If you're entering Week 13 desperate for a streaming RB, WR, TE, or DST, you could do a helluva lot worse than the following 10 players. Three of these guys should be very familiar (I recommended them last week). All of them are severely undervalued by ESPN's ranking system. Many of them should be available on waivers in your league(s).
Forgive the Lions for looking awful the past two weeks; they simply failed to score a touchdown vs. the NFL's two top teams. Facing a much weaker D on Thursday, Theo Riddick is a threat for 3-5 carries and 4-6 catches, making him an 8+ point RB2/3.
And assuming Reggie Bush is, in fact, healthy, deep-leaguers with no serious RB options could do worse than starting the veteran and hoping he shows a glimpse of his former self. I'm betting on a minimum of 5 points--an RB4/flex with RB3 upside.
Jarvis Landry is leading the Dolphins in targets (32) over the past four games. That he's ranked 36th vs. a beatable Jets secondary is moderately insane. 10+ points and RB2+ status.
John Brown's ranking takes a nosedive because--little surprise--Arizona couldn't get much going Sunday against Seattle. But he's a great bet for 8+ points (at least a low-end RB2).
If Kenny Stills had scored Monday night, he'd probably be ranked in the top 30. But despite racking up 98 yards on 8 receptions, ESPN doesn't think Stills belongs in most starting lineups. I view him as a solid RB2, totaling 8-12 points.
Kenny Britt is not reliable. This, we know. But if you're torn between James Jones and Allen Hurns, how about giving Britt a try? I was wrong about him last week. That must mean I'll be right about him this week (it really doesn't mean that, but go with me on this one). 7+ points: RB2 with massive (top 5 WR) RB1 upside.
I read today that the Saints have allowed the fewest points to TEs in the entire league. Given who else Pittsburgh will throw at New Orleans, I'd be shocked if Heath Miller doesn't find some open looks. If you're desperate, Miller should get at least 6 points, which likely would place him among the top 10 TE performers.
After back-to-back big-time games, Coby Fleener produced a dud on Sunday. If Dwayne Allen sits again, Fleener should get back on track to the tune of 7+ points and solid TE1 production.
Let's not jump on the Raiders bandwagon yet. Sure, they won a home game. Can they go on the road and look decent against a relatively solid Rams D? No. I'm expecting a top 6 performance for St. Louis, collecting 10+ points.
Finally, the Jets D's poor ranking is one of those "makes sense on paper" calls that in actuality is quite shortsighted. The Dolphins are due for a regression after going toe-to-toe with Denver. I'm anticipating the Jets rising to the occasions vs. their biggest (historically) intra-divisional rival, holding Lamar Miller in check and producing an interception return for a touchdown. They might lose the game, but that won't stop them from picking up 11+ points, making you look like a genius for benching the Vikings.
- Theo Riddick (39th ranked WR) and Reggie Bush (unranked RB)
Forgive the Lions for looking awful the past two weeks; they simply failed to score a touchdown vs. the NFL's two top teams. Facing a much weaker D on Thursday, Theo Riddick is a threat for 3-5 carries and 4-6 catches, making him an 8+ point RB2/3.
And assuming Reggie Bush is, in fact, healthy, deep-leaguers with no serious RB options could do worse than starting the veteran and hoping he shows a glimpse of his former self. I'm betting on a minimum of 5 points--an RB4/flex with RB3 upside.
- Jarvis Landry (36th ranked WR), John Brown, (44th ranked WR), Kenny Stills (45th ranked WR), and Kenny Britt (47th ranked WR)
Jarvis Landry is leading the Dolphins in targets (32) over the past four games. That he's ranked 36th vs. a beatable Jets secondary is moderately insane. 10+ points and RB2+ status.
John Brown's ranking takes a nosedive because--little surprise--Arizona couldn't get much going Sunday against Seattle. But he's a great bet for 8+ points (at least a low-end RB2).
If Kenny Stills had scored Monday night, he'd probably be ranked in the top 30. But despite racking up 98 yards on 8 receptions, ESPN doesn't think Stills belongs in most starting lineups. I view him as a solid RB2, totaling 8-12 points.
Kenny Britt is not reliable. This, we know. But if you're torn between James Jones and Allen Hurns, how about giving Britt a try? I was wrong about him last week. That must mean I'll be right about him this week (it really doesn't mean that, but go with me on this one). 7+ points: RB2 with massive (top 5 WR) RB1 upside.
- Heath Miller (15th ranked TE) and Coby Fleener (17th ranked TE)
I read today that the Saints have allowed the fewest points to TEs in the entire league. Given who else Pittsburgh will throw at New Orleans, I'd be shocked if Heath Miller doesn't find some open looks. If you're desperate, Miller should get at least 6 points, which likely would place him among the top 10 TE performers.
After back-to-back big-time games, Coby Fleener produced a dud on Sunday. If Dwayne Allen sits again, Fleener should get back on track to the tune of 7+ points and solid TE1 production.
- Rams (12th ranked DST) and Jets (28th ranked DST)
Let's not jump on the Raiders bandwagon yet. Sure, they won a home game. Can they go on the road and look decent against a relatively solid Rams D? No. I'm expecting a top 6 performance for St. Louis, collecting 10+ points.
Finally, the Jets D's poor ranking is one of those "makes sense on paper" calls that in actuality is quite shortsighted. The Dolphins are due for a regression after going toe-to-toe with Denver. I'm anticipating the Jets rising to the occasions vs. their biggest (historically) intra-divisional rival, holding Lamar Miller in check and producing an interception return for a touchdown. They might lose the game, but that won't stop them from picking up 11+ points, making you look like a genius for benching the Vikings.