Multiple Choices
The best fantasy players contribute in multiple ways. The quarterback of the moment, Philadelphia's Michael Vick, provides the rushing stats of a running back and the passing numbers of a solid QB. His best receiver, DeSean Jackson, is a deep threat as well as a dangerous return man. The list of offensive players with varied skill sets includes this week's top two risers.
• C.J. Spiller, RB,Bills Entering the game with 40 yards on 16 touches, the speedy rookie scored two touchdowns—on a 95-yard kickoff return and a five-yard reception—and added 29 rushing yards on four carries. With Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson on the roster, Spiller isn't yet an every-week starter, but the speed he has displayed while gaining 7.3 yards per carry makes him desirable. He'll be a matchup problem at home against the Jets this week.
• Lance Moore, WR,Saints New Orleans's top receiver in 2008, Moore was an afterthought during the team's run to the Super Bowl because ankle and hamstring injuries limited him to seven games and 14 receptions. Last week he burst back into the spotlight as the de facto replacement for Reggie Bush. He returned a punt for 72 yards and grabbed six passes for 149 yards and two scores. He'll roll against a relatively soft schedule for the next month while Bush recovers.
• Blair White, WR,Colts Undrafted out of Michigan State, the rookie was signed off the practice squad and forced into action when injuries sidelined Pierre Gar√ßon and Anthony Gonzalez. In his debut White caught three passes and scored his first touchdown in the NFL. Like Gar√ßon and Austin Collie, he runs crisp patterns and has good hands. Those are two traits that should keep him in the good graces of Peyton Manning until Gonzalez returns from an ankle sprain in a month or so.
• Fred Taylor, RB,Patriots Taylor was listed atop New England's depth chart, but for the second week in a row he was outplayed by BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The latter has outrushed Taylor, 117 yards on 26 rushes to 27 yards on 11 rushes, and he appears to have won the fight for the lead job. Add new arrival Danny Woodhead (three carries, 42 yards, TD) and capable veteran Sammy Morris to the mix and this is a fantasy backfield to avoid.
• Jerome Harrison, RB,Browns Sidelined by a thigh injury and inactive against the Ravens, Harrison watched as backup Peyton Hillis plowed for 144 rushing and 36 receiving yards. Harrison's history of fumbling hasn't endeared him to coach Eric Mangini, so anchor him to your bench or trade him to someone who doesn't realize Harrison's dire situation.
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EXTRA POINTS
Passing Muster
Despite throwing for 2,253 yards over the last seven regular-season games—the most in the NFL during that span—Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton(below) isn't getting a lot of fantasy respect. He went unowned in nearly half of all leagues entering Sunday's 27--13 loss to the Colts, in which he rolled up 476 yards. Although Orton is one of only a handful of passers to top 1,000 yards through a season's first three games (a list that includes Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and the original Denver QB, Frank Tripucka), owners are overlooking him for the likes of Matthew Stafford and Vince Young. The Broncos' anemic running attack almost guarantees big weekly numbers from Orton, who deserves to be owned in every league and started in most.
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CJ GUNTHER/EPA (SPILLER)
FITTING THE bills Spiller (21) isn't a starter, but his breakout performance against the Pats showed how productive he can be.
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DAVID ROSEBLUM/SOUTHCREET GLOBAL/ZUMA PRESS.COM (ORTON)