NEWS » B Trevor Plouffe was scratched before the gam

Prior to the season, I was among those who believed that the soundest strategy leading into your draft if you owned one of the top three picks was to go with a wide receiver (my ranks: Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. in that order). Why? Because running backs are -- generally speaking -- less predictable for fantasy purposes.However, with 10 regular-season Sundays in the books and just three more until we reach the ESPN Fantasy postseason, many of you who have already punched your playoff ticket -- or come close -- have likely done so because of a workhorse running back. Those arent readily available on the waiver wire, but todays column will include a list of handcuffs to the top-scoring backs who should be owned in all leagues (excluding those who are already owned in more than 50 percent of leagues). Beyond that, well have our usual assortment of selections.?Note: All players on this list are owned in less than 50 percent of leagues on ESPN.com.?Week 11 byes: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers?Robert Kelley, RB, Washington Redskins (42.5 percent). Fellow Washington running back Matt Jones was a healthy scratch Sunday, further signaling that Kelley is the teams new starter at running back. He churned out 97 yards on 22 carries and figures to stay heavily involved in future weeks. Hes a must-add in all leagues and a borderline RB2 -- as long as he holds on to this job.?C.J. Prosise, RB, Seattle Seahawks (30.7 percent). If Week 10 is any indication, Prosise could be the starter in the Seahawks backfield. He paired 17 carries for 66 yards with a seven-catch, 87-yard effort. He needs to be added in all leagues. While Thomas Rawls could soon return and Christine Michael will get healthier, Prosise is a star rookie who has terrific value already, especially in points-per-reception leagues.?Rishard Matthews, WR, Tennessee Titans (34.5 percent). Another week, another touchdown for Matthews, who is the No. 1 wide receiver for a red-hot Tennessee offense. He has an excellent, young quarterback looking his way, and Matthews now has six touchdowns in his past six games. Hes an add in all-sized leagues and a usable flex play right away.Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears (20.3 percent). It has been an odd year for Meredith, who recorded 20 catches, 243 receiving yards and one touchdown in Weeks 5 and 6. Even though the second-year receiver has had just one catch in each of his past three games, Meredith is worthy of waiver attention with?Alshon Jeffery?serving a four-game suspension.James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers (29.3 percent).?Week 10 proved to be an indicator that Starks is a big part of the Packers backfield. He had seven of the teams 10 running back carries and caught a pass for a touchdown, totaling 10 fantasy points in the process. Hes an add in all-sized leagues and probably a flex play heading into Week 11.Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens (10.5 percent). Weve been waiting to see Dixons role expand, and Week 10 seemed to suggest it has. Terrance West remains the workhorse back, but Dixon is a worthwhile add for anyone in need of running back depth. Hes an adept pass-catcher who is already in the mix for flex consideration in 14-team leagues.Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks (47.6 percent). Rawls could return to game action in Week 11, though it seems unlikely that hell repeat his production in 2015, when he became the focal point of the Seahawks running game following an injury to Marshawn Lynch. I highlighted Prosise earlier in the column, but Rawls is a smart add for a running back-needy owner who wants to cash in on the potential upside if the Seahawks reinsert Rawls as the starter down the stretch.?Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots (44.4 percent). Lewis has yet to play a snap this season, but after being activated to the 53-man roster this past Saturday, his time is coming. James White wont simply go away from this Patriots offense, but Lewis is a dynamic talent who is absolutely worth adding for the upside. If you have an extra bench spot in 10-team leagues, grab him.Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (9.9 percent). With no Jeremy Maclin in Week 10, the Chiefs were without their No. 1 wide receiver. But Hill was targeted 13 times, and he racked up 10 receptions on just 39 snaps. Hes going to get a ton of looks at or near the line of scrimmage, which bodes well for his PPR value. He can be added in any league of 12 or more teams for those with a receiver need.Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins (28.2 percent). If you play in a PPR league, Garcon needs to be on your radar. He has 65 targets through nine games (more than seven per contest) and is on pace for 75 catches this season. He has double-digit PPR scoring in six of nine games this season. Garcon is a steady, reliable flex option in larger leagues.?Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (36.9 percent). There arent a ton of sure-fire options at tight end, but Brates steady season has been even better of late. Over the past two weeks, he has 12 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns (he has scored in three straight games). Hes a smart add for Antonio Gates owners this week or anyone in need of tight end help.Jeremy Langford, RB, Chicago Bears (32.3 percent). Theres a lack of clarity on whether Jordan Howard suffered an injury in Week 10. Coach John Fox said it mightve been an Achilles/ankle issue, but Howard said he was not hurt. Langford underwhelmed as the starter earlier this season, and KaDeem Carey could figure into the mix, but Langford is a deeper-league add if we get more information on Howards injury.Eli Rogers, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (20.9 percent). Rogers had a hot start to the season, finding the end zone in Week 1 before fading into a supremely quiet stretch from Weeks 2-8. But Rogers recorded a 103-yard performance in Week 9 and snagged a touchdown in Week 10. Hes currently operating as the No. 2 wideout in Pittsburghs prolific offense. That has value in a deeper league.Ladarius Green, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (7.8 percent). Green made his Steelers debut in Week 10 and hauled in three catches for 30 yards. He played just 12 snaps (four Steelers tight ends played at least 10 snaps) to Jesse James 52, but Im intrigued by the athletic upside of Green. If you have an extra bench spot or play in a deep league, hes a stash add.Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers (14.2 percent). Since Week 6, Kaepernick ranks 12th in points per game among quarterbacks. Next up on his schedule? A Patriots defense that struggled in Week 10 against the Seahawks. Even if the Patriots jump out to a big lead against the Niners, Kaepernick should have an opportunity for junk-time scoring. Hes a name on the radar for those who own Matt Ryan or Philip Rivers, both of whom are on byes.Miami Dolphins D/ST (9.8 percent). Looking for a streaming defense that could have multi-week value? How about the Dolphins, who face the Rams and 49ers in successive weeks. This group -- led by a stout front seven -- has 29 fantasy points over the past two weeks. Those who own the Broncos D/ST should consider Miami.Handcuff backs (Note: these are listed in order of the top-scoring running backs during the 2016 season, minus the handcuff backs who are more than 50 percent owned.)Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys (14.7 percent). Morris has been a useful role player for Dallas this season; he has rushed for more than 200 yards behind Ezekiel Elliott. Given the Cowboys dominant offensive line, Morris would be a top-12 back if he was the starter.Kenneth Farrow, San Diego Chargers (0.3 percent).?Farrow is an undrafted rookie who would likely see significant duty in relief of Melvin Gordon. With Danny Woodhead and Dexter McCluster on injured reserve, San Diego is fairly light in the backfield.Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals (1.5 percent). With Chris Johnson on injured reserve, Ellington is the next man up in the Arizona backfield. David Johnson will be among the names in the conversation for the No. 1 pick in 2017.Bilal Powell, New York Jets (43.1 percent). I believe Powell needs to be owned more as it is, since he is a factor in the Jets passing game. Powell is a steady, reliable No. 2 behind Matt Forte. He scored a touchdown in Week 10 and can be usable in PPR scoring.Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills (37.0 percent). Gillislee wouldnt handle all the running back carries if LeSean McCoy were to miss time, but hes an explosive back with rushing and receiving skills.Andre Iguodala Jersey . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. DAngelo Russell Jersey . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. https://www.cheapwarriors.com/1019o-tom-gola-jersey-warriors.html .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Joe Fulks Jersey . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Paul Arizin Jersey .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday.MINNEAPOLIS -- Cole Hamels lost control of his signature cutter, and that led to another victory by last-place Minnesota over first-place Texas.I just all of a sudden couldnt find it, Hamels said Sunday after the Rangers 5-4 defeat.Hamels (9-2) was knocked out in the fifth inning of his shortest start this season and lost for the first time since May 27 and only the third time since Texas acquired him last summer.Hamels had won a Rangers record nine consecutive road decisions and went 4-0 in June with a 1.51 ERA over six starts. And after watching his team get routed 17-5 on Saturday, Texas was hoping he would spark a rebound.Instead, he allowed five runs and a season-high 10 hits while walking three. He left after walking his first two batters in the fifth.No pitchers immune to having a game like this, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. He still continued to try to battle and give us as much as he could. I made the decision. That was about as far as I was willing to go.It was just the second time this season Hamels failed to complete five innings.They had a really good game plan going into the game, Banister said. They were going to make him work. It looked like he had trouble finding his rhythm, finding that good release pointBrian Dozier drove in two runs and scored a pair to back Kyle Gibson (2-5), who won his second straight start after going winless in his first seven. The Twins stranded plenty of runners against Hamels -- in the fourth, they had a double, two singles and stolen base, but still couldnt score. Even so, they did just enough damage as Hamels struggled to control his cutter.He had to go to his fastball and then he lost command and started leaving stuff over the middle of the plate, Dozier said. Against good pitchers like that you really have to take advantage of the mistakes, and we did that today.Shin-Soo Choo drove in three runs. He led off a game with a home run for the third time this year, a drive into the left-center seats. Gibson then retired eight straight batters -- he a stretch he repeated later in the game.Dozier hit a two-run triple in the third and scored on Robbie Grossmans single for a 3-1 lead.For me, I know Im going to face them agaain in my next start, so just get ready for that, keep the same sort of approach with being aggressive like I was in the first inning and try to maintain that for a little bit longer than that, Hamels said.ddddddddddddLAST GASPElvis Andrus singled in a run in the fifth, but the Twins opened a 5-2 lead in the bottom half when Max Kepler singled in a run and Eddie Rosario hit into a run-scoring forceout against Tony Barnette. Choo hit a two-run double in the seventh off Ryan Pressley to cut the lead to one run, but Brandon Kintzler pitched around Robinson Chirinos two-out double in the ninth for his fourth save in as many chances, retiring Choo on a game-ending groundout.PATRIOTIC RANGERSThe Rangers were in a patriotic mood as they headed to the airport after the game. The players wore matching outfits- a navy blue blazer covered in white stars, bright red pants, a white shirt, and a red-and-white striped tie. Many even had red or blue shoes for the special occasion. Fittingly, the team was flying to Boston, where they will face the Red Sox in a July 4 matinee.TRAINERS ROOMRangers: RHP Colby Lewis (right latissimus dorsi) was transferred to the 60-day DL to make room for newly promoted Michael Roth.Twins: 3B Trevor Plouffe was scratched before the game with sore ribs. ... INF Eduardo Escobar is day to day with a hamstring injury. General manager Terry Ryan said he isnt expecting a DL stint. ... Trevor May, who hasnt played since June 9 because of back spasms, was back in the clubhouse. Manager Paul Molitor said May wasnt activated Sunday because he was coming off pitching in back-to-back games in his minor league rehab assignment.UP NEXTRangers: Nick Martinez (1-1) is to make his fourth start this season when the Rangers travel to Boston to open a three-game series against the Red Sox. Martinez has not had a decision in his three previous starts.Twins: Minnesota opens a three-game set against Oakland, with Ricky Nolasco (3-6) set to make his team-leading 17th start. Nolasco is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics. ' ' '