When it gets this late in the season, it is very hard to trust picking someone up and sticking them in your lineup, but this is the time that you must go with your gut. You also have to look at future matchups fore week 16th and week 17th for some league because the season isn’t over. People still get injured, sometimes not even in the game, and sometimes you just have to take advantage of a last minute player inserted into the starting lineup. So with that being said, let’s get right to the NFL Week 15 Pickups.
QBs
Johnny Manziel – As I just said, pickups at this time of year are rarely plug and play types. Manziel will have his 1st career start this week against a tough Bengals defense. I don’t recommend playing him, but he would be an interesting start in week 16 against Carolina if he handles himself well this week.
Derek Anderson – Cam Newton was involved in a car accident on Wednesday afternoon. He sustained 2 minor fractures in his back and stayed overnight in the hospital. He will likely not play this week and could miss the year depending on how he recovers. Newton is known for not being a person who takes injections or pain killers, which is what Tony Romo did when he had a similar injury earlier this year.
RBs
Kerwynn Williams – Even though Stepfan Taylor will start on Thursday night, I expect Williams to get a bulk of the action. Last week, Williams came off the bench to carry the load to a tune of 100 yards on 19 carries. It was arguably the best performance by any RB on the Cardinals roster this year.
James Starks – This is a precautionary pickup. Eddie Lacy injured his hip late in the game against Atlanta on Monday night. He is supposed to play, but you never know with hip injuries and even if he starts, it could go out right away. Starks already earns about 1/3rd of the workload, that usage number may increase this week against Buffalo.
WRs
Marquess Wilson – Brandon Marshall is done for the year with back and lung injuries. This opens the door for the talented Wilson. At 6’4, Wilson has the size to be a good red zone target, yet he has the speed to blow by bigger defenders. He has loads of talent and was only taken in the 7th round because he left his school his last year. He could be a steal.
Harry Douglas – The new injury spreading around the league seems to be hip injuries. Julio Jones also sustained one late in the Monday Night game, but his appears to be a little bit more serious. There is a still a chance he plays, but if not, Harry Douglas makes for a good plug and play off the Steelers.
Charles Johnson – I’ve been talking about Johnson for a while and I am shocked to see that his ownage percentage is still only at 26%. He has solidified his spot at the top of the Vikings pecking order and he continues to produce, no matter the matchup. He had turned out to be a good every week flex play.
TEs
None – There are no TEs out there that should be available that should have a predictable impact to your fantasy game this week.
DEFs
Baltimore Ravens Defense – I know I usually recommend the team that is facing the Jaguars, but this one could get ugly. The Raven’s defense has been great recently, no matter who they face, and now that they face the hapless Jags offense, having their defense may get you into the finals by themselves.
Kansas City Chiefs Defense – Everyone saw Oakland go off on the 49ers defense last week, so it may sway you from picking up the Chiefs, but you got to remember two things, the Raiders were at home and the Niners haven’t really blown own anyone lately.
Tennessee Titans Defense – This may also be another hard pill to swallow, but the Titans defense actually scored well last week despite getting blown out. The Jets can make any defense look good, and if you keep them the next week, they play the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their schedule is a defensive team’s fantasy jackpot.
Those are your NFL week 15 pickups. Good luck in your fantasy playoffs and enjoy the games.
