Week 17 Fantasy Football Targets: RB & TE

Posted by Tom Blaz on 12/24/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: Joique Bell, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Frank Gore, Ahmad Bradshaw, Frank Gore, Jimmy Graham, Ben Watson, Heath Miller, Jason Witten, Jermichael Finley, Vernon Davis, Scott Chandler, Tony Gonzalez

As we wrap up 2012, I wonder how many season's were won.... and lost, due to lack of passing yards accumulated by running backs. It appears that Darren Sproles will be the only back that will hit triple digits in targets for the season. Only half a dozen other backs are averaging four or more targets per week. Injuries to LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte diminished the every down back list, but all in all, teams are throwing the ball downfield more. The "super" tight ends also took a bit of a hit this season. Rob Gronkowski remains sidelined and has dropped from the league leaders. Jimmy Graham has had a solid season, but Jason Witten remains the standard bearer at the position.

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Running Backs

While numbers are down league wide, Detroit's Joique Bell has certainly emerged as one to watch in 2013. The Lions have a clear split with Mikel Leshoure carrying the ball and Bell delivering in passing situations. The Eagles offense saw a clear boost with the return of All-Pro LeSean McCoy. Bryce Brown started off strong in his absence, but there is no doubt that McCoy IS the Philly offense. Drew Brees looked to his backs early and often in Dallas, with Pierre Thomas and Sproles targeted a combined 19 times!  Doug Martin has certainly shown signs of wearing out down the stretch, but was a big part of Tampa's passing game on Sunday. Ray Rice was more involved for Baltimore and it played a big role in the Ravens finally getting back in the win column. Is Knowshon Moreno the surprise of the season? Certainly, the former Georgia All-American has done a solid job in the absence of injured starter Willis McGahee. DeMarco Murray's return has coincided with Dallas' winning ways, despite their narrow loss to New Orleans on Sunday. If Ronnie Brown is only targeted twice, even with Ryan Mathews sidelined, his value is almost nill. Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson were only targeted twice, but lets face it, anything they catch is simply gravy. Frank Gore and BenJarvus Green-Ellis remain ground only options. Is Michael Turner still a strong option? or is Jacquizz Rodgers simply not next in Atlanta.  Ahmad Bradshaw toughed out injury to try and motivate the Giants, but the problems are far too deep. Matt Forte is closing out a season he'd rather forget.... with another injury.

Week 16 Risers

12   Joique Bell DET

11   LeSean McCoy PHI

10   Darren Sproles NO

9     Pierre Thomas NO

8     Doug Martin TB

7     Ray Rice BAL

7     Knowshon Moreno DEN

6     DeMarco Murray DAL

Week 16 Fallers

2    Ronnie Brown SD

2    Adrian Peterson MIN

2    Steven Jackson STL

1    Frank Gore SF

1    Ahmad Bradshaw NYG

1    Matt Forte CHI

1    Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

1    BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN

Season Leaders (Minimum 3 per week)

95 Darren Sproles NO

83 Ray Rice BAL

76 Dexter McCluster KC

70 Trent Richardson CLE

70 Marcel Reece OAK

66 Doug Martin TB

66 Joique Bell DET

61 LeSean McCoy PHI

60 Darren McFadden OAK

60 Ronnie Brown SD

58 Matt Forte CHI

57 Ryan Mathews SD

55 Arian Foster HOU

53 Pierre Thomas NO

51 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL

50 Danny Woodhead NE

50 C.J. Spiller BUF

49 Adrian Peterson MIN

48 Chris Johnson TEN

Tight Ends

With "Gronk" down and out until the playoffs, Jimmy Graham is the leading "new age" tig ht end. I have to mention Jason Witten as his ability to play (and dominate) thorugh the spleen injury is truly remarkable. The ageless Ben Watson has closed strong for the Browns. Much of the same can be said for Heath Miller who has been one of the few reliable, consistent options in Pittsburgh. Jermichael Finley is working hard to save his job in Green Bay. Will Heller picking up the slack in Brandon Pettigrew's absence in the motor city. Vernon Davis was knocked out with a clean hit in Seattle, with backup Delanie Walker ending up getting targeted more than the position had been getting of late. Dallas Clark's emergence late this season may have bought him another year in Tampa. You would think Jermaine Greshman would be targeted more with all the attention Green gets, but much like Megatron, the Bengals just throw it up A.J.'s way anyway. Brandon Myers had a breakout season, but seems worn down from all the action. Brent Celek had a quiet week as Nick Foles through the ball downfield to the wide outs. Jacob Tamme's owners expect more due to the "Peyton effect", but his contributions have been fantasy minimal. Is it time for San Diego to move on from Antonio Gates? Tony Gonzalez has shown his age of late, retirement is likely, as he has promised. Scott Chandler was a popular pickup in week 16, a single target obviously a huge disappointment.

Week 16 Risers

11   Jimmy Graham NO

10   Ben Watson CLE

9     Heath Miller PIT

8     Jason Witten DAL

8     Jermichael Finley GB

7     Will Heller DET

7     Delanie Walker SF

7     Dallas Clark TB

Week 16 Fallers

4    Brandon Myers OAK

4    Jermaine Gresham CIN

3    Brent Celek PHI

3    Jacob Tamme DEN

3    Antonio Gates SD

2    Tony Gonzalez ATL

1    Scott Chandler BUF

1    Vernon Davis SF

Season Leaders (Minimum 5 per week)

142 Jason Witten DAL

119 Jimmy Graham NO

115 Tony Gonzalez KC

101 Heath Miller PIT

99   Owen Daniels HOU

99   Greg Olsen CAR

98   Brandon Myers OAK

97   Brandon Pettigrew DET

93   Jermaine Gresham CIN

92   Dennis Pitta BAL

87   Kyle Rudolph MIN

85   Martellus Bennett NYG

82   Brent Celek PHI

82   Jacob Tamme DEN

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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.