By Zack Cimini

We’re getting close to the mid season stretch. There’s no bye weeks in the fantasy world and a shortened fantasy season at that. It’s basically panic time to do a trade or find that waiver wire gem to convert your team if you’re winless or only have a win or two. Whose available to look at? Last year we told you to snag Jamaal Charles around this time before Larry Johnson went his final slide. We’ve got some backs we think we’ll enter the fold this year and provide a huge mid to late season spark for your teams.

Quarterbacks

Josh Freeman- Of the young quarterbacks in the league Freeman is starting to emerge from the pack. He has a solid reportoire of throws and doesn’t destroy a fantasy team with interceptions. He is consistently targeting rookie Mike Williams and taking a bigger role with a lackluster running game. As the season wears on Freeman is going to be counted on to make even bigger plays with his arm. They’ve been winning tight games to have a winning record at 3-1. Take a flyer on Freeman if you’re hurting at quarterback or looking for one that will be pivotal during fantasy playoffs.

Kevin Kolb- Chances are he was abandoned by any owner that drafted him once Vick entered the fold. He made some solid plays against the 49ers and the Eagles got a pivotal win. The back and forth circus with the Eagles quarterbacks is going to have to end soon. A hot streak by Kolb would force the Eagles to keep playing whose winning games.

David Garrard- Garrard’s put together two solid fantasy games in a row. Scoring three touchdowns in both. The yardage isn’t there and at best Garrard is only an option in deep fantasy leagues. You could plug him in as a bye week filler or give him a shot a few times when matchups present themselves.

Running Backs

Fred Jackson- With Marshawn Lynch out of the fold we all did not know how the Bills would divide carries amongst Jackson and Spiller. Jackson seems to be the number one back as he doubled Spiller’s Sunday. It could be a back and forth carry load between the two. Value is there with Jackson though especially with the Bills trying to control the ball and limit their passes.

Javon Ringer- Keep an eye on the Titans love affair to fill Chris Johnson’s preseason predictions. They’re giving him a ton of carries and he has taken a beating for five games for it. The breakaway runs are not occurring at the high pace we saw last year. He’s still piling hundred yard games but they’re in the power back style of yards not the flashy explosive way of a year ago. If this style keeps up there is no doubt Johnson will get hurt. He doesn’t have the size to take the hits he has for sixteen games. Ringer can fill in and prove to be a fantasy midseason gem.

LeGarette Blount- Tampa Bay needs to make a decision at running back. Cadillac Williams and Earnest Graham are not going to be backs that can carry you to a playoff run. This team will fade if they keep putting it in those backs hands. Blount has had more opportunities as a young back than anyone could of imagined. The talent is there and Tampa will slowly but surely move the carries into his hands.

Jerome Harrison- He is back to full health and getting a handful of carries the past few weeks. Don’t wait for a monster game from him before getting him on your roster. Bury him now and wait for the magic.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Marcedes Lewis- Sooner or later facts are just facts. His whole career Lewis had one fantasy game a year that he would dot the radar. Now he is an emerging force that has to be recognized. He has five touchdowns on the year and has bypassed all Jaguars receivers as Garrard’s favorite target. Yardage still is not very high but that’s correlated to David Garrard’s overall numbers.

Danny Amendola- The Rams are going to have to rely on Amendola the Hard Knocks profiled Cowboy of a year ago booted out. They’ve had a cast of receivers drop that made them trade for Mark Clayton. Now that he has went down it’s going to be Amendola’s show. Poor Sam Bradford.

Deion Branch- Reuniting in New England makes Branch a season long waiver wire play to a guy worth looking at. He’ll step in an offense that needs his play and is one he is familiar with. Injuries may have slowed him down but expect extra pep in his steps now that he is on a winning team.
Ted Ginn Jr.- Ginn was a first round pick do not forget. Number ninth drafted in fact. Even a year ago he was shockingly the Dolphins number one receiver. He’ll never be a number one go to guy but can flourish with his speed opposite someone like Michael Crabtree. Ever since the 49ers fired the offensive coordinator Alex Smith’s yards have went up and the offense has clicked better. Who knows how much longer Smith will be out under center for the 49ers. Ginn’s made a small impact his first two games back and should continue to get more involved as he gets back on track from early season injuries.

Steve Johnson- Any time Ryan Fitzpatrick has a decent throwing day, Johnson’s in the stat column. Four touchdowns on the year already and getting involved more and more on every down situations. Lee Evans has taken a step back this year and Johnson appears to be the emerging option as sad as that sounds.