Week 5: Pickups of the Week
WR Brian Hartline, MIA
MyFantasyLeague availability: 24%A player who was likely used exclusively in PPR leagues just broke into the mainstream. Little-known grinder Brian Hartline set a new Dolphins record last weekend with his 12-catch, 253-yard effort against Arizona. The touchdown he scored was his first on the season and just the sixth end zone trip of his career. He remains a much stronger play in PPR leagues, but standard league owners shouldn't shy away. Hartline has some obvious chemistry with QB Ryan Tannehill and Miami's offense has opened up dramatically since Mike Sherman took over as offensive coordinator this year.
WR James Jones, GB
MyFantasyLeague availability: 3%Greg Jennings re-aggravated his groin injury after the first half on Sunday, opening the door once again for James Jones to step up his play. The oft-added, oft-dropped receiver should draw the start against Indianapolis this week and will have the chance to build on a recent hot streak. Owners who take the leap with Jones should be wary of his inconsistent fantasy past and the unpredictable hierarchy that makes up Green Bay's crowded receiving corps. Consider giving Jones a one-week tryout before you commit to him long term.
WR Andre Roberts, ARI
MyFantasyLeague availability: 33%Roberts notched his third and fourth TD catches of the season last weekend and very nearly missed making it five when he had a 79-yard score called back on a Larry Fitzgerald holding penalty. Maybe Larry was getting jealous. Roberts has thrived playing opposite the six time Pro-Bowler and has put up solid overall numbers in a passing offense many pundits wrote off during the preseason. Kevin Kolb deserves a lot of the credit (and you may as well credit the addition by subtraction of John Skelton), but Roberts is a legitimate talent who only needed the opportunity to show it. He's getting that opportunity now.
TE Scott Chandler, BUF
MyFantasyLeague availability: 47%The knock on Chandler has been the his lack of consistency. As he has done so far this season, he got off to a great start in 2011 posting five touchdown catches through his first four games. However, his pace slowed dramatically and his lack of peripheral receiving statistics hurt fantasy owners who thought they'd uncovered a TD gold mine. Chandler remains a boom or bust player who is a deadly end zone threat for his team. He won't produce fantasy worthy catch or yardage numbers (over the last two years he's averaged just 31 yards on fewer than three catches per contest), but he can still provide the occasional multi-touchdown pay day. Give him a shot this weekend against the 49ers who are giving up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends right now.
Injury Status: Injured ReservePK Greg Zuerlein, STL
MyFantasyLeague availability: 41%Greg Zuerlein set a new record for longest Rams field goal last weekend. In fact he twice eclipsed the old record, hitting on attempts from 58 and 60 yards during his team's win against the division-rival Seahawks. The rookie kicker has stayed perfect so far, going 12-for-12 including 3-for-3 from beyond 50 yards. St. Louis hasn't been scoring many touchdowns, but their much improved defense has kept them in close games and elevated the importance of the kicking game. Field goals could again be the difference Thursday against Arizona.
Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings
