Weekly Pickups and the Dump List from Week 13

First off, WELCOME TO THE PLAYOFFS! You made it!

Week 13 was a frustrating one for fantasy owners as it had its fair few upsets and narrow scrapes.  Superbowl champs fell to Bruce Gradkowski, the Patriots lost consecutive games, the struggling Giants got a win versus a good Cowboy team that is thirsty to prove itself, and the lowly Redskins had to literally drop the ball in order for the undefeated Saints to scrape by in an overtime win.  This week was filled with huge disappointments for fantasy owners and both cost people playoff births, as well as allowed some people to scrape in.  My Studs and Duds tomorrow should be a pretty lengthy one… but this is Player Adds and the Dump List, so lets get down to it!  Not really any injuries that elevate a back-up workload to that of a feature back so not an exciting list here, mostly for deeper formats.  With that said if you are in the playoffs then you’re starting cast is probably pretty well locked down.  Most all of these players are for insurance in case of an injury that you obviously can’t foresee, planning for injury is the key to success in the playoffs!

Player Adds for Week 14

Robert Meachem (NO) – I hate relying on a teams fifth offensive weapon, but Meachem is earning trust after a surprisingly consistent November, followed by

Garrett Hartley (NO) – I KNOW, WHO?!  Garrett Hartley is possibly the best player at his position for fantasy football and is owned in your league almost guaranteed.  John Carney is out in New Orleans and Hartley has taken over.  Gostkowski was ranked the number one kicker pre-draft this season and mostly because he was on an great offense.  The Saints are the top offense in the league and Hartley is their kicker… end of story.

Jason Campbell (WAS) – If you think this name is surprising wait for the next one!  Here are some numbers for you to consider: 24, 19, 12, 13.  These are his fantasy points (ESPN standard scoring) in four of his last five games, excluding an 8 point week 11 where he lost 6-3 versus Dallas.  If you start two QBs or are in a 14 team league you could do much worse for a back-up.

Bruce Gradkowski (OAK) – Ok, so this is definitely a bigger stretch than Campbell but I have been asked a few times about what to do in a 12 team 2 QB league where the fad is to hold 4 QBs in order to completely screw over the people who are in need.  This to me is a terribly fun format to play in and I want to help those of you out who are in this situation.

Louis Murphy (OAK) – This isn’t the first time he’s showed big play potential.  Trust him as far as Gradkowski can throw him.

Jerome Harrison (CLE) – OK, so I wouldn’t want to start any Cleveland Brown in the playoffs, but he finished Sunday as the second best fantasy back in the league with 21 points.  Harrison was only second to Brandon Jacobs who looked mediocre at best running the ball, however he had a huge screen pass go to the house and make the day look more impressive than it really was.  If Quinn can keep the offense on the field then Harrison could become relevant.

Devone Bess (MIA) – 12 team three WR league? Bess is a nice backup to have as he is an explosive player that can score from anywhere on the field.

Kenny Britt (TEN) – Not believe me last week!? Go get him!

Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) – 100% dependant on Quinn’s performance, however he gets open plenty so look for him to make some plays while Brady develops.

Bo Scaife (TEN) – This guy is a favorite target for Vince Young, was before he got benched and has been since his return.

Fred Davis (WAS) – Great production recently, as far as TEs are concerned, great fill in if you lost someone to an injury.

Dump List

Matt Ryan (ATL) – The Falcons lost their swagger down the stretch this season.  Key injuries to Ryan and Turner have left the team struggling to stay mathematically in the playoff hunt.  Any chance they have at this point is minimal and I do not think you see a rush back on Turner or Ryan, and without both of these weapons at 100% the offense is very one dimensional, and mediocre.  Ryan has been a fantasy disappointment this season and it is time to drop him for a more capable replacement.

Mario Manningham (NYG) – Even when the Giants recovered and played good football Manningham was not part of the equation… I do not see the dynamic of the Giants receivers changing in the minimal time you have left.  I see questions about teams with Crabtree, Maclin, Avant, or Britt on free agents… all much better options down the stretch.

Rock Cartwright (WAS) – The Redskins did everything no one thought they could… keep the strength of their game (running) relevant throughout the entirety of the game!  And even with this being the case Cartwright was still a huge disappointment and can not be counted on for fantasy production in my book.  No Redskins back can be counted on till they get Portis back.

Larry Johnson (CIN) – If you took a gamble and gobbled up Johnson after his 100 yard performance you can drop him.  Benson had 36 carries coming back, he is the workhorse and there is little to no room for anyone else to produce stats.  LJ is only a handcuff at best, and I’d rather have Bernard Scott.