The fantasy football regular season is winding down. If you’re lucky enough to be making a push for the playoffs, don’t just rest on your laurels. There are always ways to improve your team. Here are some players to target to help you reach fantasy glory.
Ladarius Green, TE, Chargers
The people over at boltsfromtheblue.com have been calling for this beast of a man to get more playing time, especially in the red zone. It seems they are finally getting their wish. While he isn’t about to replace Canton-bound Antonio Gates as the starting TE (this season), he is becoming more and more involved in the Chargers offense. In week 6 the former University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajun alumnus played 21% of the offensive snaps. In weeks 10 and 11, he played 31% of the offensive snaps. In the last two weeks he has seen five targets both games and gained 81 and 80 yards, respectively, with a touchdown in week 12. Unless you have Jimmy Graham or Gronk, TE can be a perpetually black hole on your fantasy team. Why not drop that RB or WR you never are going to use and stash Green to see if his productivity continues to increase in week 13 against the Bengals?
Nate Burleson, WR, Lions
The man who broke his arm while trying to adjust a falling pizza box in his car earlier this season made his first start since said incident in week 12. He had a productive day, snagging seven balls for 77 yards and a touchdown. At the time of the pizza incident, Burleson was the Lions’ leading receiver. Since that time, Ryan Broyles’ season was lost to an ACL injury. Kris Durham has been incredibly mediocre filling in for Burleson and Broyles, so Burleson should immediately become the Lions’ number 2 receiving option.
Benny Cunningham, RB, Rams
This is more of a short-term than long-term add, as Zac Stacy is still the guy in St. Louis. However, Stacy suffered a concussion in week 12, and Cunningham didn’t miss a beat filling in for him, running for 109 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Stacy’s week 13 availability will not be known until late in the week as the team must follow the NFL’s concussion protocol. If you are in need of a running back or flex this week and have a player worthy of a drop (ahem, Roddy White), Cunningham is certainly worth an add. Just realize the Niners’ run defense will give him more problems than the Bears’.
Dexter McCluster, WR, Chiefs
Just stay with me a second on this one. McCluster has over 50 yards receiving in each of his last two games. Alex Smith loves throwing to him, albeit on short screens and passes. More so, the Chiefs’ once dominant defense has looked weak recently, even before they lost their top two pass rushers to injury and gave up 41 points to the Chargers. This means Andy Reid, who we know loves throwing the ball, is going to be forced to play a little more aggressive offensively. Alex Smith seemed up to the task against a horrific Chargers secondary. Add McCluster and drop a guy like Roddy White (sorry to pick on you again Mr. White), especially if you are in a PPR league.
Rodd Streater, WR, Raiders
Matt McGloin is the the QB again in week 13, and there is a pretty good chance the Raiders will allow him to prove himself the rest of the year. This means good things for the talented second year receiver out of Temple, who has flourished with McGloin under center. Streater has 17 targets over his last two games to go along with 177 yards and a touchdown. To make matters better (but worse if you’re a Raiders fan), Denarius Moore did not practice Monday or Tuesday and his week 13 status is not looking good.
Buffalo Bills, D/ST
The Bills are underrated defensively and just made Geno Smith look like, well, Geno Smith (then again Geno Smith made the Patriots look vanilla). Plus, their next four games are against Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Miami. Add them and rest easy knowing they should be good for about 9 points every week here on out.
