<a href="/topics/Brandon_Lloyd">Brandon Lloyd</a>'s name doesn't evoke positive thoughts for most when it comes to fantasy football. The 29-year-old had a breakout season last year for the Broncos with 1,448 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns and many thought it was a fluke. 
 Then he got traded to the Rams before Week 7 and the general perception was it would hurt his value. Don't believe it. Lloyd is clearly the No. 1 target for the Rams and has 25 targets in his first two games with <a href="/topics/A.J._Feeley">A.J. Feeley</a> at quarterback. 
 Lloyd has 12 catches for 127 yards with a TD and could have had an even bigger day last week if it wasn't for a drop and some missed throws by Feeley. It will get even better for Lloyd when <a href="/topics/Sam_Bradford">Sam Bradford</a> returns. 
 The Rams' schedule gets easier and the offense will improve. Start Lloyd this week against a bad Cardinals secondary. And you should trade for him now as he could be a Top 12 receiver the rest of the season. 
 Good starts in Week 9: 
 <a href="/topics/Michael_Bush">Michael Bush</a> (Raiders, RB): <a href="/topics/Darren_McFadden">Darren McFadden</a> won't play and Bush will get a lot of touches. He had four games of at least 20 carries last season and had at least 95 yards rushing in three of them with three TDs. Raiders RB <a href="/topics/Taiwan">Taiwan</a> Jones is a good deep sleeper. He has the speed to break a long play and will get some touches. 
 <a href="/topics/Michael_Turner">Michael Turner</a> (Falcons, RB): He excels against poor defenses against the run and the Colts are ranked 31st and have allowed 10 rushing TDs. 
 <a href="/topics/Shonn_Greene">Shonn Greene</a> (<a href="/topics/New_York_Jets">Jets</a>, RB): He needs volume or a TD to produce good fantasy numbers and he has three consecutive games of at least 20 carries. The Bills have allowed 4.9 yards per carry and eight rushing TDs. 
 <a href="/topics/LeGarrette_Blount">LeGarrette Blount</a> (Buccaneers, RB): He returns after missing two games with a knee injury and will see third-down snaps, too. Blount gets a great matchup against the Saints, who have allowed 5.46 yards per carry. 
 <a href="/topics/Mike_Tolbert">Mike Tolbert</a> (Chargers, RB): <a href="/topics/Ryan_Mathews">Ryan Mathews</a> is listed as questionable with a groin injury. If he sits, Tolbert is in line for a big workload. It's a difficult matchup against the Packers, although they have allowed 4.6 yards per carry. Tolbert should also help by catching several passes. 
 <a href="/topics/Mario_Manningham">Mario Manningham</a>, <a href="/topics/Victor_Cruz">Victor Cruz</a> (<a href="/topics/New_York_Giants">Giants</a>, WRs): <a href="/topics/Hakeem_Nicks">Hakeem Nicks</a> is doubtful and a game-time decision. Manningham and Cruz were both good starts anyway against the Patriots' last-ranked pass defense, but if Nicks sits it means more targets for both. 
 <a href="/topics/Larry_Fitzgerald">Larry Fitzgerald</a> (Cardinals, WR): Only listing Fitzgerald because some will be inclined to sit him if <a href="/topics/Kevin_Kolb">Kevin Kolb</a> is out and <a href="/topics/John_Skelton">John Skelton</a> starts at QB. Fitzgerald averaged seven catches for 87 yards with a TD in Skelton's four starts last season, so don't bench him against a bad Rams secondary. 
 <a href="/topics/Brent_Celek">Brent Celek</a> (<a href="/topics/Philadelphia_Eagles">Eagles</a>, TE): The Bears' Cover-2 defense struggles against tight ends and Celek had 18 targets and two TDs the last two games.

Brandon Lloyd's name doesn't evoke positive thoughts for most when it comes to fantasy football. The 29-year-old had a breakout season last year for the Broncos with 1,448 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns and many thought it was a fluke. Then he got traded to the Rams before Week 7 and the general perception was it would hurt his value. Don't believe it. Lloyd is clearly the No. 1 target for the Rams and has 25 targets in his first two games with A.J. Feeley at quarterback. Lloyd has 12 catches for 127 yards with a TD and could have had an even bigger day last week if it wasn't for a drop and some missed throws by Feeley. It will get even better for Lloyd when Sam Bradford returns. The Rams' schedule gets easier and the offense will improve. Start Lloyd this week against a bad Cardinals secondary. And you should trade for him now as he could be a Top 12 receiver the rest of the season. Good starts in Week 9: Michael Bush (Raiders, RB): Darren McFadden won't play and Bush will get a lot of touches. He had four games of at least 20 carries last season and had at least 95 yards rushing in three of them with three TDs. Raiders RB Taiwan Jones is a good deep sleeper. He has the speed to break a long play and will get some touches. Michael Turner (Falcons, RB): He excels against poor defenses against the run and the Colts are ranked 31st and have allowed 10 rushing TDs. Shonn Greene (Jets, RB): He needs volume or a TD to produce good fantasy numbers and he has three consecutive games of at least 20 carries. The Bills have allowed 4.9 yards per carry and eight rushing TDs. LeGarrette Blount (Buccaneers, RB): He returns after missing two games with a knee injury and will see third-down snaps, too. Blount gets a great matchup against the Saints, who have allowed 5.46 yards per carry. Mike Tolbert (Chargers, RB): Ryan Mathews is listed as questionable with a groin injury. If he sits, Tolbert is in line for a big workload. It's a difficult matchup against the Packers, although they have allowed 4.6 yards per carry. Tolbert should also help by catching several passes. Mario Manningham, Victor Cruz (Giants, WRs): Hakeem Nicks is doubtful and a game-time decision. Manningham and Cruz were both good starts anyway against the Patriots' last-ranked pass defense, but if Nicks sits it means more targets for both. Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals, WR): Only listing Fitzgerald because some will be inclined to sit him if Kevin Kolb is out and John Skelton starts at QB. Fitzgerald averaged seven catches for 87 yards with a TD in Skelton's four starts last season, so don't bench him against a bad Rams secondary. Brent Celek (Eagles, TE): The Bears' Cover-2 defense struggles against tight ends and Celek had 18 targets and two TDs the last two games.

News

SPFANTASY06

Brandon Lloyd not a bad play at wide receiver

Newsday

lloyd - cropped

Homepage Trending

Cyclospora: How to protect yourself

Jones Beach Bandshell free concert lineup

Trump accounts: What LI parents need to know

Summer Fun Book

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

From pizza to clams, Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits two restaurants that are on the way to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.

Eats en route to Jones Beach

Former Holy Trinity lineman Lance Swift spoke with Newsday high school sports reporter Jared Valluzzi after the Titans suspended their football program.

Former Holy Trinity lineman reflects on football program suspension

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Diner location, which is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to a new restaurant opened by the same owners who created Westhampton Beach Brewery.

Out East: Brewery opens new restaurant

The Manor of St. George is one of the most serene spots on the Island. But on one night in 1780, it was the scene of a bloody battle, NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: Battle of the Manor of St. George

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visited Garcia's Taco Bar in Brentwood to try their birria ramen.

Trendy Bites: Birria ramen

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

An arbitrator detailed ex-officer George Trimigliozzi's poor job performance before his high-profile criminal case. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie and Newsday investigative reporter Jim Baumbach has more.

Suffolk brothel cop repeatedly ignored emergency calls before indictment

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Three Newsday photographers talk to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about covering the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.

'I've never seen fire sitting on the water'

News - megaslot

Newsday has the most up-to-date stories on Long Island & NTC. Join us & stay current with news articles on sports, business, health, technology & more.

Stay logged in.