A Procrastinator’s Guide To Fantasy Football Roster Tweaks

Add, Or Consider Adding
Jerome Harrison, RB, Browns: He's now the starter in a very questionable backfield, and while that makes Harrison himself a questionable fantasy commodity, he has proven capable of having monster games in the past. Cleveland opens with back-to-back games against Tampa Bay and Kansas City, so if he's available in your league, pick him up, start him, and then sell high.

Jacoby Jones, WR, Texans: He was always worth a late-round pick thanks to his surprising six-touchdown campaign last year, but now Jones looks like a bona fide No. 2 option opposite Andre Johnson. That's without him actually being the No. 2, a job that still belongs to Kevin Walter. Chances are good that Jones is either available, or at the low end of someone else's roster. Find a way to get him, and watch him give you quality production as a starting wideout in a high-powered offense.

Derek Anderson, QB, Cardinals: I completely understand why the mere thought of adding Derek Anderson to your fantasy roster would terrify you. I also understand why his inclusion on this list might cause you to question my merits as a fantasy football writer. It's worth noting, however, that Anderson is now in charge of an offense that can be pretty potent, features arguably the game's best receiver, and that he's on a team that still plays in a soft division. You can do a lot worse in a pinch, particularly if you're in a two-QB league.

Louis Murphy, WR, Raiders: We're following Anderson with a Raiders receiver. This is a procrastinator's guide, after all. Murphy, however, is an intriguing option; he's got great speed and very little competition for targets aside from tight end Zach Miller. Whether consistently good or consistently bad, Oakland's passing attack should at least be consistent, and Murphy could become a nice spot starter for your squad.

Mike Williams, WR, Seahawks: No, not Tampa Mike Williams - he's so hyped at this point that the guy who nearly took LaDainian Tomlinson with the first overall pick knows who Tampa Mike Williams is. Seattle is rebuilding, but Williams is a legitimate fantasy option for the moment. He's got the size to be a nice red zone threat, but if you're thinking about nabbing him, understand that you need to carefully monitor his progress before counting on him even as an occasional start.

Keep an eye on: Packers RB Brandon Jackson, Rams WR Mark Clayton, Chargers WR Legedu Naanee

Drop, Or Consider Dropping
Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns: Harrison's path to the starting lineup when Hardesty, a promising rookie out of Tennessee, tore his ACL and was lost for the season. If you have him, now's the time to get rid of him - unless you're in a keeper or dynasty league, in which you absolutely have to place him on an Injured list and wait for the 2011 season.

Kenny Britt, WR, Titans: Britt, a second-year player out of Rutgers, was absolutely brutal during preseason action, earning the ire of coach Jeff Fisher and competition from lesser talents for the third receiver spot. If your team is weak, Britt's worth keeping around based on potential alone. But he's no longer a must-keep, and may not have much of a role in his second season.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Ravens: Once the crux of championship teams everywhere, Houshmandzadeh's release from Seattle and re-surfacing in Baltimore as the third receiver kills his fantasy value. Baltimore is a run-first team, and they've got two established wideouts ahead of him on the depth chart. Let somebody else delude themselves into thinking he'll get consistent targets in his new home.

Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: He barely played during the preseason. Patriots running backs are always a risk, as a different player seems to emerge there every week. Maroney can't stay healthy, and even when he is healthy, he's a mediocre back in a pass-first offense. Steer clear of the big name.

Leon Washington, RB, Seahawks: Washington was a hot commodity just a week or two ago after Pete Carroll decided to start him in Seattle's penultimate preseason game. Justin Forsett remains Seattle's starter, however, and Washington - aside from an occasional big play - isn't likely to produce much from his timeshare. Keep an eye on him, as he's an injury away from feature back work, but for now, he has very little value.

Keep an eye on: Cowboys RB Felix Jones, Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez, Saints WR Robert Meachem