Todd Lokken from Strategic Fantasy Sports Identifies The Most Dropped and Picked Up Free Agents for Week 3 of the NFL season

Maurice Morris, who went undrafted in most fantasy football leagues, is all of a sudden a hot commodity as he assumes the featured running back role in Seattle. The Seahawks started the season with MVP Sean Alexander, but a broken bone in is foot will sideline him for a few weeks. Morris has NFL experience, and filled in for Alexander after last week’s injury. The only problem for Morris this week is facing a tough Chicago Bear defense, says Todd Lokken, President of Strategic Fantasy Sports. Lokken continues, “Against most teams, Morris would be a solid fantasy start. However, those Bears are fully capable of completely shutting him down.” However, after the Bears, the Seahawks have a bye week—after which Alexander may be back. “Morris may be a decent short term fix for someone really in need of a running back”, says Lokken. However, if Alexander winds up out of action for longer than a few weeks, Morris obviously becomes much more valuable.

The next hot commodity is Maurice Jones-Drew, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones-Drew ran all over the Indianapolis Colts in week 3, and may start to take time away from Fred Taylor. “The unexpected explosion of this kid has really put him in the public eye”, says Lokken. “He may be a steal for the rest of the season—if you can still get him.” According to the CBS Sportsline, Jones-Drew was on less than 15% of all fantasy football rosters before last week. Lokken says, “if players take a look now, they will see Jones-Drew on probably 50% of all rosters, so grab him while he is still there.”

On the flip side, injuries are seriously hurting former fantasy stars, and team owners are making fantasy adjustments accordingly. The most prominent star losing a roster spot is Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s QB Chris Simms, after his emergency spleen surgery last week. Simms, who was injured in a game against the Carolina Panthers, is expected to be out for some time. Lokken says, “The Bucs say that Simms may return this year, but that is a doubtful thought—especially if it looks like the playoffs are out of reach.” Lokken continues, “it’s not worth him taking up a roster spot, and you should find another QB quickly.” In most leagues, there still should be a starting QB or two to help you out.

Finally this week, Lokken gives us another disappointment: San Francisco 49er Vernon Davis. The rookie tight end had a strong debut against the Arizona Cardinals, but then was blanked against the St. Louis Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. To make matters worse, Davis broke the fibula in his right leg against the Eagles, and will be out until at least week 8. While the injury may have been a fluke, Lokken points out “Davis was struggling against better defenses, so he wasn’t doing much fantasy wise.” Having a starting tight end out 6 weeks is deadly in leagues that require a TE, so Lokken advises Davis owners to adjust their rosters accordingly. Grab another starter, possibly Eric Johnson of the 49ers, if you need additional support. “If you can handle Davis going down for an extended period and you really believe in him, then hold him, as this ailment will not keep him out the entire season,” says Lokken.

Strategic Fantasy Sports provides fantasy analysis and strategy for players of fantasy games. For more information, contact Todd Lokken at 847.985.8566, or visit www.toddlokken.com.