Shocker Special: Just call Dennis Northcutt Detroit's Minitron

Each week the Noise will guide desperate, deep-thinking owners into the dark corners of the waiver wire to mine a last-minute diamond. Turn on your helmet light and pack a pickaxe. We're digging for drop-jaw surprises owned in less than 10 percent or started in five percent or less of Yahoo! Plus leagues.

When the Lions dealt for Dennis Northcutt (notes) in late July it received little attention from the fantasy community. The tilt of the virtual gaming world didn't budge. To most owners, a Brandon Marshall (notes) toot in the wind was more substantive.

But with Calvin Johnson (notes) very unlikely to suit up Sunday (knee) against intradivision rival Green Bay, the chinchilla-sized wideout could be useful in a week sans Reggie Wayne (notes), Pierre Garcon (notes), Ted Ginn, Miles Austin (notes) and whatever San Francisco receiver deep leaguers consider valuable. As a member of the Jags last season, he torched Green Bay for 127 yards and a touchdown.

When Megatron exited stage left last week against Pittsburgh, the 10-year veteran filled in admirably. Targeted a team-high eight times by Daunte Culpepper (notes), he reeled in five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Northcutt, an excellent route-runner with plus burst, exhibited versatility and shiftiness, especially underneath. He doesn't possess world-class speed and athleticism like Johnson, but his elusiveness in space and ability to find soft spots in zone coverage can pose problems for defenders.

Due to poor blitz schemes, the Packers have applied little pressure on the pocket, which has limited the coverage abilities of Charles Woodson (notes) and Al Harris (notes). Unfazed, opposing quarterbacks have been able to deliver passes cleanly and crisply. As a result, Green Bay has surrendered five 70-yard efforts and six touchdowns to wideouts equal to the seventh-most fantasy points yielded.

With Calvin sidelined, Bryant Johnson (notes) will be Detroit's primary deep-threat. But Scott Linehan will likely call several quick routes early to extend the field and establish cadence in the passing game, an ideal scenario for Northcutt. Also keep in mind, due to their defensive inadequacies, the Lions could be thrust into several passing situations. As the crafty target remarked to The Detroit News Thursday, he's anxious for the opportunity:

"The next guy (behind Calvin) is a very important guy and that's what I wanted to contribute last week when Calvin went down. I haven't really been a true starter but I've started a whole lot of games and that's because when a guy went down I was able to step in and it didn't seem like we lost a lot."

Obviously, the four-percent owned Northcutt shouldn't be employed in leagues where players like Jeremy Maclin (notes) are still doing backstrokes in the free agent pool. But for those in challenging formats, he demands your attention.

Week 6 Fearless Forecast: 6 receptions, 78 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Who is your Week 6 Shocker Special? Post your pick with projection below.

SILENCE THE NOISE CHALLENGE

Each week one lucky aspiring fantasy prognosticator is chosen to go toe-to-toe against the Noise. If you want to be a guest "expert" submit your Week 7 flames, lames (1 QB, 3 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE for each, 16 total) and shocker special (one player at any position) along with a valid email address and your location here no later than 7 PM central time on Thursday. Oh, and please, no long dissertations to justify your picks. All that's required are your player selections and projections. Winners earn a league spot to compete against yours truly next season. Good luck!

Week 6 contestant: Micah in Shelbyville, TN

Flames:
QB: Matt Cassel (notes), KC, 20-34, 230 yards, 2:1 TD:INT
RB: Willie Parker (notes), Pit, 20 rushes, 120 yards, 30 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Chris Johnson, Ten, 15 rushes, 65 yards, 15 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Knowshon Moreno (notes), Den, 20 rushes, 70 yards, 1 TD
WR: Torry Holt (notes), Jac, 6 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
WR: Jeremy Maclin, Phi, 5 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD
WR: Dwayne Bowe (notes), KC, 3 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD
TE: Jermichael Finley (notes), GB, 5 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD

Lames:
QB: Carson Palmer (notes), Cin, 20-30, 230 yards, 1:3 TD:INT
RB: Steven Jackson, StL, 18 rushes, 60 yards, 0 TDs
RB: Julius Jones (notes), Sea, 25 rushes, 70 yards, 0 TDs
RB: Darren Sproles (notes), SD, 10 rushes, 30 yards, 0 TDs
WR: Devin Hester (notes), Chi, 3 catches, 20 yards, 0 TDs
WR: Anquan Boldin (notes), Ari, 4 catches, 55 yards, 0 TDs
WR: Santonio Holmes (notes), Pit, 5 catches, 60 yards, 0 TDs
TE:Chris Cooley (notes), Was, 3 catches, 15 yards, 0 TDs