Del Pilar's Digest: Fantasyland WR report

Week Eight brings the following teams on byes: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Jets, Raiders, Buccaneers. That means you lose RBs Michael Turner and Matt Forté; WRs Greg Jennings, Plaxico Burress and Darrius Heyward-Bey; and TE Jermichael Finley.

Bears WR Roy Williams (4-59-1 with five targets) has become more involved the last two weeks. He has a two-game average of 4.5 targets for 3.5 catches, 54.5 yards and 0.5 TDs per game. If this continues, it'll hurt the value of Johnny Knox, but for now, Williams has bye-week or injury fill-in potential.

Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas (3-27-1 with 10 targets) only had three receptions, but some of the targets credited to Thomas were just balls Tebow was throwing out of bounds. Thomas is the most talented receiver on roster but can't stay healthy. Eric Decker (2-21-0 with three targets) is a starter, but Tebow is looking toward Thomas right now. Don't give up on Decker despite a two-game average of four targets for two receptions, 17 yards and zero TDs. He's wavering with a bad QB, but let's not be hasty.

Broncos WR Eddie Royal (2-14-0 with four targets) did not do anything in his return after a four-week absence. With Tebow starting, Royal has no value.

Bucs Mike Williams (6-75-0 with 11 targets) had his best game this year and has improved the last three weeks with a two-game average of 12 targets for six receptions, 67 yards and zero TDs. If the rushing attack struggles, he'll see an increase in an already high target count. He makes a No. 3 receiver with upside.

Bucs WR Dezmon Briscoe (6-73-1 with 10 targets) has been improving since Week Five and has a two-game average of six targets for four receptions, 61 yards and 0.5 TDs. If the rushing attack struggles, the team may have to throw a little more, and Briscoe could see more targets, making him a watch-list player. 

Cardinals WR Early Doucet (5-30-1 on five targets) has a season average of seven targets for 4.3 receptions, 56.5 yards and 0.3 TDs per game — flex and bye-week numbers in large leagues. Watch-list him in the rest. 

Chiefs WR Jonathan Baldwin (1-14-0 on five targets) had a tough debut, but he played, and getting him from the sideline to the field was the first step. He has no fantasy value right now, but down the road he could make a difference by learning his position and helping take pressure off Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston.

Chiefs WR Steve Breaston (5-64-0 on nine targets) had another good game and now has a three-game average of 6.3 targets for 4.3 receptions, 68.3 yards and 0.67 TDs per game. Those are flex or bye-week numbers with upside.

Dolphins WR Davone Bess (7-52-0 on 12 targets) led the team in targets and as QB Matt Moore improves, one can assume so will Bess. He's a watch-list player but not worth starting yet.

Falcons WR Roddy White (5-52-1 on 10 targets) is still struggling and, if not for the touchdown, would have fantasy owners wondering if it's time to bench or dump him. It's time to buy low on him if you believe he'll improve, and I do. Take advantage of a buy-low opportunity.

Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (5-89-0 on 11 targets) is the only wideout to overcome poor quarterback play (six interceptions). Heyward-Bey has a four-game average of 9.75 targets for 5.5 receptions, 96.3 yards and 0.25 TDs per game. Those are No. 1 fantasy receiver numbers. He's an every-week play as he's showing he can get it done regardless of the quarterback or defense.

Rams WR Brandon Gibson was a healthy scratch, but it was no surprise. He's the odd man out, as they have WR Brandon Lloyd. Yet, this is a fluid receiving corps, and Mark Clayton will be back soon, further muddying the waters. Because of that, you can drop Gibson in typical formats, but he could be a waiver-wire pickup before season's end, depending on injuries, play, etc.

Rams WR Brandon Lloyd (6-74-0 with 12 targets) is the only Rams wideout who has any fantasy value and, in his first game with the team, led it in targets and yardage. The time to buy low has probably passed, and he has greater value in PPR leagues now that he's a Ram.

Redskins WR Santana Moss (hand) will miss up to a month, so look for the team to increase the playing time of Anthony Armstrong (1-9-0 with four targets) and Jabar Gaffney (4-68-0 with eight targets). QB John Beck will also lean on TE Fred Davis.

Saints WR Marques Colston (7-98-2 on seven targets) was outstanding, not dropping passes and catching everything thrown his way. Lance Moore (3-44-0 on four targets) disappointed in a game that saw 60-plus points by the Saints. Robert Meachem (2-27-0) was a bust this week, and Devery Henderson (1-9-0) is a given bust. What's most disappointing is that it's an explosive offense but the receivers limit one another's production, except for Colston doing well. He has a two-game average of nine targets for seven receptions for 108 yards and 1.5 TDs, No. 1 fantasy receiver numbers. The rest are merely bye-week or injury fill-ins.

Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders (5-46-1 on seven targets) and Antonio Brown (7-102-0 on nine targets) both had outstanding games, but the only consistent receiver is Mike Wallace. Sanders and Brown warrant watch-list status and in larger leagues can be used as matchup plays. This week is a great matchup play against the Patriots.

Texans WR Jacoby Jones (2-27-0 on four targets) has had only one good game, and that was last week. He's averaging for the season five targets for 2.17 receptions, 33.8 yards and 0.17 TDs per game. Those are numbers that should make you leave him alone, but until Andre Johnson returns, he has some value — minimal but some.

Titans WR Nate Washington (1-10-0) struggled as he's not a true No. 1 wideout. It's showing with a three-game average of five targets for 2.7 catches for 47 yards and zero TDs. Those are numbers for which you sell Washington high his first game back because he's slowing down.

Vikings WR Bernard Berrian may be a free agent soon. Not to defend his poor play, but a change of scenery may do him well. Berrian's on his way out, but so are some coaches and front-office personnel by season's end. They're a bad team. 

Vikings WR Michael Jenkins (3-111-1 on eight targets) had a great game. He's tied with Percy Harvin in targets but leads in yards and TDs. Jenkins has a season average of 5.4 targets for 3.9 receptions, 47.4 yards and 0.4 TDs per game. Those are not great numbers despite his Week Seven performance, but he's the team's best receiver right now, so he's worth taking in larger leagues as a No. 3, bye-week or injury fill-in.

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/10/24/del-pilars-digest-fantasyland-wr-report-4

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