Best of the Rest: Jordan Reed leads all
tight ends (not named Gronkowski) in fantasy points per game.
Grab a Helmet
Kamar
Aiken vs PIT: His quarterback situation is a nightmare,
but he’s literally the only option in the passing game, and the
Steelers provide little resistance to opponents in the air. Aiken
has been a strong PPR option since the injury to Steve Smith, averaging
over 6 catches per game. He’s basically been a low ceiling, decent
floor WR3 for a few weeks, with a career high 8-128-1 line last
week against Kansas City. The Ravens have the potential to be down
big in the game, giving Aiken plenty of volume. Sometimes volume
is the best you can hope for. Fire Aiken up as a WR3 with upside
during championship week.
Jordan
Reed @ PHI (SAT): The Eagles have been steadfast against
tight ends this year, but Reed is simply ballin’. He’s got 7, 8,
and 9-catch games over his last four games, while finding the endzone
three times. The tight end position has been a frustrating batch
of injuries late in the year, and Reed has risen as a top 5 option
most weeks. He’s an impact player on all parts of the field, and
has plays dialed up for him in the red zone, making him a decent
bet to score each week. There is only a few tight ends not named
Gronk or Olsen that give you a weekly match-up advantage, but Reed
might be one of them as the fantasy season sprints to the end.
Allen
Robinson/Allen
Hurns @ NO: The Brothers Allen have been fantasy forces
the entire season. Lost playing in a small market for a poor team,
the teammates have combined for a whopping 21 touchdowns. Robinson
has been particularly unstoppable, clocking in as the No.5 overall
wide receiver, despite having 30 less receptions than the players
around him. They’ve been one of the best fantasy duos all year,
and that won’t change against a deflated Saints defense. 100 yards
and a score is safe bet for one, if not both of these guys. Robinson
is your elite WR1, and Hurns gives you a high upside WR2 option
for championship week.
Grab Some Pine
A.J.
Green @ DEN: After a late week back injury, Green only
logged one catch for 37 yards before leaving with what was possibly
an aggravation. Cincinnati has very little wiggle room for playoff
seeding, has suffered injuries to their quarterback and difference
making tight end, and faces a Denver defense that was embarrassed
by Antonio Brown and the Pittsburgh passing game. This is a very
tough spot for Green, and although he is “on track” to play, the
Bengals could exercise some extreme caution with their banged
up star. You have to start him if he plays, but be prepared for
a major disappointment.
Calvin
Johnson vs. SF: Sticking with the bang-up star wide
receiver theme, Calvin Johnson enters Week 16 coming off a two
game stretch that has seen him total 2 catches for 35 yards. Clearly
banged up, and simply serving the all too frequent “decoy” role,
Megatron is a shell of his former dominant self. Lower leg injuries
seem too common at this point of his career, and he lacks the
speed and separation ability that made him one of the best in
the game. He barely practices anymore so following reports during
the week won’t help. The 49ers have a very middle of the road
pass defense, but until CJ sees more than a few cursory looks
in the passing game, it’s very tough to trust him as anything
more than a low floor WR3 right now.
Vernon
Davis v. CIN: The fantasy world was all a ’flutter
when Davis was traded to the Broncos back in early November. Many
owners figured Davis had a great shot to return to the fantasy
relevance he enjoyed just a few seasons ago as Peyton Manning
would have a reliable and deadly weapon down the seam. Well, those
plans simply haven’t materialized, as Davis has sprinkled
in a 6-catch and 7-catch game amongst a few 1 and 2 catch disappearing
acts. Manning went down, and Brock Osweiler has peppered his outside
receivers with targets the past few weeks. Davis will probably
never be more than an afterthought in the weekly game plan, so
relying on him now seems to be a mistake, especially since Cincinnati
has only allowed 1 touchdown to tight ends all year.
