Do you trust the young deep ball threats?
That’s been the common thread in the list of Sit/Start questions that I’ve fielded in the Twitter-verse, email and Facebook. I believe the names Julio Jones, Torrey Smith, James Jones and Demaryius Thomas appear in roughly 80% of the lists that have been presented to me.
Let’s jump straight to the heart of the matter. It’s time for the fantasy football playoffs and you need a rock-solid option to dominate your opponent. Let’s dive into the wide receiver position in this edition of “Lineup Calls.”
Exclude: Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker, Roddy White, Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, A.J. Green, Jordy Nelson, Mike Wallace, Laurent Robinson, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Andre Johnson (will he go?), Percy Harvin. Larry Fitzgerald (don’t fear CLE), Brandon Marshall, Stevie Johnson
Week 15 Heroes
Antonio Brown at SF: Brown continues to be overshadowed by top target Mike Wallace, but fantasy owners have enjoyed a tremendously consistent season from the second-year player out of Central Michigan. He’s recorded at least 67 receiving yards in 10 games this season, including last week’s 151-yard performance against the Browns that included his 79-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
The 49ers will limit the Steelers on the ground, as they’ve done all season, but look to Ben Roethlisberger (I expect him to play) to produce numbers through the air.
Nate Washington at IND: Washington remains a WR2 option this week despite Matt Hasselbeck’s return to the lineup. He caught four passes for 34 yards with a touchdown in the first meeting between these teams.
* I did like his value with Locker more because it’s impossible to ignore the results from their limited time on the field together. Between the Atlanta game and last week’s loss to New Orleans, Locker and Washington have connected for three touchdowns and three completions of 40 yards.
Santana Moss at NYG: Moss has amassed 12 receptions for 152 yards in three games since returning to the lineup, including the end-around reception for a 49-yard touchdown in Week 14 against the Patriots (he finished with three receptions for 81 yards).
This is a difficult spot for fantasy owners to consider this week. Moss has averaged 47 receiving yards in his past five appearances against the Giants and hasn’t scored (six receptions for 76 yards in Week 1). However, New York has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season and Rex Grossman has been playing well. He’s a solid WR2 option this week.
Dwayne Bowe vs. GB: I’m encouraged by the report that Kyle Orton may return under center for the Chiefs. I know he barely made a cameo appearance against the Bears before departing because of his finger injury, but his return is huge news for Bowe.
The Packers have allowed the third-most points to wide receivers, and Charles Woodson’s status for Week 15 is up in the air. As a result, this is Bowe’s best chance for a return to the painted grass in quite some time. Remember, Orton passed for 273 yards with three touchdowns (three interceptions) against the Packers as a member of the Broncos earlier this season.
Demaryius Thomas vs. NE: Thomas has amassed 11 receptions in the past two weeks for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He also what appeared to be a crushing drop of a would-be touchdown down the seams in the second half against Chicago. As we know, Thomas redeemed himself beautifully.
Given his huge target count in the past two weeks, Thomas is an obvious play this week against the Patriots. New England has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
James Jones at KC: Jones steps up in the receiving rotation following the loss of Greg Jennings, but he still represents a sizable risk for fantasy owners. Randall Cobb and Donald Driver are also on the radar as “Ninja” options, and Jones has amassed just seven receptions in the past six weeks. Still, Jennings’ absence creates new opportunities throughout the receiving corps, and Jones has excelled when called upon to assume a larger role.
Doug Baldwin at CHI: Baldwin sustained an ankle injury in Week 14 against the Rams, so we’ll need to monitor his status as the weekend approaches. If cleared, he’s worth a look-see in the third receiver slot against the Bears. Baldwin has logged three or more receptions in five of his past seven games (four games with at least 60 receiving yards).
Week 15 Flop Alerts
Vincent Jackson vs. BAL: Which Vincent Jackson do you get this week against the Ravens? He’s been positively brilliant in five games this season, producing 69% of his receiving yardage and all eight of his touchdown receptions. The Ravens have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. He’s a WR2 option for me this week.
Anquan Boldin at SD: With just two touchdowns in his past eight games, Boldin represents a difficult play on the road in San Diego. He has produced 63 receiving yards or fewer in six of these eight games.
The Chargers have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to wide receiver this season. I feel more confident about playing rookie Torrey Smith (I ranked him just behind Boldin this week).
DeSean Jackson vs. NYJ: Jackson finally rediscovered the painted grass in Week 14 when he hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick. Are you going to trust that he’ll deliver an encore performance in Week 15 against Darrelle Revis? The Jets surrender the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.
Steve Smith at HOU: Smith finally broke out of his mini-funk with a six-reception, 125-yard performance in Week 14 against the Falcons. It was his first 100-yard game since Week 8. I’m not optimistic that he repeats that performance against the top-tier Houston pass defense (183.5 yards and one touchdown per game). The Texans have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.
I have Smith ranked 15th this week.
Week 15 Ninja Alerts
Kevin Walter vs. CAR: Walter broke through with a six-reception, 76-yard performance against the Bengals, including the game-winning touchdown from T.J. Yates. It ended his seven-game scoring drought and was his first game with more than two receptions since Week 8. Andre Johnson is slated to miss another game, thereby keeping Walter in position for another sizable target count.
The Texans will rely heavily on Arian Foster and Ben Tate against the porous Carolina run defense, but T.J. Yates will have his opportunities against the Carolina secondary. Walter’s on the board as a WR3 option this week.
Denarius Moore vs. DET: Moore has been able to get through back-to-back practice after missing three games because of a foot injury. The passing attack has been sputtering in his absence, so this would be a huge boost for Carson Palmer. It’s certainly difficult to trust Moore altogether, but desperate owners may be seeking a home run threat in this playoff round against the middling Detroit pass defense.
Jabar Gaffney at NYG: Gaffney was shut down in Week 13, but rebounded with a strong effort against the struggling New England secondary (six receptions for 92 yards with a touchdown). He’s caught four or more passes in six of his past eight games with three efforts of at least 72 yards in his past four appearances.
Gaffney is worthy of a low-end WR3 consideration this week against the Giants. New York has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Gaffney scored in the Week 1 matchup against the Giants (three receptions for 54 yards).
Nate Burleson at OAK: Burleson has hardly been world-beating, but he’s been a consistent target for Matthew Stafford of late. He’s caught three or more passes in six consecutive games, including three efforts of at least 63 yards (one touchdown).
I’ll put him up on the board as a WR3 play this week against the porous Oakland secondary. The Raiders have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
