Hot Pickups – Week Thirteen
KnowShown Moreno – KnowShown Moreno got the surprise start against the Chiefs in week 12 and he responded with a rock solid 111 yards from scrimmage, his highest total since 2010. Moreno picked up the start due to the fact that he is better in pass protection than rookie Ronnie Hillman and thus is the back that Peyton Manning trusts the most with Willis McGahee out until the playoffs. Moreno lacks the explosiveness and make a defender miss ability he highlighted in college but is still a sturdy back who benefits from playing with a great quarterback. I liken Moreno to Joseph Addai, solid in pass pro, but will not get more than 60-80 yards rushing in most games but supplements his fantasy line with three to four receptions for 25-50 yards per game. Moreno is a solid RB2 option until he begins to struggle to pick up positive yardage. Moreno is available in 76 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Bryce Brown – Bryce Brown exploded on Monday Night Football with a 178 rushing yard performance in his first career start. Bryce ran for more yards than LeSean McCoy has run for this season and has forced his way into a timeshare when and if LeSean McCoy returns. Brown ran hard between the tackles and is a good complement to McCoy who excels on counters and runs to the outside. Brown is a power back with good speed and is a load to take to the ground at 223 lbs. Unfortunately the seventh round pick put the ball on the ground twice against the Panthers but we expect him to correct that issue in short measure. Brown is available in 59 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Beanie Wells – Laughably available in 52 percent of Yahoo! leagues, every owner needs to put in a claim on a healthy Beanie Wells who found the end zone twice in his return to game action and gets a tasty matchup with the Jets in week 13. LSH only got one carry in the game and is not a major threat to Beanie’s workload.
Colin Kaepernick – Kaepernick is someone you need to add in any league he is available (63 percent of Yahoo! leagues), the last thing you want is for him to be named starter for the rest of the season and than have a hand of knocking you out of the playoffs. Kaepernick has QB1 upside the rest of the way and is a much better fantasy play than Alex Smith. Make the add whether it is to start CK or block a potential playoff opponent.
Ryan Broyles – Somehow available in 77 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite everyone knowing Titus Young was suspended for last weeks game, Broyles may have ascended to the number two role full time with Young in the doghouse, Burleson out for the season and Broyles showing some nice moves of his own. Broyles like Burleson is more of a possession receiver and is probably a better complement to Calvin Johnson. The Lions will not put up with Titus T.O like antics simply because he is not the same level of mega talent, add Broyles wherever available even if it is just to block a competitor.
DeAngelo Williams – Available in 55 percent of Yahoo! leagues Williams should be added with the news that starter Jonathan Stewart has a high ankle sprain. Williams is unspectacular but is still capable of getting what blocked and ripping of long runs to the outside when the opportunity presents itself. Mike Tolbert will get some carries as well but Williams is the player to own with the Daily Show hobbled. Cam Newton will continue to vulture goal line carries liimiting Williams’ value in TD heavy leagues.
Chris Givens – Chris Givens continues to impress yet is still available in 92 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Givens exploded for a career high 115 yards in week 12 and should be added wherever available. Givens is now a must own in dynasty leagues and looks like a solid flex or flex2 the rest of the season depending on your league size. Givens has continued to build his rapport with Sam Bradford and could be a difference maker down the stretch in fantasy leagues.
Shane Vereen – Vereen continues to impress on his limited touches and while he has left much to be desired most games in the rushing department, he has broken off a double digit yardage run in each of his games in which he received at least seven carries. Vereen is still the lesser back in a committee with Stevan Ridley, but has found the end zone in three of his last four contests and could be an option for those in deeper leagues. Vereen is available in 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jonathan Dwyer – Jonathan Dwyer was named the lead back in the RBBC in Pittsburgh and is worth attention as a flex play as long as he holds onto the starting job. Dwyer is available in 62 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be added wherever available even if it is just to block a potential playoff opponent from rostering him….tis the season.
David Wilson – It’s week 13 and David Wilson may finally get a chance to make good on all of the promise and potential fanalysts like myself drooled over this offseason. There probably weren’t many who did not believe Wilson would not be the early down back at this juncture in the season but his own struggles in pass pro and with fumbles as well as the emergence of Andre Brown slowed his ability to get on the field. With Brown now out for the season Wilson will likely function as the backup on early down with Ryan Torain backing up on passing downs. Wilson is available in 85 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be added wherever available.
Mohamed Sanu – Available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Sanu has emerged as the Bengals number two option and is worth a look in deeper league formats. Sanu is a perfect complement to A.J Green and will help form a formidable trio when Andrew Hawkins is healthy.
T.Y Hilton – Hilton has continued to impress as a deep threat for Andrew Luck and is a solid flex2 the rest of the way. Hilton has flex upside and has four touchdowns over his last four despite having a zero catch performance sandwiched in the middle. Hilton is available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues and should be added to block or start as a flex.
