(Editor’s note: Make sure you join our week 16 contest. If you don’t, people will laugh at you!)
Josh Morgan: The captain in you should take a shot of Morgan as the new aerial assault in San Fran has been turning coal into diamonds; if you’re a cagey owner, you just might find some in your stocking. Jimmy Raye’s system has clearly benefited Morgan who has seen a jump in targets and production. Last week he was targeted eight times (one behind Crabtree) catching seven balls for 61 yards and a touchdown. Though his numbers in week 14 dipped slightly, he had six receptions in both week 12 and 13. Though I wouldn’t bet the farm on Morgan, if you are an owner looking for a safe flex play without a tremendously high ceiling, I would take Morgan against the Lions. Over his last four games he has been hovering around 5-6 receptions for 50-70 yards and his chances of scoring are relatively high this weekend.
Dwayne Bowe: Hey kids, Bowe knows drugs…and football. Fresh off a four game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy (banned diuretic), Bowe had a strong showing with four catches for 56 yards on ten targets. As much as I hate Dwayne Bowe (and I really hate Dwayne Bowe) you should grab him this weekend if he is somehow still on waivers. He has a nice matchup against the Bengals who were absolutely torched by Vincent Jackson last week. Who knows, perhaps his work ethic has improved as it is much harder to throw up after meals than it is to take a weight loss drug.
Mike Wallace: Many will be shopping at Wally world this holiday season but buyers beware; Wallace has only caught two passes in each of his last four games for a total of 156 yards. His only two touchdowns over the last four weeks came this past weekend off his two receptions for 79 yards. Yes, the win against the Packers may be the spark that Pittsburgh needs and yes, they do favor the pass which challenges everything I’ve ever known about Pittsburgh football, but to me he is a very risky play against Baltimore in one of the most important fantasy weeks of the year. He is still a distant third on the team in targets, commanding only 11 over the past three weeks (Ward has 28 and Holmes has 31 over that same span), so before you jump on the Wallace wagon, proceed with caution.
Justin Gage: If success is “gauged” on touchdowns in your league, than Gage is “Justin’” time to bring you a fantasy championship. Gage is truly a playmaker and he hasn’t had much time to reap the benefits of the newly polished Tennessee offense. Starting in the 3rd receiver spot on Sunday after coming off a back injury, Gage was targeted three times (2nd behind Washington who had 5), catching two passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Now that’s efficiency. Expect Gage to see an increased role moving forward and he has a pretty good matchup against San Diego this weekend.
David Anderson: The Texans’ third receiver may actually have some safe play value in deep leagues. Anderson’s role has certainly increased as a result of Daniels’ injury and he has been fairly consistent over the second half of the season. Over the last three weeks Anderson has accumulated 15 targets. Last week Anderson caught five passes for 34 yards and he has caught at least four passes in each of the last three games. Don’t get me wrong, I think you have to be really desperate to use him, but if the other options are picked over he can at least give you some stability in deeper PPR leagues.
Devin Aromashadu: The man who caught eight passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in week 14 was much less impressive this past weekend, catching only two passes for ten yards. The good news is that he was targeted ten times though three of those targets were intercepted. The hapless Jay Cutler likes Aromashadu, but lately he’s been as responsible with the football as Tiger Woods has been with his marriage. At this point I can’t say that I recommend Aromashadu, but he could be a risk reward play for you daring owners against a Minnesota pass defense that was ripped up by Matt Moore. P.S. check Hester’s injury status before investing.
Greg Camarillo: The Dolphins’ possession receiver has looked good lately and though I still think that Bess is the man, Camarillo’s consistency could come in handy, especially in PPR leagues. This past weekend he led Dolphin receivers with ten targets, catching five passes for 46 yards. Over the last three weeks, Camarillo is only one behind Bess in total targets with 27 and he had a monster game against Jacksonville in week 14, catching seven passes for 110 yards. Camarillo’s lack of touchdown production will keep his ceiling low, but he may be able to provide a solid 8-12 points or more against Houston this weekend.
Target Trends
1. Player with the most targets last week
-Steve Smith (Car) (15)
2. Players with fewer targets last week than Deion Branch (10)
-Santonio Holmes, Marques Colston, Mike Sims-Walker, Brandon Marshall, Randy Moss, Donald Driver, Larry Fitzgerald
3. Brandon Marshall has the most targets over the last three weeks (48)
4. Michael Crabtree has the 6th most targets over the last three weeks (32)
5. New Orleans Saints’ receiver target leaders over the last three weeks
-Meachem (24), Colston (22)
6. Players with equal to or fewer targets than Malcom Floyd over the last three weeks
-Randy Moss, Desean Jackson, T.O., Donald Driver, Reggie Wayne
