Week 9: Player Upgrades

With Pedro Martinez starting Game 6 of the World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Yankees tonight, it brings back memories as a Boston Red Sox fan. Pedro Martinez was one of (if not) the most dominant pitcher of his era, and arguably changed the history of the Red Sox forever in 2003. Everyone knows the story: Why did Grady Little leave Pedro in for the 7th inning in the 2003 playoffs against the Yankees? Well if Little had taken Martinez out of the game, and the Red Sox went on to the World Series, then Terry Francona might not be the manager of the Boston Red Sox today, and the 2004 epic comeback against New York and sweep of St. Louis in the World Series might never have occurred.

How does this story relate to fantasy football exactly? Sometimes its the moves we don't make that can haunt us forever and keep us from a championship (Grady Little). After years of managing, (and mismanaging) numerous fantasy football teams every year, this year I streamlined my approach and manage just a single team. Sitting atop my division at 7-1, loaded with numerous studs like Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Maurice Jones-Drew, Wes Welker, Dallas Clark, and Brent Celek in the starting lineup its all about building a bench behind those studs as insurance policies in case an injury occurs. If you're like me, you haven't been in a position to just claim the biggest name on the wavier wire every Monday morning like Miles Austin, or Ryan Moats. You have to dig deeper to find impact players who can help you not only make the playoffs, but give you an edge toward winning a Fantasy Championship.

This Week 9 edition of Player Upgrades is designed to keep you from being the Grady Little of your league. You've done all the right things so far by loaded your team with studs, but you need to have backup in case they run out of gas in the playoffs like Pedro Martinez did. The following ten players' stock is on the rise, and should be targeted either in trades or off the wavier wire as excellent bench options who can have an impact in the second half of the season and the fantasy playoffs: Jamaal Charles, Justin Fargas, Shonn Greene, Jerome Harrison, LeSean McCoy, Austin Collie, Michael Crabtree, Malcolm Floyd, Jeremy Maclin, and Kevin Walter.

Also be sure to check out the FFToolbox.com Week 8 Podcast featuring Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, myself, and your host as always Ben Standig. Best of luck to all fantasy owners in Week 9!

RB Jamaal Charles, KC

Jamaal Charles was mentioned in last week's Player Upgrades, but with the Kansas City Chiefs on a bye he may have gone unclaimed in your league and still be available. Larry Johnson's offensive comments have earned him a suspension, and likely a ticket out of Kansas City in the near future. Jamaal Charles will take over the starting role in place of Johnson, and has showcased explosive speed, and excellent ability as a receiver out of the backfield in the past. He draws an excellent match-up against the Jacksonville Jaguars (who gave up over 200 yards rushing to Tennessee's Chris Johnson last weekend) in his first start of the season.

Fantasy owners in point-per-reception leagues especially should target Charles in a trade or off the wavier wire. Since, unless Kolby Smith returns at 100 percent and takes away carries between the tackles, Charles will shoulder a full workload, play a major role in the passing game, and boats big-play ability -- two traits that have him poised to develop into a fantasy stud in the second half of the fantasy season.

RB Justin Fargas, OAK

Justin Fargas isn't explosive like Darren McFadden or powerful like Michael Bush, but he is a football player. When the dust cleared in the Oakland backfield, Fargas was the last man standing. After rushing for 87 yards on 23 carries in a Week 6 win over Philadelphia, Fargas has rushed for 126 yards and 1 touchdown over his last two starts. Fargas is by no means an every week reliable starter especially with Darren McFadden (sorry about that call guys, unfortunately I follow my own advice and own McFadden in my league) returning from injury following the Raiders Bye Week. With that being said, Fargas will still hold onto the starting job even when both McFadden and Bush return; Fargas is an excellent bench option to stash as an insurance policy or trade bait because he is available in a ton of leagues right now. Unspectacular, but rock solid, Fargas is an excellent bench addition that could help you win a title in Week 16 when he faces the Cleveland Browns.

RB Shonn Greene, NYJ

Shonn Greene is an excellent buy low candidate following a disappointing 8 carry for 18 yards with a fumble lost performance against a very tough Miami Dolphin defense last weekend. Greene is a quality flex option with Leon Washington out for the season with a broken leg, because Greene will take over the 10-15 carries per game Washington was receiving. With a favorable match-up, Greene becomes a quality flex option worthy of starting. Now is the time to pickup or trade for Shonn Greene with the New York Jets on a Bye Week, because his value is at its lowest after a poor outing in his last game. The Jets return to action in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (who are ranked 25th against the run).

Greene will be an extremely valuable flex option in the second half of the season with match-ups against Carolina, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta (ranked 25th, 32nd, 30th, and 23rd against the run in the first half of the season). He is another great insurance policy for fantasy owners looking to make a playoff run with a bargain price tag.

RB Jerome Harrison, CLE

Jerome Harrison burst onto the fantasy scene in Week 4 in his first start of the season, filling in for the oft injured veteran Jamal Lewis and rushing for 121 yards on 29 carries against one of the better run defenses in the NFL (5th overall): the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland has been a disaster on the offensive side of the ball with both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn failing, and with the defense struggling to keep opposing offenses out of the end-zone the Browns have been playing from behind almost every weekend. When the opportunity has presented itself, Harrison answered; he deserves more chances.

Jamal Lewis has come out stating that he could retire after the season, and if that statement has a hint of truth, then the Browns need to see what they have in Jerome Harrison. Harrison could emerge as the starter in Cleveland by the end of the season, and becomes an intriguing sleeper candidate in the fantasy playoffs when he matches up with the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars (ranked 26th, 29th, and 25th against the run). Harrison is a very nice insurance policy to stash on the bench right now with the hopes of cashing in during the fantasy playoffs.

RB LeSean McCoy, PHI

LeSean McCoy (the Brian Westbrook clone the Eagles selected in the second round to be the eventual replacement), has been excellent as a fill-in in place of Westbrook at times this season (especially this past weekend against the New York Giants when he ran for 82 yards on 11 carries, including a 66 yard touchdown late in the game). Brian Westbrook is still dealing with a concussion he suffered in Week 7 against the Redskins, and if Westbrook can't go this weekend against the Cowboys, then McCoy will get the call. McCoy is an excellent bench option because Brian Westbrook is constantly injured, and is inevitably going to miss some time. When those opportunities arise for McCoy to step into the starting lineup, he has taken advantage. McCoy can be bought at a bargain price if/when Westbrook returns, and is an excellent insurance policy that could have big payoff if he steps in for Westbrook late in the fantasy season.