Fantasy Ticker: Week 13

There's value in the waiver wire this week, with players like Roy Helu and Santana Moss. There's also quality depth for your roster as you make a playoff run, and a few fliers and watch-list players as well. Right now, many leagues are entering their fantasy playoffs, so be careful when dumping a quality player for what seems like a can't-miss, one-week play. Although it may only be a placekicker, I picked up Jason Hanson, expecting a high-scoring affair on Turkey Day, only to be disappointed with one fantasy point.

 

QUARTERBACKS

Vince Young, Eagles (23 percent ownership)
Young has a two-game average of 329 yards, 1.5 TDs, with two interceptions and six rush attempts for 22.5 yards and zero TDs. Young isn't using his legs, but he's been passing for more yardage than most expected. The Eagles play Thursday night, so there's a good chance he gets another start as Michael Vick (ribs) may not be ready. If you need a stopgap, he fills that role, but the Seahawks are a much tougher matchup than the Patriots.

QB watch list

Caleb Hanie, Bears (4 percent ownership)
It may be too late to use Hanie, and we're also talking about larger leagues and owners with minimal options. This past week, he threw for 254 yards and two TDs with three interceptions. The team will emphasize the run, but his first game back showed some promise for fantasy owners, if not for the Bears. Hanie may not be a favorite of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, but he knows the playbook. Watch him this week or as long as you can, and if he improves, then go from there.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Roy Helu, Redskins (47 percent ownership)
Helu (23-108-1 rushing and 7-54-0 receiving) is now the team's starter, per head coach Mike Shanahan. Helu is explosive and a playmaker, but don't expect this type production every week. Regardless, he could be a steal going into the playoffs.

Donald Brown, Colts (12 percent ownership)
Brown (14-80-1 rushing and 1-17-0 receiving) was the No. 2 back this past week despite Joseph Addai starting and sharing time until the second half. Brown has a four-game average of 13.5 attempts for 59 yards and 0.5 TDs per game. Two TDs in the past four games, with an increase in touches, shows promise. His playing time is tied to Addai, but he did outplay Addai and gives you depth going into the playoffs.

Maurice Morris, Lions (36 percent ownership)
Morris (7-39-0 rushing and 9-81-0 receiving) took over after Kevin Smith (ankle) went down and, with his receiving total, had his best game this season. Smith could return in Week 13, but nothing is set, and odds are it'll be a late-week decision, if not game day. Morris is more of a short-term pickup and has a five-game average of 12 touches for 67 yards from scrimmage and 0.2 TDs per game. He is good for an injury fill-in. 

Marion Barber, Bears (24 percent ownership)
Barber (10-63-0) should see an increase in carries with QB Jay Cutler (thumb) gone 4-6 weeks. The team will run more, and Barber is averaging 7.8 attempts for 29.6 yards and 0.6 TDs per game. Terrible numbers, but he's the goal-line back with five TDs in eight games. He's only an injury fill-in, but as a TD vulture he can score any game.

C.J. Spiller, Bills (47 percent ownership)
Spiller (19-55-0 rushing and 3-15-0 receiving) was facing the Jets this past week and, considering the low expectations, played well. With Fred Jackson (leg) on injured reserve, Spiller will benefit with the most touches. That's what gives him his value, touches, and with his speed, he could break one. It won't be surprising to see the team using him in various ways to take advantage of the matchups. Spiller is depth as an injury fill-in. 

Toby Gerhart, Vikings (27 percent ownership)
Gerhart (17-44-1 rushing and 2-19-0 receiving) — filling in for Adrian Peterson, who has a high ankle sprain — was facing the Falcons, one of the leagues' better run defenses. They limited Gerhart to 2.6 yards per carry, but like Spiller, the hope is that Gerhart sees No. 1-RB touches that provide him enough opportunities to find the endzone. Just as he did last week. He's an injury fill-in until Peterson gets back, and early reports are not positive for A.P.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Santana Moss, Redskins (55 percent ownership)
Moss (4-29-0 on seven targets) did not do anything to help his fantasy owners this past week, but he has missed four games, and the offense has been out of sync. He's the team's No. 1 WR and will see enough targets and opportunities to make a flex play or No. 3, depending on the team's QB play.

David Nelson, Bills (42 percent ownership)
Nelson (5-47-1 on eight targets) had a great day against a usually tough Jets defense and, playing in the slot, his natural position, could produce. The Bills are streaky, so he's risky, but with RB Fred Jackson (leg) and Donald Jones (ankle) out for the year, it will give him extra targets and depth on your roster.

Jason Avant  (10 percent ownership) and Riley Cooper (5 percent ownership), Eagles
Avant (8-110-1 on 14 targets) and Cooper (3-71-0 on five targets) make short-term pickups because Jeremy Maclin (shoulder, hamstring) may not play. Cooper is the starter and has a two-game average of four catches for 73 yards and 0.5 TDs on 8.5 targets. As a starter he's seeing enough time to warrant a pickup, but Avant is an enigma with only four games over 69 yards and no TDs until this past week. I wouldn't recommend picking Avant up, but in larger leagues desperate for an injury fill-in, you could do worse.

Johnny Knox, Bears (31 percent ownership)
Knox (4-145-1 on 10 targets) posted monster numbers but was on most fantasy benches if not the waiver wire. He has a two-game average of 3.5 catches for 121 yards and one TD. He has regained his fantasy value as QB Caleb Hanie targeted him 10 times. However, he's only depth for your roster.

Terrell Owens, free agent (2 percent ownership)
Rumors indicate the Patriots could take a look at him, but that's all they are, rumors. It's similar to when a player retires. There's always someone who drafts him in case he comes back. In case there's any truth to the rumor, you could add him to your roster. However, this late in the season, it could be too late to get any fantasy production as he'll have to learn a new offense.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Brent Celek, Eagles (36 percent ownership)
Celek (5-75-0 on six targets) has become an integral part of the offense the past six games and, during that time, has a per-game average of 5.5 catches for 64 yards and 0.3 TDs on 7.7 targets. He owes his resurgence to the QBs staying in the pocket longer and looking for him instead of running. He has great value going into the playoffs.

Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (38 percent ownership)
Gresham (5-68-1 on nine targets) is averaging 4.1 catches for 41.1 yards and 0.6 TDs on 6.8 targets. In larger leagues he warrants fantasy consideration as an injury fill-in with two TDs in three games.

Scott Chandler, Bills (34 percent ownership)
Chandler (6-50-0 on seven targets), as expected, saw a bump in targets with the loss of RB Fred Jackson (leg) and No. 2 WR Donald Jones (ankle) to injured reserve. Chandler has a two-game average of 5.5 catches for 60.5 yards and zero TDs on 6.5 targets. The Bills played well against the Jets, no easy feat, and with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick playing hot, it could be the start of one of his famed hot streaks. If he utilizes Chandler more often between the 20s, Chandler warrants fantasy consideration. 

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/11/29/fantasy-ticker-week-13-3

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