Week 14: Player Upgrades
This Week 14 edition of Player Upgrades takes a look at seven players whose fantasy stock is on the rise and should be targeted by fantasy owners either off the wavier wire or in a trade (if that is still an option). Fantasy owners should be sure to check out all of the excellent strategy articles and customizable rankings here on FFToolbox.com (yes, I am a company man) as well as download the FFToolbox.com Weekly Podcast, available on Itunes.
RB Shonn Greene, ---
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Is there a more frustrating player in all of fantasy football? Shonn Greene has tremendous talent -- lets clear that up--, but he has struggled with injuries and inconsistency this season, in what was supposed to be the year he took over the full-time gig with the Jets and ran away with it. Up until this past weekend (when Greene ran for 88 yards and a career-high three touchdowns on a season-high 22 carries against the Washington Redskins porous defense), he had been a colossal bust this season.
Now that Greene's stock is on the rise after a monster performance, it is worth noting that he has a few favorable match-ups on paper down the stretch and that if you own Greene, it may be a smart idea to insert him into your lineup for the remainder of the year against Kansas City (25th against the run this season), Philadelphia (17th), the New York Giants (23rd), and Miami Dolphins (5th).
RB Roy Helu, ---
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It's a Mike Shanahan backfield, true, but for the moment there is only one option for the Washington Redskins, Roy Helu, the rookie out of Nebraska. Helu was the only Redskin to record a carry this past weekend and was extremely productive for the second straight game, rushing for exactly 100 yards and a score on 23 carries against the New York Jets, nearly identical numbers to the week before (23 carries, 108 yards and a touchdown) against the Seattle Seahawks.
At this point, it literally appears that Helu is the only running back in Washington. While he is owned in nearly all leagues at this point, he deserves to be started as well -- based on the simple fact that he is the only option for the Redskins and will receive at least 15-20 carries every single week for the remainder of the season (which should translate into solid fantasy production).
RB Marshawn Lynch, ---
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Coming into this season, fantasy owners had legitimate questions about whether or not Marshawn Lynch was going to be productive over the course of a full season in a Tarvaris Jackson-led Seattle offense. Yes, Lynch had that run in the playoffs, but one carry does not define a career. This season, Lynch has proven that he is one of the few elite running backs in fantasy football and has seen his fantasy stock rise more than almost any other player in the league.
This commentary on Lynch is more for those in keeper or dynasty leagues, but it serves as a memo to the rest of the fantasy world about just how good Lynch has played this season. Lynch has scored a touchdown in eight straight games (eight rushing and one receiving) and has eclipsed 100-yards rushing in four of Seattle's last five games. With match-ups against the St. Louis Rams (31st against the run this season), Chicago (8th), San Francisco (1st) and Arizona (19th) to close out the year, Lynch will certainly help lead a lot of fantasy owners to titles and will see his stock rise even more heading into next year.
RB Dexter McCluster, ---
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On another team, McCluster would be an intriguing role player as a slot receiver, but in Kansas City (due to all of the injuries) he has been forced into a new role in the offense in the backfield. He has quietly emerged as an extremely productive fantasy option due to his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.
This past weekend, McCluster carried the ball nine times for 61 yards, while also adding four catches for 46 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season. McCluster has racked up the receptions in recent weeks -- 19 receptions in the last seven games -- making him a target in point per reception formats going forward. Fantasy owners in keeper/dynasty formats should look at McCluster as well.
WR Percy Harvin, ---
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There may not be a more intriguing situation in football right now than the Percy Harvin situation in Minnesota. Despite battling a rib injury and an illness late last week, Harvin hauled in eight passes for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Harvin also had five carries for 19 yards. Interestingly enough, Harvin has recorded a carry in every game this season, but has had at least five carries in each of the last three games that the Vikings have played without superstar running back Adrian Peterson.
While his role in the backfield has expanded, it is Harvin's production as a wide receiver that has spiked in recent weeks and has caused his fantasy stock to rise exponentially. Harvin has recorded at least six receptions and scored four touchdowns in the last four games for Minnesota. Harvin is owned in all leagues, but he should be in the starting lineup for all fantasy owners for the remainder of the season and is a prime target for fantasy owners in keeper/dynasty formats.
WR Andre Roberts, ---
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There is an old adage in sports and it applies to fantasy sports as well: always do everything you can to give your team the best possible chance to win. That statement applies now more than ever as we near the fantasy playoffs and that is the reason why fantasy owners should pick up Andre Roberts.
Roberts is a real under the radar pickup; but after a solid six catches for 111 yards this past weekend, he won't be available for too long. Roberts will always be the second option in the Arizona passing game opposite superstar wideout Larry Fitzgerald, but there should be enough leftover scraps to satisfy fantasy owners down the stretch. Roberts heated up right around this time last year during the fantasy playoffs, catching five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against Dallas. If you have room on your bench, Roberts is a solid addition; even if you don't, put him in your starting lineup.
WR Demaryius Thomas, ---
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Demaryius Thomas set season-highs across the board this past weekend with a true breakout game (four receptions, 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns) against the Minnesota Vikings. Not only has Tim Tebow sparked the "Tebowing" phenomenon, but he's also managed to win games and put up solid fantasy numbers as well. Up until last weekend, really the only player worth trusting in the passing games was Eric Decker, who has been hit or miss with Tebow under center also.
Now it appears that Thomas is ready to step up into the spotlight after a big game in which he was targeted seven times by Tebow. It is impossible to predict what will happen with Thomas, but he does posses an elite skill set and huge upside, which makes him worthy of a pickup in all leagues at this point.