Buy Low: Fantasy Football Investment Advice

If you ran into Chris Johnson, Frank Gore, or any of the other fantasy monsters in Week Two, you might be searching for a little more firepower in your roster. 

Nobody wants to deal a player who just went off, but there are still plenty of fantasy factors who have yet to meet their potential. 

If you’re trying to decide whose funk is a fluke and who’s going to be faking the funk all year long, I have some fantasy football investment advice for you. 

I’ve used the S&P’s Bond Credit Rating System to give you a look at the short term (A-1+ to C) and long term (AAA to D) potential for each prospect.

Matt Forte

Through two weeks Forte has 117 total yards with a 2.2 YPC, but don't claim sophomore slump just yet. The Packers had the advantage of a brand-new 3-4 scheme, and nobody runs well against the Steelers. 

By week nine, Forte will have faced Seattle, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Forte isn't a perfect prospect, however; his second game against Detroit is in Week 17, and his Weeks 15 and 16 are against Baltimore and Minnesota respectively.

Short Term: A-1+  Long Term: BBB+

Brandon Jacobs

Have teams finally figured out how to chop down the tall tree? Don't give up on Jacobs just yet. After facing two division rivals, Jacobs will finally find the zone against Tampa and KC in Weeks Three and Four. 

Health has been a concern for Jacobs throughout his career, but he's playing behind the most experienced line in football and will need to pound the ground in those December home games.

Short Term: A-1  Long Term: A+

Steve Slaton

Slaton has been a headache of sorts for fantasy owners. The only bright spot in his 111 total yards (three fumbles) seems to be his 10.0 yards per catch. 

Try to forget the past and look to the future. With Oakland, Cincinnati, Buffalo, and Seattle as non-divisional opponents, there will be plenty of scoring opportunities to be had. 

Slaton was drafted at a second-round value, and you should be able to get him for your third- or fourth-round pick now.

Short Term: A-2  Long Term: A

Anquan Boldin

It seems fair to assume the Cards' Week One was a fluke. They were hurt and apparently hung over from the Super Bowl.

As displayed by his eight catches in Week Two, Boldin is ready, and facing Indianapolis, Houston, and Seattle in the next three weeks will give him plenty of scoring opportunities. 

His Week 15 and 16 combo (Detroit and St. Louis) is also very attractive.

Short Term: A-1+  Long Term: AA

Knowshon Moreno

It's always risky going after a rookie who's already been banged up early in the season, but Moreno is the future of the Broncos, and they want to get him up to speed quickly. 

He saw a 410 percent increase in yardage from Week One to Two, and he will be knocking on the door for his first NFL TD against Oakland in Week Three. 

Short Term: A-3  Long Term: BBB-

Santana Moss

When you roster Moss, you have to expect some big games and some disappearing acts. 

His 41 yards through Week Two have him landing on the waiver wire with owners forgetting his nine-catch, 140-yard, two-TD performance against Detroit last year, who he happens to face in Week Three. 

Short Term: A-1  Long Term: BBB

LaDainian Tomlinson

If the Chargers want to establish any sort of running game in 2009, they will need LT in the backfield. However, he is developing a tendency of being sidelined when his team needs him most. 

If Tomlinson can get to the Chargers' Week Five bye without re-injuring his ankle, he should have a good stretch of production, but getting there is what's in question. 

Short Term: C  Long Term: BB-

Pierre Thomas

There was a lot of hype surrounding Thomas before the season, but all of that noise has moved on to Mike Bell, leaving Thomas with one catch for negative-four yards on the year. 

As his knee heals, Thomas will see increased production, but right now he doesn't look like the best runner or pass catcher in the Saints' trio. Whoever owns Thomas might be still overvalue him. 

Short Term: B  Long Term: BB+

Brandon Marshall

Don't get it twisted, Marshall is one of the most talented football players in the NFL, but it seems like there are too many forces working against him in 2009. 

The Broncos have downgraded his QB, coach, and scheme from last year, and he carries on field, off field, and injury concerns. 

That being said, Marshall is playing, and he will find a way to make some big plays, but his current value is not the 100-catch, 1,200-yard receiver he's been the past two seasons.

Short Term: A-3  Long Term: BBB

Eddie Royal

If it seems like Marshall isn't clicking, it's been even worse for Royal, who has five catches for 38 yards on the year. 

There is still hope that Royal can best his five TDs from last year, but he will have to have some monster games to touch the 91 catches and 980 yards he racked up.

Short Term: B  Long Term: B

Antonio Bryant

Although he was able to play Week One, the knee injury that Bryant incurred in the preseason is going to haunt him for the rest of the year. As the Bucs continue to lose, don't expect Bryant to push his injury for nothing. 

Short Term: C  Long Term: CCC

Greg Olsen

The problem with expecting Olsen to explode onto the scene in 2009 is that all of the defenses he faces are looking for him too. 

Olsen still carries a good scoring potential, and he will be a part of the Bears offense, but all of the eyes on him are opening up things for backup tight ends Kellen Davis and Desmond Clark underneath. 

He's not bad, but as an above average tight end, there are a lot of others out there like him.

Short Term: A-1  Long Term: A

LenDale White

There was a lot of buzz about White losing 20 pounds in the offseason, but that weight loss just makes him a less imposing goal line option, and he will never hold a candle to Chris Johnson in any play requiring speed. 

White has yet to break the 10-carry mark in a game, and the Titans might be phasing him out, as he becomes a free agent in 2010. 

Short Term: B  Long Term: B+

Beanie Wells 

Many thought Beanie would be the rookie back to break out, and he still could, but Tim Hightower is doing everything in his power to keep him at bay. With a 5.2 YPC, Wells can get it done on the ground, but two fumbles in Week Two are concerning. 

If Wells stays healthy, you may want him rostered for his Week 15 and 16 meetings with the Lions and Rams.

Short Term: B  Long Term: BBB

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