I know most of you are done playing fantasy football given that about 90 percent of leagues end with the conclusion of Week 16. For those of you that play through all 17 weeks though, never let it be said that we at Fantasy Alarm aren't there for you. For one last time here is my weekly waiver-wire piece letting you know the dealio with the players you might be considering adding in the fantasy game.
FAAB THOUGHTS
(Players are ranked from best option at the position – designated by #1 – down to the worst – the highest number).
NOTE: Keep a close eye on reports of how teams that have locked down their playoff seeding may deploy their players. It's certainly possibly that a lot of elite level players - guys like Jamaal Charles - play less than a full compliment of snaps in Week 17.
QUARTERBACKS
Chad Henne, Jaguars
He's recorded at least 17 points in 4-straight games and he actually had a top-10 effort in Week 16 with all the down QB play across the league. Let me ask you this. Do you know the last time that Henne threw for 250 yards in a game? Try Week 11. In fact, in two of his last four starts he's failed to throw for even 200 yards. On the plus side he has thrown for exactly two scores in 4-straight games, rather remarkable when you consider everything, but there is the lack of yardage and the fact that he has still has more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12) this season.
Week 17 BID: #1
Geno Smith, Jets
He produced three scores in Week 16. Seriously he did. Smith threw for 214 yards and two scores while rushing for 48 yards an another score. Week 16 was the first time he produced three scores since Week 5, and the two passing scores was the first time he did that since... Week 5. He faces the Dolphins next week, but does it really matter?
Week 17 BID: #2
RUNNING BACKS
Edwin Baker, Browns
Willis McGehee returned from a concussion but didn't get a touch, and Chris Ogbonnaya pick up only one carry. Meanwhile Baker touched the ball 19 times and scored for the second straight week, something the Browns just haven't been able to do this season (prior to those two scores the Browns had a total of two rushing scores on the year). Worth a look if you're desperate since he is getting the work.
Week 17 BID: #2
LeGarrette Blount, Patriots
Blount carried the ball a season best 16 times in Week 16. He ran for a season best 76 yards in Week 16. He scored a season best two times in Week 16. So why am I not overly excited about adding Blount this week when I should be super pumped based on his most recent effort? The reason is that Stevan Ridley also had his best rushing game since November 3rd over the weekend as he carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards (he had run the ball 16 times the previous two weeks). There's a very really chance that the players cancel each other out in Week 17, especially if you look at the fact that there was only a one carry difference between the two runners in terms of Week 16 attempts.
Week 17 BID: #3
Michael Cox / John Conner, Giants
David Wilson is done for the year. Ditto Brandon Jacobs. Peyton Hill missed Week 16 with a concussion. Now we have Andre Brown being carted off the field with a concussion. Given that the Giants season is lost, it would be a shock if Brown played against the Redskins in Week 17. That leaves Michael Cox and John Conner in the backfield. Clearly the back to own out of that duo is Cox, but don't get too excited. The last time the Giants ran for 100 yards was Week 12, and over the past two weeks they've produced 66 rushing yards. Gulp.
Week 17 BID: #4
James Starks, Packers
Eddie Lacy jacked up his already jacked up ankle yet again in Week 16 and he was unable to return to the game against the Steelers. It's quite possible that he will try and gut it out for Week 17 but his effectiveness must be called into question at this point. That means James Starks is a terrific addition given that the Packers play the Bears in Week 17. The Bears, in case you haven't been paying any attention, are hideous against the run. They've allowed 225 yards on the ground in their last two games, an in five of the last six games they've permitted at lest 175 yards rushing. Pathetic doesn't even begin to describe how falt out awful the Bears are against the run.
Week 17 BID: #1
Shonn Greene, Titans
The Titans, in their infinite wisdom, decided to feature Greene right alongside CJ2K who, by the way, entered the day as a top-10 runner in PPR setups. Greene carried the ball 19 times for 91 yards while Johnson got 22 carries of his own for 90 yards. Both were solid plays though it was Greene who got all the short yardage work and the lone score. It's so very hard to trust Greene to have another workload above 15 touches in Week 17 since he carried the ball just 11 times in Weeks 14-15.
Week 17 BID: #5
Mark Ingram, Saints
When you run for 83 yards on only 13 carries against the Panthers you've had one hell of a day. As good as the effort was, he should still be viewed as the third runner in the pecking order for the Saints. There's also this. He had run for 31 yards the previous three weeks. Don't know how you could trust him in Week 17.
Week 17 BID: #6
WIDE RECEIVERS
Mike Brown, Jaguars
With Blackmon and Shorts on the IR, someone has to catch passes for the Jags. Brown stepped up in Week 16 with five grabs for 71 yards an a score. Despite the strong production, he's still in an offense that just doesn't pass the ball well, and he only saw six targets in Week 16.
Week 17 BID: #1
Brandon LaFell, Panthers
In a game where Steve Smith missed the majority of action with a knee injury LaFell caught one ball for 13 yards. Way to step up when your team needs you. There's zero consistency with LaFell and he just doesn't warrant a second look.
Week 17 BID: #5
David Nelson, Jets
He scored twice. Get excited. Now relax, take a breath, and keep it real. Nelson only had five balls thrown his way, he caught four of them, and went for 33 yardsin the first game in two months where Geno Smith actually looked like he might be able to make it in this league. He hadn't scored all season prior to Week 16 and he only has one game of 40 yards since November 1st.
Week 17 BID: #4
Griff Whalen, Colts
The youngster saw a team high eight targets hauling in seven passes for 80 yards. With LaVon Brazil dropping what would have been a long touchdown, Whalen will likely see as big a workload in Week 17 working out of the slot as he's clearly gaining Andrew Luck's trust.
Week 17 BID: #2
Terrance Williams, Cowboys
Miles Austin continues to be virtually invisible in the Cowboys offense. That has allowed Williams to be someone to consider in deep leagues yet again. Williams caught four balls for 84 yards against the 'Skins and showed little issue with his sore hamstring.
Week 17 BID: #3
TIGHT ENDS
Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars
Hey, facts are facts. The one you need to know with Lewis revolves around the number four, as in the number of consecutive games that Lewis has scored a touchdown. I know, right? Lewis saw six targets catching four passes for 50 yards and that score in Week 16. Keep it real though. Prior to the last four weeks Lewis had scored four times in 42 games.
Week 17 BID: #1
Ray Flowers can be heard daily on Sirius/XM Radio on The Fantasy Drive on Sirius 210 and XM 87, Monday through Thursday at 7 PM EDT & Friday's at 9 PM EDT. For more of Ray's analysis you can check out BaseballGuys.com or the BaseballGuys' Twitter account where he tirelessly answers everyone's questions.