The purpose of this column is to spotlight deeper roster moves that could pay off big over the course of the season. Unless stated in a player's write up, we're not looking for one-week wonders here, but shark moves that could really strengthen your team down the road.

Dynasty Watch focuses on low risk, huge payoff roster moves that you might be able make before the guys in your league think about it. This aim of this column is to make you look like a genius to the other owners in your league. When news breaks, and the other owners are scrambling to make a waiver wire move, we want them to be upset time and time again that the player is already on your squad.

Tim Carter: WR New York Giants
6'0" 200 lbs - Auburn
25 years old. 2nd Round pick in 2002 #46 Overall (WR6)

What has he done so far
Carter was well on his way to having a breakout season in 2004. He was well on his way to a 50 catch, 725-yard season before he was injured. He has steadily improved since 2000 and was a solid prospect coming out of college. He was a top 10 WR coming into the draft and can also double as a kick return man.

Current Situation
He sustained a season ending injury in week 4 and has been lost for the 2004 season. He was putting up solid numbers before this injury, and was set for a career season.

Spotlight ETA
There's a major fire sale on Carter in most dynasty league. If he was drafted or picked up on waivers, he's probably one of the candidates to be dropped now. By the end of the season, Carter won't be on many dynasty rosters. That's exactly where you should hope he is.

Carter should return to the Giant's lineup by the 2005 season and should push Toomer and Hilliard for one of the starting slots. Given that Hilliard and Toomer will have almost 20 years of NFL experience between the two of them at that point, and that both of their contracts become increasingly more expensive (Toomer 2004 - $660K, 2005 $1.99M; Hilliard 2004 - $1M, 2005 $1.5M), Carter should have a pretty good shot at taking over the starting role.

Dynasty Upside
If Carter was on pace for a 50 catch, 725-yard year as a 3rd string WR, how well could he do going a full 16 seasons as a starter? It's hard to speculate at this point, but it would certainly be worth a gamble given the low-risk, high reward potential. By the time the end of the season rolls around, Carter will be at bargain basement prices. If he can secure the starting job in 2005, he'll be a steal.

Given the gaping holes in the offensive line, there's little chance that the Giants will go after any of the high-end free agent or rookie WRs next year. Carter is one of the best young WR prospects that the Giants have, and he should be given every opportunity to showcase that next year.

Finally, for those who put stock in the 'Contract Year Performance' theory, Carter's will be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2005. Given the fact that Hilliard and Toomer are older receivers who command much higher salaries, 2005 could be the perfect 'break out' year for Carter.

Final Thoughts
In your final week of free agency, you should be able to grab Carter for some of your dead wood. If you can, take a shot on him. Sit on him for the rest of the season and carry him through the summer. When training camps roll around next year, you may be surprised with him.

Michael Jenkins: WR Atlanta Falcons
6'4" 217 lbs - The Ohio State University
22 years old. 1st round Pick in 2004 (29th overall, WR6)

What has he done so far
Not much. Until Week 8, Jenkins had not caught a pass during a regular season game. He was one of the top Atlanta receivers during the preseason but had been invisible in the first seven games of the season. However, that's not saying much: Starting WR Dez White only had 10 receptions through those same seven games, and Atlanta had only 1138 yards passing (162.57 yards per game.)

Current Situation
Currently #2 on the depth chart behind Dez White on the right side of the offense. Between starters Peerless Price and White, TE Alge Crumpler and RBs Dunn and Duckett, there have been more receivers than passes through the first half of the season. Jenkins has been brought along slowly and has not been a part of the offense for the first half of the season.

Spotlight ETA
After being destroyed by Kansas City 56-10 when Atlanta was 5-1 and KC was 1-4, the Falcons decided to make some changes. They began by throwing the ball more and moving Vick around the pocket. The result was a season high 252 yards passing with 2 TDs and 0 INTs. After the bye week, Atlanta will begin to experiment with a shotgun offense, giving Vick even more time to see the field, pick up the blitz, and create passing opportunities with his mobility.

Does that mean that Jenkins will suddenly become a super-stud in the second half of the season? Probably not. But there's a pretty good chance he's going to see more than 1 reception in the next 8 games. Atlanta is going to pass the ball more in the second half and 6 foot 5 inch wide receivers with long arms and good hands make prime targets.
By the start of the 2005 season, Jenkins should be given a shot to start opposite Price. Jenkins is a good route runner with good size and adequate speed. He's a perfect complement to the speedy Price, and the Falcons didn't spend a first round pick on him to let him ride the bench behind Dez White.

Dynasty Upside
Atlanta has been a run-first, run often team for the last few years. As a result, their passing game has suffered. But they know that if they hope to be a playoff contender, they will have to have a balanced offense. As a result, they are taking steps to turn up their passing game.

If they succeed, Jenkins will become an important part of that offense. He has too much size and too much talent to sit on the bench behind guys like Dez White and Brian Finneran. The Falcons spend a 1st round pick on him, in the hopes that he would complement Peerless Price and they will be expecting Jenkins to produce very soon. If he doesn't crack the starting lineup in the second half of 2004, he should have a pretty good chance to take over in 2005.

Final Thoughts
Jenkins is another guy who is way below the radar now in most dynasty keeper leagues. He's still a second string WR, and given the Falcon's lack of passing offense, anyone who drafted him this year is probably very disappointed. If he's a free agent in your league, keep an eye on him as Atlanta comes out of their bye week. If he starts to see more action in the new Atlanta passing game, consider picking up Jenkins for the offseason. If he's on someone else's roster, fish around and see if you can't steal him for a veteran or a low draft pick for next year.

If the passing game falters, or Jenkins doesn't see an increased role in it, you should still consider him as an offseason. waiver wire pickup. If he has a good camp in 2005, Jenkins should be able to secure a starting spot, and will be well worth the pickup.

Maurice Hicks: RB San Francisco 49ers
5'10" 200 lbs - North Carolina A&T
26 years old. Undrafted Rookie Free Agent in 2002

What has he done so far
In under two seasons at North Carolina A&T, Hicks racked up 2,812 yards. He averaged an astounding 7 yards a carry as a senior in 2001 with 181 carries for 1,325 yards and 15 TDs. His career took a huge set back on November 3rd of that year when he tore his both his ACL and MCL on his left knee in what would be the last game of his college career. In the almost two seasons that he played college ball, Hicks was named first team All-MEAC both seasons, 2001 Third Team 1-AA All-American, and 2001 Black College Offensive Player of the Year. Hicks set an NCAA Division I and II single-game record with 437 rushing yards on 34 carries against Morgan State on October 6, 2001

After his injury, Hicks went undrafted in 2002, and was signed by the Bears and placed on Chicago's reserve/non-football injury list for the year. He was assigned to the Scottish Claymores for 2003, finishing the season with 546 yards and 4 TDs. Hicks was released by the bears in the offseason, and found himself working for Federal Express in Chicago this spring.

Not one to give up, Hicks mailed the game tape of his NCAA 1-AA record setting 437 yard game (in only 3 quarters of play, a record for most rushing yards in a game still stands today) to Dennis Erickson of the 49ers. The 49ers signed Hicks for the 2004 season.

Current Situation
On November 3rd (Wednesday) running back Jamal Robertson was waived by the San Francisco 49ers, clearing the way for Maurice Hicks to become Kevan Barlow's backup. "I've been wanting to activate Maurice Hicks for a while,'' Erickson said. ``He gives us a little bit different look in there, running the football and on special teams. I made a decision to do that. (Robertson) played well when he was here, but I really want to take a look at Maurice.'' When Hicks is activated for this Sunday's game, Terry Jackson will be deactivated by the team, making Hicks the direct backup to Barlow.

Spotlight ETA
Hicks will be in the game this weekend as the backup to Barlow. After splitting time with Hearst his first three seasons, Barlow was pegged to have a breakout year as the featured back. Barlow has been unable to successfully carry the offense's torch tossed to him after the offseason departures of Garcia and Owens. Barlow is averaging fewer yards a carry than at any point in his career and only has 423 yards on the season.

Although it isn't played up in the media, Barlow does have some difficulty with protecting the ball as witnessed by his 7 fumbles over the course of last season to now. Barlow also sprained his left shoulder late in an Oct. 3 loss to the St. Louis Rams. "I'm not going to be 100 percent all year," Barlow said. "I'll take hits and it'll be aggravated all year."

Dynasty Upside
Hicks is a powerful, fast runner who turned heads before his injury. The 49ers like what they see in him, and are promoting him to the #2 RB on the team. Behind a dinged up and struggling Barlow, he might get his shot this season. Even if he can't supplant Barlow, Hicks will be one injury away from a starting role. He was a very talented back before his injury, and it has taken him almost 3 years to work himself back. He's finally 100%.

Final Thoughts
This is a hit or miss, "swing for the fences" home run type shot. Hicks could be entirely worthless, in fact, odds are that he will be. He was a very talented runner before shredding his knee, and would have been a draft pick. It's taken him 3 years to play back onto an NFL team. He was delivering packages for Federal Express last winter, and he knows that this is his shot. He's going to take it seriously. Erickson likes what he sees in Hicks, and the team knows they need to do something to get the ground game going. Hicks isn't on anyone's radar. If you have the space, take a gamble on him before he plays this weekend. The Niners are going to get him in the game, if he shows something, other owners will be scrambling only to see that he is on your roster. If he gets 10 carries for 15 yards, you can always cut him. Hicks could turn out to be the feel good story of the year.