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I like William Powell. I think they’ll probably start LaRod Stephens-Howling – he’ll be out there for the first play. But I think Powell will play a lot more. He looked pretty good in the preseason, running for 249 yards and averaging 5.9 yards per carry, with 3 TDs. At running back, guys seem to get better after they’ve been around for a few years and had a chance to learn what it takes. Willie Parker, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Fred Jackson and Arian Foster come to mind as guys who weren’t even drafted and then went on to become 1,000-yard rushers. Not saying that Powell will be as good as those guys. We’re talking about a former walk-on at Kansas City who really didn’t even play much in college. But he’s their starter for now, and Arizona is at home this week againt a weak Buffalo run defense.

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He’s not making the same big plays downfield. Last year he averaged 18.6 yards per catch and had 8 TDs over 35 yards. This year he has no receptions of 30 yards, and he’s averaging only 12 yards per catch. I discussed this topic yesterday with @FantasyIndexJE on the Fantasy Index Podcast. His theory is that Green Bay’s offense is being severely damaged by the Greg Jennings injury – that with Jennings hurt, everyone else is being asked to do too much. In essence, that Nelson is a great No. 2 receiver, but that he becomes pretty ordinary when asked to deal with the extra double teams as a go-to guy. But that would explain how Nelson caught 15 passes for 277 yards and 5 TDs in the final two weeks of last season, after Jennings got hurt. I tend to believe that defenses are simply doing better job against the Packers. Everyone is aware now that Nelson is really good on those vertical routes outside the hashmarks – they’re taking those away. The offensive line, I think, isn’t as good. That’s playing a role. Aaron Rodgers is actually completing a higher percentage of his passes; he’s just not connecting on the big throws downfield. For Nelson, he caught 72 percent of the passes thrown to him last year, when he was about the most effective receiver in the league (in terms of average gain per pass attempt). Nelson is down at 64 percent completions this year – fewer completions and fewer yards on those passes. Green Bay’s entire offense, I think, is way too pass-heavy, and I think that’s caught up with them. Defenses are doing a better job of ignoring the run, playing more nickel, and putting Rodgers under more pressure at times.

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They’re similar tight ends. They both play for teams that use double tight ends, and they’re both primarily goal-line guys. In Denver, Jacob Tamme is their pass-catching tight end; he’s caught about twice as many passes as Dreessen. But Dreessen the guy they like to use on the little play-action flips around the end zone. Dreessen has outscored him 3-1. It’s similar in Indianapolis, with their two rookie tight ends. Coby Fleener catches more passes, but Allen has outscored him 2-0. For Week 8, I would be looking at Dreessen; Broncos play New Orleans that week, and the Saints have the worst defense in the NFL.

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I assume that by “ALF” you mean Alfred Morris, and not ALF, the “Alien Life Form” who used to have a TV show. Morris is a good player. He’s running for a lot of yards for Washington. He runs hard and breaks tackles and whatnot. Fantasy-wise, I have a couple of concerns about him. Most notably, he’s not a big part of their passing game. He’s just a rookie, and they’ll plug in Evan Royster on some passing downs. While Morris is running for 80, 90, 100 yards each week, he’s caught only 2 passes in five games. He’s perhaps getting more comfortable as he continues to learn more, but I don’t think he’ll average more than a reception per game the rest of the way. That’s a big negative when you compare him to more well-rounded back. If, for example, Morris were to run for 100 yards but catch no passes, while Running Back B were to run for 50 yards and also catch 3 passes for 30 yards, who had a better game? Morris looks a little better; he finished with 20 more total yards. But the other guy (in a PPR format) actually finishes with more points. That kind of dynamic works against Morris somewhat. I also fear what will happen to Morris if Lord Robert Griffin III gets hurt. Some of Morris’ success, I think, can be attributed to the fear defenses have that RG3 will keep the ball and run himself. That stretches things out and makes things easier for Morris. We’ve seen the same kind of dynamic with LeSean McCoy, who got a lot more productive in Philadelphia after Michael Vick replaced Kevin Kolb two years ago. If RG3 gets hurt and they stick one of those immobile quarterbacks in there (Cousins, Grossman) then defenses should have a lot more success against Morris. Talent-wise, I don’t think Morris is anything special. We’re not talking about another Arian Foster or Ray Rice. He’s just an ordinary back – probably more similar to Royster in talent – in a good situation. Take away RG3, and I think that becomes a bad envirionment for a running back. Washington doesn’t have a great offensive line. But without running the exact numbers, I tend to think I’d rather have Morris & Brown (two good players) rather than Murray and Newton. Newton is struggling, and you’ve already got Brady. Dallas doesn’t have Murray dialed in yet.

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Looks good to me. The season is on the operating table. There is no heart beat. Why not juice up the paddles, apply a jolt to the chest, and see if you can get it going again. If you were to walk into a draft today, you definitely would select Foster before Ryan, and Thomas seems to be in the same ballpark as Calvin Johnson.

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Hixon would start in that spot. I don’t think Randle would even be the No. 3 guy. Ramses Barden is practicing, and I expect he’ll be ready to return this week.

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There is a trade opportunity there. It’s a concept that both sides should be interested in. Thomas might be the best of those receivers, so you may be nervous to let him go. Maybe you can steer him towards Bowe? But all four of those running backs are quality players who are relatively young. When making your decision, keep in mind that Bowe is playing under a franchise tag. He may be gone to another team at the end of the year (potentially improving or decreasing his value). Mathews has had a lot of injuries; tough to rely on him staying healthy. Murray also has had problems with durability, but like Mathews is young and talented. Chris Johnson has a huge salary next year; the Titans may have to release him at the end of the season (but that could be a good thing). Talent-wise, Ridley isn’t quite up there with those three backs, but he plays on the best team. Do you think this guy would go for a four-player trade? He gets to give you any two of those running backs, and he gets two receivers in return – one he picks and one you pick.

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By “long term”, do you mean in 2013 and 2014? Or do you mean in Week 9-10? Wilson is progressing. He should get better. But he’s still just a rookie quarterback. He’s not going to be an above-average quarterback this year. He won’t be a top-15 fantasy option at his position. If he struggles against this week, the Seahawks may start thinking more about trying Flynn.

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I think Gates is more likely to help you. You’ve got four other running backs, so I doubt Jackson would ever get on the field for you. With Gates, maybe he rounds back into form and becomes your regular starter at tight end. I assume you’re using Owen Daniels there now? He’s been playing pretty well, but where will be a month from now? We’ll see.

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