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Fantasy football: Brandon Myers a top Week 9 target

Each week Targets and Touches breaks down the pass catchers who saw the most number of passes come their way, and the running backs who garnered the most touches. This week, what we learned about one team's group of wideouts tells us a lot about that team's star quarterback. We also found out something about an individual star wide receiver that tells us a lot about his prospects for the future. And seriously, a tight end topping this list? The only thing crazier is that I'll quote Neil Diamond, too. Twice. Hands. Targets and touching hands. Reaching out, targets and touching me, targets and touching you!

Target Analysis

Brandon Myers keeps that tight end carousel a-rolling. Let's temper expectations. Is he going to get 13 targets and two touchdowns every week? No, because Carson Palmer isn't going to throw the football 61 times every week. However, with no reliable option in the passing game other than Denarius Moore, Myers is worth picking up in free agency and placing in your starting lineup. One week Rod Streater (who also had 10 targets Sunday) will play well, the next it's Marcel Reece, but Myers has been pretty solid and while not spectacular, can give you the 5-7 fantasy points per week that defines a viable tight end start.

Turn on your Hartline. I'm going to sing Neil Diamond every time he catches a pass for the rest of the season. Brian Hartline had been invisible since his 253-yard game earlier this season, but after hitting the century mark against Indianapolis, he's back in fantasy conversations. He's a low-end flex, simply because you can't count on him to be solid every week. When Miami has a matchup against a suspect team against the pass, Hartline can play for you. But after the byes are over, it's going to be hard to see him as a starter. But until then? Let him make just an occasional happy glow for your lineup.

Josh Morgan also saw 12 targets from Robert Griffin III on Sunday. This is troubling because it looked like Santana Moss would be his No. 1 wideout for the foreseeable future. However Moss saw just two targets on Sunday before leaving late in the fourth quarter with an injury. Morgan only had 46 yards receiving with that attention, so right now, it's going to be hard to recommend any Redskins wide receiver until their offense re-adjusts to the NFL. Right now, it seems like the league has enough tape on RG3 to mute his production somewhat. In his last two games he's totaled just 392 yards passing, 61 yards rushing and one touchdown. One more game like this and we have a trend. I'm just saying, if you've been riding the RG3 train all season just make sure you have a solid backup, just in case.

Sell, sell, sell on Larry Fitzgerald. Seventy-four yards and a score is about as good as it's going to get for him in this Cardinals offense, which has so many problems on the offensive line just keeping John Skelton upright is a challenge. He's still a big name, so you can obtain help in another area of your team in exchange for him. Look, there's always going to be someone who has a Fitzgerald fascination that can be a willing trade partner. Because Fitzgerald is a flex option right now. He's not even a No. 2 fantasy wideout for your team. Four touchdowns and 511 yards at the midway point of the year? Like Bill Parcells always said, you are what you are.

Touches Analysis

Trent Richardson had 31 touches this week, ranking him first among running backs. He'll be a first-round pick in fantasy next season and has done it against all kinds of competition so far as a rookie. Willis McGahee was in the top 10 with 24 touches, but he's a bit of a mixed bag. Every few weeks he can go for 100 yards, but mainly he's good for 5-8 fantasy points a week. He's an OK flex for the rest of the season due to the level the Broncos offense is playing at.

And what can you say about the Muscle Hamster? Well, he was more like Beast Hamster in Week 9, as his 29 touches were second in the league. And he came just four points shy of the best fantasy game for a player since 2000. Tampa Bay's offense is a monster right now, as they've figured out their identity and they have a tremendously advantageous schedule the rest of the season. Yes, you're starting Doug Martin. He's now a No. 1 fantasy running back. You're also starting Mike Williams in your flex every week. I'm still lamenting waiving him for Santana Moss a week ago.

Jason Smith hosts NFL Fantasy Live on the NFL Network and writes fantasy and other pith for NFL.com. Talk to him on Twitter @howaboutafresca, and listen to his Fantasy Podcast with Michael Fabiano and Elliot Harrison every week on nfl.com. He only asks you never bring up when the Jets play poorly.

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