Denver Post fantasy football expert Cecil Lammey is a senior writer for and an “NFL Insider” for Denver sports radio station The Ticket, 87.7-FM.
Email your questions to lammey@footballguys.com. Please mention your question is for “Denver Post Fantasy Football.”
Mr. Lammey, I would like to say thanks for your great insights in The Denver Post. What do you think Knowshon Moreno will do this week against the Raiders? Should I feel safe in starting him this week?
–Dominic
Cecil Lammey: This could be a breakout week for Knowshon Moreno. He returned to the field last week against the Jets and showed better initial burst than he had earlier this year. The Raiders are not very strong against the run, so the opportunity is there for Moreno to have his first 100-yard rushing day of the season.
With Kyle Orton and the passing game being the strength of this team, it’s unlikely that Oakland will stack the line to stop the run. This means wider rushing lanes for Broncos running backs. Moreno needs to avoid fumbling the football, and run with more authority when he breaks into the second level of the defense.
With Eddie Royal banged up will we start to see more of rookie WR Eric Decker? I play in a deep dynasty league, and am excited to see what Decker can do in the pros.
–Gary
I am excited to see what Eric Decker can do in the regular season. People in the scouting community thought he was the best natural hands catcher in the entire 2010 NFL Draft class. His sure hands and precise route-running could be on display with Eddie Royal injured. I don’t believe he’ll put up great numbers this year, but hold onto him (or pick him up) in every dynasty league because he has everything it takes to be a star in the NFL.
Hey Cecil! I was wondering what you think of Patriots RB Danny Woodhead. I was thinking about putting him in my flex spot this week, but also have Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown. What should I do?
–Tommy
I love how the Patriots are using Danny Woodhead as their new version of Kevin Faulk. I’ve always been a fan of Woodhead, dating back to his days at Chadron (Neb.) State. I remember watching four hours of coach’s tape (with no sound) when he came out of college and thinking ‘this guy can play at the next level.’ He is incredibly quick, and difficult to tackle because he’s so elusive.
I would go ahead and plug him into your lineup over Ronnie Brown. The Dolphins are going to have a difficult time jump-starting the ground game against the Steelers this week. Woodhead has earned the trust of Bill Belichick, and will give you points as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
What is wrong with Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew? Should I bench him in favor of someone like Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw this week?
— Adam
The entire Jags offense is out of sorts this year. They are usually a different team when they play at home, but we saw them humiliated on Monday Night against the Titans. This week we could see journeyman Todd Bouman start for them at quarterback, which means the Chiefs defense will put eight or nine men in the box to stop the run. I would definitely bench MJD in favor of Ahmad Bradshaw. I can only recommend Jones-Drew as a flex player this week, as it could be a rough day for him in Kansas City.
I have Chiefs RB Thomas Jones, but have missed his big games this year. Every time I start him he disappoints me. When he’s on my bench he has big games. What’s the formula for predicting whether or not he’ll have a good game?
— Donny
Many fantasy owners were wondering how the carries and production would be split between Jones and Jamaal Charles before the season started. Now that we’re several weeks into the season, a pattern does seem to be emerging. When the Chiefs play with the lead in a contest they control, the gameplan is for Thomas Jones to be heavily involved. In a game where the Chiefs have to play from behind, they will turn to the playmaker Jamaal Charles more.
I own Thomas Jones in my main fantasy league, and am starting him this week. The Chiefs should be able to manhandle the Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium. I fully expect Thomas Jones to get near 100-yards rushing and a touchdown in week seven.
Chargers WR Vincent Jackson is available on my waiver wire. Should I add him to my roster for the fantasy playoffs, or will he be too rusty when he finally gets back to the field?
–Victor
This is the time to pick up Vincent Jackson if he’s available on your waiver wire. He’ll return a couple of weeks before the fantasy playoffs, and that should give him plenty of time to shake off any rust. Jackson was a favorite target of Philip Rivers, so I expect their on field chemistry to resume at full strength when he gets back on the field. Rivers is having a great year throwing the football, and adding Jackson back to the mix will only make him, and the Chargers, stronger.
Hi Cecil! I need some help at my wide receiver position this week. I need to start two of the following four. Should I go with Seahawks WR Mike Williams, Panthers WR Steve Smith, Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker or Cowboys WR Roy Williams? Thanks!
–George
I would go with ‘Big’ Mike Williams and Steve Smith here. The Seahawks got rid of Deion Branch and made Williams the focal point of the passing game last week. I expect that trend to continue this week as the Seahawks battle the Cardinals at home. Steve Smith returns to the field for the Panthers just as QB Matt Moore returns to the starting lineup. Smith has good timing with Moore and I expect him to be targeted early and often as Carolina tries to get their first win of the year.
I have a big problem at my QB position this week. I’ve been starting Dolphins QB Chad Henne for most of the season, but I have Rams QB Sam Bradford on my bench. Who should I start this week?
–Ron
The Dolphins’ best chance of beating the Steelers is to spread the field and go pass happy on Sunday. However, it will be difficult for Miami’s offensive line to keep the Steelers rush away from Henne. Put him on your bench and go with rookie Sam Bradford.
The Rams are playing well on offense, led by Bradford and RB Steven Jackson. They should be able to light up the scoreboard through the air against a Buccaneers secondary that has struggled in pass coverage all season long. Bradford found a new favorite target last week in undrafted rookie WR Danario Alexander, and I expect them to both have good days on Sunday.
I need help at my flex position this week. I’m playing against the league champion from last year and would certainly like to get the big win! I have to choose between Ravens RB Willis McGahee and Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart.
–Jeff
The Ravens are playing the worst team in football, the Buffalo Bills. I feel they will get a big lead early and then start pounding the ball on the ground. This means a big day for starter Ray Rice, but it also means a big day for Willis McGahee. The Ravens have recently stated that they want to get McGahee more involved in the offense, and that’s what we’ll see this week.
I play in a deep dynasty league and would like your thoughts on Saints rookie TE Jimmy Graham. Is he going to take over for Jeremy Shockey as we get toward the end of the season?
–Andy
Jimmy Graham was a basketball star at the University of Miami (Fla.), but decided to play football during his final season in college. He only caught 17 passes on the season, but was on the NFL radar because of his elite athleticism.
I watched him up close during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl earlier this year in Mobile, Ala., and came away impressed. Graham is a physical freak. He creates mismatches every time he’s on the field because of his speed and run after the catch ability. His basketball skills really come into play near the end zone. He knows how to use his big frame to box out defenders, and has the vertical leap to go up and catch jump passes over smaller defenders. I love his upside, especially in this offense. We should see more and more of him going forward.
You have gold if you’ve got Jimmy Graham in a dynasty league.
