Week 11: Pickups of the Week

QB Jake Delhomme, ---

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Despite helping his team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2003 and being voted to the Pro Bowl in 2005, this Cajun QB never seems to get any respect. Over the last six years with the Panthers, Delhomme has had better than a 3:2 TD-to-INT ratio and has never once finished a season with more interceptions than touchdowns. He's always fallen short of superstar status, yet he's been a steady and reliable fantasy option when healthy. Why is it, then, that everyone's so willing to write him off? Carved up by the media, chastised by teammates, castigated by the fantasy community, Delhomme has been left for dead after an admittedly rough start to 2009. Well, things are starting to turn around. Quietly, this much-maligned QB has put up solid fantasy performances in each of the past three games. He has minimized turnovers and -- much to the delight of Steve Smith owners -- is regaining his confidence with the deep ball. Jake Delhomme faces a terrible Miami secondary this week and managers in deep leagues should give him a shot. Managers in standard or shallow leagues should take notice too. No, I'm not saying Delhomme should be starting, but he makes a good, cheap insurance option. With the fantasy playoffs on the way and the stakes intensifying, you don't want to be caught without a backup QB. Stash Delhomme now and count on him building on his recent success.

RB Ladell Betts, ---

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People seem to be late getting the memo on Betts. You'd think that after crossing the century mark last week against the Bronco's, he'd be on everyone's radar. Well, tardy owners may have one more chance to take advantage of the discount special on starting running backs. Betts will almost surely get the nod again this week with Portis still recovering from blurred vision associated with a concussion he sustained in week 9. Dallas is fairly stout against the run, but so was Denver before Betts torched them. An interesting stat for you: Betts has carried the ball 20 or more times in every one of his last seven starts for the Redskins. There are starting running backs all over the fantasy universe right now that don't get that kind of workload; Just something for you tentative owners to consider.

RB Jason Snelling, ---

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Three words that put The Fear into fantasy owners: high ankle sprain. This is the distinct horror that Michael Turner owners woke up to Monday morning. For those Turner owners and others seeking short-term RB help, Jason Snelling is your man. Jerious Norwood is the supposed second-stringer, but he hasn't been healthy much of the season and won't be at full strength for next week's tilt against the Giants. That leaves Snelling getting the bulk of the carries. New York offers a stiff challenge for this unheralded third year back, but Snelling has shown flashes this year of a burst that makes him an interesting fantasy prospect. Should he do well this week, he'll probably be rewarded with the start against one of the league's worst rushing defenses in Tampa Bay.

WR Donnie Avery, ---

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Here we go again. Yes, I know the Rams stink. And yes, I know Avery has been something of a disappointment considering the pre-season hype. And yes, he somehow keeps appearing in columns like these. But here's why: Avery has legitimate 4.2 speed, he's caught four TD passes in his last five games, he's the only deep threat on his team, and he consistently faces single coverage thanks to the fact that opposing safeties stack the box against Stephen Jackson. Sure, there are waiver wire players who give you better consistency, but none have Avery's tremendous upside. The Dolphins' Davone Bess, for instance, averages more catches per game, but has little chance of ever finding the end zone and less chance still of posting a 100-yard game. Avery's talent is too much to pass up -- especially in fantasy leagues that require owners to start three receivers. Try to put aside your personal biases and consider adding this home run threat. The Rams play against some of the league's worst passing defenses in the coming weeks -- including three of the four most helpless secondaries (San Francisco, Tennessee, Arizona). You know Avery will break loose against some of those soft touches.

WR Laveranues Coles, ---

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Nine targets and five catches this week; nine targets and six catches the week before. It's clear that Laveranues Coles is finding his place in this offense and catching the eye of his QB. Coles has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards three times in his career -- and that's without ever having had the benefit of playing with someone like Carson Palmer. Coles has also rarely had the luxury of being overlooked by defenses. Thanks to Chad Ochocinco's amazing power to absorb attention, Coles now goes largely unnoticed (by defenses and fantasy owners alike). The strong-armed Palmer has been making good use of this new weapon and has taken full advantage of the occasional easy coverages.
Chris Henry is done for the season; Andre Caldwell is locked in as the slot receiver and the stage is nicely set for Coles to have a big second half. He's a great speculative add and might see increased targets this week with Ochocinco squaring off against the Raiders' lockdown specialist, Nnamdi Asomugha.