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There are times when a bargain just seems too good to be true.

You know, when something we consider acquiring is at such a reasonable -- almost unreasonably cheap -- cost that we second-guess it because of its seemingly low value. Like that DeLorean at the auto auction that will cost you just $4,000. Well, maybe that's not even a great investment, unless they throw in a flux capacitor. Then it's a deal. Maybe a cheap steak is a better example. Doesn't a cheap steak just make you pause in doubt?

Occasionally in fantasy, value gets in the way of value, meaning when a player is available at a low cost via trade or even on the waiver wire, they are sometimes not accurately evaluated because of their low profile in that given marketplace. In the Gridiron Challenge, this seems to happen often. On a weekly basis, you'll find productive players that are underpriced, such as Dallas' Miles Austin, who costs just 5.3. At the same time, well-known assets such as Santonio Holmes continue to hold at steady prices despite shaky statistics.

Don't be afraid to scroll down when setting your roster and peruse the discount aisle. There's talent past the costly commodities that can afford you amazing roster mobility and the opportunity to ascend in the long grind that is the Gridiron Challenge season.

Bull market

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks (5.5 price tag): Just to put Hasselbeck's amazing value this week in perspective, Kevin Kolb would cost you more than him, and he's neither a starting quarterback nor is he playing the inviting Lions secondary this week. While Hasselbeck is a somewhat risky investment given his rib injury and turnstile offensive line, he's also a proven gamer and faces a defense that has allowed 18 total touchdowns to opposing signal-callers this season. Paired with a more trusted, high-priced arm in your lineup, Hasselbeck affords you roster mobility, which is rare to get from a quarterback.

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (6.0 price tag): The kids aren't as wacko for him as they were earlier in the season, but Flacco remains a sound commodity, having quietly put up double-digit points in every week but one. Despite the lack of an elite target, he'll enjoy his two-week visit to the Buckeye State, as he faces two of the most generous secondaries in football.

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers (6.5 price tag): While Gore's quality production last week stemmed nearly solely from one huge run, his price has deflated given his recent injury, making him somewhat of a bargain compared to the listings for other feature backs on the market. Gore should enjoy a big day in a 49ers offense centered around him versus an unsound Tennessee rush defense that is allowing 118 yards per outing.

Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints (6.2 price tag): The moderately priced Thomas will cost you less than underwhelming commodities such as Brandon Jacobs and Kevin Smith, but he should have better production. Although Thomas is enmeshed in a shared backfield of sorts with Mike Bell, and, to a lesser extent Reggie Bush, Thomas has proved to be the go-to tailback in the red zone of late and is trusted in the passing game. Get while the getting is good with Thomas, as Carolina, St. Louis and Tampa Bay are on the docket next.

Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals (5.3 price tag): With coach Ken Whisenhunt dropping hints throughout the week that Anquan Boldin could be out of the lineup, Breaston makes for a quality addition as a second receiver. Sieve secondaries await Arizona over the next month, and Breaston's few savvy investors will see his market price inflate as quarterback Kurt Warner looks his way opposite Larry Fitzgerald's requisite double-teams.

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys (5.5 price tag): Even in a decidedly down campaign, Witten remains on pace for more than 80 receptions and nearly 800 yards. Yet with just one truly elite outing on his 2009 résumé, the fantasy faithful and the Gridiron market have somewhat written off the big tight end. This week, however, he faces the most generous defense against tight ends in all of football in Philadelphia's, which is allowing more than six receptions and 75 yards per game to the position.

Weekly wonders

Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs (5.2 price tag): It's rare that an inexpensive signal-caller makes for a sound start, but Cassel's matchup with Jacksonville this week is compelling enough to consider him. The Jaguars have proved to be the third-most generous defense to opposing fantasy quarterbacks, and Cassel has quietly had a competent year on a somewhat incompetent team.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (3.5 price tag): An investment for the bargain hunter, Charles might not be a pure feature back with Kolby Smith also in the mix, but he has proved to be a home run threat and a competent asset in the screen game. With a nice matchup against a suspect Jacksonville defense, and at such a dramatically low kicker-like cost, rostering Charles as your second back allows you to net elite talent elsewhere.

Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks (5.3 price tag): In a market miscalculation, the silently steady Burleson is priced well below his much more vocal teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but is the more valuable asset. On pace for a gaudy line of 87 receptions and more than 1,100 yards, Burleson will continue to shine against the Detroit "defense" this week.

Seattle defense (4.2 price tag): Defenses rarely make this list since there are often so many quality options to consider each week, but the Seahawks make for such a compelling bargain against the sloppy Detroit offense that they merit a mention. The "elite" options don't have good matchups this week, as there are several good games on the schedule, making Seattle a savvy one-week investment.

Jim's Week 9 lineup

My team, "I'm a man, I'm Forte," has 977 points to date, placing me in the 98th percentile of competitors. I had a somewhat down week in Week 8 but remain determined to recover with a variety of new acquisitions. Netting guys such as Austin and Hasselbeck at such bargains allowed me to spend big on elite options such as DeAngelo Williams and Marques Colston, affording me a nice mix of productive talents.

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: 127 year-to-date points; 6.6 (locked price)/ 7.4 (market price)
QB: Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks: 75 points; 5.5/5.5
RB: Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers: 78 points; 6.5/6.5
RB: DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers: 133 points; 7.3/7.3
WR: Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys: 92 points; 5.2/5.2
WR: Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints: 88 points; 6.8/7.1
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons, 54 points; 5.1/5.5
K: Shaun Suisham, Washington Redskins: 32 points; 3.1/3.1
DEF: Seattle Seahawks; 55 points: 4.2/4.2

Jim McCormick is a fantasy football analyst for ESPN.com as well as the editor and publisher of BLITZ Magazine, a print and online publication covering football from prep to pro.