Week 2: Player Upgrades

Week 1 was filled with plenty of blow-out victories highlighted by a few incredible fantasy performances by a couple of players featured in this week's Player Upgrades article: Michael Turner, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, and DeSean Jackson. Week 1 wasn't without drama as Carolina completed a last second victory over Super Bowl favorite San Diego, and MVP Tom Brady went down with a torn ACL in the first quarter versus the Kansas City Chiefs. This Week 2 Player Upgrades article will breakdown the fantasy implications of Tom Brady's injury as well as how rookies DeSean Jackson, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Felix Jones, and Tim Hightower's fantasy value is on the rise following strong performances in Week 1.

RB Matt Forte, CHI

Forte was a guy I liked a lot in the offseason, and he didn't disappoint fantasy owners to begin the season; rushing for 123 yards (including a 50 yard TD) on 23 carries and in the process becoming the first Chicago rookie to run for 100 yards in his debut game. Forte also added 3 receptions for 18 yards. The Bears have little depth behind Forte aside from Kevin Jones, so Forte should see at least 20 carries per game as the Bears look to control the clock on the ground and avoid throwing the ball with Kyle Orton too much. Forte showed great quickness, burst, ability to break tackles, and breakaway speed in his debut. Expect Forte to be strong again next week versus the Carolina Panthers in what should be a defensive struggle, with both teams looking to run the ball a ton. Forte won't be available on most wavier wires, but if an owner in your league is looking to "sell high" on Forte, I recommend trading for him because he should put up solid fantasy numbers for the rest of the season based on the Bears' offensive philosophy that calls for him to get the ball 20 plus times per game.

RB Tim Hightower, ARI

Hightower was a player I raved about all offseason from Arizona's team outlook to our weekly podcast (which I recommend fantasy owners subscribe to on iTunes). Hightower was a standout in training camp, and took away goal-line duties from aging veteran Edgerrin James. Hightower turned in a solid performance in his debut versus the San Francisco 49ers rushing for 13 yards on 8 carries, but added a 2 yard TD run in the 3rd Quarter. Hightower also caught 3 passes for 21 yards in the game. Hightower is most likely available on your league's wavier wire, so I recommend fantasy owners go pick this rookie up. He is the goal-line option for Arizona (which alone gives him significant value), but also his role in the offense will expand as the season goes on (especially if an aging Edgerrin James goes down with an injury).

RB Chris Johnson, TEN

The scouts weren't lying when they said Johnson was fast, explosive, and had the ability to be a playmaker in the NFL. Johnson showed fantasy owners a little taste of what they can expect all season from the rookie back by running all over the Jacksonville Jaguars, totaling 93 yards rushing on 15 carries, as well as adding 3 receptions for 34 yards and 1 TD. If Chris Johnson is available in your league, go pick him up because he won't be available much longer. Johnson isn't the Titans' goal-line back (that remains LenDale White's job), but with his breakaway speed, fantasy owners can be sure that he will score plenty from outside the ten yardline.

RB Felix Jones, DAL

After Marion Barber destroyed the Browns for 80 yards and 2 TD's leaving in the 3rd Quarter with bruised ribs, Felix Jones picked up where Barber left off rushing for 62 yards and 1 TD on just 9 carries. Jones looked great in this game and if he's still available in your league, go pick him up this week because Barber will need a breather once in awhile. Jones has the ability to produce solid numbers for fantasy owners as we saw this past weekend versus Cleveland.

RB Michael Turner, ATL

Detroit is that bad folks, but Turner had a monster game versus the Lions -- rushing for 220 yards and 2 TD's. Jerious Norwood even got in on the action rushing for 93 yards and TD. Turner took advantage of great blocking and poor tackling by the Lions' defense to put up the type of performance fantasy owners expect from the big ticket free agent acquisition. Turner's fantasy value will rise significantly because of his performance versus the Lions as it should, but Matt Ryan only threw the ball 13 times in the game (mostly because he didn't need to). Next weekend they face division rival Tampa Bay, who you can bet will stack the box on Turner and force Matt Ryan to beat them through the air. If you have the opportunity to acquire Turner, don't expect him to perform the way he did this past weekend; do expect him to put up solid numbers for the rest of the fantasy season.