Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Yep. He’s back. I wouldn’t normally write in a quarterback in this column, but I have a feeling Tom Brady is going to make a statement this Sunday. After the long process of “Deflategate” and a questionable four game suspension, I’d imagine that Brady is mad. All I’m saying, is that I wouldn’t want to have to play against the best QB in NFL history at all, but especially not when he’s mad. Who will be the victim of Brady’s wrath come Sunday? Those poor, poor Cleveland Browns. Yeah, it’s gonna be a big day.

Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

I’m so confident about Brady’s return , that my second suggestion is going to be his top receiver. Brady and Edelman are a nearly unstoppable force, and Brady will be looking for the 5’6 slot receiver all game long on Sunday. Again, those poor, poor Browns.

Waiver Wire Targets

Steve Smith, Sr., Baltimore Ravens

What’d I tell you? Steve Smith was going to make a great comeback. On Sunday, and for the second week in a row, Smith caught eight passes. He recorded 111 yards and finally found the end zone. The Ravens offense looks to be picking up and it’d be smart to add Steve Smith before someone else takes notice of his improving play. Like I’ve said, I don’t care how old he is, what kind of injury he’s coming off of, or what any national media analyst has said. Smith is one of the most high motor players in recent memory, and he is always going to find a way to be productive.

Dion Lewis, New England Patriots

Dion Lewis is still on the mid-season IR and will be out until at least week seven. Either way, it’s smart to add him now and stash him on your roster until then. Lewis has struggled with injuries recently, but when on the field he is one of the more productive backs in the league. It’s hard not to be when you play in Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck’s offense. It should be noted that Tom Brady will be throwing passes to Lewis. If you’re not willing to bet on Lewis, that’s fine. But to bet against Tom Brady? Not smart.

Photo courtesy of patriotswire.usatoday.com

Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears

After Jeremy Langford suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday, the Bears look prepared to depend on the rookie Howard in a larger capacity. Howard has played well when given the opportunity and boasts amazing potential, but his production will largely depend on how often the Bears are playing from behind. Either way, he has shown some ability in the passing game and may be able to have a good game even when the Bears have to abandon their running game. However, keep in mind that the Bears signed former Lion Joique Bell on Tues. Howard is more of a boom or bust candidate than a sure thing.

Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens

Kenneth Dixon should be ready to return to the field soon, and when he does I expect him to seize the starting runningback role in Baltimore. Terrance West and Justin Forsett have been underwhelming this season, giving Dixon a clear opportunity to become the starter. I personally don’t think John Harbaugh likes runningback committees much, so if Dixon does in fact take the starting role, he has the potential to get the ball upwards of 20 times per game.

Start ‘Em

Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys

Elliot has looked great in his first few games in the NFL and currently sits at number two on the NFL rushing yards list. Elliot has gotten better with each week, and I would expect that to continue as the Cowboys face the atrocious 49ers defense this week. If there were ever a player to start, it’s Ezekiel Elliot against the 49ers this week.

Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland Browns

Injuries have decimated the Browns offense this season, opening up doors for Terrelle Pryor. Apparently, the Browns plan to utilize Pryor’s talent in multiple ways, as he threw a pass, caught a pass, and recorded a few carries all last week. Right now, Pryor is the center of the Cleveland offense. After Josh Gordon announced he will be entering rehab on Thursday, it looks like Pryor may be the main focus of the Cleveland offense for the rest of the season.

Photo courtesy of bleacherreport.com

Melvin Gordon (@ Indianapolis)

It’s happened. Melvin Gordon has arrived. The Chargers have been giving him the ball and he has been delivering. And now that Danny Woodhead is out for the season with a torn ACL, I expect Gordon to get the ball even more.

O’Dell Beckham (vs. Washington)

Beckham has started the season slow, but he is bound to break out at some point. I would expect that to be this week when the Giants travel to the nation’s capital. Washington hasn’t been having their star cornerback Josh Norman follow their opponent’s top receiver around, so I wouldn’t worry too much about this matchup. Expect a big day from O’Dell this week.

Waiver Wire Targets

Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson went down with a torn meniscus on Sunday and is expected to miss most of the season. McKinnon is expected to step up and start at runningback for the Vikings in his place. The Vikings have a run-first offense led by the underwhelming Sam Bradford. So, I would certainly expect Minnesota to lean on McKinnon while they wait for Peterson’s return.

Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets

Enunwa has been surprising but stellar this season, with 13 receptions on 14 targets. With Brandon Marshall’s week three status up in the air, Enunwa is on pace to receive even more targets in the coming weeks. Even if Marshall is on the field come Sunday, the Jets’ offense throws the ball enough that Enunwa will still produce solid numbers. Add Enunwa now if he is still on the waivers in your league.

Give Him A Chance

Dexter McCluster, San Diego Chargers

It is being reported that Dexter McCluster has signed with the Chargers, presumably to fill the role of Danny Woodhead, who tore his ACL in week two. McCluster possesses a similar skillset to that of Woodhead, so I would expect about equal production. Woodhead finished as the number five runningback in fantasy last year, so as long as McCluster stays healthy and learns his playbook, he has a chance to do great things in San Diego.

Photo courtesy of bleacherreport.com

Start These Players!

Eli Manning (vs. New Orleans):

Manning played a solid game in Dallas on Sunday and will look to exploit another bad defense in week 2. Although Manning’s performance in week 1 may have seemed pedestrian, but it’s reasonable to believe that the Giants offense will continually improve. Keep in mind, Manning is still building chemistry with rookie WR Sterling Shepard and the returning WR Victor Cruz. The bottom line is that New Orleans played the league’s worst defense against quarterbacks last season, and Manning and friends should be in line to have a big day.

Melvin Gordon (vs. Jacksonville):

After failing to score a touchdown throughout his entire rookie year, Gordon scored two in Kansas City in the season opener. Mike McCoy seems to be putting more trust in Gordon this season. San Diego will probably lean on Gordon a little more from here on out after Keenan Allen went down for the year with an ACL injury last week. Gordon should get a decent workload on Sunday against a bad Jacksonville defense.

Jordan Matthews (vs. Chicago)

Matthews finished with seven receptions on 14 targets for 114 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. New head coach Doug Pederson seems to be keen on getting Matthews the ball as much as possible. Matthews’ matchup really can’t get much better this week, as he plays a Chicago pass defense that was abused by Texans rookie Will Fuller in week one. Matthews should be started in all leagues.

Waiver Wire Targets

Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs

This should go without saying. Ware dominated on Sunday, leading Kansas City to a 21-point comeback against San Diego. Ware ran 11 times for 70 yards. He also proved those who doubted his pass-catching abilities wrong, catching eight passes for 129 yards and a score. Ware is proving his value in the Kansas City offense and should retain a significant role as long as he continues to impress. The Andy Reid offense has traditionally leaned on its runningbacks so I would expect Ware’s production to continue. If Ware can maintain his current momentum, I would be confident that he continues to receive a heavy workload, even once Jamaal Charles returns.

Travis Benjamin, San Diego Chargers

This has less to do with Benjamin’s own performance and more to do with Keenan Allen tearing his ACL in the second quarter on Sunday. But Philip Rivers has to throw to someone, and in week two Travis Benjamin will take on the role of WR1 in San Diego. Benjamin played well in Cleveland last season, recording nearly 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. His production can only improve if he is catching passes from Philip Rivers, one of the NFL’s premier passers.

Give Him a Chance

Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Steve Smith is 37 and coming off an Achilles injury. It is reasonable that most fantasy football players would be hesitant to give him a roster spot. But adding Smith to your roster now, before his regular market is restored, could pay major dividends this year.

Many are concerned about Smith’s age, but this shouldn’t be much of a reason for concern, as Smith put up some of his biggest career games at age 36 last season. High motor players like Smith can perform at a high level throughout their career, despite their aging.

Many seem to believe that Smith, even if healthy, will be taking on a secondary role in the Baltimore offense this season. That is just plain wrong. In week one, Smith only caught five passes for 19 yards, but he received a team-high nine targets. This is a very encouraging number for, as it seems to suggest that the Ravens will once again return to using Smith as their primary receiver. Also note that Kamar Aiken was targeted just three times last week. I honestly never understood the hype surrounding Aiken.

Smith can still play at a high level and will be back on top of the Ravens’ depth chart this season. If Smith is available in your league, he should be added immediately. If he is owned, his trade value is currently as low as it is going to be for the rest of the season. Find a way to get Steve Smith on your team before he starts putting up big numbers.