Week 16 Fantasy Football Targets: RB & TE

Posted by Tom Blaz on 12/18/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: Steven Jackson, Danny Woodhead, Dexter McCluster, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Aaron Hernandez, Dallas Clark, Dennis Pitta, Jacob Tamme, Martellus Bennett, Vernon Davis

Perhaps its the spread offense, or maybe the new breed of quarterback like Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, but teams are throwing the ball downfield more and not to the running backs. Only three traditional running backs, Darren Sproles, Ray Rice and rookie Trent Richardson have been targeted more than four times per game this season.  Dexter McCluster is more of a slot back and Marcel Reece an H-back, whose numbers will diminish with Darren McFadden back. Injuries have slowed the super-tight end's, with the "King Of Pain" Jason Witten running away as the most targeted at the position.

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Running Backs

Steven Jackson targeted ten times on Sunday, certainly a bonus from a heavy duty between the tackles back. Danny Woodhead very active in the New England passing game on Sunday night. McCluster had been quiet of late, targeted ten times as Kansas City was shutout by the Raiders. Darren Sproles and Matt Forte with eight apiece have been much more quiet after several huge seasons. Ray Rice is a picture of frustration as Baltimore tries again this weekend to clinch the division. Daryl Richardson targeted by Sam Bradford half a dozen times on Sunday, giving the Rams backs a combined 16! Alex Green was banged up on Sunday but still led the Green Bay backs in the passing game. As mentioned, Reece is no longer a solid play with D-Mc back for the silver and black. We expect more than a pair of targets for Arian Foster and Reggie Bush, but not too far from the norm for Frank Gore, expecially with LaMichael James now active. Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson were targeted only once between them, but given what they bring in the running game, we'll give them a pass. The same cannot be said for Jacquizz Rodgers who looked like he was on his way to taking over in Atlanta, only to watch a resurgence of Michael Turner. When your offense struggles like the Titans, how can you not target Chris Johnson a single time?

Week 15 Risers

10 Steven  Jackson STL

10 Danny Woodhead NE

10 Dexter McCluster KC

8   Darren Sproles NO

8   Matt Forte CHI

7   Ray Rice BAL

6   Daryl Richardson STL

5   Alex Green GB

Week 15 Fallers

2   Marcel Reece OAK

2   Arian Foster HOU

2   Reggie Bush MIA

2   Frank Gore SF

1   Marshawn Lynch SEA

1   Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

0   Adrian Peterson MIN

0   Chris Johnson TEN

Season Leaders (Minimum 3 per week)

85 Darren Sproles NO

76 Ray Rice BAL

72 Dexter McCluster KC

66 Trent Richardson CLE

65 Marcel Reece OAK

58 Ronnie Brown SD

57 Ryan Mathews SD

57 Doug Martin TB

57 Matt Forte CHI

56 Darren McFadden OAK

54 Joique Bell DET

52 Arian Foster HOU

50 LeSean McCoy PHI

50 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

47 Adrian Peterson MIN

45 Danny Woodhead NE

45 C.J. Spiller BUF

Tight Ends

Aaron Hernandez was a fantasy beast on Sunday night, taking advantage of the continued absence of Rob Gronkowski. Hernandez was targeted by Tom Brady 20 times against the 49ers, but Gronk may be back in the lineup this weekend. How about the resurgence of Dallas Clark in Tampa Bay? Who needs Peyton Manning? Dennis Pitta is making a nice comeback after basically disappearing in October and November. Jeff Cumberland targeted nine times by those masquarading as Jets quarterbacks. He is a worthy play as long as Dustin Keller remains sidelined. Greg Olson remains a favorite target of Cam, much of the same for Andy Dalton and Jermaine Gresham. Jimmy Graham was targeted nine times as the Jekyl and Hyde Saints were in top form. Witten is averaging nine targets per week and is deserving of a Pro Bowl nod. Mr. Touchdown Scott Chandler rounds out our risers of the week. I will continue to group the "breakout" pair of Brandon Myers and Kyle Rudolph together. It appears they have both hit the wall and have produced all they can produce this season. Many expected more from Ben Watson against a Redskins defense that isn't as bad as they are being projected. Marcedes Lewis should find more room to work with improved play from the wide outs, but that wasn't/isn't the case. Vernon Davis continues to battle Jermichael Finley for the biggest tight end flop of 2012. Dwayne Allen only targeted three times, even with Coby Fleener sitting out with injury. Martellus Bennett and Rob Housler only targeted twice apiece, coming off some decent performances. Jacob Tamme with a goose egg, certainly frustrating more than a handful of owners.

Week 15 Risers

20 Aaron Hernandez NE

12 Dallas Clark TB

10 Dennis Pitta BAL

9   Jeff Cumberland NYJ

9   Greg Olsen CAR

9   Jermaine Gresham CIN

9   Jimmy Graham NO

8   Jason Witten DAL

8   Scott Chandler BUF

Week 15 Fallers

4   Brandon Myers OAK

4   Kyle Rudolph MIN

4   Ben Watson CLE

4   Marcedes Lewis JAX

3   Vernon Davis SF

3   Dwayne Allen IND

2   Martellus Bennett NYG

2   Rob Housler ARZ

0   Jacob Tamme DEN

Season Leaders (Minimum 5 per week)

134 Jason Witten DAL

113 Tony Gonzalez KC

108 Jimmy Graham NO

97   Brandon Pettigrew DET

94   Brandon Myers OAK

92   Owen Daniels HOU

92   Heath Miller PIT

92   Greg Olsen CAR

89   Jermaine Gresham CIN

87   Dennis Pitta BAL

81   Kyle Rudolph MIN

79   Brent Celek PHI

79   Jacob Tamme DEN

78   Martellus Bennett NYG

75   Rob Gronkowski NE

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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.