By @KenSonnenberg
With most fantasy leagues in their last week before the start of the playoffs, it is imperative that those on the playoff bubble make the right choice in not only who to start this week, but who to pick up off the waiver wire and insert into your starting lineup. Here is a preview of some guys that, if available you should consider plugging into your lineup in order to maximize your potential on winning this week and roll into the playoffs with confidence.
Baker Mayfield – Quarterback – Cleveland Browns
Whatever was going on in the Cleveland Browns locker room prior to the firing of Head Coach Hue Jackson and Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley seemed to be having a negative impact not only on the team as a whole, but most importantly, to their franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield. It appears, however, that since Gregg Williams has taken over as the Head Coach and Freddie Kitchens as the Offensive Coordinator, Baker Mayfield is a new QB and one that is showing the NFL why he was the #1 overall pick in this year’s draft. In the three games since Williams and Kitchens took over, Mayfield trails only MVP candidate Drew Brees in QB rating and has thrown nine touchdown passes and only one interception, with a completion rate of 74%. Also, on the rise is his fantasy point output, which has steadily increased, peaking last week as he scored a season high 26 fantasy points against a woeful Cincinnati defense. This week Mayfield and the Browns have a tougher test as they take on the red-hot Houston Texans, winners of eight straight games. The Texans defense is formidable in that they are currently ranked 7th in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs this season. However, Mayfield does look like he has started to get comfortable with the weapons that he has around him and will be able to put up points against the Texans. He is not an automatic start, but if your other QB also falls outside the top 7-10 in QB rankings, the decision to sit or start Mayfield should then be based on that other QBs matchup.
Josh Adams – Running Back – Philadelphia Eagles
There has been a revolving door at the running back position for the Eagles this season. With Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles injured, and the running back committee of Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement not working out, Eagles coach Doug Peterson has now turned to undrafted rookie Josh Adams to carry the load for the Eagles. For the three weeks leading up to last week’s win over the Giants, Adams had been limited in touches, but produced when he was given the ball, averaging 7 yards per carry. With Pederson’s promise that Adams will be featured more in the offense, he busted out last week rushing for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles comeback win over the Giants. This week Adams and the Eagles face the banged-up Washington Redskins who rank 11th in the NFL in fantasy points given up to opposing running backs but have fallen off a little bit over the last four weeks allowing an average of 119 yards/game. While it might be too late in most fantasy leagues to pick up Adams off the waiver wire as the word has gotten out on him, if you were lucky enough to have picked him up he is clearly a guy who you should start in your RB2 or flex spot in your lineup.
David Moore – Wide Receiver – Seattle Seahawks
Going into the season, it was assumed that Doug Baldwin would be the clear #1 receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, however, due to elbow and groin injuries, he has not been as effective this season as Seattle would have anticipated. Tyler Lockett has stepped up and been a highly effective receiver for the Seahawks, but it is second year receiver David Moore that looks like he could be the hidden gem. After a good preseason and a slow start, the Seahawks have slowly increased Moore’s workload to the point where he now looks like one Russell Wilson’s go-to targets. Last week against Carolina, Moore was targeted 5 times and caught 4 balls for 103 yards and a touchdown. This was one week after he was targeted 8 times in the Seahawks win over the Green Bay Packers. This week the Seahawks face a San Francisco 49ers team that is 19th in the NFL in points allowed to opposing WRs and over the last two games has allowed 324 yards and 4 touchdowns. Moore, himself has scored 5 touchdowns in his last 7 games, which makes him an interesting pick up for anyone needing a WR on their fantasy roster. It is rare at this point in the season to find a WR on the waiver wire that can potentially produce some solid numbers, but Moore is owned in only 11% of leagues in ESPN and 23% in Yahoo, so if you see him on your waiver wire, it would be a good idea to pick him up and plug him into your Flex spot this week.
Todd Davis – Linebacker – Denver Broncos
Do the Denver Broncos have a good defense? They have a lot of talented guys, but they have given up a lot of yards this season, while averaging 22.9 points per game, which isn’t horrible. It’s almost the very definition of the bend but don’t break style of defense. The most consistent performer from a fantasy football perspective has been linebacker Todd Davis. He is averaging around nine points per game this season and leads the team in tackles. While he does not have the numbers that fellow linebacker Von Miller has when it comes to sacks, he has been the most consistent when it comes to tackles, which has led to him significantly outpacing his defensive teammates in fantasy points. He is owned in 36% and 19% in ESPN and Yahoo respectively and is a good candidate to insert in your IDP slot this week against a depleted and vulnerable Cincinnati Bengals offense.