FANTASY FURNACE

We see an annual trend forming as we enter week 4 and that is only a limited number of fantasy relevant RBs remain available on the waiver wire; unless of course, you’re in a league 0f 8 or less.. What there IS an abundance of  are quality quarterbacks. Two such QBs made our pickup list this week, but before we begin, should Andy Dalton or Joe Flacco be available in your leagues, stop reading this and run to pick them up!

This photo of veteran referee Ed Hochuli has absolutley nothing to do with this week’s pickups but it sure is nice knowing that we’ll probably see him on the field as early as this weekend! What a site for sore eyes.. Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Ryan FitzpatrickQB-Bills- There are a couple of things we like about Fitzpatrick. The first is that he hasn’t thrown a pick in his last two games. In fact he tossed three touchdown passes last week giving him a league high 8 on the season. The second is his love for this month. So much so that his 17 TD passes in the month of September are the most in the NFL over the last two seasons. Fitz is owned in around 40% of most leagues and is a Must Add in all formats.

#14 Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t had a pick since the week 1 disaster vs the Jets. A must add this week vs the Pats. Photo: nflpassers.com

Christian Ponder-QB-Vikings- We have been touting this kid since last season and he has performed as we predicted so far this year. Against a staunch 49ers defense he completed 21 of 35 passes for just under 200 yards, no interceptions, and two touchdowns in a stunning 24-13 win. On the season Ponder has already rushed for a touchdown and has 41 rushing yards to his credit. This week he makes a high end QB2 option vs the Detroit Lions. Ponder is owned in just 20% of leagues.

Andrew Hawkins-WR-Bengals- This 26 year old breakout slot receiver is still available in 55% of leagues even though he has been averaging 15.46 fantasy points in most leagues over the season so far. He has 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns to add to his resume as well and he has one of the hottest quarterbacks throwing him the ball. If Hawkins is available in your league then consider this: in Yahoo! leagues he has 3 less fantasy points then Roddy White! Need we say more?

#16 WR Andrew Hawkins caught a decisive touchdown last week and is becoming Andy Dalton’s 2nd favorite receiver after A.J. Green. Photo: sportinglife.com

Nate Burleson-WR-Lions- This veteran wideout was targeted a dozen times just last week. He caught 10 passes for 69 yards, had a touchdown, and had 2 rushes for 7 yards. Not overwhelming fantasy numbers but serviceable all the same. Granted his numbers might drop a little should Matthew Stafford not start on Sunday but QB fill-in Shaun Hill who would get the nod in his place had 10 starts in 2010 and averaged 260 yards and threw 16 touchdowns. Burleson is owned in 31% of leagues.

Atlanta Falcons-Team Def- Now that everyone it seems has gobbled up the Arizona Cardinals, and deservedly so, there is still one more 3-0 team that has a defense/special teams group worthy of a pickup: Atlanta. They have a league leading 7 interceptions and are tied with 4 fumble recoveries. With 50% more fantasy points than the N.Y. Giants and facing a Carolina Panthers offense that was only able to muster up 7 points last week, the Falcons only 51%  owned are a Must Add this week.