Brandon Lloyd not a bad play at wide receiver

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.