We made it, everyone. In many leagues (but not yet all), the fantasy football playoffs are upon us. Also, we are finally finished with the byes and good riddance to those.
Unfortunately, things do not actually become easier in mid-December, because we happen to have entered the cant-lose portion of the schedule. From this point forward, the opponents just get tougher each week.
Lets review the top potential pickups who remain available in at least 50% of Yahoo fantasy football leagues, for those in need of a roster boost. Add these guys either to fill glaring holes in your own lineups, or to keep them away from rivals. Its winning time, people.
Recommended FAB offer (assuming $100 budget): $7
Winstons extreme pass volume and recklessly aggressive nature makes him a viable fantasy starter pretty much every week, almost without regard to the opponent. He was in a tough spot at Pittsburgh on Sunday and managed to deliver 212 passing yards, two scores and two picks. His upcoming matchup with Kansas City carries a high degree of difficulty, but were scooping him up with an eye toward Week 16, when the Winston fantasy carnival rolls into Cincinnati. Thats a game with almost unlimited fantasy potential.
At this point in the season, you shouldnt need us to tell you that the Bengals defense has displayed a few vulnerabilities. Cincy has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season, with eight multi-touchdown games included. They are just one week removed from giving up a 414-yard, 3-TD performance to Russell Wilson. It shouldnt surprise anyone if Winston delivers a top-five positional finish in the fantasy semi-finals. Add him this week, ahead of the rush.
FAB: $21
Bigsby reestablished himself as Jacksonvilles preferred early-down rushing option in Sundays win, gaining 62 tough yards on a team-high 19 touches, scoring the only touchdown in a dreadful game.
He entered the week averaging 5.4 YPC and ranked at the top of the league in yards after contact per attempt (4.10), so its not as if he and Travis Etienne Jr. have offered similar per-touch effectiveness. Bigsby requires neutral or positive game-script to hold his value, which of course is never guaranteed with the Mac Jones-led Jaguars. But this teams remaining matchups arent too intimidating (NYJ, at LV, Ten). In all likelihood, Bigsby has two or three additional high-usage games ahead of him.
FAB: $21
After solid performances in back-to-back weeks, McCormick served as the unrivaled lead runner for the Raiders on Sunday at Tampa, carrying 15 times for 78 yards, adding two receptions on three targets. McCormicks afternoon was certainly not without highlights:
Head coach Antonio Pierce promised wed see plenty of McCormick this week and he did not let us down. McCormick has now delivered 187 total yards on 36 touches over his last three games. He looks like hes ready to deliver the same sort of useful multi-week surge that Zamir White produced in the closing month last season.
McCormick was a two-time Conference USA offensive player of the year at the collegiate level and he rushed for nearly 4,000 yards over three seasons at UTSA, so its not as if he arrived in the league without a compelling resume. Even when Alexander Mattison and White return from injury, McCormick is clearly ticketed for a substantial workload. He was on the field for 61% of the offensive snaps on Sunday.
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FAB: $12
Another week, another end-zone visit for the South Dakota State rookie. Sundays score was a 17-yarder on which Davis threaded his way through heavy traffic:
Davis and Braelon Allen split the backfield snaps evenly against Miami according to PFF (36 to 37) and the touches were close as well (13 to 15). Allen is long gone in competitive leagues he was 59% rostered at kickoff but Davis remains widely unattached. For however long Breece Hall (knee) is out of action, the Jets will roll with a two-rookie committee. New York is headed to Jacksonville this week, so the matchup shouldnt scare anyone away.
FAB: $6
We probably should not be at all surprised that Isaac Guerendo exited due to injury in Sundays home win, because weve already been through this exercise with various other Niners backs. Guerendo joins Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell in a not-terribly-exclusive club.
Taylor is next up in a long line of next-men-up for San Francisco. He scored a late TD against Chicago in a non-competitive game, finishing with seven carries for 25 yards.
Guerendo downplayed the severity of his foot issue in postgame comments, so this situation might not be too dire. This via the Mercury News:
Sitting at his locker following the game, Guerendo was putting on his socks and shoes without pain and there was no protective boot in sight.
Just precautionary, Guerendo said. I feel great.
Heres hoping this is a relatively minor tweak. Hes facing a quick turnaround ahead of Thursday nights matchup with the Rams, so Taylor clearly deserves a just-in-case waiver claim. New addition Israel Ibanikanda could get interesting down the road, but hes not the immediate priority.
FAB: $12
Johnston made his long-awaited return to the end-zone on Sunday night at Kansas City, finishing with five catches for 48 yards on seven chances. Notably, he made a few tough, gotta-have-it plays against the Chiefs:
All things considered, it was a promising and reassuring performance from Johnston, on a night his services were desperately needed. He hasnt made a habit of playing to his size to this point in his NFL career, but he certainly did in Week 14.
Johnston is very much on the radar ahead of a critical home matchup with Tampa Bay. The Bucs defense has allowed the third-most passing yards per game this season (253.4) along with 21 passing scores.
FAB: $8
McMillan was an extremely high-buzz player in camp for the Bucs, but he was of course buried in the teams receiving hierarchy early in the season, then later battled injury. The rookie third-rounder finally delivered his breakout week against the Raiders, catching four passes for 59 yards and two scores on seven targets. His touchdowns on Sunday bookended the scoring for Tampa Bay, and he made em both look easy.
If youre among the few true believers whos had him stashed all season, this is your week to victory lap. Congrats. McMillan led the Bucs in targets on Sunday and tied for the team lead in routes run, so this is not a situation in which a lightly used player happened to find the end-zone. Hes suddenly looking like a key weapon in a frisky offense.
FAB: $6
Henry has been unusually touchdown-challenged this season, but you cant argue with the recent volume. Hes seen eight or more targets in five of his last seven games. Entering the week, he ranked fourth among all tight ends in both receptions (58) and targets (83). He was also tied for third at his position in red-zone opportunities (15), so the fact that hes stuck at one TD on the year reflects a bit of bad luck. Henry delivered seven catches for 75 yards against Indy ahead of his bye and hes capable of similar production in any given week.
FAB: $2
This is a perfectly respectable defense coming off its bye and headed into a matchup with the Saints, a team without good answers at QB behind the injured Derek Carr (fractured hand). Washington is the very clear waiver priority at D/ST for Week 15. This team is going to be a significant road favorite against an overmatched quarterback. Start this squad wherever you can.