Fantasy Football: One-Hit Wonders, Midseason Edition

NFL fantasy football is now at its midway point and there are plenty of one hit wonders from the first half. When these men erupted, fantasy owners scrambled to the waiver wire, over-payed in auction mode, and thought they had a sure thing. Ultimately the players created false hopes and disappointment. 

Some fantasy owners were smiling from ear to ear when they had the hunch to acquire and start these men before their big day. Others are cursing everything from the sun to their own mothers because these players were expected to produce much more.

These men were flavors of the week, only to be never seen again. Fans are now beginning to wonder if they'll ever show up again. 

Here are the fantasy football one hit wonders from the first half. 

Week 8: Jonathon Baldwin

Kansas City Chiefs' rookie Jonathon Baldwin has only played in two games this year, but he made his most recent one count.

Baldwin was thought to be a big addition to a thin Chiefs' receiving corps until he hurt his wrist while fighting teammate Thomas Jones in the preseason.  

In his second career game, Baldwin caught five balls for 89 yards and a trip to the end zone. While it's unclear if he'll have a repeat performance in Week 9 against Miami, he may be something worthwhile.

Together with Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs could have dangerous duo on their hands. 

Week 6: Devin Hester

Devin Hester is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, but he's a gamble as far as fantasy football goes. 

While Hester is the always a threat to take it to the house by returning the ball, he's only done it 14 times in his career. While this is the all-time record, it's not an easy task. It's hard to justify having him in your starting roster when you have to keep your fingers crossed that he'll go the distance. 

In Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, Hester caught five balls for 91 yards and a score. Productivity like this is rare for Hester and that makes him a tough sell in the fantasy game. 

Although tempting, stay away from him.

Week 4: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has been nothing but a headache for fantasy owners and Tennessee Titans' fans alike this season.

Apparently Johnson didn't listen to the Steve Miller song, Take the Money and Run. Instead, Johnson only has a single 100-yard game this season and it came in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. Another fact that baffles everyone—he only has one touchdown in seven games. What a bust. 

Who knows what Johnson will do next? Maybe he'll decide to show up in the second half or maybe he'll continue his fall into mediocrity. He has less than 25 yards in three games this year. Come on Chris Johnson, please care, just a little bit, please. 

Week 5: Jonathon Dwyer

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathon Dwyer broke loose in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans for 107 yards.

Head coach Mile Tomlin had to be pleased with his second-year back on that day. Unfortunately for Dwyer, he hasn't had success since. In fact, he only has two carries for eight yards.

Although he may not have another game like Week 6, the Steelers will have confidence in their young back moving forward. Given another injury in the Pittsburgh backfield, Dwyer should be in consideration to join your team. 

Week 3: Brandon Pettigrew

Fantasy owners were big on Loins' tight end Brandon Pettigrew as a sleeper this season.

After a slow start, Pettigrew caught 11 balls for 112 yards in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Pettigrew hasn't been nearly as fruitful since. While he does have 41 catches on the year, fantasy owners would like to see more than two touchdowns. After seeing 11 catches in Week 3, owners were thinking the sky is the limit. Now they're praying he has another repeat performance sometime soon. 

Fans are left to scratch their heads when trying to predict how Pettigrew will perform.

Week 3: Felix Jones

Fantasy owners were thrilled to draft Dallas Cowboys' running back Felix Jones at the beginning of the season because he was finally the No. 1 back in Big D. 

That excitement quickly faded and doesn't exist now that Jones is injured and rookie DeMarco Murray has made a name for himself.

Week 3 versus the Washington Redskins was the only noteworthy game for Jones as he ran for 115 yards. 

Jones, like the Cowboys, have been a big letdown this season. 

Week 2: Danario Alexander

Danario Alexander showed promise for the St. Louis Rams in Week 2 but hasn't done much since. Alexander lit-up the New York Giants for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Surprisingly, Alexander leads the Rams in receiving yards with 296 yards this year, but he hasn't done much since Week 2. He's only 23 years old so he has plenty of time to blossom, but the Rams need him now. 

Key your eye on Alexander to see if he becomes more consistent. If he does, feel free to swipe him. 

Week 4: Ryan Torain

Washington Redskins' running back Ryan Torain has 166 yards on the year. Of those, 135 came in Week 4 against the St. Louis Rams. His only touchdown also came in that game.

What was once promising for Redskins' fans appears to have fizzled out quickly. Fantasy owners are pulling their hair out after picking up Torain.  

With the addition of Tashard Choice to the Redskins, don't expect much of anything from Torain the rest of the season.

Week 2: Denarius Moore

Denarius Moore wowed fans of the Oakland Raiders in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

Moore caught five passes for 146 yards and a touchdown that day which sent fantasy participants into a frenzy trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

He only has nine catches for 66 and a touchdown since. This is not what fantasy owners were hoping for. 

With Carson Palmer now at the helm for the Raiders, maybe Moore can become consistent in the second half. 

Week 3: Torrey Smith

Torrey Smith exploded in Week 3 and almost made the fantasy waiver wire melt.

Against the St. Louis Rams, the Baltimore Ravens' rookie had five catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. 

Smith has zero touchdowns, zero 100-yard games, a modest 10 catches and 174 yards in four games since. 

While many fantasy owners bet the farm on Smith's upside, they'll have to wait patiently.

For now, stuff him on your bench and hope that Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco becomes consistent again. 

Week 4: Colt McCoy

The Cleveland Browns got off to a promising start in 2011 but have since faded to 3-4. Quarterback Colt McCoy has been average at best except in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans.

McCoy exploded for 350 yards against the Titans by throwing a whopping 61 times. He connected on 40 of those passes, but the Browns still lost. In comparison to McCoy's other six games, he hasn't completed over 22 passes in any game.  

The fantasy football world would love to know if McCoy will ever yield a high return. 

Week 5: Jahvid Best

Detroit Lions' fans and fantasy owners alike were floored with Jahvid Best's performance in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears. 

Best ended the game with 163 and a touchdown. It was the first 100-yard game of his young career. His production was a welcomed sign from a struggling Lions' rushing attack and the Lions were flying high. 

Sadly, Week 6 brought a concussion to Best and it's unclear when he'll return. Fantasy owners should peep the market and bench Best with caution. 

Week 7: DeMarco Murray

Week 7 brought Dallas Cowboys' rookie running back DeMarco Murray to folklore status.

In his first start in the NFL, he ran for a colossal 253 yards and a touchdown. Wow!

Murray has yet to clip the 100-yard mark again, but he will in due time. In Week 8 he only amassed 74 yards but only carried the ball eight times. 

Fantasy owners should keep running him and never look back. He's pure amusement. 

Week 3: Roddy White

Fantasy owners are up in arms over what they thought was a sure thing in Roddy White this year.

The Atlanta Falcons receiver had 115 catches and 10 touchdowns last year. Through seven games in 2011, White has 39 catches for 425 yards and three scores. 

Most importantly, White only has one game with over 100 receiving. In Week 3 against Tampa Bay, White racked up 140 yards on nine catches. In his last three games, White only has 123 yards combined. Given, he's battled a quad injury, but he still plays every week. This makes for a difficult decision from fantasy owners. 

This lack of output from White surely won't continue the whole season.