Some of the biggest performers so far this season are guys that once were credited as the best in the game at their specific position that haven’t had the best seasons of late. Some of them might be back to performing at a high level, and some might have just shown a flash of their old self in a good matchup that specific week.

We will discuss whether to BUY or SELL their recent production and figure out what kind of season to expect from these former fantasy superstars, along with a couple young players that have emerged as well.

Brandon Marshall – BUY
The former Bear, Dolphin and Bronco was once an elite NFL receiver for the Broncos and even had his days in Chicago, but it appeared that his NFL career was heading more downward than upward when he was a part of the fall of the mess that is in Chicago. He has found a terrific home so far in New York, as he has been the primary target for Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets. Marshall has had a touchdown in each of the Jets three games this season, and he has eclipsed 100 yards receiving in each of the two games that they have been without Eric Decker. Fitzpatrick will continue to look Marshall’s way this season, especially in the red zone with his size.

Larry Fitzgerald – BUY*
As you may see, I have an asterisk on my decision to buy in to what he has done so far in 2015, and the reason being is obvious why. I believe that Larry Fitzgerald has the opportunity to be a top 10, maybe even a top five fantasy receiver if Carson Palmer stays healthy for the entire 2015 season. It’s just three games in to the season, but Fitzgerald already has 23 catches in three games, which has him on pace to catch 121 passes if he plays all 16 games this season. Fitzgerald has never caught more that 103 passes (2005) in a season, and has only hit triple digits twice in his career. As I said before, the health of Palmer is going to be vital to the success of Fitzgerald in 2015. Last season without Palmer, Fitzgerald had just 784 receiving yards and two touchdowns. So far this season with Palmer, Fizgerald is averaging 111 yards per game, putting him on pace for 1,776 on the year, which would be over 300 more yards than his career high. I’m not suggesting that Fitzgerald is going to set career highs based on two games, however, I do think that Fitzgerald is set for a season that looks a lot like the old Larry Fitzgerald more than what we have seen the last couple of years.

Chris Johnson – SELL
It was a very nice game for CJ2K on Sunday against the 49ers, rushing for 110 yards and two scores on 22 carries in the Cardinals blowout win. He also added 40 receiving yards on just one catch. It was clear that Johnson was the feature back running the football, but he didn’t have near as much success in the previous two weeks. Johnson was added to the Cardinals roster before week one against the Saints, but his workload has increased due to the injury of starting running back, Andre Ellington. While the success of Johnson and the team being 3-0 might lead them to bring back Ellington slower than they may have originally anticipated, Johnson seems to be a fill in for Ellington while he recovers from his PCL sprain. Ellington is scheduled to return to the team this week against the Rams, so Johnson’s days as a fantasy relevant running back appear to be closing.

Steve Smith Sr. – BUY
I have been a big time Steve Smith fan since he has been in Baltimore, and nothing has changed so far. Smith was shut down in week one against the Broncos when he went up against Aquib Talib, as was the entire Ravens offense, but he has since had 23 catches for 336 yards and two touchdowns. With Torrey Smith leaving Baltimore for San Fransisco, the Ravens primary receiving option is Steve Smith and he is taking advantage of it. I believe that Steve Smith has the chance to be one of the best values in fantasy football this season considering where he was drafted.

Devonta Freeman – BUY
Freeman was given the chance to be the featured back in Atlanta after Tevin Coleman went down with his rib injury and he made the most of it. Not only did he carry the ball 30 times, but he tallied 141 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons come from behind win over the Cowboys. The Falcons have been a surprise this season at 3-0, and add Freeman to the list of surprises that have helped get them there. Coleman will miss this Sunday’s game as well against the Texans, and if Freeman has another outing even half as good as the one he put up on Sunday, I believe the Falcons will stick with him moving forward.

Carson Palmer – BUY
This outta go hand-in-hand with Larry Fitzgerald, but Palmer I’m buying Carson Palmer in 2015 if he can play a full 16 game schedule. Palmer is quietly going to be one of the top fantasy QB’s in the league this season, which speaks volumes for the value he has, as he was likely undrafted or drafted late in most drafts. The Cardinals offense has been clicking on all cylinders in 2015 and I believe that it will continue as long as Palmer is healthy. Palmer’s resurgence at his age is reminding everyone of what Kurt Warner did with the Cardinals at age 38 when he led them to the Super Bowl in 2009.