Erin Skelley, aka "Erin the Fantasy Girl" on Texans Radio/Sports Radio 610 in Houston, dishes out waiver wire magic for Week 4.
There's an insurance plan for everything – from health to homes, automobiles to boats. They even have insurance for mustaches, runaway brides, and alien abductions. Seriously. But those policies are just plain silly, and I'm guessing not cashed out too often.
What I'm about to suggest has a more practical benefit. And certainly wider appeal. Why not fantasy insurance? Don't laugh. Think about it. Jamaal Charles goes down. No worries. Here's 100 yards and two touchdowns added to your total. EVERY WEEK.
Your wide receiver is declared unusable? Rest assured, Mr. Policyholder. Let your prudent backup give you security. Or perhaps your quarterback is out for the season. You can exhale. Your totaled QB becomes 15 easy fantasy points. Minus a deductible, of course.
Call me a fantasy football opportunist if you must, but I call it sensible. Just seems like a logical next step in the world of indemnification (thank you, thesaurus). I realize policing insurance fraud could be a financial strain, so I need more time to complete this stroke of genius. In the absence of a fantasy safe haven, here are a few guys to repair your team. No need to mail me a check.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins – I think we all suspected he'd continue to see some success, but wow, what a Sunday. With 427 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, this guy isn't just a substitute QB. Consider Cousins a legitimate starter. Hard to believe he's still available in half of all fantasy leagues. Get him while you can. The bye weeks are upon us.
Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans – The Texans offense was ugly on Sunday, but Blue stepped up in Arian Foster's absence to rush for 78 yards, including a dazzling 46-yard run. Foster, who is nursing a hamstring injury, isn't at risk of losing his starting job, after collecting 241 rushing yards in his first two games. But these injuries can linger or reappear. Blue is a good backup to stash.
Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – The rookie wideout, who dropped two passes in week 2, redeemed himself with eight receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his week 3 performance, keep in mind, he faced the Washington secondary. Consider Matthews in deep leagues only for now.
San Diego DEF – They play Jacksonville. That's all.
Owen Daniels, TE, Baltimore Ravens – Here's a familiar face to Texans fans. With Dennis Pitta out for the season, O.D. gets a promotion as the Ravens' lead tight end. If you're TE-deficient, give Daniels a try. And here's a bonus – Joe Flacco loves his tight ends.
Cody Parkey, K, Philadelphia Eagles – Look, I don't give a lot of kicker advice, but Parkey is outscoring most of my players. And yours too.
John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Two touchdowns from Drew Stanton make the rookie an interesting pickup. Since week 4 is a bye for Arizona, outsmart your friends and claim now.
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Filling in for an injured Bernard Pierce, Taliaferro rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Not bad, especially considering Sunday marked his first NFL carry. But this is a tough one. Pierce should return soon. Taliaferro showed he's worth a consideration even after Pierce returns. If your bench can hold him, he's worth picking up. Just no guarantee he starts again soon.
Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams – After reeling in seven passes for 74 yards, Quick matched that with another serviceable performance – two receptions for 62 yards and a score. Quick has a bye this week, but he's a good WR3 when he returns.
Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers – I realize he scored twice, but resist the temptation. We've been here before.
Erin Skelley joins Texans Radio every week on SportsRadio 610. Follow her on Twitter @erinskelley. She'll babble fantasy to anyone who will listen.
