Fighting Chance Fantasy's On The Radar--Week 5

The “On The Radar” column isn’t one that you should necessarily run out and grab these players, although in some cases they could be valuable. These are players that have been doing something over the past week or two that warrant you keeping your eye on them for covering bye weeks or injuries, or if they put a few good weeks together.

Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals. For years, Bryant Johnson was the third receiver in the Arizona system, and was always a borderline fantasy player. People would pick him up during bye weeks, but he was never a guy who stuck on anyone’s team. Now that he is off to San Francisco, Steve Breaston has taken over this role. Breaston had a nine catch, 122 yard game against the Jets on Sunday, but don’t let those inflated numbers fool you. The Jets scored 56 points and the Cardinals were in catchup mode very early in the game. However, with the injury at the end of the game to Anquan Boldin, and the uncertainty of his status for this week, Breaston is a guy that you should definitely keep an eye on if you have some byes coming up this week.

Arnaz Battle, WR, San Francisco 49ers. A starter for the past two seasons, Battle was unable to take advantage of the opportunity to show himself to be a starter in this league. Of course, he did have Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer throwing the ball, so we will give him the benefit of the doubt. The Niners passing game has been very tough to figure. One week Bryant Johnson has a good game, the next week it is Isaac Bruce is the main target, etc. Last week, it was Battle who caught seven passes for 120 yards. The way the Mike Martz offense spreads the ball around, I don’t think any 49ers receiver will become a first or second receiver on your fantasy teams. But watch what Battle does over the next couple of games, as it is still up in the air who will get the majority of looks after Frank Gore.

Brandon Jackson, RB, Green Bay Packers. This one is more of a possible projection for the future. After being injured through much of the preseason, Ryan Grant still hasn’t looked ANYTHING like the guy that turned into a fantasy hall of famer in the last ten weeks of 2007. I don’t know how much longer the Packers will continue to give him the majority of the carries, but as of now he is still getting them. Just get yourself familiar with their first round pick from last season, Brandon Jackson, who was supposed to be the starter last year but was unable to show any production. He certainly hasn’t done anything more this year to prove he is worth the carries, outside of a decent game against the Lions (and we all know that isn’t saying much of anything). Grant is still the every down back, but if he doesn’t step it up soon, perhaps the Pack will give Jackson a try.

Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders. This guy you should have known from the beginning of the year, but up until Week 4, there was no reason to pay attention to him. Miller had just six catches for under 60 yards through three weeks, but broke out with five grabs for 95 yards last week.
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