Fantasy Football: 6 Last Minute Pickups, Week 15
Value Can Be Found In Free Agency
It's Friday night, less than 48 hours from when most NFL games kick off for Week 15. If you're still competing in your fantasy football league, it's likely because you made the playoffs. Congratulations; surviving the regular season is no easy task.
If you're competing in Week 15, hopefully you have a lineup set that you're confident in, but if for any reason you need to hit the free agent pool — let's say you're nervous about starting Chris Johnson against a stout Arizona Cardinals defense, or worried about starting a struggling Victor Cruz against the tenacious Seattle Seahawks, or you still haven't found a replacement for an injured star like Rob Gronkowski — in the hours leading up to your matchup, there are plenty of guys out there who can still help your fantasy team.
In the following slideshow I identify one quarterback, two running backs, one wide receiver, a tight end and a defense that are available in at least 50 percent of fantasy football leagues who can save a desperate owner in Week 15. If your team is decimated with injuries or if you need to replace a struggling player facing a tough matchup, these are the guys you should turn to in relief.
Good luck in week 15!
Billy Moy is a Fantasy Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @william_moy6, "Like" him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
6. Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill, QB Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill has scored double digit fantasy points in all but one game this season. Tannehill has a 65 percent completion statistic with nine touchdowns and just five interceptions over his last six games, and over that same stretch the New England Patriots have allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 284.4 yards per game, have given up 12 passing touchdowns and have allowed quarterbacks to average 21.4 fantasy points per game against them. Tannehill has also rushed for at least 20 yards in each of his last four games, including a 56-yard rushing performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Tannehill is available in 84 percent of ESPN leagues and in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
5. Chris Ogbonnaya
Chris Ogbonnaya, RB Cleveland Browns
Willis McGahee has been ruled out of Sunday's contest with a concussion which means Obgonnaya should be in line for a full workload against the Chicago Bears, which is a very, very good thing. The Bears have allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season and they have allowed at least 21 fantasy points on the ground in nine of ten games since Week 3. The Bears have been absolutely decimated on defense and Ogbonnaya is the lucky back who gets to take advantage next. The Browns running back is available in 84 percent of ESPN leagues and in 76 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
4. Jordan Todman
Jordan Todman, RB Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones-Drew is listed as doubtful for the Jaguars' game against the Buffalo Bills this weekend, making Jordan Todman a very usable player. After giving up just one rushing touchdown in their first nine games, the Bills have since gone on to give up six rushing touchdowns in their last four games. Todman offers plenty of upside against a defense that's 26th in the NFL against the rush (124.8 yards per game) and he's available in 99 percent of ESPN leagues and in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
3. Cordarrelle Patterson
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Minnesota Vikings
Cordarrelle Patterson leads the Minnesota Vikings in targets over the last five games, averaging 6.8 per game as the Vikings finally seemed focused on getting their rookie play-maker involved in what has been a stagnant offense. Patterson is a dynamic talent who is absolutely electric in the open field, giving him the ability to score at any moments notice. Patterson has two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in his last five games and has scored at least eight fantasy points in three games over that stretch. This week the Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, making Patterson a rather intriguing play in week 15. Patterson is out there in 92% of ESPN leagues and in 60% of Yahoo! leagues.
2. Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker, TE Tennessee Titans
After missing last weeks' game with a concussion, Delanie Walker returns to the Titans lineup at the absolute perfect time: the week that they play the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have without a doubt been the worst defense against opposing tight ends this season and it's not even close. The Cardinals are allowing opposing tight ends to score 6.5 more fantasy points per game against them than the league average and they have given up a staggering, 14 touchdowns to tight ends through 13 games this season. Walker is available in 79 percent of ESPN leagues and in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
1. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
The Eagles' defense has quietly had a nice stretch of fantasy production, they have scored at least eight fantasy points in each of their last seven games and they haven't given up more than 21 points in a game since Week 4. The Eagles have forced eight turnovers to go with nine sacks over their last three games and this week they take on a Minnesota Vikings team that has allowed ninth most fantasy points to opposing defenses, and that's with Adrian Peterson in the lineup and running strong. Last years MVP is dealing with a foot injury and is questionable for this week's game (he had a limited practice on Friday and he's still dealing with pain, in true "all day" fashion though he's still hoping to play this weekend), making the Eagles' defense even more desirable. Philadelphia's defense and special teams are available in 93 percent of ESPN leagues and in 82 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Related Week 15 Fantasy Football Articles:
Value Can Be Found In Free Agency
It's Friday night, less than 48 hours from when most NFL games kick off for Week 15. If you're still competing in your fantasy football league, it's likely because you made the playoffs. Congratulations; surviving the regular season is no easy task.
If you're competing in Week 15, hopefully you have a lineup set that you're confident in, but if for any reason you need to hit the free agent pool — let's say you're nervous about starting Chris Johnson against a stout Arizona Cardinals defense, or worried about starting a struggling Victor Cruz against the tenacious Seattle Seahawks, or you still haven't found a replacement for an injured star like Rob Gronkowski — in the hours leading up to your matchup, there are plenty of guys out there who can still help your fantasy team.
In the following slideshow I identify one quarterback, two running backs, one wide receiver, a tight end and a defense that are available in at least 50 percent of fantasy football leagues who can save a desperate owner in Week 15. If your team is decimated with injuries or if you need to replace a struggling player facing a tough matchup, these are the guys you should turn to in relief.
Good luck in week 15!
Billy Moy is a Fantasy Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @william_moy6, "Like" him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
6. Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill, QB Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill has scored double digit fantasy points in all but one game this season. Tannehill has a 65 percent completion statistic with nine touchdowns and just five interceptions over his last six games, and over that same stretch the New England Patriots have allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 284.4 yards per game, have given up 12 passing touchdowns and have allowed quarterbacks to average 21.4 fantasy points per game against them. Tannehill has also rushed for at least 20 yards in each of his last four games, including a 56-yard rushing performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Tannehill is available in 84 percent of ESPN leagues and in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
5. Chris Ogbonnaya
Chris Ogbonnaya, RB Cleveland Browns
Willis McGahee has been ruled out of Sunday's contest with a concussion which means Obgonnaya should be in line for a full workload against the Chicago Bears, which is a very, very good thing. The Bears have allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season and they have allowed at least 21 fantasy points on the ground in nine of ten games since Week 3. The Bears have been absolutely decimated on defense and Ogbonnaya is the lucky back who gets to take advantage next. The Browns running back is available in 84 percent of ESPN leagues and in 76 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
4. Jordan Todman
Jordan Todman, RB Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones-Drew is listed as doubtful for the Jaguars' game against the Buffalo Bills this weekend, making Jordan Todman a very usable player. After giving up just one rushing touchdown in their first nine games, the Bills have since gone on to give up six rushing touchdowns in their last four games. Todman offers plenty of upside against a defense that's 26th in the NFL against the rush (124.8 yards per game) and he's available in 99 percent of ESPN leagues and in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
3. Cordarrelle Patterson
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Minnesota Vikings
Cordarrelle Patterson leads the Minnesota Vikings in targets over the last five games, averaging 6.8 per game as the Vikings finally seemed focused on getting their rookie play-maker involved in what has been a stagnant offense. Patterson is a dynamic talent who is absolutely electric in the open field, giving him the ability to score at any moments notice. Patterson has two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in his last five games and has scored at least eight fantasy points in three games over that stretch. This week the Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, making Patterson a rather intriguing play in week 15. Patterson is out there in 92% of ESPN leagues and in 60% of Yahoo! leagues.
2. Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker, TE Tennessee Titans
After missing last weeks' game with a concussion, Delanie Walker returns to the Titans lineup at the absolute perfect time: the week that they play the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have without a doubt been the worst defense against opposing tight ends this season and it's not even close. The Cardinals are allowing opposing tight ends to score 6.5 more fantasy points per game against them than the league average and they have given up a staggering, 14 touchdowns to tight ends through 13 games this season. Walker is available in 79 percent of ESPN leagues and in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
1. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
The Eagles' defense has quietly had a nice stretch of fantasy production, they have scored at least eight fantasy points in each of their last seven games and they haven't given up more than 21 points in a game since Week 4. The Eagles have forced eight turnovers to go with nine sacks over their last three games and this week they take on a Minnesota Vikings team that has allowed ninth most fantasy points to opposing defenses, and that's with Adrian Peterson in the lineup and running strong. Last years MVP is dealing with a foot injury and is questionable for this week's game (he had a limited practice on Friday and he's still dealing with pain, in true "all day" fashion though he's still hoping to play this weekend), making the Eagles' defense even more desirable. Philadelphia's defense and special teams are available in 93 percent of ESPN leagues and in 82 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
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