Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

It’s been a rough season for studs in Pittsburgh. Le’Veon Bell is out for the year, and now Ben Roethlisberger has suffered his second injury this year. The good news is that it is only going to keep him sidelined for a week or two. There is even an outside possibility that Big Ben could play this Sunday against Cleveland.

Though it has been an injury-riddled season for the grizzled veteran, he is still one of the very best when healthy. Roethlisberger has always had a knack for stepping up in a big game and with three divisional games and two important conference matchups against the Broncos and Colts in the final five weeks he should be ready to do plenty of work.

We saw what happened last week when Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown got back on the same page. If DeAngelo Williams can continue to play at a high level, the passing game will open up, thus making Roethlisberger an even better play as we head into the fantasy football playoffs.

Verdict: BUY. Do not let a minor foot injury shy you away from Big Ben. He’s a top option at quarterback when healthy and would be a fantastic QB1 for the playoffs.

Philip Rivers, Chargers

Things are not good in San Diego. The team has lost five games in a row due to an underperforming rushing attack and several key injuries.  The Chargers have thrown the ball a whopping 66.4 percent of the time, second only to the brutal Detroit Lions. While normally this bodes well for fantasy purposes, Rivers’ weapons are dwindling by the week.

With Keenan Allen out for the year and veteran Malcom Floyd dealing with a shoulder injury, the Chargers’ pass heavy offense is looking at Antonio Gates, Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman as its main options. We know Gates is great, but he is only one player. Johnson is a WR4 on his best day and Inman shouldn’t really even be considered as an option outside of the deepest leagues.

At least Rivers can rest on the fact that he still has the dynamic firecracker, Danny Woodhead, at his disposal. Sadly, that isn’t nearly enough for Rivers to continue as one of the top options at quarterback this season. Cut bait before it is too late and you get bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

Verdict: SELL. The Chargers are a mess, though it is no fault of Rivers. There is little chance that he will be able to sustain his current numbers going forward.

Running Back

Jeremy Hill, Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are 8-0, but very little of that success can be tied to Jeremy Hill. A consensus first-round pick headed into the season, Hill is averaging just 3.3 YPC with five touchdowns. There have been plenty of busts this season, but Hill has certainly been one of the biggest. His best performance of the season was during Week 1 when he ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns. It’s been all down hill since then.

It would be easy to assume that Hill will get things going as the weather gets colder, but what grounds do we have to stand on with that assumption? None is the correct answer. Hill saw just 30 snaps last week, good for 44.8 percent of the Bengals’ offensive plays. He is in a clear committee with Giovani Bernard and based on the way he’s playing, could be in a clear backup role soon.

Verdict: SELL. Hill is a total bust and if someone is looking to buy low on him, do yourself a favor and get rid of the dead weight.

Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall, Jets

There are two things I absolutely love about Brandon Marshall—he’s consistent and he doesn’t get nearly as much love as he deserves. I like to think of him as a poor man’s 2014 Antonio Brown. Marshall has five games over 100 yards this season and has found the end zone five times. So what if Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t an elite arm? He is feeding Marshall the rock and getting superb results.

While the names of Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr., and the aforementioned Antonio Brown get tossed around as the cream of the crop, Marshall just continues to get it done on a weekly basis. The Jets are gunning for a playoff spot and that means they will need to rely on Marshall more than ever.

Verdict: BUY. Marshall is playing like an elite receiver, because quite frankly, he is one. This would be a great spot to make a two-for-one deal and add Marshall to your squad for the stretch run.

Cole Beasley, Cowboys

A guy like Cole Beasley is unlikely to be owned outside of deep leagues, so if you’re playing in an eight-team league, you can tune out and skip to tight end. Now for those of you that own Beasley, listen up. He was targeted 11 times against Philadelphia, catching nine passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. The two games prior to that, he was targeted twice.

In season-long leagues, consistency is key and Beasley is the furthest thing from it. Sure the Eagles focused on Dez Bryant, but the cream rises and Bryant will get his in an even bigger way, especially with Tony Romo back soon. You’ll never have a better opportunity to move Beasley than right now, so cash in on his only good game of the season.

Verdict: SELL. This is a no-brainer as Beasley is a WR5 with only moderate upside.

Tight End

Delanie Walker, Titans

Trust is something that will take you a long way in life. The same can be said in football as rookie Marcus Mariota has found his most reliable option in Delanie Walker. The veteran tight end has only been a fantasy asset over the last couple years, so it is excellent to see that he continues to be a strong resource in his 10th season.

After hauling in seven passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns during Week 9 against the Saints, Walker will look to be the focal point once again this week when Tennessee hosts Carolina. This will be a tough task, but Mariota is going to have to throw the ball to someone. Things should get easier following the team’s Week 10 matchup as four of the Titans’ final eight games come against division foes, including two against Jacksonville.

Walker is an under-the-radar name, but still has the ability to put up TE1 numbers. Use his lack of name value and look to acquire him just in time for the playoffs.

Verdict: BUY.  Walker doesn’t have the fanfare of a guy like Rob Gronkowski or Greg Olsen, but he’s a low-end TE1 most weeks and costs a fraction of the price.