Week 14 Fantasy Football Targets: RB & TE

Posted by Tom Blaz on 12/05/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: Darren Sproles, Ronnie Brown, Steven Jackson, Ryan Mathews, Shonn Greene, Alex Green, Michael Turner, Frank Gore, Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, Jermaine Gresham, Brandon Myers, Jacob Tamme, Aaron Hernandez, Jared Cook

It's playoff time in most fantasy leagues across the nation and time to get back that investment. We continue to see a lack of running backs targeted, at the very least inconsistency. Last season's All-World tight ends aren't bringing in the fantasy bacon as they did a year ago, looking more like tight end's than the wide receiver numbers at the position in 2011. Receiving yards at running back are more icing this season, certainly not something you can count on- so focus on the backs that carry the rock. At tight end, we have a finite list of contributors, we are long past any new breakout players.

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Running Backs

Darren Sproles continues to quietly pace the position in targets, the key word quietly. Ronnie Brown is strictly a third down or catch up back, while Mathews also was part of Philip Rivers' plan last week, only Ryan gets the tote the rock. Steven Jackson with seven bonus targets this week, any time he is a part of the passing game its pennies from heaven. Marcel Reece had a nice run, but Darren McFadden is reportedly tearing it up in practice this week. Jacquizz Rodgers and to a lesser extent Michael Turner, a disappointment in the Atlanta passing game, the reason? Jason Snelling, Seven players were targeted five times in week 13, we focus on Knowshon Moreno who has made a surprising statement in the absence of the injured Willis McGahee and Bryce Brown, who in two short weeks has been one of the most productive waiver wire pickups in fantasy history. When Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson are only targeted twice and LeSean McCoy is hurt, the all-around back category takes a major hit. Aren't C.J. Spiller and Reggie Bush supposed to be stalwarts in the passing game? Frank Gore appears to be really wearing down, expect more Brandon Jacobs as we approach the Holidays. Its a disappointment when Alex Green is only targeted once, especially since he is a product of the Hawaii system. Finally, Shonn Greene is certainly an afterthought for Rex Ryan when the Jets are throwing the ball.

Week 13 Risers

9    Darren Sproles NO

8    Ronnie Brown SD

7    Steven Jackson STL

7    Ryan Mathews SD

6    Marcel Reece OAK

5    Jason Snelling ATL

5    Knowshon Moreno DEN

5    Bryce Brown PHI

5    (Four others tied with five)

 

Week 13 Fallers

2    Ray Rice BAL

2    Adrian Peterson MIN

2    Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

2    Ahmad Bradshaw NYG

1    C.J. Spiller BUF

1    Reggie Bush MIA

1    Frank Gore SF

1    Michael Turner ATL

1    Alex Green GB

0    Shonn Greene NYJ

 

Season Leaders (Minimum 3 per week)

70 Darren Sproles NO

65 Ray Rice BAL

62 Marcel Reece OAK

60 Trent Richardson CLE

60 Dexter McCluster KC

54 Ronnie Brown SD

52 Ryan Mathews SD

50 LeSean McCoy PHI

48 Darren McFadden OAK

47 Doug Martin TB

45 Adrian Peterson MIN

44 Arian Foster HOU

43 Joique Bell DET

42 Matt Forte CHI

42 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

40 Chris Johnson TEN

39 James Casey HOU

39 C.J. Spiller BUF

 

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Tight Ends

If you had any doubt about the legitimacy of Brandon Myers, you shouldn't any longer. Jacob Tamme a big part of Peyton's game plan on Sunday. Aaron Hernandez finally picking up Gronk's missing numbers in a big way. Jared Cook again poised for a huge December. Owen Daniels is having a strong second half of the season. Ben Watson with some surprisingly large numbers. Jason Witten running away with the season numbers at the position. After disappearing mid-season, Kyle Rudolph is closing strong. Antonio Gates and Brent Celek who have both disappeared at times, had nice performances in week 13. Brandon Pettigrew has put together a series of nice games and is a quality start. Jimmy Graham and Jermaine Gresham topping our "fallers" for week 13, an example of how the weekly numbers are relative. Tony Gonzalez continues to fade as the season progresses, maybe he will retire after all. Greg Olsen only targeted four times despite Brandon LaFell's injury. Scott Chandler only targeted four times, but as mentioned previously, touchdowns are the only part of his game. Vernon Davis continues to disappoint in a big way, what a waste of talent. Dennis Pitta seems to have settled in to mediocrity, September appears to have been an abberation. Logan Paulsen may see Chris Cooley looking over his shoulder as the 'Skins look for production in the absence of Fred Davis. Coby Fleener splitting numbers with fellow rookie Dwayne Allen, diminishing the value of both. Dustin Keller another dud in week 13, not the hot pickup he appeared to be a month ago.

Week 13 Risers

15    Brandon Myers OAK

13    Jacob Tamme DEN

13    Aaron Hernandez NE

12    Jared Cook TEN

10    Owen Daniels HOU

9       Ben Watson CLE

8       Jason Witten DAL

8       Kyle Rudolph MIN

8       Antonio Gates SD

8       Brandon Pettigrew DET

8       Brent Celek PHI

 

Week 13 Fallers

6    Jimmy Graham NO

6    Jermaine Gresham CIN

5    Tony Gonzalez KC

4    Greg Olsen CAR

4    Scott Chandler BUF

3    Dennis Pitta BAL

3    Vernon Davis SF

3    Logan Paulsen WSH

2    Coby Fleener IND

2    Dustin Keller NYJ

 

Season Leaders (Minimum 4 per week)

122 Jason Witten DAL

98   Brandon Pettigrew DET

97   Tony Gonzalez KC

89   Jimmy Graham NO

88   Brandon Myers OAK

82   Owen Daniels HOU

78   Brent Celek PHI

78   Greg Olsen CAR

76   Heath Miller PIT

75   Rob Gronkowski NE

75   Kyle Rudolph MIN

75   Jacob Tamme DEN

73   Jermaine Gresham CIN

71   Dennis Pitta BAL

69   Jared Cook TEN

68   Martellus Bennett NYG

62   Jermichael Finley GB

59    Scott Chandler BUF

55    Ben Watson CLE

55    Tony Scheffler DEN

54    Dwayne Allen IND

53    Vernon Davis SF

53    Rob Housler ARZ

53    Marcedes Lewis JAX

 

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Tom Blaz is a writer for Fantasy Alarm and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics.