Digging Deep - Who is Sims-Walker?

Mike Sims-Walker may have become David Garrard’s go to guy, while making multiple clutch catches in their victory Sunday. He currently has 12 receptions for 187 yards and 1 touchdown, and is averaging 15.6 yards a catch. With the 2009-2010 season being only Sims-Walker’s second year playing in the NFL, we feel his stats could improve every game.  MSW is listed as the number two receiver on the depth chart right now. Although the Jags are a run first team with Maurice Jones-Drew (AKA the Freight Train) in the backfield, Sims-Walker will start catching people’s attention, and might even become worthy of being a starting WR in deeper fantasy leagues. He available in 93% of fantasy leagues on ESPN. Scoop him up fast, by season’s end he could very well be owned in the most fantasy leagues. The Jaguars face the Titans (allowing 274.4 yards passing a game) week four. If Sims-Walker has another good game, this might be the last week you have to pick him up. Missing out on Sims-Walker could end up like being left out in the cold, and who wants to be cold?

Digging Deep - Start Glen Coffee?

Frank Gore is out for three weeks with a right ankle strain, which is a huge loss for run heavy 49ers and many fantasy owners. San Francisco is averaging 26.7 rushes per game, which means Glen Coffee will be getting plenty of touches.  Coffee is a very underrated running back and showed some upside against the Vikings week 3.  The 49ers play the Rams on Sunday.  The Rams are allowing 148 yards per game rushing, which ranks sixth worse in the league.  Coffee is available in 70% of ESPN leagues (pick him up ASAP).  If you lost Frank Gore or just are looking for a spark in your fantasy lineup take a shot on Coffee.  We think he will have a good weekend and will be the focal point in San Fran’s offense.

Digging Deep - Pierre Garcon

Pierre Garcon WR IND – Available in 97% of ESPN leagues.  Due to the recent injury of Anthony Gonzalez, the Indianapolis Colts have been in search for a number 2 receiver capable of being opposite of Reggie Wayne.  Garcon might be that guy, and anytime you have a number-2 wide receiver whose quarterback is Peyton Manning you need to consider that player in terms of a fantasy perspective.  During the Colts week 3 game against the Cardinals, Garcon had 64 yards and his 2^nd touchdown of the season.  He looked like a reliable deep threat beating the relatively solid, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the outside.  Garcon is Manning’s 3^rd favorite target behind, (WR) Reggie Wayne and (TE) Dallas Clark. But as Garcon continues to gain experience (only in his second NFL season) and Manning’s confidence, he could turn into a much more reliable Fantasy option.  Pick up Garcon if you are in need of a reserve wide receiver. He is a big sleeper but the rewards of an acquisition out weigh the risks. 

Digging Deep - Vernon Davis

Vernon Davis TE SF – Available in 91% of ESPN leagues.  A tight end that runs a 4.38 forty-yard dash would be any coach’s dream.  Well, that is exactly how fast Vernon Davis is.  He has had a very disappointing start to his career; the 49’rs drafted Davis with the 6^th overall pick in the 2006 draft.  Using a 6^th overall pick for a tight end is basically unheard of, but that is the type of athlete that Davis is.  San Francisco doesn’t have a bona fide number one receiver, and with Frank Gore possibly being hurt for the next few weeks, a number one is exactly what Davis could turn into.  Obviously a tight end with such amazing speed creates mismatches, but Davis finally showed signs of capitalizing on mismatches. He caught 7 passes for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns, in the 49’rs near week 3 win against the Minnesota Vikings.  With the tight-end position being scarce, Davis is about as close to a must add free agent as you can get.

Digging Deep - Johnny Knox

Johnny Knox WR CHI – Available in 80% of ESPN leagues.   The kid is a pure deep threat, and with a quarterback with the type of arm Cutler has, it makes him a big weapon.  One of Cutler’s favorite targets, Knox has 4.3-40 yard dash speed, and has pretty good mitts as well.  Could this be the 2009 version of Eddie Royal?  Only time will tell, but we think he could definitely turn a fantasy impact player.  He has 2 touchdowns in three games, and his week 3 touchdown against Seattle, had peoples jaws dropping.  Cutler has no wide-outs who have proven to be a true number-1; we think Knox could fill those shoes.  The Bears play the Lions week 4 before going into the bye week, so Knox would be as close to a must start as there is.

Digging Deep - Correll Buckhalter

Correll Buckhalter RB DEN – Available in 62% of ESPN leagues.  We feel that Buckhalter could become a legitimate starting fantasy running back in Week 4.  He led the Broncos’ in yards Week 3 with 108 yards on 14 carries.  Yes Knowshown Moreno is now healthy, but it appears the Broncos’ backfield will consist of both Moreno and Buckhalter for now.  Why fix something when it’s not broken?  Coach McDaniels opinion could change.   In upcoming weeks the Broncos’ host Dallas, and New England, and then go on the road to San Diego week 6.  Week 7 is the bye week, which means week 8 would be a sensible time for McDaniels to start rushing one player much more favorably than the other.  Pay attention to both Buckhalter and Moreno due to the fact the Broncos’ usually are in the top 5 in the league in rushing.