Quarterback

Josh McCown, Browns

If you were told at the beginning of the season that Josh McCown would throw for over 340 yards three weeks in a row, you’d probably scoff at the notion. McCown is, in fact, a lifetime backup that has almost as many career interceptions (60) as touchdowns (67). Prior to Sunday’s win at Baltimore, McCown was 2-14 over his last 16 starts – not exactly a strong résumé to start football games for an NFL team.

With all of that said, McCown has thrown for 1,154 yards with six touchdowns and one interception over the last three weeks. His performance has validated the Browns’ decision to go with the veteran over second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel. The question on the table at right now is whether or not fantasy owners should be buying or selling the 36-year-old McCown.

Cleveland ranks in the bottom third of the league with 442 rushing yards this year and things aren’t really looking up in the immediate future. This has forced the team to air it out for the majority of the game and good things have happened so far. Sadly, that is about to come to a screeching halt. The Browns face the Broncos, Rams, Cardinals, and Bengals in their next four games and the Josh McCown Show is about to turn tragic.

Verdict: SELL. McCown has had a relatively easy schedule over the last three weeks and has been able to stuff the stat sheet. He’s going to fall back to earth at a rapid pace starting this week against the Broncos.

Drew Brees, Saints

It’s been a rough start to the year for the New Orleans Saints. Their defense is nonexistent and their offensive line is allowing opposing defenses to smother Drew Brees. Even still, Brees owns a 66.5 completion percentage and has thrown six touchdowns in the process. Given the makeup of the Saints right now, it would be easy to write Brees off, but from my vantage point, you should be doing the exact opposite.

When you’re talking about a veteran gunslinger, buying low is your only real option. This may not be the 2009 New Orleans Saints, but this is still a team that is going to air it out. Left tackle Terron Armstrong and right guard Jahri Evans are likely to return to the starting lineup this week and that can only help Brees going forward. Buy now because there are still plenty of huge games for the veteran quarterback this season.

Verdict: BUY. You can’t write off a guy like Brees because of an injury or a depleted offensive line. If you’re looking to upgrade at quarterback, look no further.

Running Back

Duke Johnson Jr., Browns

As previously mentioned in this article, the Browns’ rushing attack has been subpar at best. Neither Isaiah Crowell nor Duke Johnson Jr. has been able to claim the spot at the top of Cleveland’s depth chart, but over the last three weeks it is becoming clear that Johnson is the more valuable commodity, especially in PPR leagues.

After zero targets the first two weeks, Johnson has seven, ten, and eight, respectively, over the last three games. He is averaging just eight carries per game this year, but one big game could change that. Based on talent level and his pass-catching ability, Johnson could become the feature running back in Cleveland sooner rather than later. Even if he is in a timeshare, he’s seen a big jump in his PPR value.

Verdict: BUY. Josh McCown has targeted Johnson an average of 8.3 times over the last three games and that trend should continue going forward. Johnson is going to be cheap right now and could immediately slot in at a FLEX spot in PPR leagues.

Thomas Rawls, Seahawks

Opportunity arose and Thomas Rawls has made the most of it in the three weeks that he’s filled in for Marshawn Lynch. After playing 34 snaps and a 100-yard performance Week 3 against the Bears, Rawls was on the field for 31 snaps Week 5 against the Bengals and torched Cincinnati for 169 yards on the ground. Compared to Marshawn Lynch’s average when healthy, Rawls is seeing the field just over half the amount of time.

Speaking of Beast Mode, he is expected to be back this Sunday against the Panthers. While the Seahawks have stated they want to continue to keep Rawls involved in the offense, it is wishful thinking. Lynch is the feature back in Seattle and he should see his usual workload going forward, pushing Rawls back to a bench role.

Verdict: SELL. Rawls has shown a ton of potential and could be Lynch’s replacement in the future, but there is no chance that he supplants the veteran on the depth chart this season. Use his big game to cash in.

Wide Receiver

Willie Snead, Saints

If I’m going to spotlight Drew Brees, I have to do the same to one of his weapons.  The Saints’ struggles have already been chronicled to a degree, but there have been a few bright spots, one of which is Willie Snead. He is currently leading the Saints with 381 receiving yards and was on the field for 49 snaps this past week against the Eagles. His stock has risen and he’s now at the forefront of New Orleans’ passing attack.

Verdict: BUY. Brees has to throw the ball to someone and Snead should gobble up plenty of targets going forward. He only has one touchdown this season, but you can expect that number to increase relatively soon.

Calvin Johnson, Lions

Oh, to be a Lions fan these days. The team has started out 0-5 and Matthew Stafford was benched in their latest loss to the Cardinals. Detroit has said that Stafford is still their quarterback going forward, but a vote of confidence in Stafford doesn’t fix the atrocious problem that is their offensive line – pun intended. The Lions have weapons, but if they can’t be utilized properly, they may as well field a pee wee team because they’d get the same results.

There is no question that Calvin Johnson is still a top-flight player, but the situation he’s in is going to make it hard for him to produce the type of numbers we are used to. Megatron’s overall numbers – 32 receptions, 322 yards, one TD – aren’t flashy, but they’re good enough to combine with name value to make a play for a top tier wideout. Things aren’t getting better in Detroit and you shouldn’t let your fantasy team suffer as a result.

Verdict: SELL. This would be a prime spot to make a two-for-one deal to get an elite player.

Tight End

Charles Clay, Bills

The Bills have been hit with the injury bug and that has allowed tight end Charles Clay to step up in a big way. Even after an underwhelming performance against the Titans where he caught just one pass on three targets, Clay is still an important part of the Bills’ offense. Buffalo’s backfield is currently in shambles and they will have no choice but to attempt to get the passing game going. If that turns out to be the case, Clay will be one of the main beneficiaries. 

Verdict: BUY. One bad game will have many owners backing away from Clay. This is a great opportunity to acquire him, as he should be a focal point of Buffalo’s offense going forward.