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It’s a troubling sign when you’re rotating NFL teams with more velocity than Peyton Manning’s football throws over twenty yards. Felix Jones is a name but does he fill a need for Pittsburgh? He is on his third team in less than a season now, and obviously did not show enough for Philadelphia to consider him worth keeping. They traded him away to Pittsburgh for a former undrafted linebacker.

Pittsburgh is not sure how to handle the current injury to Le’Veon Bell so they insured themselves just in case. With a backfield that already consists of LaRod Stephens-Howling, Isaac Redman, and Jonathan Dwyer, the move is a bit peculiar.

This automatically negates one of the three running backs, and I believe that to be Isaac Redman. I wrote an article just a few days ago on the Steelers running back situation, and believed Redman was the odd man out amongst the three then. With four to worry about now, Redman is downgraded even more.

As far as Jones being a sleeper and taking on a big role for the Steelers, I do not believe that will happen. Jones has struggled through a vast amount of injuries after showing promise as an speed back a few years ago in Dallas. The job as a starter in Dallas did not last long as DeMarco Murray ran away with the job, and proved to be much more effective.

Jones proved the notion that a smaller back has a tough time taken on the heavy-duty role. Games that he had carries above ten he struggled and was ineffective. His yards per carry dwindled and his injury-risk skied as he was not durable. But when you lessen the amount of carries he receives to be between five and eight, he can produce heavy damage. He is that change of pace back that is a true home run threat when the burden is not solely on him.

With Demarco Murray’s injury woes last season the Cowboys began to lean more and more on other backs, instead of Jones, relegating Jones to a third running back. Dallas made it clear when they drafted former Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle that they were not pleased with Jones run efficiency nor his 3.6 yards per carry last season.

His role in Philadelphia would have been third back behind McCoy and Brown, and will be his role as a Steeler. Pittsburgh must quietly have concerns on LaRod Stephens-Howling’s health. He did miss week two’s preseason game and has missed practice this week with a strained knee.

Pittsburgh can ill-afford to rely on the tandem of Dwyer/Redman as they did last year. I doubt Jones will get a significant amount of carries for Pittsburgh. Opportunity does have a weird way of knocking on someone’s door. Jones may get that in Pittsburgh where injuries have become prevalent and the need for someone to step up is there. The max I would expect from Jones is a game or two in which he is the primary ball carrier. Something we have seen in Dallas just as recent as last year, in which he still showed no fantasy value.

This signing should have no fantasy committal value. Take a wait and see approach before you consider a roster move for Jones, even in PPR leagues.

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The spike and rise of offenses in the NFL involving their tight ends as focal points has seen a large shift of use over the past few years. We know about the Jimmy Graham’s, Rob Gronkowski’s, Jason Witten’s, and Tony Gonzalez’s of the first tier automatics. One can argue that as teams have platooned out their running backfields the same has happened at tight end.

Teams have an arsenal at their disposal when it comes to a tight end, and they can use them for an array of situations. The big down playmaker tight end is there, along with the short yardage tight end that can block for pass protection. Mixing the two together forms that added advantage to an offense. While the scale of high fantasy numbers won’t come close to the yardage and touchdowns of the first tier tight ends, you can land yourself a solid six to twelve fantasy points with the depth that is now at the entire tight end position in football.

There were plenty of moves in offseason at tight end and though none are expected to fly off the board in your drafts, drafting an appropriate tight end can be all the difference in squeezing out a win or a loss.

1. Jared Cook
Cook has always had the skill set that’s impressed people. For Cook though I believe it was more of an situational issue with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans offense never found itself with poor play from Jake Locker and CJ2K’s decline. Reuniting with Jeff Fisher and an offense that has weapons should put Cook in a decent TE2 with a possibility of spot starts.

2. Dustin Keller-
Miami did a lot of investing on the defensive side of the football and with Mike Wallace’s contract. Tannehill will have a safety net with Keller, but will Tannehill have enough time to throw the football with a revamped offensive line? Keller did enough as a Jet with the worst quarterback in Mark Sanchez, so that’s why I rank him second of new tight ends in new places.

3. Delanie Walker-
If Vernon Davis had went down to injury at any point, Walker would have been a fine fill in. A lot of Walker’s success came with Alex Smith, who had issues targeting and finding a number one wide receiver as a 49er. That was partly due to the toned down pass plays the 49ers had in place for Smith. Walker possibly fed off of Davis more than anything. Landing in Tennessee could be a big problem for Walker if Locker does not show any advancements on the field.

4. Martellus Bennett-
Bennett looks like a great signing but I’m going to categorize him as a one year wonder for now. He had opportunities his entire career, and finally had a break through as a New York Giant a year ago. I believe teams did not see Bennett as a threat and that’s how he snuck back on the fantasy radar a year ago. Chicago has an offensive minded coach now, and if Bennett struggles I would not be surprised for him to see limited snaps.

5. Brandon Myers-
I may have Myers rated too low in this ranking out of anybody listed so far. In actuality the difference statistically from Cook to Myers thus far should not be much of a difference between a tenth and twelth round pick. Myers shined last year as Raider, which was a team that produced for fantasy owners late in games when behind. As a Giant, Myers automatically steps in to a great situation.

6. Kellen Winslow Jr-
This is the last hooray for Winslow to showcase whatever he has left. His years as a Cleveland Brown seem far distant, before he washed out as a Buccaneer. The Jets are going to give him every opportunity to produce again. If he has came back to full health, Winslow Jr could be a backup tight end in deeper fantasy leagues.
7. Anthony Fasano-
Fasano is on the far backside of his tight end career. But over the years Andy Reid has always been one to have an off balance when it comes to percentages of the run game to pass game. Kansas City is expected to be balanced with Alex Smith and a quarterback friendly game plan. That alone could give Fasano a breakout game or two during 2013. His value is not worth drafting at this time.

8. Visanthe Shiancoe-
This was an emergency veteran signing by the Baltimore Ravens when their young stud Dennis Pitta went down. Schiancoe was non-existent on the fantasy radar last season because he did absolutely nothing. A resurrection at age 33 would be a huge shock. Baltimore signed him for a reason though, and New England has been a destination that has limited careers before. Two years ago in his last season as a Viking, Schiancoe had just 400 yards receiving with and just a few scores. One highlight for Schiancoe is that Joe Flacco loves to get the ball to his tight ends.

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Fantasy playoffs are nearing. Now is not the time to be content with your team. Keep making those extra necessary moves to give your team the expected edge.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick

Though Fitzpatrick has struggled that’s when he typically begins to bounce back, when he is at a low point. If it were not for that, Fitzpatrick would never have lasted this long as a starter. His time may be dwindling due to inconsistency, but at this point of the season Buffalo has no one else to turn too. Fitz may have a few solid games left in this season to boost your fantasy playoffs if you enter with a low caliber quarterback.
Chad Henne

Sometimes the front office needs to realize they made the wrong decision in a high draft pick. The Jaguars offense has been completely different with Henne under center to what Blaine Gabbert has offered. For those that watched Henne fill in for Gabbert a few weeks back against the Raiders are probably doing double takes, as Henne was beyond awful in that game. His spark has turned a passing game up a few notches and involved their top ten pick Justin Blackmon, who was non-existent much of the season.
Ryan Tannehill

While all the rookie talk has been focused on RG3 and Andrew Luck, Tannehill is diligently playing effective games himself. He showed great composure to put the team on his back against the Seahawks, as the Seahawks defense did a great job at stopping the run. Tannehill undoubtedly has the least talented receiver corp, but is still putting up great statistics. You have to wonder if not having a big player such as Chad Johnson has benefitted Tannehill. From a mental standpoint he has not had to worry on who needs to get the ball. He just delivers solid throws to whoever is the open guy.

Running Backs
Beanie Wells

Wells is the back that pops on and off the injury report enough to think he was a distant NFL player from years ago. He stepped in Sunday and scored two touchdowns for the Cardinals. The team has been free falling, but had some momentum with the running game with LaRod Stephens-Howling. Quarterback play has been a different story. Wells is available in over half of leagues and should not be overlooked for playoff depth.
James Starks

We’ve seen this beat before from the Packers. Starks stepped in during their Super Bowl run to do a sufficient job. That’s what the Packers need and will test Starks again. He had a good game against the Lions a few weeks ago, and this week against the Giants game plan was over before it could even begin.
Bryce Brown

Chances are most owners protected their investment in LeSean McCoy and bid heavily on Brown. If somehow you were in a league that Brown slipped through the cracks with the holidays on most minds, you’ll get another fortunate shot at Brown. His display on Monday Night Football speaks for itself for the interim injury of McCoy.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Justin Blackmon

Blackmon was listed as a sleeper in the summer time, and developed into the epitome of one as he rode the waiver wire after getting dumped early this season. His talent has always been there but the consistency to get him the ball lacked. The Jaguars have an air attack offense that has not been threatened by the ground game. Blackmon will be a top pickup this week.
Mohamed Sanu

The big target from Rutgers is starting to get involved in the offense finally. As teams become more and more geared at stopping the automatic red zone touchdowns of AJ Green, the Bengals have devised pass plays for Sanu to suit the counter to Green’s attention. It has worked. Though Sanu only had five catches Sunday, he had nine targets.
Emmanuel Sanders

Big Ben is expected to come back within the next week or two. When he does the passing game should bounce right back. With injuries all around the team, Sanders is going to become a factor to step in and produce. He did okay with Charlie Batch Sunday, which should give you enough of a green light to go after Sanders on the waiver wire.
Dustin Keller

The Jets have not been pretty to watch offensively but as long as Mark Sanchez is under center you have to bank on history. History shows that he loves to target Keller. There may be a lot of key changes in the off-season in New York, but until than this tandem should produce semi-effectively.

Quarterbacks
Jake Locker
Credit, Locker for coming back from injury and benefitting his team right off the bat. Locker was named the starter in preseason for a reason. He gives the Titans a better chance of winning and has developed in many areas as a passer. A person like Locker can have high value for your fantasy football stretch playoff run.

Andy Dalton

Dalton’s leadership was called into question by his own head coach Marvin Lewis. Dalton has followed those comments with two solid games. One in which he fought neck and neck with Peyton Manning before Manning took over in the fourth quarter. The second time around against a Manning brother, Andy got the best of Eli. Cincinnati does not have a high amount of rushing touchdowns. They are a slow pace offense but touchdowns are going to come through the arm of Dalton.

Carson Palmer
Palmer is piling up stats and might be the number one chunk garbage fantasy football candidate in the league right now. The Raiders don’t look like they’re going to improve any time soon, and seem fine with relying on Palmer’s arm and nothing else.
Running Backs

Jacquizz Rodgers
It’s inevitable that the Falcons will be seeking a new running back once the offseason comes. They have struggled all season for the most part to establish their running game, and that has led to many drop back passes for Matt Ryan. Mike Turner seems to be limited in the amount of carries he can handle effectively nowadays. Expect Rodgers involvement in the offseason to begin to leap more.

Wide Receivers
Mohamed Sanu
The big target out of Rutgers is starting to develop in the second half of this season. As AJ Green continues to tear apart secondaries, Green is going to only attract more and more attention. Sanu should be able to use his size to haul down some deep balls and utilize his size advantage over opposing cornerbacks.

Cecil Shorts
Shorts continues to be Gabbert’s favorite option in a limited effective passing attack. Shorts is now becoming consistent on a weekly basis over the last four weeks.

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Here are some players to look at picking up as week nine finishes out. It’s time to make those last crucial moves to position yourself for a playoff run.

Quarterbacks

Brandon Weeden

It definitely was not a great game by Weeden, but he has been sort of a game manager thus far in his rookie season. Sooner or later the Browns are going to want to see what they have in Weeden. The few designed big plays the Browns have ran, Weeden has thrown decent balls and completed some big plays. If they expand his throws just a bit more, Weeden could be a sneaky lower tier fantasy quarterback.

Jay Cutler

Some owners that had Cutler pulled the quick trigger on him as he has not dazzled like owners would have liked. This Bears team still likes to win based on how their defense is playing. Sunday got a bit out of hand and Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall did not disappoint.

Carson Palmer

You’re never going to like the touchdown to interception ratio from Palmer but he is going to air it out weekly. He’ll likely lead the league over the next month as Darren McFadden’s injury gets analyzed and his return to the field is determined on a weekly basis.

Running Backs

Ronnie Brown

Brown has become a threat out of the backfield and has bypassed Jackie Battle in a more prominent complimentary role to Ryan Matthews. San Diego’s offense has been up and down all season, but they’ve always been a streaky team. Credit Brown for over coming injuries and handling his role properly.

Vick Ballard

The Colts running game may never crack the top twenty five this season, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be any fantasy value. Ballard has become important to Andrew Luck and the Colts offense. There’s always the chance that Donald Brown’s injury remains nagging and Ballard keeps a major role.

Joique Bell

Detroit shifted from lighting it up with Matthew Stafford to going to a power ground attack with Bell and LeShoure. It was probably a good move as the past few weeks Stafford took some serious licks. As the Lions want to try to make a playoff run they’ll need to rely more on the ground attack and protect Stafford’s health.

Isaac Redman

One week it’s Jonathan Dwyer and the next it’s Redman. Both guys had their shots earlier in the season and couldn’t grasp the backfield lead role. Now both have shined while the Steelers battle through backfield injuries. How long will it last before the backfield is intact with everybody again?

Wide Receivers

Danario Alexander

San Diego has been dying to get a main target to throw to consistently. Alexander will get every opportunity that Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem have been unable to fulfill. Philip Rivers is a streaky quarterback. If he can regain his form, having a threat such as Alexander could be pivotal.

TY Hilton

It’s taking awhile but the rookie has started to show major signs in large part to the increased confidence of Andrew Luck. He shattered Cam Newton’s rookie yardage record by a mere yard, but had big play after big play to sustain drives on third down. One of his favorite targets to go to in the spread offense was Hilton’s way. Expect Hilton to continue to shine as Luck does.

Donald Jones

Fitzpatrick does not have many receivers to throw to, but Jones is one of them. He is making the most of his opportunity and starting to become one of the top targets for Fitzpatrick. One thing about Buffalo is that they are going to continue to throw the football the way their defense has played all season long.

Ryan Broyles

Broyles and Titus Young are still battling it out to see who becomes Stafford’s new second option with Nate Burelson out for the season. Young had the big week last week and Broyles had a decent game Sunday in a toned down game from Stafford. Both may end up being decent options weekly along side Megatron.

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We are at the halfway point of the regular season. The next four to five weeks are going to make or break your fantasy season. As you try to make that push from the middle of the pack to get one of the last playoff spots, it’s going to take the utmost perfect lineup changes and proper fantasy starter submissions. Here is a look at post week eight’s fantasy waiver wire pickups.

Quarterbacks

Josh Freeman-
It is visibly noticeable now that Freeman appears settled in with the new talent surrounding him offensively. After a shaky first month, he has developed and made Vincent Jackson into one of the top fantasy wide receivers in football. Doug Martin finally came around in a big way against the Minnesota Vikings, as the offense continues to move forward each and every week. Freeman is still available in about 40 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Blaine Gabbert
His week was a one week wonder as well as he has not done anything to be remotely considered a fantasy football quarterback this season. Based on his preseason and how he performed against Oakland before getting hurt though, you could say he is starting to turn the corner again. As noted in the weekly wonders article it use to take a young quarterback a full year to get use to the NFL speed and play. Gabbert may be approaching that period. Keep an eye on how he keeps producing in the coming weeks.

Running Backs

Jonathan Dwyer-
Another consecutive repeat entrance from Dwyer. All the injuries to the Steelers back field has allowed for Dwyer to be the main back two weeks in a row where he has shined for 100 yard performances. After struggling tremendously to get the ground game going the first five games, Pittsburgh will now be able to factor in Dwyer once Mendenhall and Redman are healthy. His carry amount load will dwindle but the Steelers will not ignore the past two weeks.

Donald Brown
Brown is not going to be a fantasy stud each week and finish as a top fifteen back. What he can do though is provide sneaky fantasy points each week. The Colts look like they’ve decided to limit his role as a feature back, but that doesn’t mean his productivity will decline. He can produce results with twelve to fifteen carries a game while maintaining his role as a solid pass catching running back. A quality back to have stashed on your roster especially if you are in a PPR league.

Ronnie Hillman
The Broncos really like this young rookie, and they finally unveiled what Hillman can do with a double digit carry load. Albeit his performance was against the poor defense of the Saints but it still yielded strong results and positive signs. The Broncos have not shied away from being a heavy run team this season. With Knowshown Moreno still shelved on the sidlines, Hillman is going to continue to get opportunities to rush the football to spell McGahee. That may rise as the weeks carry on so the Broncos have a healthy 30 year old McGahee come playoff time.

Wide Receivers

Titus Young
Megatron was negated Sunday so Matt Stafford had to look elsewhere to make big plays. Titus Young who was questionable to play gutted it out and had a huge performance with nine catches and two touchdowns. He was on the waiver wire list last week and is still available in a wide range of leagues.

Joshua Morgan
The longer and longer Pierre Garcon sits out the more the depth of the Redskins begins to rise in the fantasy football picture. Leonard Hankerson has been to inconsistent and Santana Moss is good for a solid game once a month. Morgan seems to be the guy RG3 is leaning more and more as the weeks stretch on.

Brandon LaFell
Even amidst Cam Newton’s second year struggles, LaFell has started the year off as a solid flex and borderline number three/four fantasy wide receiver. He is on pace to finish the year near 850 yards receiving with six touchdowns, and that’s with how poor Newton has played. If Newton can snap out of his funk and throw a few more 300 yard games, LaFell could be a sleeper strong finisher to the fantasy season.