Week 11: Pickups of the Week
QB Shaun Hill, ---
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Throw away the game he was knocked out of, and Hill has averaged more than 44 pass attempts, more than 290 yards and nearly 2 TDs in each of his other five starts this season. In his first four NFL seasons, he managed only one 300-yard game; he's tripled that total already this season. Hill certainly makes up in quantity what he lacks in quality, but he should come out looking like a star this weekend. The Cowboys secondary he'll face in Week 11 is next to nonexistent. They've given up 20 touchdowns, second only to the lowly Texans, and are allowing opposing QBs to post a Pro Bowl worthy 105.5 QB rating.
QB Troy Smith, ---
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This is the Smith San Francisco fans deserve. This Smith is a winner and, almost as importantly, he's fun to watch. Living on the west coast, I've wasted too many hours having to sit through Alex Smith's underachieving nonsense. Troy Smith has breathed new life into 49er games. He makes things happen. He can score with his arm and with his legs. He shows up big when it matters. He doesn't crumble under pressure. He's willing to put this team on his back and do what it takes to put the ball in the end zone. These are all qualities Alex simply didn't have. There may be more reliable QB options out there for fantasy owners, but there are few that are more exciting. If you're in a deep league or one where you have to start multiple QBs, Troy Smith could add some nice value to your squad. If you're a risk-taker looking to shake up a stagnant fantasy team, this former Heisman winner might be the shot in the arm you need to kick start a playoff run.
RB Justin Forsett, ---
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Forsett was more efficient, more effective and more exciting than starter Marshawn Lynch on Sunday. The performance only solidifies the fact that these backs essentially share the number one role. In the Chicago game and both Arizona games, Seattle found success with these two, splitting carries roughly 60-40; that's 60 per cent power, 40 per cent finesse. Representing the finesse side of the equation, Forsett can have dazzling moments as both a runner and a receiver. Owners who saw his stock plummet with the Lynch trade can expect a resurgence in the latter half of the season.
RB Javarris James, ARI
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There's a gaggle of running backs vying for carries in Indianapolis. Most of them can't stay healthy. That's where Javarris James has the edge. The cousin of one-time Colt Edgerrin James, Javarris has been running with strength and authority and now has scored three times in the last two weeks on limited carries. As the most physical and solid of Indy's running backs, he's earned himself a short yardage/goal line role that should continue when Joseph Addai returns.
RB Keiland Williams, ---
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We talked about Williams last week, but so what? Let's talk about him again. Once a member of the practice squad, Williams is now a step closer to cementing his starter status. With Ryan Torain hamstrung, he got the nod on Monday and posted great numbers in a losing cause. Three total touchdowns and 139 total yards from this unlikely candidate may mean that Torain and Clinton Portis take a back seat in Week 12, even if they're healthy enough to compete. The Redskins face some run-stuffers in Tennessee, Minnesota and New York over the next few weeks, but Williams' versatility would keep him fantasy-relevant.
