Hot Pickups – Week 13

Hot Pickups – Week 13

Nate Burleson – Available in 85 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite being one of week twelves hottest pickups Burleson went off this past Sunday for seven receptions, 77 yards and a touchdown and needs to be added wherever available. Burleson will be a WR3 going forward though he does present WR2 upside in PPR formats. Burleson saw ten targets on Sunday and should remain heavily involved in the Lions offense going forward.

Dennis Johnson – With Ben Tate clearly feeling the effects of his myriad of injuries Dennis Johnson got some extra burn and responded with 78 rushing yards on 13 carries which is good for 5.7 yards per carry. While it is true that a healthy Ben Tate has RB1 level talent, he is playing hurt and with the Texans realizing that their season is all but over they may elect to give Dennis Johnson an extended look with Ben Tate said to be eyeing a starting job elsewhere in free agency this summer. In this scenario Johnson would flirt with RB2/RB3 value while in the current timeshare he has made himself flex worthy in deeper leagues. Johnson is available in 89 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Cordarelle Patterson – Patterson is finally getting some love from the Vikings head coaches and it seems like they are finally game planning to manufacture their best receiving weapon some touches. Patterson finished week twelve with eight receptions off of a team high eleven targets for 54 yards. Patterson looks like a potential WR3 the rest of the way with more upside in PPR formats. Patterson is available in 82 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Dennis Pitta – Pitta is expected to return to the Ravens in the next two weeks and those with a bye sewn up or an extra bench spot may want to add the Ravens top tight end. Pitta is a good bet to lead the team in targets upon his return and we have all seen that Flacco likes to operate underneath to his tight end when not taking shots downfield. Pitta should flirt with TE1 value when healthy but there is no guarantee he will be a factor in the fantasy playoffs. Stash Pitta in deeper leagues especially PPR formats. Pitta is available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Jacoby Jones – Available in 88 percent of Yahoo! leagues it seems that Jones may finally have his game legs back under him as he went off for 103 yards and a touchdown off of four receptions and should see flex worthy targets going forward. Jones will be no more than a WR4 but has WR3 upside due to his big play ability.

Benny Cunningham – Cunningham exploded for 113 yards and a touchdown off of 13 carries after Zac Stacy left the game with a concussion. His week twelve performance should earn him some snaps even when Stacy is healthy giving him some bench appeal in deeper leagues. Of course if Stacy is not cleared for next weeks game Cunningham will boast RB3 value with RB2 upside. Cunningham is available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Justin Hunter – Available in 99 percent of Yahoo! leagues Justin Hunter put himself back on the deep league fantasy radar with his 109 yard, one touchdown performance in week twelve. Hunter has a ton of talent and the Titans are going to need him to complement their other receivers with Britt no longer a part of the teams game plan. Hunter is no more than a WR5 in redraft and should be already owned in all dynasty leagues but he does possess WR3 upside though it is highly doubtful we see it on a consistent basis this season. Obviously Hunter should already be owned in most dynasty leagues but those in shallower or less competitive formats should check their wire to be sure.

Brandon Bolden – Fantasy owners still in the mix should take a look at Brandon Bolden after a week twelve that saw both Stevan Ridley and LaGarette Blount fumble which left Bolden to play thunder to Shane Vereen’s lightning. Vereen is still working his way back to full health leaving at least one other Pats back to carry decent flex value at the very least. Bolden is no higher than fourth on the depth chart here but Ridley and Blount may find themselves in the doghouse in week thirteen. Bolden will be no more than a RB3 option particularly because we do not and will not know how the Pats plan to rotate their three big backs but he possesses solid fantasy upside if he is the lead back of the three. Bolden is available in 94 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Tiquan Underwood – Underwood boosted his deep league value in week twelve with his two touchdown, 108 yard performance. Underwood rescued Mike Glennon’s fantasy day and definitely increased his QB’s confidence in him going forward. Underwood is worth an add in the deeper leagues but chances are he is already owned in the competitive deep leagues. For 12 team standard settings Underwood is no more than a bench stash with desperation WR4 appeal. Underwood is available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Michael Crabtree – Crabtree is expected to be activated and ready to play for week thirteen and he should be added in all leagues especially by those who have already clinched a bye week. Crabtree is a WR1 when healthy and will reinvigorate the 49ers passing attack immediately upon his return. Crabtree is available in 69 percent of yahoo! leagues.