Week 2 - Top 10 Non-Studs at Each Position
by Paul Eide
Fantasy Football Director
9/18/09

We all know who the studs are, but what if you have to pick between the rest of the field? Who can you rely on? For quarterbacks, if I’m recommending a start I’m saying you can expect 200+ yards and at least one TD. For running backs, you can expect a minimum of 75 yards and a possible TD. For wide receivers, you can expect at least 75 yards and a possible TD. For tight ends, you can expect at least 50 yards and a possible TD, though I will only rank the top five. I will present each position by “Tiers” for quick reference on who the best “Non studs” are.

I’m not going to rank defenses because everyone in your league already owns the top 15 defenses, so there is no real insight there. I refuse to rank kickers; get the ones in the highest scoring offense and ride them all year. Let the prognostication begin!

Quarterback

Tier 1
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers @ Bears: The Bears defense is good against the run even without Urlacher, so I look for the Steelers to again favor the pass to pick apart the Bears thin secondary, just like the Steelers did to the Titans week one.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks @ 49ers: I like Hasselbeck again this week, as he seemed to get more and more comfortable against the Rams last week as the game wore on. Sure the 49ers shutdown the Cardinals last week, but I attribute that to Kurt Warner’s indecisiveness as much as the 49ers improved defense. Hasselbeck is as valuable to his team’s offensive success as any player in the NFL.

Joe Flacco, Ravens @ Chargers: Flacco looked awesome against the Chiefs last week with 307 yards and three TD. The Chargers pass defense really didn’t impress against JaMarcus Russell on Monday night, with his two pick being attributed to bad passes rather than good defense. I don’t think he has 300+ and three TD again, but a solid fantasy day none the less.

Tier 2
Jason Campbell vs. Rams
Matt Ryan, Falcons vs. Panthers
Brett Favre, Vikings @ Lions

Tier 3
Phillip Rivers vs. Ravens
Kyle Orton, Browns @ Broncos
Shaun Hill, 49ers vs. Seahawks
Kurt Warner, Cardinals @ Jaguars

One Week Bust- Tony Romo, Cowboys
One Week Sleeper- Carson Palmer, Bengals
One Week Super Sleeper- Kerry Collins, Titans

Running Back

Tier 1

Clinton Portis, Redskins vs. Rams: The Rams gave up 147 yards on 30 carries and a TD last week vs. the Seahawks and the way the Redskins use Portis, Portis may post those numbers all by himself. The Rams just aren’t very good on either side of the ball and the Redskins will look to establish Portis early and often.

Darren McFadden, Raiders @ Chiefs: Last season at Arrowhead McFadden had 164 yards and a TD, making it obvious as to why he was the #1 overall pick in the draft. Last week he had 68 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving but lost a TD near the goal line to Michael Bush. But McFadden showed the burst he was lacking at the end of last season and looks completely healthy again.

Fred Jackson, Bills vs. Buccaneers: The only people surprised by Jackson’s week one production are those outside of Buffalo. In the second half of last season Bills fans wondered aloud whether Marshawn Lynch deserved to be starting ahead of him and Jackson finished hot. Bills fans will get another heaping helping of Jackson this week.  

Tier 2
Cedric Benson, Bengals @ Packers
LenDale White, Titans vs. Houston
Joseph Addai, Colts @ Dolphins

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins vs. Colts
Thomas Jones, Patriots @ Jets

Tier 3
Willis McGahee, Ravens @ Chargers
Julius Jones, Seahawks @ 49ers

One Week Bust- Ryan Grant, Packers
One Week Sleeper- Tim Hightower, Cardinals
One Week Super Sleeper- Chester Taylor, Vikings

Wide Receiver

Tier 1
Roddy White, Falcons vs. Panthers: In his last four games vs. the Panthers White has averaged 86 yards per game. Last week he had a solid effort (5 recs, 42 yards) but missed out on an undoubted TD thanks to an underthrown ball. Look for Matt Ryan to get White involved this week early.

Isaac Bruce, 49ers vs. Seahawks: I know he’s old but I’m just not buying in to the Josh Morgan hype; Bruce is the 49ers #1 wide receiver. Last season Bruce had 202 yards receiving in two games vs. the Seahawks. Last year vs. Seattle, Shaun Hill had 285 yards and two TD’s so I look for Bruce to produce.

Chad Ochocinco, Bengals vs Packers: Did you know that over the last four years, no wide receiver has as many receiving yards as #85? Me neither. His 5 rec, 89 yard performance a week ago were more yards in one game than any game he played in the entire ’08 season, and five catches were second most. With Carson Palmer back to full health, Ochocinco will produce even if the Bengals lose.

Tier 2
Patrick Crayton, Cowboys vs. Giants
Justin Gage, Titans vs. Texans
Santana Moss, Redskins vs. Rams
Derrick Mason, Ravens @ Chargers

Tier 3
Devin Hester, Bears vs. Steelers
Donald Driver, Packers vs. Bengals
Jerricho Cotchery, Jets vs. Patriots

One Week Bust- Roy E Williams, Cowboys
One Week Sleeper- Louis Murphy, Raiders
One Week Super Sleeper- Earl Bennett, Bears

Tight End 

Tier 1
Zach Miller, Raiders @ Chiefs: Miller didn’t waste any time getting off to a hot start, with nearly 100 yards receiving vs. the Chargers. He is JaMarcus Russell’s favorite target and that should continue this week.

Ben Watson, Patriots @ Jets: How can you not start him after that fourth quarter effort vs. the Bills? The second TD he caught shows how much confidence Tom Brady has in him, so you should too.

Tier 2
Vernon Davis, 49ers vs. Seahawks
Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings @ Lions
Kevin Boss, Giants @ Cowboys 

One Week Bust- Antonio Gates, Chargers
One Week Sleeper- Kevin Boss, Giants
One Week Super Sleeper- Robert Royal, Browns