Shaw unveils his Hidden Jewels from Week 8 in the NFL.

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

We saw some very well known players from their college days contribute at the NFL level this weekend, including former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and one-time Heisman hopefuls Toby Gerhart and Matthew Stafford.

This was also a big weekend for available running backs, as Gerhart, Keiland Williams, Kevin Smith, Mike Tolbert and most of all LeGarrette Blount all contributed this weekend.

Here’s a look at the top fantasy options available on waiver wires for week nine in the NFL.

Buyer’s guide:

1) Look for catches or rushes (how often did the player have the ball in their hands?)

2) Look for touchdowns (are they a part of the goal line or red zone attack?)

3) Look at their age (are they a young player on the rise, a good investment?)

4) Look at their team and roster (were they filling in, and what is their role?)

5) Look at post-game recap (any quotes of encouragement for upcoming weeks?)

SILVER

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders

The seventh pick of the 2009 draft was hotly debated, since the more hyped Michael Crabtree was selected by the rival 49ers one pick after him. So far Raiders fans have had the right to gripe, as injuries limited Heyward-Bey to just 124 yards and one touchdown last season. This season Heyward-Bey offered some hope, as he racked up a career-high six receptions and 80 yards in the second game of the season.

However, since then he has slowed down quite a bit, he racked up just 70 yards over the next five games and returned to the waiver wire in most leagues.

Now that Raiders starting wide out Louis Murphy is injured, Heyward-Bey will get another shot at playing a large role in the offense. He responded well on Sunday with a career-high 105 receiving yards, including his first touchdown of the season.

With Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski offering some balance to the offense, Heyward-Bey will enjoy some fantasy value.

Troy Smith, QB, 49ers

Unlike Charlie Ward, this Heisman Trophy winner did not have a basketball career to turn to. As a result, Smith has been relegated to backup duties for most of his career and has been forgotten as the third string quarterback in San Francisco.

That is until something very surprising occurred, Alex Smith got injured last week and instead of replacing him with David Carr, Troy got the start this weekend in London.

Though the Niners mostly relied on the rushing game, when Smith was called upon he responded with 196 passing yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions. Smith also ran in an additional touchdown to secure the win.

Smith will likely earn the Niners next start, even if Alex Smith is healthy.

Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings

This rookie running back is contributing in the NFL, even with Adrian Peterson manning the starting position.

Gerhart has racked up just 57 rushing yards so far this season, but on Sunday he hauled in five receptions for 67 yards. There are several running backs who have found ways to hold fantasy value because of their ability to rack up yards via the reception.

Former Jets and Cowboys running back Ritchie Anderson and current Patriots running back Danny Woodhead are good examples.

If in a point per reception league, you should certainly pay attention to how Gerhart performs. It was his playmaking abilities in Stanford that made him a second round pick by the Vikings.

GOLD

Keiland Williams, RB, Redskins

The last time we discussed Williams as a Hidden Jewel, it was as a potential replacement for Clinton Portis.

We would later learn that Ryan Torain was Mike Shanahan’s pick for Portis’ replacement. But now that Torain has gone down with a strained hamstring, there is a chance that Williams will get a chance to play an extended role in the backfield in a few weeks.

Williams certainly earned the opportunity, as he was one of the bright spots for the ‘Skins on Sunday. He racked up 25 yards and a touchdown, on just six carries and hauled in an additional 28 yards via receptions.

With Portis still dealing with an unknown timetable to return, Williams could very well be the starter in the backfield, once the Redskins return from their bye in week 10.

Kevin Smith, RB, Lions

The Lions are finally realizing that Smith provides them with another weapon in their arsenal, now that he has recovered from several injuries.

The team’s rookie running back Jahvid Best has slowed down a great deal in recent weeks, while Smith has re-established himself as a legitimate playmaker. On Sunday, Smith’s hard work resulted in an expanded role and he ended up leading the team with 51 rushing yards on just 12 carries. Smith also contributed in the passing game, with two catches for 16 yards.

The Lions backfield looks like it will be split and Smith currently looks like the better option.

Anthony Armstrong, WR, Redskins

Armstrong is a player who went un-drafted out of West Texas A&M and he is also the Redskins best deep ball threat. He has now gone five straight games with 40-plus yards receiving.

In fact, this weekend Armstrong set a career-high with 92 yards on just three receptions, including a long of 50-yards.

The former Arena League standout is now a player of fantasy interest in the NFL.

DIAMOND

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers

We thought a promotion may be coming, but we did not expect a breakthrough such as this.

The Buccaneers made it clear this weekend that they are committed to Blount, as the featured tailback in their offense. Despite entering the game with just 21 carries on the season, the Bucs offered him 22 carries and the rookie responded with a game-high 120 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Cadillac Williams is now being utilized only as a third down passing target, which likely signals the end of a split backfield in Tampa Bay.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions

It looks like it was a major mistake for any fantasy managers that dumped Matthew Stafford, due to an injury that forced him to miss the last six games. Stafford returned in a big way this weekend, connecting on four touchdowns.

As Shaun Hill proved during Stafford’s absence, the Lions have a glut of talent in the receiving corps.

In addition to Calvin Johnson, who hauled in three touchdowns on Sunday, the Lions feature young talent with Brandon Pettigrew, Nate Burleson and Bryant Johnson.

Stafford, a former first pick overall, has the talent in his arsenal and is finally healthy enough to reap the benefits.

Mike Tolbert, RB, Chargers

Fantasy managers assumed that Mike Tolbert’s role in the Chargers offense had diminished over the last few weeks and unloaded him on the waiver wire.

This was clearly a mistake because Tolbert was once again superior to the highly touted Ryan Mathews, out rushing him by 20 yards, despite four fewer carries. Tolbert also chipped in with four grabs for 27 additional yards.

The 25-year old full back is looking more and more like a legit running back. He has now scored a touchdown in five straight games and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

With the season in the balance, the Chargers will have to rely more on Tolbert moving forward.