We bring back our top category for this week, as we have two players that will have an immediate fantasy impact. Several others are worth taking a look at in all positions, even at quarterback where we have been very stingy on recommendations at that position. Something for everyone this week! Smokin' Hot RB Rashad Jennings, Oakland Darren McFadden did not waste any time returning to the sideline, re-injuring his hamstring in the second quarter this week. Jennings stepped into the starting position and posted 176 yards of total offense, including a rushing touchdown. There is no telling how long McFadden will be out, and even if he comes back, it is only a matter of time before he is out again. Jennings is worth owning in all formats, and worth starting if McFadden is out as the Raiders take on a weak New York Giants defense this week. WR Aaron Dobson, New England Though we had set aside our top category last week, we listed Dobson at the top of our list and he did not disappoint. The Patriots offense exploded against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dobson went for more than 100 yards and two touchdows. He has gained the confidence of the New England coaching staff, so much so that previous fantasy darling Kenbrell Thompkins was a healthy scratch. Going forward, it will be Dobson getting nearly all the snaps opposite Danny Amendola, and with Tom Brady coming back into form, there will be plenty of passes heading Dobson's direction. Solid Pickups WR Mario Manningham, San Francisco The 49ers have activated Manningham from the Physically Unable to Perform list, and he will immediately step on to the field and start opposite Anquan Boldin. This will be a shot in the arm for the San Francisco offense, as the 49ers have struggled in their attempts to get production from a second wideout. Grab him before he is on the field and becomes a hot commodity. WR Riley Cooper, Philadelphia We mentioned Cooper in this space a few weeks back, and his recent performances get him back in our good graces. More than 100 yards and three touchdowns against Oakland last week secures his space here, and the good play of Nick Foles is enough to warrant him being owned in all formats. QB Case Keenum, Houston We rarely talk about quarterbacks in this space, but in this case we are making an exception. With Keenum at the controls, the Texans went for broke against Indianapolis, and for the offense that meant the shackles were off and the ball was thrown downfield...

For most fantasy football leagues the season came to an end a couple of weeks ago and after five months of working the waiver wire, making trades and tough lineup decisions there is that empty feeling. Unless you are in a playoff fantasy contest and there is an excellent one right here at FantasySharks.com, then it may seem like time to sit back and just watch some good old fashioned NFL playoff action. It's a relaxing time of year when we can tune in to the NFL combine, then wait for the draft in April and then for mini-camps to open before many fantasy owners begin to focus on the upcoming season. Not so fast my friends. The NFL playoffs represent an excellent opportunity to begin the scouting process for the 2013 season. There is valuable information to be gleaned from how and when certain players are utilized in the playoffs and how that influences their fantasy value moving forward. Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman put his name on the fantasy radar by having a very nice 7.1 yards per carry average in their loss to the Broncos and Denver's Willis McGahee also reemerged as a fantasy name to consider after posting 156 total yards and a touchdown in the 2011 post season. Former Giants' wide receiver Mario Manningham parlayed his big playoff catches into not only a new deal with the 49ers, but also improved his fantasy value heading into the 2012 season. So, let's take a look at a few names that have interesting fantasy ramifications heading into Wild Card weekend. Ben Tate, RB, HOUSTON: Tate had a very tough regular season for the Texans as he battled hamstring and foot issues much of the year limiting him to 65 carries for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Texans offense has struggled mightily late in the season and starter Arian Foster has looked less than himself, even leaving the week sixteen loss to Minnesota with an irregular heartbeat. Foster was healthy enough to rack up 96 yards and a score in week seventeen, but the Texans fell to the Colts and tumbled to the number three seed for the playoffs. Houston will go back to the future against the Bengals and attack the defense with the two-headed running back style that worked so well for them in 2011. Look for the Texans to try and get Tate involved early in the game against Cincinnati as they try to keep Foster fresh to be able to run out the clock if they have a late lead. Tate could be a starter on many teams in the league and his contract is up after next season so you can ...

Seattle 6, San Francisco 13 Seahawks The Seahawks are easier to evaluate than buttering a piece of toast. Every week in this space you'll find the same sentiments; "start the Seattle DST, start Marshawn Lynch, handcuff Robert Turbin and leave everyone else alone." Week seven was no different as two NFC West foes went to battle in a classic defensive slugfest. With a rookie quarterback under center, coupled with very conservative play calling, no member of the Seattle passing game has proven worthy of a roster spot. 49ers San Francisco's fantasy production nearly mirrors that of Seattle; start Frank Gore, start the 49ers DST and handcuff Kendall Hunter. The lone difference is Vernon Davis. Coming into this game as the second highest scoring fantasy tight end, Davis was completely shutdown, not seeing a single target. Although highly unnerving, this is more of a testament to the Seattle defense than Davis himself. Also, as the 49ers took to the ground through much of the second half, Davis was used more in the blocking scheme than the passing game. As the most athletic tight end in the game, Davis remains a lineup lock. It's worth noting that in the absence of Mario Manningham, stepped Randy Moss into the starting lineup. Even though he was given an expanded number of reps, the 49ers only targeted Moss four times, with zero deep passes. Those holding out hope can safely drop the future Hall-of-Famer. A side story exiting this wrestling match was the amount of money swayed by the decision of Jim Harbaugh to decline a last minute safety. My only question is, "Why bet the game, when the over/under was 38 points?" Money in the bank. Tennessee 35, Buffalo 34 Titans Hello, hello. Welcome to the party Chris Johnson. With 18 carries totaling 195 yards and two touchdowns, Johnson ripped through the porous Buffalo defense finally displaying his breakaway speed including a scoring run of 83 yards in classic 2K style. Up next are the 29th ranked Colts rush defense. Yee hah! On the downside for Johnson owners, it is Jamie Harper's emergence as the Titans goal line back stealing two short yardage touchdowns. With Javon Ringer done for the foreseeable future, Harper is the now the primary handcuff to Johnson. With four touchdowns turned in the by the ground game, Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans passing attack were limited in what should have been a very favorable matchup. Nate Washington led the way for Tennessee receiving core with 43 yards highlighted ...

Brandon Marshall traded to Chicago from Miami With the reuniting of former Denver Bronco teammates, Marshall goes from an anemic Dolphins offense to a Bears offense that will be a big down-field threat with the addition of Marshall. This move actually affects three players: Marshall, Jay Cutler and Devin Hester. All of Marshall's numbers will definitely go up, as Marshall finally has a quarterback who can get the ball deep to him after leaving Denver. Cutler's passing yards and touchdown numbers will rise with this addition as well. The player that could be affected negatively is Hester, as this will either bump him into a slot-receiver role or gadget play specialist on the offense. Randy Moss and Mario Manningham sign free-agent deals with San Francisco With the inconsistency from Michael Crabtree, the 49ers were given a choice. Stick with the guys they have, or make this offense a juggernaut around Alex Smith and Frank Gore. They decided on the latter, nabbing the future Hall of Famer Moss from free agency, and stealing Super Bowl XLVI hero Manningham from the New York Giants. Yes, the 49ers also added Brandon Jacobs from the Giants as well, but the true notables here are Moss and Manningham. Smith will now feel like a kid in a candy store, but the problem is Moss' off-and-on diva characteristics. With all these weapons, can coach Jim Harbaugh keep everyone from whining about their touches? Todd Haley introduced as Offensive Coordinator in Pittsburgh Now, I know what your thinking. I thought this was supposed to be about players I am supposed to draft, not coordinators. Well, that is the beauty of it, my friend. A change in the offense can always make you think about the players in that offense. With the "secret firing" of Bruce Arians, the Steelers' offense will start anew with Haley. Gone will be the annoying bubble screens and constantly looking down field for the deep ball. Moving in will be the quick release slants and short passing game to set up the deep ball. The new system will definitely help in one area, keeping Ben Roethlisberger upright. Expect the offensive skill players to benefit from this change as the wideouts will get more catches, and also look for tight end Heath Miller to be targeted more in the red zone. BenJarvus Green-Ellis signs a free-agent deal with Cincinnati With the departure of Cedric Benson, Green-Ellis should now see many more touches via handoffs as a Bengal. Green-Ellis cashed in on his postseason play, ...

Vincent Jackson signing with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mario Manningham becoming a San Francisco 49er and Michael Bush becoming a Chicago Bear were some of the prime free agent signings that could make the NFC the more dominant conference this season. How will these signings affect the fantasy football landscape in 2012? It's difficult to know for sure given the many variables available, but it is exciting to speculate.

The San Francisco 49ers and free agent wide receiver Mario Manningham agreed on a two-year contract Saturday, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham had just two words for Bill Belichick.

Free agent wide receiver Mario Manningham is reportedly close to signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was absent from practice Thursday for the second day in a row, while Mario Manningham returned to action.

New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham and running back Ahmad Bradshaw were held out of practice Thursday, leaving their status for Saturday's game against the rival Jets in doubt.