Talking About Louis Rankin

This week the fantasy buzz has been all about Texans back up running back, Ryan Moats. His ownership in fantasy leagues skyrocketed after waivers went through. Certainly a three touchdown performance and the benching of the team's star RB is bound to make fantasy owners salivate, but how much value does Moats really have?

Before Steve Slaton owners have a stroke that they've lost their first round draft pick, here are a few things to keep in mind. Coach Gary Kubiak benched Slaton to send him a message; hang onto the ball or you'll sit. Moats is a career back-up running back for a reason. He isn't an every game starter. Three touchdowns and 126 yards may seem lofty, but he was playing the league's worst rush defense.

While Moats will see more carries in the second half of the season, as mentioned above, this was a wake up message to Slaton, not a pink slip. Kubiak still believes in his star and he'll be right back out there for the next game against the Colts.

Why am I so sure Slaton isn't out of the starting mix? He's making starter money, and with Owen Daniels out for the season, the Texans will need Slaton's pass catching ability now more than ever. Moats may get into a time share to push Slaton, but I don't see him replacing Slaton as the team's number one back.

--Free Agent Pick-Ups--

This time of the season, new names are hard to come by, but here are a few I think could help in the second half.

Malcom Floyd,WR, SDC - The Chargers parted ways with under productive receiver, Chris Chambers, which opens the door for Malcolm Floyd to get a bigger slice of the pie. Floyd was already starting to turn heads, which is part of the reason the Chargers felt comfortable letting Chambers go. I'd snap him up now if you have the bench space. He'll go off any week now. He's still 80% available in Yahoo leagues, and 96% in ESPN leagues.

David Hawthorne, LB, SEA - A few weeks ago when I was talking about IDP players, I mentioned Hawthorne as Lofa Tatupa's replacement. In his first game starting again, he racked up 8 tackles and 2 sacks. Another monster fantasy day. In two full starts in place of Tatupa, Hawthorne has averaged about 30 fantasy points in most leagues. If you're in an IDP league, grab this guy. He's owned in less than 5% of all leagues.

Louis Rankin, RB, Seattle - The Edge is lost, and Julius Jones never had it. Enter Louis Rankin. The Raiders cut this guy and Seattle's defense has had trouble containing him in practice. Although some might disagree, Louis Rankin has potential. Jones might find his days in the Pacific Northwest gone too.

Back to the week at hand...

The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, St, Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings are all on a bye this week. Practice those golf swings gentlemen. These are the guys we'll miss in week 9:

QBs - Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. I can't count these guys and keep a straight face- Marc Bulger, Derek Anderson, Ryan Fitzpatrick and JaMarcus Russell. No one is missing them this week except their opponents.

RBs - Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, Steven Jackson, Adrian Peterson, Justin Fargas, Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene and Jamal Lewis.

WRs - Lee Evans, Terrell Owens, Mohamed Massaquoi, Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, and Donnie Avery.

TEs - Vinsanthe Shiancoe, Zach Miller, Daniel Fells, Robert Royal, and Dustin Keller.

--Plug and Play Options for Week 9 --

--Quarterbacks--

David Garrard, JAX - Garrard was unusually silent vs. the Titans last week, but this week he faces the Chiefs secondary that made Miles Austin look like Randy Moss.

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA - Hasselbeck is at home this weekend against a terrible Lions defense. Three TDs are almost a lock.

Alex Smith, SFO - Smith gets his second start against a dreadful Titans secondary. This could be a huge week for Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, and someone has to throw them the ball.

--Running Backs--

Julius Jones, SEA - It's not often you'll see me push anyone to start Jones, but this week he faces an even weaker rush defense than the Rams team he beat up on in week one. Yes, his last good game. He should hit the century mark this week, if he tries at all.

Jamaal Charles, KCC - Charles will get his first career start in place of Larry Johnson. The one thing that makes him a nice play this week, is he has something to prove, and he's playing the Jaguars.

Chris "Beanie" Wells, ARI - Wells is still highly un-owned in many fantasy leagues, and his second half potential is huge.

--Wide Receivers--

Malcolm Floyd, SDC - I mentioned Floyd above as a second half jewel, and I think this week could be his debutante ball, vs. a poor Giants secondary. I think he'll get 6-8 receptions, close to 100 yards and a score.

Josh Morgan/Isaac Bruce, SFO - Neither name is flashy, and Crabtree and Davis will get the love most weeks, but this week, the Titans secondary makes one or both of these guys worth a spot start. I'd lean towards Morgan as the deep threat.

Bobby Wade/Chris Chambers, KCC - The Jaguars are woeful vs. the pass, and Bowe can't catch all the balls.

Torry Holt/Mike Sims-Walker, JAX - The Chiefs are as bad against the pass as the Jags...

--Tight Ends--

Fred Davis, WAS -  The Falcons are lousy vs. TEs, and Davis showed he is a more than capable replacement for Chris Cooley.

Spencer Havner, GBP - Havner has three TDs in the last two weeks in place of the injured Jermichael Finley. Finley should be out at least one more week, and the Packers face the woeful Buccaneers. The best part for IDP leagues is Havner also qualifies at the linebacker position in most of them. He could make it three weeks straight with a score. The downside, no yards, just endzone catches.

Ben Watson, NEP - Watson's season has been up and down, but the Dolphins Achilles heal so far has been against TE's, to the tune of 500 yards and 3 TDs.

--Week Nine - Start and Sit--

Generally, I always recommend starting your top picks, regardless of match-ups, barring injury, of course. It is obvious that you'll almost always play guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning. I try to save this list for guys who are not always obvious starts.

Note: While I'm not saying sit Drew Brees this week, I don't think he'll have a huge day. I expect his defense and running game to get the hard work this week vs. the Panthers.

By Rustyn Rose at Top Fantasy Football