Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
With week 16 upon us and some teams in full on tank mode, that should give us some guys who are normally good and make them guys who hopefully move up to the next level and become guys who can lead us to victory.
Quarterback:
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions $8,200: Stafford has been mostly up and down this year, and maybe even a bit of a disappointment for some of his owners who expected more from him this year. Well it’s time to make up for all of that this week as Stafford and company get the Bears. The Bears have announced Jimmy Clausen as their starting QB, which to me signals to the rest of the team that they simply don’t care if they win or not. Saddle up with Stafford and let him captain your team to glory this week.
Next: Time To Ring The Bell And Get Some RBs
Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell (26) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Josh Bynes (56) and safety James Ihedigbo (32) during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Running Backs:
LeVeon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers, $9,700: My guess is that everyone will have Bell on their team this week. But my next guess is everyone that hits any money will also have him on their team. The key will be to having everyone else on your team be valuable enough to push you over the everyday guys that have him. You can try not using Bell if you like, but I’m rolling with him.
Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys, $4,900: This one gets a little bit tougher everyday as the news looks more and more like DeMarco Murray is going to play. I just don’t think if Murray does play that he will get all the work. I would also expect that if he does play that the Cowboys will not use him in the red zone or in the passing game. I am still expecting a nice game out of Randle, and this news could scare just enough people from using him that you could profit nicely. Yes it is risky, but you have to take some risks in life, right?
Next: Time For The Moneymakers: Wide Receivers
Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) has his shoes autographed by Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) after the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Detroit won 16-14. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers:
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, $9,200: I do not plan to insult your intelligence and list several reasons why you should use Calvin this week. Two reasons, in my opinion should suffice: One, he is playing the Bears; and two he is Calvin Johnson.
Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts, $5,900: This move is based on an injury to T.Y. Hilton. Moncrief has shown some glimpses of having some major talent. I know that he has had the tendency to disappear on some weeks, but I expect this week that in a shootout with the Dallas Cowboys he will be relied upon to do work. Yes this is risky, but for me it is of the very high rewarding type of risky move.
Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings, $6,500: Simply put, I am expecting a TD out of Johnson this week. He fits in nicely here, and has been a solid option for the Vikings. He is also developing a nice rapport with Teddy Bridgewater. Johnson is an explosive playmaker with the ability to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. You could certainly do a lot worse for the $6,500.
Next: But Who Is Going To Play TE?
Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates from the field during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End:
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs, $5,600: Kelce has been a top 10 TE option all season long, and could be a tiny bit under-priced here by the team at FanDuel. But that is OK, we will keep that to ourselves. Kelce gets the Steelers, who are generous to the TE position for fantasy as well, so I am betting on the fact that Kelce will find the end zone this week.
Next: Defense Wins Championships
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) is tackled by Buffalo Bills strong safety Duke Williams (27) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Defense:
Buffalo Bills, $5,100: The Bills defense has actually been spectacular as of late. Last week they shut down the Packers, before that they had the Broncos and still had a respectable fantasy outing. This week the Bills get the Raiders. Do I really need to say anything else? Barring a major let-down here, the Bills defense should make short work of one of the league’s worst teams in the Raiders with turnovers aplenty.
Next: Don't Forget The Kicker!
Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Kicker:
Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons, $4,800: This is probably not the place to share my strong disdain of kickers in fantasy football. So I will be honest here, I just checked a few things to make sure this was a decent play. I want a kicker who is on a team that moves the ball, plays a team that has given up a decent amount of FGs all year, and then I just want a proven kicker. For my money you could just leave kickers completely out of fantasy football, but that will be for a whole different article one day.