Week 2: Pickups of the Week
QB Michael Vick, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The Kevin Kolb era got off to an inauspicious start as the highly-touted fourth year QB looked shaky and passed for only 50 yards before leaving with a concussion. Worse, Michael Vick provided a much needed shot in the arm for the sputtering offense and looked like a throwback version of himself, running all over the field and flicking effortless spirals into tight spots. He very nearly orchestrated a miracle comeback against the Packers and clearly outdid his younger counterpart. If Kolb gets a week or two to recover, he may not have a starting job to come back to. Yes, the Eagles want to move forward and develop their pocket passer, but it's all about winning in this league and Sunday's version of Michael Vick may be the quarterback who gives the team the best chance to win.
RB Peyton Hillis, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
No one's thrilled with the idea, but a Peyton Hillis/Jerome Harrison timeshare looks to be in full effect. Hillis got the score on Sunday and was a bigger factor in the passing game. His added versatility means he'll likely stick around to provide a thorn in the side of Harrison owners. I wouldn't be happy having either of these guys in my backfield, but owners short on other RB options could do worse than make a speculative add for a guy who could carve out a steady rushing role.
RB Brandon Jackson, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Ryan Grant left the stadium in a boot after Sunday's win over the Eagles. As of Monday morning, there's no definitive word out of Green Bay on the extent of the injury; best to make the trip to the fantasy free agent market just in case. If Grant can't go next week, Brandon Jackson gets a great matchup against the Bills. Right now, he's the only viable RB on the roster and would be in line for a hefty workload against a rotten opponent. Jackson's abilities as a runner and receiver give an added dimension to the offense, which doesn't suffer much of a downgrade without their star RB.
WR Austin Collie, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Don't expect Peyton Manning to throw the ball 57 times a night, but Sunday's aerial assault did prove that even the third and fourth options in this passing attack can be valuable fantasy plays. Four receivers were targeted in the double digits, with Collie doing the most damage. He took advantage of his opportunities by racking up a career high 10 catches for 131 yards and a TD. Pierre Garcon looked out of sorts, dropping a few passes on his way to a comparably modest four catches for 75 yards. If those struggles continue, Collie will benefit. He may never see 10 catches in a game again, but he looks like a solid add in mid-sized leagues.
WR Brandon Lloyd, ---
MyFantasyLeague availability: 100%FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Eddie Royal looked sharp in week one but the big surprise was Brandon Lloyd, who caught five passes for 117 yards. And these weren't your average, run-of-the-mill catches, but rather the kind of high-flying acrobatics that made Lloyd such a tantalizing prospect a few years back with San Francisco. Bearing in mind that Lloyd never put sometimes dazzling receiving tools to consistent use with either the 49ers, Redskins or Bears, this could still be the beginning a bright new start for him in Denver. He's already matched his yardage total from last year and there's no where for him to go but up. Right now he's end of the bench material in fantasy leagues, but gambles occasionally pay off and it's not like there's a firmly established pecking order yet among Bronco receivers. Royal, Gaffney, Lloyd and Thomas (when he's healthy) are all in the running for a top spot in the passing game right now.
