FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Wes Welker, Patriots - Moving Up
Granted, they were playing the Dolphins, but are you kidding me?  If you aren’t starting this guy every week you’re nuts.  It’s becoming obvious that Brady will throw three or more TDs every week, and it’s also becoming obvious that at least one of those will go to Welker every week…a match made in football heaven.

Donald Driver, Packers - Moving Down
The team is struggling a bit offensively and while he’s still the number one option he’s not likely to post as many big games as he once did.  The team is relying more on their excellent defense, meaning the flashy offense of old is reigning it in a bit, not a good thing to hear if you own him, but it’s not the end of the road for him yet, so don’t worry too much, just temper your expectations.

Tory Holt, Rams - Moving Down
This is tough, because we all know what Holt is capable of, but the offense in St. Louis is severely broken right now and there is no fix in sight.  Holt still is getting enough to keep him in the top 25-30, but he’s no top 10 guy right now.

Calvin Johnson, Lions - Moving Down
Johnson and teammate Shaun McDonald are dropped down a few together this week due to the increasing observation that while the Lion offense has great potential, it isn’t fulfilling that potential against decent teams.  Considering the remaining schedule features a number of decent teams, this has to limit the production likelihood of most of the Detroit receivers.  The fact that they spread it around so much hurts all of their numbers.

Shaun McDonald, Lions - Moving Down
See comments under Calvin Johnson, above.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers - Moving Down
I usually don’t move guys who are on a bye week, but the trade for Chris Chambers this week hurt one guy on the Chargers team, and that is Vincent Jackson.  Now, I have to warn that in fact, after the team gets adjusted to the new member, this ultimately could help Jackson’s production, but it won’t right away.  Slide him down a little.

Ike Hilliard, Buccaneers - Moving Up
Galloway is the number one, but Garcia is looking for the number two guy when it counts, and Hilliard is stepping up.  He’s staying healthy and should continue to produce better each game as the season goes on.  He’s likely been picked up, but you might want to glance at your waiver wire to see if somehow he’s still available. 

Demetrius Williams, Ravens - Moving Down
A slight slip this week, even though he still is getting throws in the end zone, however he again got less throws than Mark Clayton.  This is barely a trend, and his future is still bright considering Mason’s age, but it bears a tick down in the rankings.  Look for him to be anything but consistent this year considering the offense he’s on is as up and down as it comes.

Darrell Jackson, 49ers - Moving Down
Sure, he had a touchdown, but he just doesn’t seem to be fitting in well in San Fran.  With Alex Smith sidelined he’s almost an afterthought in favor of Arnaz Battle.  He’s still viable here and there, but is no longer a top tier option.

Kevin Walter, Texans - Moving Up
Two weeks in a row, with two quarterbacks throwing to him, that’s a very good sign for fantasy owners.  There’s no telling when AJ will finally get back on the field, and Walter is making his case to be the guy on the other side when he does, owners take note.

Ronald Curry, Raiders - Moving Down
It is hard to believe it’s the case, considering the success Daunte Culpepper had throwing the ball just a few years ago, but the passing game of the Raiders is almost non-existent at the moment.  Curry still appears to be the number one guy, but being the number one guy on a team that hardly tops one hundred yards a game passing isn’t saying much.

Lee Evans, Bills - Moving Up
It’s only a slight move up, as we don’t want to get too exited too fast, but all of a sudden it seems that Lee Evans may be showing signs of life.  It could be the new quarterback, or it just might be the coaches realizing they have a stud receiver being seriously underutilized, but whatever the reason, guys who grabbed Evans off the wire when those who drafted him bailed a week or two ago may be in for a nice second half.

Mark Clayton, Ravens - Moving Up
Finally, the move many out there have been waiting for.  For the second week in a row Clayton was thrown to more than Demetrius Williams.  In fact, I believe this was the first time he’d been thrown to more than five times.  That being said, he moves up a bit, but rest assured, Williams is the future stud here, not Clayton.

Arnaz Battle, 49ers - Moving Up
I’ve been watching a couple of weeks as he’s gotten a bit more action on the field.  He may just be benefiting from Alex Smith being out, and if so may drop back down sooner rather than later, but for now he’s worth starting as he’s Dilfer’s go-to guy.

Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins - Moving Up
The trade of Chris Chambers meant the future was here for Ted Ginn, Jr. He only had three catches this week, but that’s a lot considering the quarterback situation in Miami.  He won’t be a top pick anytime soon, but bears watching and is a nice bye week option if needed.

Mike Furrey, Lions - Moving Down
Similar to the Johnson and McDonald situations, except that when it comes to the end zone, he’s the forgotten musketeer, limiting his overall value.  He’s still someone worth having on your roster due to the upside always present in a Mike Martz offense.

Marty Booker, Dolphins - Moving Up
With Chambers gone Booker gets a boost by default.  He’s quietly one of the more consistent receivers out there but has limited upside.  He’ll have to step up and merits a move up on the role he’ll play when the team does throw one of its few passes in each game.

Player(s) climbing:  David Patten, New Orleans Saints; Josh Reed, Buffalo Bills

Player(s) falling:  Drew Bennett, St. Louis Rams; Samie Parker, Kansas City Chiefs; Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts

* Several top receivers are injured, leading me to not them with an asterisk.  Note that movement with these players is limited, as they in all likelihood will regain their positions when they return.