10) Titus Young, WR, Lions
If you were wondering what type of offence the Lions run, this Sunday’s performance should tell you everything you need to know. Matthew Stafford’s passing attack accounted for 94% of the team’s total net yards. On that note, make sure you know the players on the receiving end.
While Calvin Johnson is as good as it gets, rookie wideout Titus Young enjoyed his second straight solid performance. Young was a clutch playmaker over the last few seasons in Boise State. The speedster is now offering the Lions a fine compliment to their two big targets, Johnson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
In the last two games, Young, a second round pick has hauled in nine receptions for 140 yards.
9) Michael Jenkins, WR, Vikings
As a former first round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2004, Michael Jenkins has been labeled as a bust. However, it is not too late for the 6-foot-4, 29-year-old with plenty of athleticism to turn things around.
Despite never accumulating more than 55 receptions or 800 yards in a season for the Falcons, Jenkins is currently on pace for 80 receptions and 763 yards this year. With injury-prone Percy Harvin as the only talent resembling a playmaker in the Vikings passing attack, you can expect Jenkins to be the top target for Donovan McNabb and eventually rookie quarterback Christian Ponder.
8) Victor Cruz, WR, Giants
A national audience saw this nimble receiver dominate the Jets a season ago in a scrimmage that was featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks. He has now earned the spotlight during a regular season game.
Cruz dropped a few passes earlier in the season, but with Mario Manningham on the sideline nursing an injury and former top target Steve Smith on the opposing team, the undrafted wideout from UMASS was sensational with three grabs for 110 yards, including two touchdowns.
I am always cautious of a wide receiver who is only targeted a few times in a breakout game, but the Giants are desperate for playmakers due to a disappointing off-season coupled with a number of injuries to the receiving corps. In other words, the Giants will need Cruz to play a large role going forward if they plan on being contenders.
7) Vince Young, QB, Eagles
This is a speculative move, but now that we know Michael Vick has an injured right hand, it’s not a bad idea to target Vince Young as the next in line for the Eagles.
Though Young has been troubled by a nagging hamstring injury, the good news for the Eagles is that he offers a similar style of attack as Vick. That means the team will not have to change much in the offence, though it would be nice if the offensive line could offer a little more protection up front.
6) Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens
Everyone though the big acquisition for the passing game this off-season was former Bills star Lee Evans, but instead it’s rookie Torrey Smith who is making the bigger splash.
A second round pick out of Maryland, Smith brings some size and athleticism to the Ravens receiving corps. Though he was quiet in the first two games of the season, he was anything but this past Sunday. Smith hauled in three touchdowns in the first quarter alone en route to a total of five receptions for 152 yards.
Considering the Ravens are in need of playmakers in the receiving corps, and they invested a second round pick in Smith this off-season, there should be plenty of opportunities coming his way.
5) Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
When the Falcons were desperate for a comeback against the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers the ball was put in the hands of former Alabama sensation Julio Jones.
The sixth pick of the 2011 NFL draft, Jones was averaging just 35 yards coming into the weekend, but keep in mind the rookie endured a strike-shortened off-season and had not formed much of a rapport with Matt Ryan in the pre-season. That seems to have changed now that the two connected for six receptions totaling 115 yards of offence.
Jones is an intriguing talent who will help spread the offence for Roddy White. While White is certain to remain the top target in Atlanta, Jones won’t be overlooked.
4) Denarious Moore, WR, Raiders
At Bloomberg Sports we’ve been talking up Denarious Moore since he started to turn heads this training camp in Oakland. Sure, the Raiders receiving corps has been a revolving door over the years, but Moore seems to be one of the few who has found a way to have his athleticism translate into on-field performance.
Moore broke out last weekend with five grabs for 156 yards and a touchdown. The unheralded fifth round pick out of Tennessee hauled in four grabs for just 34 yards this weekend, but he shined brightest when handed the ball in the backfield. Moore wound up with a 23-yard rushing touchdown, which provided the Raiders the lead for good against the Jets in the third quarter.
Even with plenty of competition for touches, Moore should be a safe bet to contribute on a regular basis for the remainder of the season.
3) Dexter McCluster, RB, Chiefs
The season-ending injury to Jamaal Charles opened the door for healthy competition between the fast-rising Dexter McCluster and the veteran Thomas Jones.
There was no question as to who was better this weekend. McCluster totaled 62 yards while Jones accumulated 33 yards. More importantly, McCluster’s five yards per carry was more than twice as productive as Jones’ 2.2 yards per carry.
Though the Chiefs are hoping to ease McCluster into a larger role, they really have no choice but to expedite. The team competed well this weekend against the Chargers, but to take the next step into the win column they will need more from the team’s top playmaker in the backfield, and McCluster is clearly that guy.
2) David Nelson, WR, Bills
There are many stars that have shined bright for the Buffalo Bills so far this season, but one player who is enjoying sleeper status and should have some staying power is former Florida Gators wideout David Nelson.
At 6-foot-5, Nelson offers some size to the Bills vertical attack and seems to compliment Stevie Johnson well. Nelson has already hauled in 20 grabs for the Bills this season, which makes him even more valuable in point-per-reception fantasy leagues.
1) Kendall Hunter, RB, 49ers
For starters, Frank Gore has never been known as much of a durable running back, having played all 16 games just once in his seven-year career. Now add to that an ankle injury suffered this weekend against the Bengals, and the alarms should be ringing.
The 49ers identified Gore’s injury-prone past this off-season and made it a priority to bring in some new blood to the Niners backfield. Get to know Kendall Hunter, a 5-foot-7 running back who starred at Oklahoma State and was selected in the fourth round in the 2011 NFL draft.
Hunter thrived in extended action this weekend, racking up 26 yards on nine carries with his first touchdown. Hunter also hauled in two grabs for 12 yards. With Gore’s Week 4 status in question, Hunter is a player to keep your eye on.