The NFL schedule is getting started up again on Thursday with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins and that means fantasy football owners are gearing up to find the best free agents on the waiver wire and some names include Zac Stacy, Donald Brown, Mike Tolbert, Dexter McCluster and James Starks.
The Week 9 schedule has a number of exciting games on the docket and these players all could have significant roles for their teams come Sunday, including Zac Stacy, who has basically taken over the starting job for the St. Louis Rams this season, as Daryl Richardson has been a complete disappointment. Mike Tolbert has been a nice factor in Carolina with Jonathan Stewart out all season and Donald Brown has been stepping up since Ahmad Bradshaw was injured. James starks returned strong from a knee injury, while , Dexter McCluster is a top PPR player after being changed to basically a wide receiver in the KC Chiefs offense.
Stacy missed out on practice this week, so fantasy owners should keep a close eye on the injury report heading into Sunday's matchups and he should be okay to play against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The game will be at home for the 3-5 Rams and that is good, meaning they will be indoors on the turf and Stacy had himself quite the game last week at the Edward Jones Dome on Monday night football against the Seattle Seahawks, as he went head to head with Marshawn Lynch and finished with 134 yards on 26 carries for over 5.0 yards per attempt.
Stacy has been very solid for the Rams and for fantasy owners since taking over the starting job, as he has had at least 14 carries and 70 yards in three of his last four games and over that span he has been consistent with at least 50 yards in each contest. Stacy has been valuable for fantasy owners for his pass catching abilities as well, as he has made seven catches over the past three weeks and that should continue as the Rams play with a new quarterback since Sam Bradford was injured for the season. Having a solid running game should be a boost for Kellen Clemens and Stacy comes into the game after putting up 134 yards to give him nearly 350 for the season. The Titans have a tough front, but if he is healthy, owners should start him.
McCluster is another player that is hue for PPR, as he is basically a wideout now in Andy Reid's offense and that could be a big boost for owners after the game he had last week. McCluster showed off his impressive hands with a nice catch on Sunday for a TD and he also had seven catches for 67 yards on 10 targets and that type of production should continue.
McCluster also is a punt return man and after putting up 15 targets in the past two weeks, he could have a big game against the Buffalo Bills, as their defense gives up yards. McCluster has electric speed and along with Jamaal Charles he gives the Chiefs two explosive backs. The past three weeks McCluster has 12 catches for over 150 yards and after getting double digit targets against the Browns, he could be in for another very solid day. Donald Brown, Mike Tolbert and James Starks are all solid options for this week as well and should be considered potential starting picks at running back.
