I thought I would introduce a new in-season article this year in which I discuss a few players whose fantasy value has either gone up or down depending on their performance, role changes, injury concerns, etc. from the previous week. I will try to get this article out every Thursday for your reading pleasure.
Stock Up
 |
 |
RDE Wallace Gilberry (KC) – Gilberry has sneakily put up 4 sacks so far this season and is on pace for 8 for the year. He doesn’t garner enough playing time to do much in the tackle column for owners, but he is turning into a decent matchup play in deep, big-play IDP leagues. |
 |
|
MLB Jon Beason (CAR) – The season-ending injury to Dan Connor opens the door for Beason to move back to his more comfortable position at middle linebacker. This move should do wonders for Beason’s fantasy value as he seemed slightly awkward on the weak side and sliding back to the middle should increase his fantasy production. Plus, he’s got a very favorable schedule moving forward. It’s definitely time to buy Beason as he could see a return to top 5-10 linebacker status. |
 |
|
SLB Brian Cushing (HOU) – After back-to-back poor fantasy performances, Cushing owners are starting to become impatient. However, good news is here. Reports out of Houston are stating that the Texans plan to move Cushing back to outside linebacker for a majority of his defensive snaps. This should restore much of Cushing’s value that he lost after moving to middle linebacker in Week 8. Although I’m not expecting “Cush” to replicate his 2009 numbers, he should be a serviceable LB2 now. |
 |
|
SS Roman Harper (NO) – It’s amazing how quickly player performance outlooks can change. Just last week I had Harper in my downgrade column. However, the Saints had both of their starting cornerbacks return to the lineup thus allowing defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to use Harper less in coverage and more as an in-the-box safety. This had a positive result on Harper’s stat line as he put up 9 solo tackles and a sack. He should be a high level DB2 moving forward. |
 |
|
RCB Richard Marshall (CAR) – After a very slow start to the season, Marshall has picked up his performance over the last 5 games. During that time span, he has had 34 solos, 4 assists, a sack, and 2 interceptions and is starting to look a lot like his 2009-self. Marshall has always been a solid tackler for IDP owners and should continue to have a lot of opportunity as the Panthers are perhaps the worst offensive team in the league. I would trust Marshall as my CB1.
|
Stock Down
 |
 |
LDE Kroy Biermann (ATL) – I have/had very mixed feelings about Biermann all year long. In the preseason, I barely had him ranked and received a lot of crap from readers about how this guy was the next Jared Allen. I remained skeptical, but after watching him dominate in his preseason games, I completely changed my mind and starting pimping him out. He had a sack in his first regular season game, but hasn’t registered one since and his tackle numbers have been less than desirable. If you still have “Beer Man” on your roster, it’s probably time to move on. |
 |
|
SILB Stephen Cooper (SD) – Cooper has been a sneaky matchup play for my the last few seasons, but he seems to have lost a step or two this year. He’s only had two above average tackle games out of seven this season and has quickly become the 3rd best fantasy linebacker option in San Diego behind Kevin Burnett and Shaun Phillips. I would suspect that age (31) is starting to get to Cooper and that his time as a starter may be coming to an end after this season.
|
 |
|
ROLB DeMarcus Ware (DAL) – Ware has been the Cowboy’s most consistent defensive force over the last few seasons. However, with Dallas often falling behind big early, Ware’s sack opportunities have greatly diminished. The lack of QB pressure being applied from other areas of the defense has hindered Ware’s production as well as teams can double team him on a majority of passing plays. Ware is still going to get his sacks here and there, I just wouldn’t expect a ton of multiple sack games from him here on out unless the Cowboys defense miraculously improves. |
 |
|
SS Steve Gregory (SD) – Gregory was injured in his first game back from suspension and I have to wonder a little bit about how much his PED use was helping his on the field performance. Paul Oliver has filled in for Gregory quite well and if I have a feeling that he may take over a majority of the snaps from Gregory. I wouldn’t bet on PED boy to return to his pre-suspension fantasy form. |
 |
|
FS Macolm Jenkins (NO) – Jenkins filled in admirably for the injured veteran Darren Sharper for the first 8 weeks of the season. However, Jenkins is likely to see less and less playing time as the season wears on and Sharper becomes more healthy. Jenkins remains a decent dynasty option as he’s shown some aptitude for putting up fantasy points and will likely get the starting nod at free safety next year. He’s safe to drop in redraft leagues, however. |
As always thanks for reading and for your comments! You guys have been keeping me busy! I’m looking forward to your questions, comments, and derogatory remarks.
Last Updated: November 11, 2010
