Week 4 - Top 10 Non-Studs at Each Position
by Paul Eide
Fantasy Football Director
10/3/09

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!

Quarterbacks

Tier One
1. Carson Palmer, Bengals @ Browns- The Browns are giving up a league high 31+ points per game and Palmer has yet to bust out. This is the week!

2. Jason Campbell, Redskins vs. Buccaneers- Campbell’s performance vs. the Lions was the one positive in losing to the woeful Lions. The Bucs are giving up 245+ yards passing per game which should translate into Campbell having a successful day.

3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ Vikings- I know Aaron Rodgers is arguably a stud thus far in the season, but a lot of experts are forecasting rough sledding vs. the Vikings defense this weekend. I’m in the minority, and I know how bad his offensive line is, but if he can avoid the rush and stay healthy, I think you’re looking at a 300 yard game. Look for a lot of roll outs and play actions to free up downfield pass attempts.

Tier Two
1. Eli Manning, Giants @ Chiefs
2. Brett Favre, Vikings vs. Packers
3. Mark Sanchez, Jets @ Saints
4. David Garrard, Jaguars vs. Titans

Tier Three
1. Kyle Orton, Broncos vs. Cowboys
2. Kerry Collins, Titans @ Jaguars
3. Shaun Hill, 49ers vs. Rams

One Week Bust: Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Ravens
One Week Sleeper: Mark Sanchez, Jets @ Saints
One Week Super Sleeper: Matt Stafford, Lions @ Bears

Running Backs

Tier One
1. Cedric Benson, Bengals vs. Browns- The Browns are a mess right now on both sides of the ball, all the way to their head coach. Benson is the recipient of a woeful defense that cannot do anything right. Bengals get up early, Benson pounds the rock.

2. Joseph Addai, Colts vs. Seahawks- Seahawks are 25th against the run this year. The Colts get a head big early and run the ball with Addai and Brown the rest of the way.

3. Brandon Jacobs, Giants @ Chiefs- I think the Giants do the same thing they did last week vs. the Bucs, to the Chiefs; run it right over them. Jackson gets at least 25 carries and the Giants win big.

Tier Two
1. Tashard Choice, Cowboys vs. Broncos
2. Steven Jackson, Rams @ 49ers
3. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants @ Chiefs

Tier Three
1. Donald Brown, Seahawks @ Colts
2. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos vs. Cowboys
3. Leon Washington, Jets @ Saints

One Week Bust: Darren McFadden, Raiders @ Texans
One Week Sleeper: Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants @ Chiefs
One Week Super Sleeper: Mewlede Moore, Steelers vs. Chargers
 

Wide Receivers

Tier One
1. Devin Hester, Bears vs. Lions- Don’t look now but Hester has emerged as the Bears most consistent WR. Jay Cutler and Hester should hook up numerous times against a porous Detroit pass defense.  

2. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars vs. Titans- Has 12 catches, 187 yards and a TD in his last two games. Has quietly become Garrard’s favorite target.
 
3. Jerricho Cotchery , Jets @ Saints- Speaking of quiet, has any WR produced more this season and not made a peep? Cotchery has had at least 4 catches and 80+ yards in every game this season. Saints D giving up 245 yards passing per game.  

Tier Two
1. Donald Driver, Packers @ Vikings
2. Steve Smith, Giants @ Chiefs
3. Justin Gage, Titans @ Jaguars
4. Nate Burleson, Seahawks @ Colts 

Tier Three
1. Percy Harvin, Vikings vs. Packers
2. Andre Caldwell, Bengals @ Browns
3. Derrick Mason, Ravens @ Patriots
 
One Week Bust: Lee Evans, Bills @ Dolphins
One Week Sleeper: Mike Sims-Walker, Jags vs. Titans
One Week Super Sleeper: Andre Caldwell, Bengals @ Browns
 

Tight Ends 

Tier One
1. Vernon Davis, 49ers vs. Rams- Leading the 49ers in receptions and TD’s. Has a great match up vs. the Rams.

2. Heath Miller, Steelers vs. Chargers- Hasn’t done much this far, but with the Steelers forced to rely on their passing game more than they want to, Miller should benefit.  

Tier Two
1. Dustin Keller, Jets @ Saints
2. Jeremy Shockey, Saints vs. Jets
3. Kevin Boss, Giants @ Chiefs

One Week Bust: Owen Daniels, Raiders @ Texans
One Week Sleeper: Heath Miller, Chargers @ Steelers
One Week Super Sleeper: Robert Royal, Browns vs. Bengals