2012 Fantasy Football, Free Agent Fix: Add Knowshon Moreno With Confidence
Aaron Schuldiner
Maybe your starter is banged up. Maybe they have a bad matchup. Whatever the case, you’re looking for a quick Fix, and we’ve got you covered. Every week, we’ll scan the matchups and provide you with two or three favorable options that are available in the majority of Fantasy Leagues. This week, the Free Agent Fix offers up a breakout-ready wide receiver and a running back that could pay big dividends if you’re patient.
Ryan Broyles, WR, Detroit Lions
Our readers were rewarded handsomely when we recommended Titus Young in this column five weeks ago. But after turning in an eye-popping performance (9 catches for 100 yards; 2 TDs) in Week 8, the rate at which Young’s stock has dropped is almost unfathomable. After a series of shenanigans, which according to the Detroit Free-Press, included lining up in the wrong spot intentionally during a loss to the Packers, Young was suspended by the Lions. What once looked so promising has become a sad state of affairs for Young owners – this author included.
Fortunately, Young’s transgressions left Ryan Broyles with an opportunity that he seized emphatically on Thanksgiving, hauling in six catches for 126 yards against the Texans. A talented receiver and the beneficiary of being lined up opposite Calvin Johnson, Broyles figures to have a lot in store for fantasy owners in the coming weeks. He’s only owned in 30% of Yahoo leagues, and he’s got WR3 potential moving forward. We recommend an add if you’ve got the roster space.
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
We can’t advise you to start Knowshon Moreno this week, but we can advise you to add him with confidence.
Moreno’s matchup with an incredibly stingy Bucs run defense – a unit that has allowed the fewest yards per carry (3.4) and per game (81.5) in the NFL – makes him bench material for Week 13. After that, things figure to pick up in a hurry for the Broncos’ new featured back.
He’ll be a solid RB1 start in Week 14 against the hapless Raiders, who yielded 221 rushing yards in last week’s blowout loss to the Bengals. After that, Moreno (52% owned in Yahoo leagues) will face the Browns and Ravens, who rank 19th and 26th in rushing yards allowed per game, respectively.
This column is generally designed to offer more immediate help, but with the playoffs around the corner, it’s time to start sizing up your matchups for the next few weeks. Grab Moreno now, or risk having him run wild for your opponent.
Written by Aaron Schuldiner exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. For more great fantasy analysis, follow Aaron on Twitter @SheaLivesOn.