Can you feel it?
The Fantasy Football playoffs are right around the corner!
The games have more meaning now, the start/sit decisions are weighty and the players you pick up this week matter.
Because of that last part, it’s time to dive into this weeks waiver wire targets.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
I wrote in yesterday’s Week 12 recap article that Lamar Jackson is only an adequate NFL quarterback, but is an outstanding fantasy football quarterback.
His ability to run the ball racks up easy fantasy points, so even if he doesn’t throw multiple touchdowns, he’s got an extremely safe floor each and every game.
The best part about picking up Lamar Jackson though is his upcoming schedule…Atlanta, Kansas City and Tampa Bay are his next three matchups. Three juicy matchups from a fantasy perspective. If he’s announced the starter, which I believe he will be, he could lead you deep into the playoffs.
LAMAR FOX SIX! @Lj_era8
📺: CBS #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/xDT6Setxn3
— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2018
Lamar’s 42% owned in Yahoo leagues, so he could still be available. Take a look, pick him up and plug him into your starting lineup.
Case Keenum, Denver Broncos
Up to this point in the season, Case Keenum has not done anything to make you think he was worth the money John Elway threw at him this off-season.
He’s an average quarterback in the NFL and needs everything to line up just perfectly for him to have success.
However, this week he’s looking like a solid quarterback streamer.
If you’re desperate for a quarterback, Keenum could be a great play due to his opponent. The Bengals are currently the worst defense when it comes to stopping opposing fantasy quarterbacks and Baker Mayfield just went off on them for 4 touchdowns.
Keenum’s only 16% owned, so you can get him to plug into your starting lineup this week. Plus, his upcoming schedule isn’t terrible with San Francisco, Cleveland and Oakland all coming up…if you’re in dire need of QB help (maybe you have Carson Wentz) Keenum could help get you a win this week.
Running Backs
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars
As of the time of writing, Leonard Fournette has been suspended for next week’s game against Indianapolis after stupidly throwing punches on Sunday.
Because of this, Carlos Hyde could be the beneficiary against a beatable Colts run defense.
Hyde showed ability and talent in Cleveland, but got traded right at the deadline this past year to backup Fournette. He’s now going to get his shot to be the lead ball carrier…
If you have Melvin Gordon or Fournette, and need someone to fill in this week, Hyde should be your top priority.
T.J. Yeldon will still be involved in this game, but I expect him to only take a few carries away from Hyde and mostly be a presence in the passing game. With Cody Kessler now under center for the Jaguars, they’re going to want to lean on the running backs and take the ball out of Kessler’s hands as much as possible.
I’m projecting somewhere around 20 carries for Hyde this week. If he can turn one of those into a touchdown, that’s solid production for a player who’s only 38% owned in Yahoo leagues right now.
Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins
It’s not exactly a plentiful bounty this week on the waiver wire for fantasy running backs.
If you lost Fournette or Gordon, Frank Gore might be your next best alternative to fill in for them…
Gore’s ceiling is certainly capped. He’s not going to give you a huge week that will single-handedly deliver you the win, but he’s getting volume. Adam Gase continues to give Gore work and he’s delivering with a 4.5 yards per carry.
So if you need 8-10 points, Gore’s your guy. But you’re going to be hard pressed to find anyone else on the waiver wire that can give you more production than him this week if you miss out on Carlos Hyde.
Wide Receivers
Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers
Dane Pettis is a rookie wideout out of Washington who’s dealt with some injuries up to this point of the season, but when he has played he’s shown flashes of what he can be.
(Watch his route on this touchdown catch)
.@NickMullens to Dante Pettis for the @49ers TD!
📺: FOX #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/fY5n8kEv7I
— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2018
There’s uncertainty as to who the quarterback is going to be for San Francisco moving forward, but if Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin miss another game, Pettis could continue to see targets. Whether it’s Nick Mullens or CJ Beathard throwing him the ball.
At this point of the year, if I need someone, I’m betting on talent. Pettis has got it, but can he just get enough work to be a solid fantasy contributor?
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
As mentioned above, I’m betting on talent this time of year and Mike Williams has it in plenty.
As a former #7 overall pick, Williams was expected to come in and set the world on fire in Los Angeles with Rivers throwing him the ball…it hasn’t exactly worked out the way everyone thought it would.
But Williams is proving his worth in the red zone with his solid 6’4″, 220lb. frame. He’s now up to 7 touchdowns on the year and he’s going to have more opportunities on Sunday night.
The Chargers and Steelers face off in what should be an absolute shoot out. The Chargers are going to need to throw the ball a little bit more with Gordon out of the lineup and are going to need to put up points to keep up with the Steelers.
I think Williams continues to rack up the touchdowns. If you need someone to fill in this week who could have an extremely high ceiling, Williams may be the best available. At only 41% owned, he’s worth taking a look to see if he’s still available.
Tight Ends
Chris Herndon, New York Jets
Tight Ends this year have been absolutely gross for fantasy purposes. Unless you have one of the top-tier guys, you’ve been disappointed and have most likely dropped, re-added and dropped several players.
Herndon is someone that I’ve been hesitant about buying into his production. He’s on a bad team, is not one of the primary options in the offense, but he continues to average solid reception totals and yardage!
Over the past few weeks, Herndon has been just as good as any of the other tight ends you’ve been messing around with in your starting lineup.
If you’re desperate, and need a starting tight end, Herndon might be your best option. He’s not going to be someone who delivers a huge game for you, but he’s not going to give you 0 points either.
Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Defenses
Seattle Seahawks
Surprisingly, there’s a lot of good options this week for streaming fantasy defenses!
The Seahawks are scheduled to take on the 49ers at home this Sunday. Right now, Kyle Shanahan doesn’t seem committed to starting Nick Mullens, which could mean CJ Beathard suits up.
It doesn’t matter which quarterback suits up for the 49ers…there’s going to be turnovers. In one of the loudest stadiums, with the Seahawks surging to make the playoffs and the 49ers not playing for anything except pride, this could get ugly real quick.
Seahawks are my top streaming defense for the week.
Indianapolis Colts
Even though the Colts have gotten a bad rep as an inferior defense, everyone can have a good day if they play the right offense.
In this case, the right offense = Cody Kessler.
The Jaguars have benched Blake Bortles and Kessler will now start against the Colts.
Points are not going to exactly be flying onto the scoreboard with Kessler behind center and I think he throws an interception or two. I like the Colts in this matchup to deliver a solid game.
