Here is what everyone is waiting for, the FFLockerRoom’s Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for week 15. I am going to put these guys in order of what I believe to be the most important guys first, top down. Hopefully if you are reading this, that means you are still in the fantasy playoffs, congratulations!
Standard Rankings | PPR Rankings | Week 14 Recap
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––————-
Players I don’t mind dropping: Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Shonn Greene, Eddie Royal, Jackie Battle, Greg Little, Kenny Britt, Brandon Myers, Scott Chandler, Greg Jennings, Christine Michael, Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, Fred Davis, Khiri Robinson, Miles Austin, Nate Burleson, Mike James, Jared Cook and Mark Ingram
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––————-
Players that should be owned already: Rashad Jennings, Carson Palmer, Nick Foles, Harry Douglas, Charles Clay, Coby Fleener, Joique Bell, Brian Hartline, Josh McCown, Julian Edelman, Heath Miller, Keenan Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kendall Wright and Michael Crabtree
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––————-
MUST OWN
1. Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens (1.4%*) – We told you to pickup Pitta couple of weeks ago, now he’s back and immediately became a factor for the Ravens catching 6 for 48 yards and a score. Now that he’s back, Flacco and company should be more competitive.
2. Toby Gerhart, RB, Minnesota Vikings (1.0%) – With Adrian Peterson getting carted off the field last Sunday, Gerhart took over and looked good again. He continues to produce when called upon and even broke off an impressive 41 yard TD late in the fourth quarter to help keep the Vikings in the game. But he also sustained an injury to his hamstring. Owners of Peterson will need to pick Toby up for sure and the rest of us should also. But if he’s unable to go this week and AP is ruled out, that will leave FB Jerome Felton as the likely beneficiary. The other back on the roster is Matt Asiata who hasn’t gotten a carry this season.
3. Jacob Tamme, TE, Denver Broncos (1.1%) – With Welker unlikely to play with the short turnaround this week, Rob Gronkowski owners unable to snag Dennis Pitta should be picking up Jacob Tamme who played the slot position for Denver after Welker left the game. In that role, he caught 4 for 47 yards.
4. Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins (36.4%) – We have been saying to pick him up for a while now but he’s still owned in an absurdly low number of leagues. He now has back-to-back double-digit scores.
TAKE A CHANCE
5. Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins (5.2%) – I, like many, thought Thomas’ season was over a few weeks ago when he got injured. And this week he was a surprise active against the Steelers. Looks like it was a good gamble as he was called upon to carry the load after Lamar Miller left the game due to injury. Thomas went on to have his most impressive game of the year with 105 rushing yards with a TD.
6. Garrett Graham, TE, Houston Texans (33.5%) – The only reason Graham isn’t higher is the fact that Owen Daniels could be returning soon. He’s been a consistent target for Keenum all season and will continue to have decent games if Owen is out.
7. DaRick Rogers, WR, Indianapolis Colts (0.1%) – The Colts finally gave the talented rookie some playing time and he finished the game with a team high nine targets. He also caught 6 for 107 yards and 2 TDs. If he continues to see time on the field, he could become the guy opposite TY Hilton the Colts have been trying to find since Reggie Wayne went on IR.
8. Marcel Reece, RB, Oakland Raiders (2.8%) – With Rashad Jenning unable to pass his concussion tests last week, Reece got to show how good of a back he truly is by breaking off with a huge game against one of the better run defenses in the league. But now that Jennings is back with tests passed, he’ll likely go back to the normal role of just a change-of-pace. But gosh I like him when he’s the starter.
9. Detroit Lions, DEF (7.2%) – If you are one of the fantasy owners that prefers to stream during the season, now could be the right time to take a chance on the Lions. They have been playing well recently, minus the second-half against Philly in the snow bowl, and get the visiting turnover prone Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. Not a bad time to gamble with Detroit.
PLAYING WITH FIRE
10. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings (5.0%) – It would be a huge gamble but the guy has loads talent and can score in a few different ways by returning kicks, running and receiving. He would be a big gamble but has the talent to pay off if you are desperate.
11. LaVon Brazill, WR, Indianapolis Colts (0.1%) – Brazill was on the field a lot against the Bengals but only managed three receptions, two of which went for scores. I like Rogers more but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Brazill have a better game this week. Too hard to predict but worth a stash in deep leagues if you are tired of rostering guys like Miles Austin and Nate Burleson.
*Based on ESPN owned percentages.
