2012 Fantasy Football, Week 8 Free Agent Fix: Titus Young’s Stock On The Rise
Titus Young
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 serves up a second-year WR that’s primed to break out, and a RB that’s riding a wave of injuries right up the depth chart.
Titus Young, WR, Detroit Lions
When Nate Burleson suffered a season ending leg injury on Monday night, we expected Titus Young’s stock to soar. The Lions expected big things from Young when they used a second round pick on him in 2011, and it looks like he will finally get his chance to shine in Burleson’s absence. Yet somehow, as of Thursday morning, the #2 WR in an offense that throws the ball for an NFC-best 307 yards per game was owned in just 36% of Yahoo leagues.
We don’t exactly love Titus Young’s matchup this week. Seattle’s pass defense has been rock solid this year, but you can’t underestimate the effect that Calvin Johnson’s presence will have on their defensive scheme. The Seahawks will undoubtedly shift most of their coverages towards Megatron, which should provide Young enough opportunities to be worthy of WR3 consideration in 12-team leagues.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, PIT
Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman both missed practice on Wednesday, leaving their status very much in doubt for Sunday’s tilt with the Redskins. Even if they’re active, there’s a good chance Mike Tomlin will give Jonathan Dwyer the bulk of the workload. Dwyer, coming off a career-best 122 yards on 17 carries, is still available in 68% of Yahoo leagues.
He’ll be facing a Washington defense that’s been tough against the run, allowing just 85.3 yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry on the season. It’s a matchup that we will feel a lot more comfortable with if Redskins LB London Fletcher is unable to suit up. Fletcher, who didn’t practice on Wednesday because of balance problems and a hamstring issue, is the heart and soul of the Washington defense. We’d advise you to check the injury reports for both teams on Sunday morning, but it looks for now as though Dwyer will be a decent RB2 option in 12-team leagues.
Titus Young, WR, Detroit Lions
When Nate Burleson suffered a season ending leg injury on Monday night, we expected Titus Young’s stock to soar. The Lions expected big things from Young when they used a second round pick on him in 2011, and it looks like he will finally get his chance to shine in Burleson’s absence. Yet somehow, as of Thursday morning, the #2 WR in an offense that throws the ball for an NFC-best 307 yards per game was owned in just 36% of Yahoo leagues.
We don’t exactly love Titus Young’s matchup this week. Seattle’s pass defense has been rock solid this year, but you can’t underestimate the effect that Calvin Johnson’s presence will have on their defensive scheme. The Seahawks will undoubtedly shift most of their coverages towards Megatron, which should provide Young enough opportunities to be worthy of WR3 consideration in 12-team leagues.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, PIT
Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman both missed practice on Wednesday, leaving their status very much in doubt for Sunday’s tilt with the Redskins. Even if they’re active, there’s a good chance Mike Tomlin will give Jonathan Dwyer the bulk of the workload. Dwyer, coming off a career-best 122 yards on 17 carries, is still available in 68% of Yahoo leagues.
He’ll be facing a Washington defense that’s been tough against the run, allowing just 85.3 yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry on the season. It’s a matchup that we will feel a lot more comfortable with if Redskins LB London Fletcher is unable to suit up. Fletcher, who didn’t practice on Wednesday because of balance problems and a hamstring issue, is the heart and soul of the Washington defense. We’d advise you to check the injury reports for both teams on Sunday morning, but it looks for now as though Dwyer will be a decent RB2 option in 12-team leagues.
Written by Aaron Schuldiner exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. For more great fantasy analysis, follow Aaron on Twitter @SheaLivesOn.
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