Andre Brown, RB (NYG)–When starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw went down with an injury on Sunday it was expected that rookie David Wilson would step in and get the carries, but it was Brown that was called upon and took full advantage of the situation. Brown finished with 71 yards and a touchdown on 13 rushing attempts to go along with two receptions for 19 yards. With the Giants playing on Thursday night it is unlikely that Bradshaw will be ready to go for the game, which means Brown will likely get the bulk of the carries with Wilson sprinkled in for a change of pace. So if you are in need of a running back for this week or if you are a Bradshaw owner, it would be wise to pick up Brown this week, since he has the potential to repeat Sunday’s production.Daryl Richardson, RB (STL)–Prior to the start of the season it was assumed that Isaiah Pead was the handcuff to Steven Jackson, but when he was removed from the game on Sunday it was Richardson that was called upon to carry to workload. He finished the game with 15 carries for 83 yards, which breaks down to 5.5 yards per carry. Jackson’s removal from the game on Sunday is one that raised a few eyebrows, but it doesn’t appear he will miss any additional time. If you are a Pead owner it is now time to cut bait and pick up the real handcuff to Jackson, because we all know that Jackson’s injury history.Mikel LeShoure, RB (DET)–LeShoure missed the entire 2011 season with an Achilles injury and was suspended for the first two game of the 2012 season. He will be returning to the Lions backfield this week and will likely split carries with Kevin Smith in his first few weeks of action. Although Smith has performed well enough to keep the starting job, LeShoure has the most upside of the two running backs. So if he is available in your league he is worthy stashing for the first few weeks with the potential of him taking over the running back role full time.Andrew Hawkins, WR (CIN)–Hawkins failed to live up to his breakout Week 1 performance when he hauled in eight receptions, but he was able to find the end zone on two catches for 56 yards in Sundays win over the Browns. He had a hard time sniffing the field last season, hauling in just 23 receptions in 13 games with zero touchdowns. Since the Bengals decided to let Jerome Simpson walk this past offseason it opened the door for Hawkins to fight for a starting spot in the offense. SO far he has done enough to earn playing time, so if he continues to get the targets expect him to be a decent play as a WR No. 3 or flex option in standard leagues.Donnie Avery, WR (IND)–The Colts offense is revamped this season and Avery has made it known that he wants to be a part of the team’s future. Avery had a great Week 2 performance hauling in nine passes for 111 yards, this coming after three receptions and a touchdown in Week 1. His nine receptions were a career-high and six higher than last season, since he played in just one game for the Rams. It appears that Avery will be lined-up opposite Reggie Wayne for the rest of the season as long as he stays healthy. For now Avery is a must-add in PPR leagues and is a solid pickup to be a No. 3 WR in standard leagues.Brian Hartline, WR (MIA)–Like Avery, Hartline was targeted often on Sunday finishing with nine receptions for 11 yards in the Dolphins blowout with over the Raiders. The Dolphins passing game is nothing special as the team rebuilds for the future, but it is nice to see that rookie Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is looking Hartline’s way through the first two weeks of the season. While Hartline may not be an every-week starter at this point by season’s end we could be looking at a solid starter in PPR leagues so pickup if you are looking for wide receiver depth.Martellus Bennett, TE (NYG)–Bennett failed to live up to expectations while a member of the Cowboys, but since signing with the Giants that is a different story. Through the first two weeks of the season Bennett has hauled in two touchdowns catches and appears to be gaining the trust of quarterback Eli Manning. He was targeted 10 times in Week 2 finishing with five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown which brings his season total to 112 yards. The Giants offense is based off of the pass, so as long as Bennett can stay healthy he should get plenty of action, especially in the red zone.
Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information.Pick Ups Of The Week: Week 2 Andre Brown, RB (NYG)–When starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw went down with an injury on Sunday it was expected that rookie David Wilson would step in and get the carries, but it was Brown that was called upon and took full advantage of the situation. Brown finished with 71 yards and a touchdown on 13 rushing attempts to go along with two receptions for 19 yards. With the Giants playing on Thursday night it is unlikely that Bradshaw will be ready to go for the game, which means Brown will likely get the bulk of the carries with Wilson sprinkled in for a change of pace. So if you are in need of a running back for this week or if you are a Bradshaw owner, it would be wise to pick up Brown this week, since he has the potential to repeat Sunday’s production.Daryl Richardson, RB (STL)–Prior to the start of the season it was assumed that Isaiah Pead was the handcuff to Steven Jackson, but when he was removed from the game on Sunday it was Richardson that was called upon to carry to workload. He finished the game with 15 carries for 83 yards, which breaks down to 5.5 yards per carry. Jackson’s removal from the game on Sunday is one that raised a few eyebrows, but it doesn’t appear he will miss any additional time. If you are a Pead owner it is now time to cut bait and pick up the real handcuff to Jackson, because we all know that Jackson’s injury history.Mikel LeShoure, RB (DET)–LeShoure missed the entire 2011 season with an Achilles injury and was suspended for the first two game of the 2012 season. He will be returning to the Lions backfield this week and will likely split carries with Kevin Smith in his first few weeks of action. Although Smith has performed well enough to keep the starting job, LeShoure has the most upside of the two running backs. So if he is available in your league he is worthy stashing for the first few weeks with the potential of him taking over the running back role full time.Andrew Hawkins, WR (CIN)–Hawkins failed to live up to his breakout Week 1 performance when he hauled in eight receptions, but he was able to find the end zone on two catches for 56 yards in Sundays win over the Browns. He had a hard time sniffing the field last season, hauling in just 23 receptions in 13 games with zero touchdowns. Since the Bengals decided to let Jerome Simpson walk this past offseason it opened the door for Hawkins to fight for a starting spot in the offense. SO far he has done enough to earn playing time, so if he continues to get the targets expect him to be a decent play as a WR No. 3 or flex option in standard leagues.Donnie Avery, WR (IND)–The Colts offense is revamped this season and Avery has made it known that he wants to be a part of the team’s future. Avery had a great Week 2 performance hauling in nine passes for 111 yards, this coming after three receptions and a touchdown in Week 1. His nine receptions were a career-high and six higher than last season, since he played in just one game for the Rams. It appears that Avery will be lined-up opposite Reggie Wayne for the rest of the season as long as he stays healthy. For now Avery is a must-add in PPR leagues and is a solid pickup to be a No. 3 WR in standard leagues.Brian Hartline, WR (MIA)–Like Avery, Hartline was targeted often on Sunday finishing with nine receptions for 11 yards in the Dolphins blowout with over the Raiders. The Dolphins passing game is nothing special as the team rebuilds for the future, but it is nice to see that rookie Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is looking Hartline’s way through the first two weeks of the season. While Hartline may not be an every-week starter at this point by season’s end we could be looking at a solid starter in PPR leagues so pickup if you are looking for wide receiver depth.Martellus Bennett, TE (NYG)–Bennett failed to live up to expectations while a member of the Cowboys, but since signing with the Giants that is a different story. Through the first two weeks of the season Bennett has hauled in two touchdowns catches and appears to be gaining the trust of quarterback Eli Manning. He was targeted 10 times in Week 2 finishing with five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown which brings his season total to 112 yards. The Giants offense is based off of the pass, so as long as Bennett can stay healthy he should get plenty of action, especially in the red zone.
Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information.Pick Ups Of The Week: Week 2