Jordan, I usually always prefer two stud RBs/two stud WRs to one stud RB/three stud WRs. Although a lot of top running backs have disappointed early on this season (Arian, CJ, Mendenhall), RBs generally accumulate the most points overall and are the key to winning fantasy leagues even in today's pass-happy NFL. You're honestly stacked at receiver, but I still would hesitate to trade Nicks for Matthews or Bradshaw straight up. I feel like you could potentially get an even better back than those two especially after Nicks' huge breakout year the season that just passed. You have two main options that could work well: 1) Offer something like Nicks for Chris Johnson straight up in hopes the current owner is impatient and in need of a #1 receiver. 2) Package Fitzpatrick with McGahee to get Matthews or Bradshaw and a backup QB.
Licensed, Torrey Smith should have a good season but yesterday's performance was a flash in the pan IMO. I don't think Smith will get an abundance of receptions so that hurts his value in PPR leagues, but his biggest asset is speed and with Flacco's big arm there's potential for some deep-ball TDs to Smith. Perhaps a better, cheaper option is Victor Cruz of the Giants. Last I checked early Sunday he was only owned by 3% of owners in Yahoo leagues. Manningham is battling an injury and the losses of Boss and Steve Smith create a need for someone at the receiver position to step up for New York.
Nick, pass on that deal. Trading CJ for Stevie straight up is impatient. Yes, CJ seems rusty and his start has been maddingly frustrating but Britt's severe injury would suggest Tennessee needs to run the ball even more meaning additional touches for Johnson. Plus CJ catches the ball out of the backfield which Beanie doesnt. It's one week too late but I would have tried picking up Decker or Devery Henderson to help out your WR corps.
Doobie, I don't know what's wrong with DeAngelo after re-signing a long-term deal with Carolina. Rivera hasn't shown much commitment to the run despite starting a rookie QB. Williams has 27 carries in three games? Panthers have pretty much let Cam throw it early and often, something that shocked my Week 1 at Arizona but hey Newton's been more than effective. For fantasy purposes, DeAngelo hasn't been effective, doesn't get many carries, and still splits with Stewart. Mark Ingram's workload should increase as the season goes on and he has the durability to handle it. Sproles' role is mainly pass-catching so he won't take many carries from Ingram. Pierre Thomas ran hard Week 1 at Lambeau but I question his durability and penchant for injuries.
