Week 7: Just another ho-hum week in Fantasyland

Brandon Marshall is screaming at BFF Jay Cutler.

Peyton Manning breaks the all-time touchdown record, but leaves Julius Thomas out of the fun.

DeMarco Murray one-ups the legendary Jim Brown.

And Bills running backs drop like flies.

What’s next, the Jaguars are going to win a football game?

It was that kind of weekend in Fantasyland. One of those quirky weeks when usually reliable studs like Marshawn Lynch, Giovani Bernard, Alshon Jeffery and Jimmy Graham are marginalized and fantasy scores are generally depressed across the board.

And what must Percy Harvin’s owners be thinking? Not only have they suffered through several exasperating performances, but Harvin’s trade to the Jets left him idle this week with a second bye upcoming in Week 11. Talk about adding insult to infamy.

I suppose it could be worse. You could be the guy that left Russell Wilson and Shane Vereen on your bench this week.

Right, Carl?

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Tre Mason, RB, Rams. Though Zac Stacy was active, he never touched the ball in the Rams’ victory over the Seahawks. Mason, instead, handled the bulk of the rushing, finishing with 85 yards and a TD. Stacy has clearly fallen out of favor in St. Louis, while the explosive rookie has leap-frogged over Benny Cunningham. Though he’s not much of a receiving threat, Mason has the look of a reliable RB2.

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks. For one week, anyway, Harvin’s absence led to a starring role for Baldwin. The fourth-year wideout has shown flashes in the past, but has never been the alpha receiver in Seattle. He’ll get his chance now.

Don’t be fooled

Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon, RBs, Bills. Brown had a fleeting moment in the spotlight in 2012 while subbing for the injured LeSean McCoy in Philly, but he’s been a healthy scratch for his entire tenure in Buffalo. Dixon arrived after four uninspired years in San Francisco. With C.J. Spiller (collarbone) likely done for the season and Fred Jackson (groin) sidelined for multiple games, Brown and Dixon should share the workload. Next week’s matchup with the Jets is not promising.

Denard Robinson, RB/WR, Jaguars. Repeat after me: “I will not pick up a Jaguar. Jaguar players won’t make my title dreams come true.”

Gavin Escobar, TE, Cowboys. Escobar’s two-touchdown performance is not a sign of things to come. He’s a bit player in the Cowboys’ passing game and doesn’t merit a roster spot as long as Jason Witten is on the field. That said, Escobar fits the mold of the modern-day massive, athletic tight end, so the long-term potential is there.