson will only be suspended one game for lashing out at fans, management and the media. Nevertheless, his playing days in Kansas are about at an end... Enter Jamaal Charles. He'll get the start in week nine and has the luxury of being the undisputed number one, at least for the next game or two. Kolby Smith is getting healthy again, according to reports. He'll be coming off the PUP list and will be there to fill-in if Charles falters; though, after major knee surgery, there's no telling whether Smith is still the same explosive, power back that stepped up for this team late last season. My money is on Charles holding down the job. With the Jaguars and Raiders next on the menu, Charles will face the kind of tasty opposition that will make it easier to cement his spot as the top dog in the Chiefs backfield. After what Chris Johnson did to Jacksonville last week (and given what everyone does against Oakland), Charles looks like a must add / must start fantasy player.

RB Ryan Moats, ---

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When you're a running back, there's one thing that trumps talent, agility, speed, hands, strength, field vision and desire: that one thing is the ability to hang on to the football. Unfortunately for Steve Slaton, Houston coaches no longer believes he possesses that ability. Slaton's got all the other gifts and can be a defense's worst nightmare, but he's been their best friend as well, losing five fumbles on the year. That's why he got the early hook on Sunday and was replaced by Ryan Moats. Moats is a four year NFL veteran of modest skills. But he did what needed to be done against Buffalo, running well outside and inside, and scoring three times. Oh, and he didn't put the ball on the turf. That's enough to earn him some serious playing time going forward, though he may never again have the kind of showing he had against the Bills.
Now for the warning: Moats showed his potential, but he's still a risky play. Chris Brown and Steve Slaton will both get a share of the carries in future games and expect coach Kubiak -- a Mike Shanahan disciple -- to ride the hot hand and confound owners of all three backs with his sporadic backfield decision-making. Moats is a high upside pickup, but be sure to weigh your options carefully before you start him.

WR Mike Wallace, ---

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Mike Wallace has been a steady contributor all season long and he's just waiting for that breakout game. Denver's defense may scare prospective Wallace owners away, but the combination of an attacking front seven and lock-down corners may actually mean good things for this slot receiver. Ben Roethlisberger isn't afraid to spread the ball around and he'll have to do so with either Holmes or Ward being shadowed by all-world cover man Champ Bailey. With the Broncos bringing steady pressure, Big Ben will be looking to his third option, trying to exploit those quick slants and seam routes that Wallace has been making his name with.

TE Ben Watson, ---

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Watson is a holdover from the pre-Moss, pre-Welker era of Patriot receivers. He's used to being a primary target one week and an afterthought the next; don't let his modest receiving numbers fool you: he's still a dangerous weapon and viable bye week fill-in option for fantasy owners. This Sunday, Watson faces a Miami team that has been scorched by opposing tight ends in consecutive weeks. First, it was the Saints' Jeremy Shockey lighting them up for a game high 105 receiving yards, then it was the Jets' Dustin Keller with eight catches for 76 yards and a TD. The Dolphins linebackers are more aggressive than they are smart. They'll consistently bite on the play-action fake and give up easy lanes for tight ends to exploit. If there's one thing the Patriots know how to do, it's capitalize on an opponent's weakness. With blood in the water, look for Watson to play the shark this weekend.