Fantasy Football Gold In Week Three: Oakland Raiders’ Louis Murphy

Every week there’s one guy that comes out of nowhere to put up 10+ points.  If his production is good enough (i.e. Demaryius Thomas’ 16 point performance in week 2), then hungry owners mob him like  that lion that almost decapitated that hunter.  If the player racks up yards but doesn’t take it to the house, then your chances of picking him up greatly increase. 

Here is fantasy football's week three prize owned in less than half of Yahoo! leagues.  

Louis Murphy:  5 catches, 119 yards vs. Arizona

Murphy is a second-year wide receiver from Florida who arrived at the university after making a name for himself in track and football at Lakewood High in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Coming out of Tebow U., teammate Percy Harvin overshadowed Murphy’s appeal.  Drafted as a compliment to fellow 2009 draftee Darrius Heyward-Bey, he’s proven himself to be much more valuable to the Raiders offense than his Maryland counterpart.  Murphy’s 4.43 speed and fluid route-running  make him the Raiders’ most dangerous wideout.  He had the best game of his college and professional career in 2009 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching four passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Projections

Unfortunately, Murphy suffered a clavicle injury in last week’s game against Arizona.  He’s struggled through practice this week, barely able to lift his injured arm to catch passes.  Owners looking to collect a handsome return against Houston’s meager pass defense this week will have to wait out Murphy’s injury.  

 

The Raiders next six games include four of the league’s 12 worst pass defenses: Houston, Seattle, Denver and Kansas City.  If you have some wiggle room on your roster, consider picking up Murphy for the future.   His games against the Seahawks (Oct...