Week 12!

Happy Thanksgiving! Congrats to those who have locked themselves into the playoffs and condolences to those that have already been eliminated. But, either way you need to keep making moves to improve your team and win as many games as possible. If you are into the playoffs you should be working to insulate your roster to injuries and finding the best matchups for the playoffs. If you need to win this week then it is time to sell off your bench to sell out to win this week since bench depth is meaningless if you are on the outside looking in.

Waiver Wire Pickups.

Alfred Morris- RB, Dallas Cowboys - 14.2%

Mike Gillislee- RB, Buffalo Bills - 26.3%

Derrick Henry- RB, Tennessee Titans - 49.1%

LeSean McCoy dislocated his thumb on Sunday showing us all once again WHY YOU OWN BACKUPS. You need to own these guys, especially if you are locked into the playoffs, a time where you should be insulating your team to catastrophic injury not adding more speculative adds.

Dion Lewis- RB, New England Patriots - 45.1%

Lewis looked great in his return to action on Sunday getting 5 carries and 3 receptions. He also got the start for the Patriots. His role should only expand as he gets more and more into game shape and hopefully by the time the fantasy playoffs roll around in a couple weeks he will be a dominant force for the Patriots and your fantasy team.

Sammy Watkins- WR, Buffalo Bills - 33%

Watkins is currently on IR as he recovers from a foot injury, but he could return for Week 13. If he does return in shape he could quickly become a very productive wide out for the stretch run as the Bills have been so banged up at the position that Percy Harvin is on their roster and playing in games. If you can afford the roster spot then Watkins could be worth the add.

Pierre Garcon- WR, Washington Redskins - 29.9%

Garcon has been a very stable PPR wide out this season and has had some very good standard weeks too. He (along with literally everyone else on the Redskins offense) had a field day with the Packers’ abysmal defense. They now go on a three game road trip and won’t be home until the fantasy playoffs. If you are looking for a WR3 then Garcon should be able to post the numbers you need to stay in the game.

Carson Wentz - QB, Philadelphia Eagles - 35.1%

If you are struggling at the position because you are starting the likes of Carson Palmer, Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, or Andy Dalton then you are probably looking for another option. May I suggest Carson Wentz? He is way off the pace he was on early in the season, but this Thanksgiving week he gets the Green Bay Packers who just made Kirk Cousins look like Tom Brady. The Packers defense has given up at least 31 points in the last four games and more than 42 in the last two games (against Mariota and Cousins). Wentz is in the position to put up huge numbers as you fight off elimination for the playoffs.

Time to Drop

Matt Jones, RB Washington Redskins

Matt Jones has been a healthy scratch in back to back games with the emergence of Rob Kelley and this week Kelley cemented his ownership of the job as he absolutely exploded for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries. Jones just simply doesn’t have the value to be on your roster this late in the season.

D/ST Streaming Options for Week 6

*must be owned in less than 50% of leagues.

Steelers vs Colts

They are the most obvious and will surely be the most popular pickup to stream the position this week and I am taking them too. Andrew Luck is in the concussion protocol and has about zero chance of clearing it before the game since this is one of three games on Thanksgiving. With Luck sitting out Scott Tolzien (who has all of 1 career touchdown pass while also throwing 5 interceptions) is going to get the start. The Steelers took  advantage of the Brown’s subpar quarterback play to the tune of 23 points last week. Start the Steelers with confidence if Luck sits.

Week 10 Preparation

Welcome to Week 10! Did you survive one of the most intense bye weeks of the last few years? The trade deadline for the NFL has now passed and the trade deadline in your league is probably this week. If you are struggling to stay relevant then it may be time to sell off your bench to sacrifice your depth in an effort to increase your ceiling and make up some games in the win-loss column. So keep working and let’s get to it!

Waiver Wire Pickups.

Alfred Morris- RB, Dallas Cowboys - 15.1%

Morris is a must own if you are a Ezekiel Elliott owner. He is an elite handcuff to the NFL’s leading rusher and will take over behind the best offensive line in the NFL. He also has three seasons of over a thousand rushing yards in his career so we know he can do it in the NFL. We are through the biggest bye weeks which means you can drop the fat off your roster and insulate your team for the playoffs. PICK UP MORRIS!

Dion Lewis- RB, New England Patriots - 30.3%

The Patriots are now through their bye week and into one of the softest schedules of the remainder of the season. Lewis likely won’t return for the Week 10 game on Sunday Night Football against Seattle, but when he does return for those in the playoff hunt he will be the guy putting people over the edge and winning games. James White has been average in the passing back role for an offense that is absolutely rolling and Lewis will quickly take over the backfield.

Thomas Rawls- RB, Seattle Seahawks - 43%

Did you watch Monday Night Football? Yes? Then I likely don’t need to explain why you want to own Rawls. Christine Michael took 5 carries for a total of 1 yard and a touchdown. He has gained over 67 yards rushing just once all season. The backfield is ripe for the taking and Rawls was more than up to the task last season in spot duty for Marshawn Lynch.

C.J. Fiedorowicz- TE, Houston Texans 13%

Fiedorowicz has been very good for the Texans as of late and going into their bye week he hauled in 5 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. A lot of people are struggling to fill the tight end position week to week and Fiedorowicz can be the answer if he continues to get the amount of looks in the passing games.

Tim Hightower- RB, New Orleans 40%

Hightower jumped way up in ownership after his breakout week last week. This week even sharing the backfield with Ingram he was effective and found the endzone. I wouldn’t be counting on him to be your RB1 or RB2, but he can be a decent Flex play and great insurance if you are an Ingram owner going into the playoffs.

Sammy Watkins- WR, Buffalo Bills - 29%

Watkins is currently on IR as he recovers from a foot injury, but he could return for Week 12. If he does return and becomes effective he could be a real asset in the playoffs. He has elite skills in an offense that is so desperate at the position that they signed Percy Harvin; Watkins is a worthwhile add if you have the room.

Time to Drop

DeVante Parker- WR, Miami Dolphins

Parker was a first round selection and is struggling to be the second option on a team in desperate help of offense around Jay Ajayi. Parker, like the rest of the Dolphins receivers, has done nothing in this offense with Ryan Tannehill under center. Parker has 2 points or less in four of the last five games and has just one touchdown on the season. Parker can safely be dropped for just about anyone at this point.

D/ST Streaming Options for Week 6

*must be owned in less than 50% of leagues.

Ravens vs. Browns

The Ravens have topped double digit points in their last two games. This week they get the Browns. The Browns haven’t dished out as many points to opposing D/ST as you would think (just 1 point in Week 9) because of garbage time, but the Ravens have the skills to force the Browns into enough mistakes to be a strong play if you are streaming the position.

Week 9 Preperation

Welcome to Week 9! We have officially reached that time of the season where if you are in the back of the pack you are going to start mathematically eliminating teams from playoff contention. If you are leading the league you need to start to insulate your team to injuries and making trades to prepare for the playoffs. If you are struggling to stay relevant then it may be time to sell off your bench to sacrifice your depth in an effort to increase your ceiling and make up some games in the win-loss column. So keep working and let’s get to it!

Waiver Wire Pickups.

Derrick Henry- RB, Tennessee Titans 44.1%

What that number tells me is that 55.9% of DeMarco Murray owners either like to live dangerously or want their championship chances torpedoed with one injury. You don’t need me to say, we all lived it on Thursday Night Football when DeMarco Murray left the game for the locker room. If Murray goes down Henry is capable of carrying the load and will get all the work in the Titans’ backfield. IF YOU OWN MURRAY YOU NEED TO OWN HENRY!

The same goes for

• Alfred Morris
• DeAngelo Williams
• Mike Gillislee

Injured Players on their way back

If you can stash them through the huge bye weeks we have over the next couple of weeks then there are a few guys we are expecting back from injuries that are worth grabbing to help with your run to the playoffs.

• Dion Lewis- RB, New England Patriots - 28.3%
• Corey Coleman- WR, Cleveland Browns - 31.5%
• Thomas Rawls- RB, Seattle Seahawks - 45.9%

Jamison Crowder- WR, Washington Redskins 44.5%

Crowder has been double digit points for the last three weeks and is becoming a key cog in the Washington offense with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon both struggling to produce. Crowder shouldn’t be too high on many waiver priorities because he is off this week, but if you can snag him he can be a solid WR3 or Flex play for the rest of the season.

C.J. Fiedorowicz- TE, Houston Texans 13%

Fiedorowicz has been very good for the Texans as of late and going into their bye week he hauled in 5 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Chances are you aren’t going to have the room to roster him this week with so many teams on bye again, but he has a very favorable rest of the season schedule and could be very helpful down the stretch if you are struggling at a position where there are just a handful of reliable players.

Tim Hightower- RB, New Orleans 1.9%

For the second season in a row, Hightower has the chance to come out of nowhere to lead a bunch of fantasy teams to the championship after taking over the feature back roles from Mark Ingram after Ingram took 3 carries for -9 yards and lost a fumble. If you need help at the position; the Saints have already been through their bye week and Sean Payton has already stated that Hightower has earned more work.

Time to Drop

Knile Davis- RB, Green Bay Packers 35.3%

Last week it was Eddie Lacy (who somehow is still owned in 50.8% of leagues) and this week it former Green Bay running back Knile Davis who was released by the Packers. This is a good sign for the Packers as a whole as it likely means the return of James Starks who is much more familiar with the offense and could be a good weapon for the Packers and your fantasy team if he can return to form from in season knee surgery.

D/ST Streaming Options for Week 6

*must be owned in less than 50% of leagues.

Cowboys vs. Browns

The Cowboys have had a very solid fantasy floor all season (at least 4 points in 6 of 7 games), but also a very low ceiling (high of 9). Usually the worry with playing the bottom of the barrel is garbage time ruining the day for the D/ST (see Titans v. Bengals), but with a very good ball control offense against a defense that won’t be able to force the Dallas offense off the field the Cowboys should have a very good day.

Lions vs. Vikings

I am going to ride this train until the Vikings offense proves they can do anything on offense. The Lions went -4 in Week 1 against the Colts, but since then they have been positive in every game and with the Bears getting 10 against the Vikings on Monday Night Football and now the Vikings playing on a short week the Lions become a solid fantasy streaming option.

Trade Targets

Most league trade deadlines are fast approaching and whether you are 7-0 or 0-7 you need to continue to continue working to improve your team for the second half of the season. My number one advice for the stretch run is to handcuff your stud running backs. Yesterday was a prime example of the importance of this with C.J. Anderson heading to Injured Reserve and Devontae Booker now stepping into the starting role and will see a workhorse amount of carries. If you are looking for players to add to prepare you for the stretch run then look no further; below are three wide outs and three running backs who can be bought low and still have the ceiling to be fantasy superstars if you can afford to acquire them and not need to rely on them.

Odell Beckham Jr. - WR New York Giants

Currently WR8

Season total: 76 points

Beckham has been very disappointing so far this season. He scored 32 of his points in Week 6. Last week in London he managed just 4 points and now will spend Week 8 on bye. His owners are surely reeling as their expected anchor has spent most of the season as a WR2. If you are sitting atop the standings with the depth to play him in your WR2 spot or even down in your flex the go out and try to trade for him. His value is about as low as possible right now and as we bear down on both the trade deadline for most leagues and the mathematical eliminations from the playoffs owners are going to need to make some moves for the second half of the season.

Allen Robinson- WR Jacksonville Jaguars

Currently WR42

Season total: 44 points

Robinson has been rough to put it mildly. He has not been over 60 yards receiving since Week 1. He has not found the endzone in four of six games this season. This week he dropped a goose egg on his owners Through six games last season Robinson had 488 yards and 5 touchdowns. This season he has 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. The problem has not been lack of targets; he has at least 5 targets every game this season and has had double digit targets in three games this season as well. He should be targeted by those that can afford to play him as their WR3 or Flex or better yet stash him on their bench.

Alshon Jeffery- WR Chicago Bears

Currently WR35

Two words: Jay Cutler. After Brian Hoyer broke his arm on Thursday night the Bears are being forced to go back to Jay Cutler which is great news for Alshon Jeffery owners. Cutler is much more willing to just throw the ball up to Jeffery and let him win the fight for it so I expect him to average double digit targets for the rest of the season. Jeffery owners are probably about as excited about the QB change as you are which means the price isn’t going to be as cheap as you would like, but if you can get a deal his stock should rise.

Doug Martin- RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Currently RB73

If the Buccaneers are willing to ride Jacquizz Rodgers for 56 carries in two weeks then imagine what we will see Martin get if he can return to full health. But, that is the issue; will he get healthy in time to be effective? He was expected to return to the field after the bye, but suffered a setback and now we don’t have a timetable for his return. Owners who can get him on the cheap and especially those Rodgers owners who don’t already own Martin should pursue him to insulate their acquisition.

Todd Gurley- RB Los Angeles Rams

Currently RB19

Gurley is now 7 weeks removed from being the first round value that he was selected as and his owners should have realized by now that he isn’t what they planned on on draft day. Gurley has been ineffective on the ground averaging just 3 YPC after 4.8 YPC last season. He has yet to exceed 85 yards rushing or 50 yards receiving in a game. In comparison he ran for 128 yards or more in four of his first seven games as a rookie. Gurley is a prime buy low candidate; he has been terrible, is on bye this week, and has a very tough two games following the bye. If his owner is in trouble and in danger of being eliminated from the playoffs and you can afford to play him as your RB2 or better yet your FLEX and can get him on the cheap then grab Gurley and hopefully by the time that the fantasy playoffs roll around the stud everyone was expecting will have resurfaced.

Terrance West- RB Baltimore Ravens

Currently RB20

West came alive once he was given the reigns to the Ravens’ backfield and ran for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns in three weeks. In Week 7 he threw down a stinker with 8 carries for 10 yards and now in Week 8 he is on bye. If the West owner is in need of wins and in need of a running back to cover the bye then make an offer on West and see if you can steal him away for next to nothing. Additionally, with the complete lack of usage that Kenneth Dixon has seen so far you can easily handcuff West with Dixon and lockdown that backfield for the rest of the season.

Ezekiel Elliott- RB Dallas Cowboys

Currently RB5

The rest of the guys on here are buy low candidates, but Elliott I think is worth what he is going to cost you. As we move closer and closer to the playoffs it is very important to insulate your roster. Step one in insulating your roster owning your handcuffs and Elliott has an elite handcuff in Alfred Morris. This makes Elliott more appealing to me right now than David Johnson or LeVeon Bell (DeAngelo Williams is banged up). Elliott is through his bye and if you can afford him them go after him. Tip: if Morris is not owned; pick him up.

Week 8 Preperation

Welcome to Week 8! Officially the halfway point of the Fantasy Football Season. If you have yet to win a game you are about one week from being mathematically eliminated and if you are 8-0 you are almost certainly locked into a playoff berth. Either way you need to keep making moves and trying to improve your roster; remember that it was Tim Hightower who was on over a third of all championship fantasy rosters last season. An add you would have made in Week 13 or 14 last season. So keep working and let’s get to it!

Waiver Wire Pickups.

Mike Gillislee- RB, Buffalo Bills 2.1%

I have been telling Shady owners to grab Mike Gillislee for the last two weeks and then during last week McCoy injured his hamstring and was then forced from the game after bringing you just 1 fantasy point. Gillislee only got five carries in relief, but remains an important handcuff that needs to be owned.  McCoy is owned in 99.9% of leagues and Gillislee is owned in 6% of leagues; those numbers should match.

The same goes for the other top handcuffs:

• Alfred Morris
• DeAngelo Williams
• Derrick Henry
• Devontae Booker

Injured Players on their way back

If you can stash them through the huge bye weeks we have over the next couple of weeks then there are a few guys we are expecting back from injuries that are worth grabbing to help with your run to the playoffs.

• Donte Moncrief- WR, Indianapolis Colts - 46.1%
• Dion Lewis- RB, New England Patriots - 27.9%
• Corey Coleman- WR, Cleveland Browns - 31.9%
• Thomas Rawls- RB, Seattle Seahawks - 47.9%

Ty Montgomery- WR/RB, Green Bay Packers 20.1%

Montgomery has been granted RB eligibility in ESPN leagues which makes him not only productive, but also very flexible in how you can use him in your lineup. If you are in a PPR then he becomes even more valuable as he gets double digit targets out of the backfield.

Brandon LaFell- WR, Cincinnati Bengals 12.8%

LaFell has found the endzone four times in the last three weeks. It blows my mind that I am actually writing these words, but with a huge bye week coming up this week and Josh Norman likely to sit this game out, which would shift Breshad Breeland to cover A.J. Green, LaFell has an amazing opportunity to contribute to a fantasy win for you in Week 8.

Jacquizz Rodgers- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34.5%

Rodgers once again became the feature back in the Buccaneers’ offense as Doug Martin reinjured his knee and remained sidelined. Rodgers took 26 carries for 154 yards. The injury to Charles Sims has left open the counter-punch to Doug Martin once he returns meaning that Rodgers is going to still get work even when Martin returns.

Chris Thompson- Washington Redskins 14.2%

In a PPR league and need running back help? There are probably few better options available out there to you than Thompson. This week he grabbed all 7 of his targets for 40 yards and got 12 carries for 73 more yards. Matt Jones has fumbled away his shot at becoming a true workhorse which leads to even more work for the best pass catching back currently taking the field. Thompson provides a very solid PPR floor and enough opportunity to be considered a flex play in standard leagues.

Ka’Deem Carey- Chicago Bears 1.8%

Jordan Howard looked like he was going to be the guy to put a lot of teams over the top in their rush to the playoffs, but the last two weeks he has gained just 56 yards on 22 carries. Carey is healthy again and siphoning off carries from Howard and looks like the better runner. He is almost universally available, but if you are going to pick him up don’t plan on using him over the next couple of weeks as the Bears have the Vikings this week and a bye week following.

Last Week:

Cam Meredith

Jay Ajayi

Hunter Henry

Time to Drop

Eddie Lacy- RB, Green Bay Packers 96.4%

Eddie Lacy was off to a terrible start this season. He never got more than 20 carries in a game, topped 100 rushing yards only once, and didn’t find the endzone. Lacy was placed on Injured Reserve before the Packers’ game on Thursday which means he will be out until at least Week 15 and yet he remained owned in 96.4% of leagues. Trust me when I say this: Drop Eddie Lacy. You are not going to trust your playoff chances to a guy in his first week back in action and wasting a roster spot on a guy who was such a borderline start before is going to sink your team. Lacy is droppable in all re-draft leagues.

Last Week

Tavon Austin

D/ST Streaming Options for Week 8

*must be owned in less than 50% of leagues.

Cowboys vs Eagles

The Cowboys have quietly been a very playable fantasy D/ST so far this season and now they come off the bye to play the Eagles at home. The Cowboys’ conservative offense doesn’t turn the ball over and the Eagles seemed desperate to give the ball away last week losing it four times to the Vikings. The Eagles offense has been lethargic after their hot start, relying on their defense to keep them in games. If you are looking for a D/ST to start this week the Cowboys can be had almost everywhere.

Bears vs Minnesota

The storyline surrounding the Bears this season has been all about the offense, but on the other side of the football the defense has kept them in games and has forced seven turnovers through seven games. On a short week in Green Bay they still managed 9 fantasy points and now they get another NFC North foe in the Vikings. The Vikings D/ST is elite, but the offense stumbled hard last week and were torched by the Eagles D/ST. The Bears should be able to take advantage as well, though I wouldn’t bank on the Bears taking a kick to the house.

Getting Ready for Week 7!

Welcome to Week 7 and the halfway point of the regular season for most leagues! Whether you are 6-0 or 0-6 your league is going to be won with the right moves on the waiver wire so let’s get to it!

Waiver Wire Pickups.

Mike Gillislee- RB, Buffalo Bills 2.1%

I wrote right here last week that if you own LeSean McCoy then you need to own Gillislee. Then on Sunday we watched in horror as McCoy took a hit and then looked seriously injured for a few moments before he got up and then proceeded to finish the game with 140 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Hopefully that has scared you into securing the handcuff to the guy that is winning you weeks. McCoy is owned in 99.8% of leagues and Gillislee is owned in 2.1% of leagues; those numbers should match.

The same goes for the other top handcuffs:

• Alfred Morris
• DeAngelo Williams
• Derrick Henry
• Devontae Booker

Cameron Meredith- WR, Chicago Bears 32%

For the second week in a row Meredith exploded in the Bears’ offensive attack this week going for 11 receptions and 113 yards. I think he is in the must start category as long as the Bears continue to play Brian Hoyer under center.

Marcus Mariota- QB, Tennessee Titans 41%

Own Ben Roethlisberger and need a replacement? Mariota is probably your top option. In the next three weeks he is home against the Colts, home against the Jaguars, and then at San Diego all soft defenses that are very exploitable. Defenses are going to continue to sell out to stop DeMarco Murray from running all over them giving Mariota and the subpar receiving core to take advantage.

Jay Ajayi- RB, Miami Dolphins 43%

I think everyone thought that we had seen Ajayi’s last shot at taking this job with the return of Arian Foster. Ajayi responded with 204 yards and 2 touchdowns surely giving the 5% of people who started him a nice win. Foster took just 3 carries to Ajayi’s 25. Adam Gase is going to ride the hot hand into next week and Foster is going to take the back seat as long as Ajayi is running this well.

Hunter Henry- TE, San Diego Chargers 49%

Just eeeking onto the list is Hunter Henry, who was dropped in 6% of leagues before the week in response to the return of Antonio Gates. Henry put the doubters to rest by finding the endzone for the third straight week. The Chargers and the Patriots are both teams where both tight ends on the team are going to be startable on a weekly basis.

Other guys worth adding: Cole Beasley, James White, and Kenny Britt.

Last Week:

Dwayne Washington 11%

Jacquizz Rodgers 30%

Eddie Royal 43%

Sammie Coates 75%

Time to Drop

Tavon Austin- WR, Los Angeles Rams 65%

Austin is a talented player, but this offense doesn’t have the ability to use him properly. He has 10 points in the last three games combined. He is going to eventually breakout with a monstrous multi-touchdown game, but his floor is far too low to be of any weekly use and can be safely dropped in any leagues 12 teams or fewer.

Last Week

Jeremy Langford 48%

Tajae Sharpe 25%

D/ST Streaming Options for Week 6

*must be owned in less than 50% of leagues.

Ravens vs. Jets

The Ravens have been a solid streaming option many weeks this season as their schedule continues to be favorable. The Jets resorted to Geno Smith on Monday Night Football as they got blown out by David Johnson and the Cardinals. In his short time on the field Geno fumbled and was picked off by the Honey Badger. The Ravens will be a fine option regardless of who starts at QB for the Jets, but sign up if they start Geno Smith.