Kenny Britt – watching Britt play this past weekend was like the first time I ever ate cookie dough; I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first but before I knew it I was two Pillsbury tubes deep with a face full of salmonella. Now I don’t want to eat Kenny Britt, but I do want him on my roster and you should too. The former Rutgers playmaker is a must add if he is still on the waiver wire. Though he has not been in the mix for very long, I put him at WR 3/flex value easily and there is no one hotter than Vince Young and the Titans. Britt led Titan receivers with 11 targets against the Cardinals and had a monstrous seven catch 128 yard day. Oh yeah and he caught the game winning touchdown in traffic on the last play of the game…clutch. It was Britt’s second straight week with a touchdown and even if Gage comes back I would expect to see Britt remain a starter as Nate Washington doesn’t really tickle my no-no zone. Also, Britt is a great keeper stash for those of you in keeper leagues. Last week I said that I might put a waiver claim on him and now I’m crying on my heart shaped pillow because I let him get away.
Derrick Mason – I certainly don’t expect Mason to be available in your league but if you own him you have to start him. He has almost singlehandedly accounted for all of the Ravens WR targets over the past three weeks, amassing 33 total targets which is good for 7th in the NFL. Defenses are having a hard time keeping a lid on this Mason jar, as he made good on seven of his 13 targets on Monday night, accumulating 62 receiving yards and hauling in a touchdown. Monday night was just an extension of his magnanimous game in week 11, during which he caught nine passes for 142 yards against Indy.
Jason Avant – with the injury to Desean Jackon (concussion) Avant is one of the top waiver pick ups this week. Avant, who has been putting up decent numbers over the past three weeks, had a huge game on Sunday against the Redskins, catching five of his six targets for 94 yards. Even before Jackson’s injury, Avant has earned some fantasy consideration as he caught a touchdown last week and had a breakout game week 10, during which he caught eight passes for 156 yards. Avant’s six targets were second to Maclin’s seven and if you are an owner who needs a win this week I would definitely put a claim on Avant as Philly is sure to pass against the weak Atlanta defense.
Michael Jenkins – Jenkins is a guy I actually drafted in round 14, expecting him to be a nice, productive compliment to Roddy White. However, for the better part of the season he has been a disappointment, yet lately he has been seeing an increase in targets and production. Jenkins was second to White on Sunday with eight targets and he managed to grab seven catches for 80 yards. Fortunately for prospective owners Jenkins was also productive in week 11 as he snagged six balls for 76 yards, and over the past three weeks, Jenkins is in the top 20 off all receivers in the NFL with 27 total targets. Though I think Avant is a safer pickup, Jenkins may be a guy you can pick up off of free agency who can help you get a solid 8-15 points this week against the Eagles. The way Redman played last week, I wouldn’t be dissuaded to play White or Jenkins. White, by the way, is tied for 2nd overall in total targets over the past three weeks with 37, though he has not been very dominant statistically.
Laverneus Coles – Coles is a guy who has begun to emerge as the Bengals’ #1 target getter as he has had 21 over the last three games, four ahead of Ochocinco. Though I am high on Coles and I think the Bengals will be more productive with Benson back in the line up this week, Coles hasn’t done very much with his increased targets. On Sunday he managed only two receptions on nine targets for a measly 24 yards. Week 11 he didn’t fair much better as he only managed to grab two passes for 61 yards. However, Coles has shown some promise and he obviously has chemistry with Palmer which is enough to warrant a flex play against the Lions this weekend.
Jacoby Jones – I am still high on Jones even though he has been limited with a calf injury and is not very appealing in terms of a target standpoint (4 for 3rd on the team last week). However, Jones appears healthy and with Owen Daniels out the Texans have run an increased number of three and four receiver sets which certainly works in Jones’ favor. With Johnson getting doubled with a safety over the top and Walter acting as the poor man’s Welker, Jones is primed for a big play and a breakout game. Though Jones is far from a “safe” pick, those of you looking to build some depth for the playoffs may want to take a chance on him as he is now healthy and he can put up some big numbers. Last week Jones had three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown and you’ve got to like the matchup against the Jaguars this weekend.
Chris Chambers – though I have lauded Long’s consistency in the past, Chambers has seen somewhat of a rebirth after signing with the Chefs and deserves some recognition as he may be able to help you out in the future. Chambers is coming off of his second big game in a row as he was targeted eight times including two in the red zone. Chambers managed to make good on seven of those targets for 70 yards and a touchdown last Sunday and he had four catches for 119 yards in week 11. Though it is tough to invest in the KC offense, Chambers has received the majority of red zone targets and Cassel is nothing if not serviceable. KC sees a tough matchup against Denver this week but you bet your sweet @#$ they are going to throw that ball and Chambers could put up big numbers yet again.
Sam Aiken – I wouldn’t rush out to the mediocre 3rd rate store to buy him unless you are“Aiken” for a risky sleeper. Ha! Anyway, Aiken deserves a shout out for getting 10 targets against the Saints on Monday night during which he caught seven passes for 90 yards. Aiken has some value with Edelman dinged up in that you know the Pats are going to pass the ball and the third receiver on the Pats is often like a first or second receiver on a weaker team (see Massaquoi). I certainly wouldn’t expect a whole lot of consistency from Aiken but maybe you can find a flex spot for him if you are in a 25 team league.
