Week 15 – Fantasy Football Pickups

WEEK 15 – FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKUPS

By Gayle Saunders follow him on twitter: GayleESaunders

If you are looking for a free agent or waiver wire pickup, here are a couple of the best options likely available out there. Its time to get smart and make sure your Fantasy team is ready for the playoffs.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUARTERBACKS

Buffalo Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick the former Ivy Leaguer should get some quality stats against New England. Passers have bombarded the Pats. Since Week 10, they’ve given up 273.2 yards and 2.6 touchdowns per game to quarterbacks, which equals to the fifth-most fantasy points. Terrell Owens and his partner Lee Evans should gets some good looks.  Fitzpatrick, may even give you roughly 20-30 rushing yards.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________RUNNING BACKS

Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden Last week, Tom Cable shifted McFadden around, using him in a Reggie Bush type fashion , Lining up in the slot on a few plays, he caught three passes for 89 yards. If you give him space, he is hella dangerous. Since Week 10 the Broncos have yielded 149.2 total yards per game and four scores to runners. Consider McFadden an upside flex option .

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Philadelphia Eagles – Leonard Weaver – Last week he was used on short yardage and goaline situations.  He also was used out of the backfield on pass plays.  Look for the Eagles to look to Weaver during this weeks game.  He’s a big bruiser, with great hands (59 catches, 535 yards the past two seasons with Seattle). He has averaged six yards per carry this season. Keep watch of Brian Westbrooks possible return, if Westy is a no go, Weaver’s increased workload will continue, the Eagles fullback is a solid option.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TIGHT END

Green Bay Packers – Jermichael Finley- has proven to be worth a pick up as we have been pushing him on you guys for 4 weeks now. Last week, 5 catches for 70 yards: he should be in your lineup ASAP!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Washington Redskins – Fred Davis - Very quietly the Redskins have undergone a massive offensive reconstruction.  Davis is just one of the many Washington players that have done well in the  new revamped system. Since Week 10, he’s compiled 18 catches for 220 yards and four scores. This week against the rival Giants, he’s likely to score in his fourth consecutive game. On the season, the Giants have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Pay the premium.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tennessee Titans – Bo Scaife is ranking among the top 10 in both standard and PPR formats the last four weeks (18 catches, 205 yards one TD from Weeks 11-14). He’s also been targeted quite a bit, good for eighth among TE’s. He’ll get Miami and San Diego in the fantasy playoffs, teams that have combined to allow four catches, 52 yards and 1.2 TDs per game to opposing TEs.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WIDE RECEIVERS

Cleveland Browns – Joshua Cribbs One guy on the Browns you should own is this man. If he played for any major team who was a playoff contender he would be al over the media .   The Browns have finally started to fully utilize his devastating blend of size, power and speed. Last week against Pittsburgh, he totaled 96 yards (87 rushing) on nine touches. Due to Cleveland’s very accommodating playoff slate (at KC, Oak, Jac), his expanded role should remain intact. Another 70-plus total yards are likely this week in KC. Label him an upside flex option/WR3 in 12-team and deeper leagues.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chicago Bears- Devin Aromashodu- For the past several weeks, Jay Cutler has clamored for Aromashodu. With Devin Hester sidelined last week, the forlorn passer finally got his wish. The results were eye-opening. Targeted 12 times, the former seventh-round pick, who was limited by a quad injury over the first few weeks of the season, reeled in eight passes for 78 yards and a score.  With Chicago playing for pride, the coaching staff will give him plenty of opportunities. And with those additional chances, his output could be Bigtime. The Bears face three teams with questionable secondaries – Baltimore, Minnesota and Detroit. Go get him!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Philadelphia Eagles – Jason Avant – The Eagles slot receiver is once again a potential play this week, with Jeremy Maclin out for this week.  Avant could still be a decent option for some targets.  He should be  available.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SanFrancico 49ers – Josh Morgan – With Isaac Bruce on the sidelines and the newly installed spread-heavy scheme, Morgan is starting to deliver. He was targeted heavily over the past 3 weeks, he’s totaled 15 receptions, 115 yards and a touchdown. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It’s a lock that the Rams, who are  Houston’s Week 15 opponent, are closing it down for the season. Last week they rolled out backup QB product Keith Null in Tennessee, the Rams were completely dominated from start to finish.  Houston has pressured the pocket with great success over the past three weeks, totaling nine sacks. It doesnt matter if  Null or Kyle Boller takes the wheel for the Rams, Gary Kubiak’s  feisty defensive unit, is coming off its finest defensive performance of the season, they should have a big day against St. Louis.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________