With Week 8 in the books, here are some changes you can make to your fantasy roster for this week’s slate of games to maximize your point total.
Start ‘em
Buffalo wide receiver Stevie Johnson is past due for a big performance, and I believe he will have one this week against Kansas City. The Bills have been playing well with quarterback Thad Lewis at the helm, and I believe Johnson will be able to put up some big numbers against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have been solid all season, but the Bills are hot, and I think the offense there believes in Lewis’ ability to give them the best chance of winning. Johnson is agile, and a real possession wideout across the middle of the field. He has the speed to pile up yards after the catch.
The Chiefs’ defense loves to get after the quarterback, and Lewis will likely target Johnson early and often as his safety valve. This should translate to a better fantasy performance from the wideout than in recent weeks.
Charles Clay deserves a start this week for the Miami Dolphins against the Cincinnati Bengals. Clay is a great option at tight end and has caught a touchdown pass two weeks in a row. He has developed as a big red zone target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and even though Tannehill has been struggling the last few weeks after his hot start, he’s been finding ways to get the ball to Clay in the scoring areas.
T.Y. Hilton is another wide receiver to watch in Week 9. The Indianapolis Colts have been consistent this year, and have pulled off victories against good teams like Denver and Seattle.
Hilton is crucial to the Colts’ success, and quarterback Andrew Luck always seems to find him on the field. Hilton has enough speed to be a threat when out in open space, and also has the ability to go up and get balls over cornerbacks. Against a struggling Houston Texans squad, Hilton shouldn’t have much trouble racking up points.
Sit ‘em
Wideout Vincent Jackson is facing a stout and formidable defense in the Seattle Seahawks, and should be confined to the bench this week if you have other options at wide receiver. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been having all sorts of trouble since benching and releasing quarterback Josh Freeman, and I don’t see Tampa’s luck turning around this week. Jackson is a threat and one of the better receivers in the league, but not having a quarterback that can get him the ball really puts a damper on his fantasy output. Until Tampa Bay turns things around, Jackson likely won’t accumulate the points we’re used to seeing out of him.
If the New York Jets play the same defense they played against New England this week, Jimmy Graham may not be your best option at tight end this week. Graham is statistically the best tight end in the game, but the Jets are the best at giving great quarterbacks trouble, as seen against New England a few weeks ago.
The Jets are capable of controlling a game because of their defense, and the only way you can control the Saints is by controlling Drew Brees, which means limiting the amount of receptions Graham has. I believe the Jets are capable of doing this, so if you have another viable option at tight end, it just may be in your best interest.