It’s Week 6 and I’m jonesing to get into another great slate of NFL football matchups. The Falcons and the Saints are in a divisional tilt on Thursday Night Football. Here’s who to look out for.
Start
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Much to the chagrin of Roddy White and his fantasy owners, wide receiver Leonard Hankerson has been Atlanta’s second receiver. The Saints have been kind to second receivers in previous weeks. Cardinals receiver John Brown had 46 yards and a score in Week 1. Vincent Jackson had 54 yards and a touchdowns in Week 2. Terrance Williams may be the top receiver in Dallas but he has been the No. 2 or No. 3 option for quarterback Brandon Weeden. Williams found the end zone against the Saints along with 49 receiving yards. Finally, Eagles receiver Josh Huff had 78 yards and touchdown last Sunday. These numbers mean that New Orleans does a decent job of stymieing No.1 receivers. I don’t expect they’ll be able to do that to Falcons receiver Julio Jones much, but there has been talk of Jones not being 100 percent due to hamstring and toe injuries. Bottom line is, it’s a good matchup for Hankerson who could be in line for a good day and even more if Jones cannot perform at full capacity.
Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints
If you look at the New Orleans Saints’ passing game each week, you’ll notice quarterback Drew Brees give an increasing number of targets to wide receiver Willie Snead. Snead began the season with just a single catch on three targets for 63 yards. The following week, Snead had four catches on six targets for 44 yards. In Week 3, Snead saw even more looks with seven targets, five catches and another 44-yard day. Two weeks ago, Snead had a breakout game of sorts with six catches on six targets for 89 yards. Last week, on six catches and a team-high 11 targets. Brees trusts Snead and the Atlanta Falcons allowed 219 receiving yards to Washington last week and a whopping 392 yards to the Texans in a blowout game in Week 4.
Sit
C.J. Spiller, RB, New Orleans Saints
Another year, another bust for the one-hit wonder running back C.J. Spiller (this just hasn’t been the year for football players named C.J.) Since he returned to action in Week 2, he’s had less than 10 carries. Things haven’t been much better in the passing game for Spiller. He’s averaged around three receptions in the last four games for an average 33 yards and that latter number is greatly helped by his against the Cowboys in Week 4. Leave Spiller on your bench this week, there simply isn’t enough volume.
Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
The same volume issue that plagues Spiller plagues Falcons’ receiver Roddy White. In his last two games White had 31 yards on four catches. Dismal stats for the former fantasy and real life superstar. Maybe, if Julio Jones isn’t his usual self, White may find more production in the offense but for now his role is being admirably filled by Hankerson.
Sleeper
Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Tight end Jacob Tamme has found himself more and more involved in the Falcons passing game. The former Denver Bronco saw 10 targets from quarterback Matt Ryan last week. That number tied Jones for most targets. Tamme caught eight of those targets for 94 yards. Also, the matchup against New Orleans is great. NFL.com reports, New Orleans has given up the third-most points to opposing tight ends in fantasy.
Hugh Johnson: 303-954-1037, hjohnson@denverpost.com or @HughJohnsonDP
