Week 9 Fantasy Football Pass Targets (RB & TE)

Posted by Tom Blaz on 10/31/2012 | 2 Comments

Tags: Darren Sproles, Rashad Jennings, Ronnie Brown, Dexter McCluster, Danny Woodhead, Alex Green, Jonathan Stewart, Jason Witten, Rob Gronkowski, Dustin Keller, Jimmy Graham, Tony Scheffler, Tony Moeaki, Marcedes Lewis, Logan Paulsen, Jermichael Finley

I haven't compared historical numbers, but fantasy owners just aren't getting the passing numbers (targets) to supplement the dreaded running back by committee. Ray Rice owners have quickly moved him back into starting lineups after his bye week. The Buffalo duo of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, the law firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and fantasy god Arian Foster are also returning. Shonn Greene, Frank Gore, Stephen Jackson and the New England committee are on vacation in week nine. Tight ends Jermaine Greshmam, Dennis Pitta, Scott Chandler and Owen Daniels are back in starting lineups, with Dustin Keller, the struggling Vernon Davis and fantasy favorite Rob Gronkowski taking a seat this weekend.

Play free fantasy basketball at Fleaflicker where you can sign your league up, join a league or move your commissioner-based league over with ease.

The Ultimate Start / Sit Tool - Get It Now!

Have an iPhone or iPad? Get the #1 selling fantasy football tool this season! Fantasy Alarm's award winning 2012 Fantasy Football App!

Running Backs

Darren Sproles continues to pace running back targets, the only sure thing in the New Orleans backfield. Rashad Jennings continues to fill in for Maurice Jones-Drew, doing a better job in a role he is familiar with, catching  the ball out of the backfield. Ronnie Brown didn't do well as Ryan Matthews fill-in back in September, but he has found a role catching the ball in passing situations. Dexter McCluster continues to be a versatile cog in the Kansas City offense, whether operating out of the slot or the backfield. Danny Woodhead was a part of Tom Brady's gameplan, but the New England running back situation couldn't be more watered down. Alex Green got a vote of confidence in Green Bay and it appears he will carry the load through Thanksgiving when Cedric Benson returns. Jonathan Stewart is the choice for now in Carolina with DeAngelo Williams reportedly on the block. This could be great news for owners of both backs, with their roles too undefined to be reliable starters. LeSean McCoy is an example of one of the NFL's few every down backs taking a dip in the passing game. McCoy targeted only three times by Michael Vick on Sunday and is averaging only five per game on the season. Week eight dud's, targeted only once include Trent Richardson, Frank Gore, Reggie Bush and Adrian Peterson.

Week 8 Risers

9   Darren Sproles NO

8   Rashad Jennings JAX

8   Ronnie Brown SD

8   Dexter McCluster KC

7   Danny Woodhead NE

6   Alex Green GB

6   Jonathan Stewart CAR

 

Week 8 Fallers

3   LeSean McCoy PHI

2   Willis McGahee DEN

1   Trent Richardson CLE

1   Adrian Peterson MIN

1   Reggie Bush MIA

1   Frank Gore SF

0   Ahmad Bradshaw NYG

0   Marcel Reece OAK

 

Season Leaders (Minimum Three Targets Per Week)

52 Darren Sproles NO

45 Darren McFadden OAK

42 Ray Rice BAL

40 Dexter McCluster KC

35 LeSean McCoy PHI

34 Trent Richardson CLE

29 Ronnie Brown SD

28 Adrian Peterson MIN

28 Doug Martin TB

27 Ryan Mathews SD

26 Chris Ogbonnaya CLE

26 Joique Bell DET

26 Matt Forte CHI

25 Arian Foster HOU

25 Marcel Reece OAK

25 Mikel Leshoure DET

24 Chris Johnson TEN

24 Willis McGahee DEN

24 Jamaal Charles KC

23 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

23 James Casey HOU

22 C.J. Spiller BUF

22 Reggie Bush MIA

22 Danny Woodhead NE

21 Fred Jackson BUF

21 Pierre Thomas NO

 

Tight Ends

Wow, a legendary fantasy performance by Jason Witten, targeted an amazing 22 times by Tony Romo in the Cowboys loss to the Giants. Witten's performance valuts him to number one among tight ends with more than ten targets per game this season. With Aaron Hernandez back out again, Rob Gronkowski took advantage with 13 targets by Tom Brady. Can we rely on Jermichael Finley? I realize there have been injury concerns, but I expected so much more from Aaron Rodgers' tight end. Dustin Keller has been the favorite tight end acquisition by the "experts" and he didn't dissappoint. Jimmy Graham is as reliable as they come with injuries the only potential roadblock. Chris Cooley continues to work his way back into shape while Logan Paulsen assumes the numbers of the injured Fred Davis. After a strong performance, Antonio Gates disappointed owners on Sunday and you can probably say the same about Jared Cook. Coby Fleener and Brandon Myers continue to be plagued by inconsistency, "Murphy's Law" says you have had trouble playing either of them on the right weeks. Kyle Rudolph was a touchdown machine through much of September, now he can't even buy a look from Christian Ponder. What has happened to Vernon Davis? The bye week comes at a great time as he followed up a goose egg with only a pair of Alex Smith targets.

Week 8 Risers

22 Jason Witten DAL

13 Rob Gronkowski NE

11  Dustin Keller NYJ

10  Jimmy Graham NO

8    Tony Scheffler DEN

8    Tony Moeaki KC

7    Marcedes Lewis JAX

6    Logan Paulsen WSH

 

Week 8 Fallers

5    Tony Gonzalez ATL

4    Antonio Gates SD

4    Jacob Tamme DEN

4    Jared Cook TEN

3    Coby Fleener IND

3    Brandon Myers OAK

2    Kyle Rudolph MIN

2    Vernon Davis SF

 

Season Leaders (Minimum Five Targets Per Week)

72 Jason Witten DAL

64 Rob Gronkowski NE

59 Tony Gonzalez ATL

57 Brandon Pettigrew DET

52 Jimmy Graham NO

50 Dennis Pitta BAL

48 Owen Daniels HOU

48 Heath Miller PIT

47 Kyle Rudolph MIN

46 Brent Celek PHI

45 Martellus Bennett NYG

44 Greg Olsen CAR

44 Jermichael Finley GB

43 Jermaine Greshman CIN

42 Jacob Tamme DEN

41 Jared Cook TEN

38 Antonio Gates SD

37 Brandon Myers OAK

36 Scott Chandler BUF

36 Vernon Davis SF

36 Coby Fleener IND

35 Anthony Fasano MIA

 

Listen to The Fantasy Alarm Show Saturday 10 PM- 1 AM EST, Sunday 7 PM to 10 PM EST and Wednesday 11:00 PM EST to 1:00 AM EST on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio XM channel 87/Sirius 210.

Have a great fantasy week and remember.... the Thursday night AFC West matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the San Diego Chargers!

Play free fantasy basketball at Fleaflicker where you can sign your league up, join a league or move your commissioner-based league over with ease.

Tom Blaz is a writer for Fantasy Alarm and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics.