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Top Fleaflicker Players Added For Week 15
For the few that are still competing in their leagues fantasy playoffs, congrats. Most leagues are now into the semifinals, and everybody still hanging in needs all the help they can get. What’s a week in fantasy football without lineup destroying injuries? Andre Ellington is officially done for the year, Eddie Lacy is going to be eased into the Packers playoff run, and Rashad Jennings is going to have a reduced workload. If you have any of those 3, or just don’t have enough confidence in your running game as it is, you need to be looking at their handcuffs. Along with a defense who has a great matchup, this of top waiver wire pickups on Fleaflicker is rounded out by a quarterback you might’ve heard of now getting his shot this season.
Baltimore Ravens (DEF, BAL)
You might wonder why a defense is the #1 most added option on Fleaflicker. Jacksonville. When a team is playing the Jaguars, you have to expect plenty of production from the defensive side. Baltimore has not been the best fantasy defense, but has hit at least 10 points in 3 of their last 4 games. However, it’s all about the matchup. Jacksonville has given up the most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, with only 2 games not getting into the double digits.
If you do own the Ravens D, I wouldn’t be too trusting of them after this game. Houston and Cleveland end the schedule for them, and I’m sure there will be better matchups available. Heading into this week, there isn’t a better matchup for you.
James Starks (RB, GB)
Eddie Lacy is probable to play against Buffalo with his hip injury. Even if he was 100% and getting his usual workload this week, I still wouldn’t love his matchup against Buffalo. With Green Bay more than likely on their way to the postseason Lacy will be splitting his snaps with James Starks. Last week, Starks took over for Lacy towards the end of the game, where he got the majority of his 12 touches. He ended up with 101 total yards including a 3 yard score. It was easily his best game of the season, and the first time he had more than 10 rushes since Week 5.
Overall, I would say to avoid Starks, despite being owned in only 20% of Fleaflicker leagues. Buffalo is a Top 5 defense against the run, and with no real sign as to who will lead the backfield in this one, it is best to look elsewhere.
Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR)
Stewart had his best game of the season last week, getting 20 carries against the Saints for 155 yards and a TD worth 21.50 standard fantasy points. Stewart is going into a nice matchup against an underachieving Buccaneers run defense who has given up an average of 28.8 fantasy points vs. opposing RBs. Stewart should be an easy add for most guys as Deangelo Williams is going to miss his second straight game, so the backfield should be all Stewart’s. Stewart is available in only 32% of Fleaflicker leagues (43% in Yahoo) and should be gobbled up right away.
Ending the season against Cleveland and Atlanta, a lot of Stewart’s production is going to be determined on if, and how much Williams plays. Stewart wasn’t guaranteed to start until Williams was officially ruled out, so I don’t know how quick Ron Rivera will be to stick with Stewart once both are healthy.
Andre Williams (RB, NYG)
I have no clue what to think with Andre Williams. I happened to like him after being a Heisman Finalist at Boston College. When Rashad Jennings went down earlier this year during Weeks 5-9, Williams only averaged 41 yards per game, but did score twice. He had his best game last week, going for 131 yards and a TD on 24 carries for 20. 70 fantasy points, all season highs. Jennings is likely getting a reduced workload, which should be good for Williams playing vs. Washington, whose lone bright spot this season has been their Run D that has given up only 3.6 yards per carry. The last game against Washington, Williams did go 15/66/1, and that was with Jennings playing.
Confused as what to do? I am too. When you’re in the playoffs, you can’t take a risk like playing Williams. He can really only be a FLEX option in deep leagues. Besides, you have to be a good team to have made it this far, you have to have some pretty good depth on your roster.
Johnny Manziel (QB, CLE)
Johnny Football. I really hope that no team still in the playoffs is even considering playing Manziel this week. He is simply being put into the starter role in Cleveland because of how bad Brian Hoyer has been playing the last few weeks. It also can’t hurt ticket sales since the Browns are playing this game against the state rival Bengals at home. He is a Top 15 option, and I am playing him in a league where I have Newton and Eli, but I'm in the consolation playoff bracket. That is purely for kicks. For those who are in need for a QB, maybe due to Newton’s injury, Eli, Mark Sanchez and Ryan Fitzpatrick are all more viable options than Johnny. I would only be adding him in deep keeper leagues.
I have developed a general rule from this column: a case can be made to add any and all of the players on this list, but the decision to add them depends entirely on your team's needs. Hit me up @JustBerglund with any questions you have for me about these guys or anything related to fantasy football. Good luck in Week 15, RotoBallers!
