Brandon Lloyd (38, STL) has been wearing blue and gold for just three weeks now and since doing so he has been on point. The former Illinois wide receiver has posted three straight weeks of double-digit fantasy points. In the three weeks since he was traded from the Broncos to the Rams, Lloyd has pulled in at least 5 catches in every game with 50 or more yards in each game. It is clear that the Rams are trying to get the ball to Lloyd. They wanted Mike Sims-Walker to play this role for the team, but that didn’t work so Lloyd was acquired to fill it. Josh McDaniels was Lloyd old head coach in Denver, which helped to propel Lloyd to the #1 fantasy wide receiver just a year ago. That combination is together again as McDaniels is the offensive coordinator and they are picking up right where they left off.

Another St. Louis Ram that is scaling the pecking order is running back Steven Jackson (14, STL). For years Jackson was known as a major value in PPR leagues and to start his 2011 campaign most fantasy owners were scratching their heads trying to figure out why he wasn’t living up to that hype. In the past 5 games played Jackson has recorded 4 catches in 4 of them with at least 19 yards in 3 of them. Besides Jackson’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield he has certainly picked it up when handed the rock as well. Since the week 5 bye Jackson has rushed for at least 95 yards in 3 of the 4 games with over 130 in his last two. Accompanied with his stellar rushing performances have been 3 touchdowns on the ground. Jackson has always been a prominent halfback but concerns of his inability to score touchdowns regularly have held him back. If he can continue doing what he has over the last few weeks he can be an even more dominant back in this league.

Matt Hasselbeck (13, TEN) has been known as one of those most consistent quarterbacks in the league. Since 2002 Hasselbeck has record at least 3,000 yards passing in every season but 2, one of which was an injury shortened season. So far in 2011 the former Boston College signal caller has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and that has only been in 8 games. With the disappearance of Chris Johnson at running back, Hasselbeck has needed to do it all on his own and he has stepped up to the challenge. Besides a lack luster performance in week 7 against the Texans, Matt has recorded double-digit fantasy points in every other game so far this season with at least 16 fantasy points 5 of the games. Hasselbeck has completed at least one touchdown pass in every game so far this year and he still has games against the Colts, Saints, Falcons and Jaguars. Hasselbeck should be one of the more reliable quarterbacks come Fantasy Playoff time.

It seemed to me like Mike Wallace (3, PIT) became a star overnight. Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL draft, he blasted his way onto the scene recording nearly 800 yards receiving and 6 scores. Since then, Wallace has been the epitome of consistency. Recording 10 receiving touchdowns in 2010 and so far 6 in 2011. The difference is, Wallace is now becoming a true #1 WR and has crept his way into top 5 status in fantasy football with 47 receptions and just under 900 yards in 9 games. Wallace is on pace to put up nearly 1800 yards receiving, 12 TDs and 90 catches which is something I didn’t see coming just a few years ago. Wallace should be looked upon as that top tier wide receiver talent for years to come and fantasy players should start thinking of Wallace before guys like Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald, and Roddy White.

For years Maurice Jones-Drew (14, JAC) was known as top 5, first round talent. After an injury shortened season most players wanted to push him back a bit in hopes to land the guy that has top 5 talent later in the draft.. However, this year Jones-Drew hasn’t even played to his second round potential. Many may say it is a product of a new and very young offense led by rookie QB Blaine Gabbert but to me I think it’s more about the once great running back being not so great anymore. Maurice hasn’t had a terrible rushing season so far, as he has recorded at least 84 yards in every week. The problem he is having is the inability to reach the end zone. With only three rushing touchdowns so far Maurice has ranked outside of the top 10 for fantasy running backs through week 9. Those numbers suggest that something is wrong either with his own ability or the team’s ability to move the ball. Either way, it means it is time to keep a very close eye on MJD until things change. If you can trade the halfback and get name value for him now is the time to do it.

Ahmad Bradshaw (12, NYG) another 2nd round potential halfback has not produced as such. In 5 of 7 games played Bradshaw has scored 11 fantasy points or less. Bradshaw has some value in PPR leagues still with at least 4 receptions in 4 games, however much like Jones-Drew, Bradshaw isn’t finding the end zone. Besides his 3 TD performance against Buffalo (when he scored 3, 1-yard touchdowns after receivers failed to get the ball in the end zone) Bradshaw only has 2 rushing touchdowns and 1 more receiving. Bradshaw was drafted to be running back 1, but so far he has been a RB2, which is probably hurting more teams then helping them.

After two weeks of football almost every fantasy owner was buying in on Dustin Keller (11, NYJ). Since then, people have begun to give up. Keller began the season with nearly 30 fantasy points in standard non-PPR leagues after accumulating over 150 yards and 2 TDs in that two-week span. Since then Keller hasn’t found the end zone once, and in that duration has not recorded more than 8 fantasy points in a single game. Keller seemed to be Mark Sanchez’ red zone guy but something changed. He isn’t getting the looks that he once was which is causing his value to fall further and further each week. Keller is still a borderline TE1 but he is pushing it, and you should keep an eye on it when heading into the playoffs.

I am sure most of you who read this column are wondering if I will ever give Tim Tebow (25, DEN) the credit he deserves. I am sure I eventually will when he earns it. Having one good game doesn’t make a superstar QB. Now, I heard a statistic given by Ray Flowers from Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio when he said that since becoming a starter last season, Tebow is averaging more than 24 fantasy points a game in games he has started. This number is shocking, and clearly puts him above the upper echelon of players. But, I am not buying it. Maybe it’s because of the way he was shoved down our throats, or the fact that he is a Gator and I hate the Gators, who knows. But for now, I will be hesitant.

Rob Gronkowski (2, NE) has really come on fire the last few weeks. In his last three games Rob has posted at least 7 catches for 74 yards in all of them. If he can find the end zone more frequently he would be the best tight end in the league.

Vincent Jackson (6, SD) doubled his touchdown output in the week 9 loss to the Packers with 3 scores and put up more than 30 fantasy points in this game. What concerns me is that he has more single digit fantasy performances then double digit. Philip Rivers obviously looked his way a lot, in this game, and if they can continue to do so Vincent Jackson will be the guy we have always thought he was.

Written by Justin Mandaro exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
You can follow me on twitter @PeckinRotoX 

And I will be answering your trade and line up questions on twitter from 10am to 12pm every Sunday. 

(October 22, 2011 – Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images North America)