The Talented Mr. Ridley
October 24, 2013
Start – Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots
It seems as if Ridley is out of Head Coach Bill Belichick’s dog house and has returned to his 2012 form. With backfield counterpart Shane Vereen still out with injury and both Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount unable to shoulder the workload, Ridley will continue to see goal line touches where most of his fantasy value typically comes from.
Sit – Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
During the past two weeks, Peterson has simply not maintained his usual caliber. In that span, he combined for just 90 yards on 23 carries and no touchdowns. With the implementation of newly acquired quarterback Josh Freeman into the starting lineup, defenses have stacked defenders in the box, neutralizing Peterson’s running ability. Unless the Vikings’ passing game gets better, Peterson will continue to struggle.
Start – Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins
Since being inserted into the starting lineup, Reed has flourished in the Redskins’ offensive scheme and it does not appear his production will be declining any time soon. Reed is establishing himself as one of quarterback RG3’s favorite targets, especially in the red zone. With 26 catches on the year compared to 30 targets, Reed is making the most of every opportunity when the ball comes his way.
Sit – Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
At the beginning of the season, Bernard was improving on a weekly basis and eventually became the starter in Cincinnati. However, the Bengals have since shied away from the run game in lieu of the passing game, diminishing Bernard’s value. Although he is a dual-threat back, he simply does not get enough carries and targets to cement himself in fantasy starting lineups, especially against the New York Jets’ second ranked run-defense.
Start – Terrance Williams, WR, Cowboys
Williams exploded onto the scene in recent weeks thanks to his involvement in the red zone. With Dez Bryant, Dallas’ top receiver, getting blanketed in goal line situations, this opened up more opportunities for Williams to show off his unique blend of size and speed. As Williams continues to develop and build chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo, Williams will produce and prove to be a viable flex option.