Titus Young, as a rookie last year, was projected to be a valuable sleeper deep in the draft. That didn’t happen, with just 26 catches and three touchdowns in seven games.
This season, Young was projected to be a valuable … well, you’ve heard this before.
A month into this season, it looked like a repeat performance. He had one catch in each of the Lions’ first two games for a total of 25 yards. He provided a glimmer of hope with a six-catch, 75-yard, one-score outing in a shootout in Tennessee. But after following that up with three combined catches for a total of 23 yards, the Titans game suddenly looked like a Nashville anomaly.
Now, maybe, finally, Young is becoming what many fantasy geeks have been waiting for. In the past two weeks, he has 15 combined receptions for 181 yards — including his first career 100-yard receiving game last week, which also included two scores.
An upswing in reliability goes beyond a two-week analysis. Calvin Johnson continues to demand extra attention from opposing defenses, and now it appears QB Matthew Stafford finally is getting comfortable throwing elsewhere. TE Brandon Pettigrew continues to have slippery fingers, betraying the confidence of his QB, which could lead to fewer targets his way, which means more passes to other options such as Young. Also, the Lions lost Nate Burleson to a broken leg last week.
Detroit did trade for underwhelming former Jaguars wideout Mike Thomas, but it will take some time for him to get up to speed on the playbook and get in sync with Stafford.
With a few more weeks of byes on the schedule, Young should be a solid fill-in, with the potential to be a flex starter based on the matchup.
If you’re in the trade market and can get him as a throw-in now, before he establishes some consistency, do it. And if you have him, don’t be afraid to plug him in the lineup.
BIG WEEKS
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers, at Redskins
Should get short-lived boost from lackluster Washington defense. Redskins have given up at least one passing TD in every game, multiple TDs in six of eight, and three TDs four times.
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Lions, at Jaguars
Hasn’t scored since Week 3 vs. the Titans, but has averaged nearly five yards per carry in past three games. Jags have allowed 100-plus rushing in four of seven games. In other three, two were against rushing-challenged Packers and Colts.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles, at Saints
Saints are in bottom third of the league in sacks, meaning Michael Vick actually may get a little time to throw against the league’s most generous fantasy pass defense.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals, vs. Broncos
Have given up at least one TD to the TE in every game but two this season (though one of those two was vs. the TE-heavy Patriots, go figure). Denver LBs heavily involved in pass rush, meaning less time in coverage.
SMALL WEAKS
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals, vs. Broncos
Denver has yet to give up a 300-yard passing game. Outside of a four-TD outburst by the Texans’ passing game, Broncos have yielded respectable nine pass TDs in the other six games.
Chris Johnson, RB, Titans, vs. Bears
Johnson has been performing better, but know he could turn in a clunker any given week. Faces league’s top rushing defense, which will focus on containing Johnson and making suspect Titans air attack beat them.
Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys, at Falcons
The Atlanta pass defense has been stingy, allowing just seven TDs through the air with 10 INTs. Don’t expect Falcons to sleepwalk throughout Sunday night showdown the way they did in last home game against Oakland in Week 6.
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions, at Jaguars
Jacksonville has been strong vs. opposing TEs, giving up fewer than 60 receiving yards to TEs in each of the past five games and no TDs all season. Did I mention Pettigrew’s unreliable hands?
The Decision
Drew Loftis and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger tell you who you should start:
TORREY SMITH VS. MARQUES COLSTON
Drew: Smith — Ravens had bye week to get ready for the 26th ranked Browns pass defense. Deep threat can score from anywhere on field, which means bonus points for many. Had six grabs for 97 yards and a score in Week 4 meeting vs. Cleveland. Worry Colston’s red-zone targets will take hit with return of Jimmy Graham.
Anthony: Colston — I’m not worried about Colston’s production with the return of Graham. In fact, defenses won’t be able to put double coverage on him with the return of the Pro Bowl tight end. I’m also not sold on the Eagles’ overrated pass defense which, despite having Nnamdi Asomugha, has struggled with elite receivers this season.
Last week: Anthony 31 (Matthew Stafford — 352 pass yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 12 rush yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost), Drew 15 (Andrew Luck — 297 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 28 rush yards)
Season: Drew leads, 5-2-1
dloftis@nypost.com