Pickups of the Week: Farrow, Powell are top waiver adds for playoff semis
Each week throughout the NFL season, we identify six players to target on fantasy waiver wires, plus a lightly owned D/ST. All are available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. Add as needed.
Kenneth Farrow, RB, San Diego Chargers, 3%
Melvin Gordon suffered a first-quarter hip injury on Sunday at Carolina, which brought an abrupt end to his day after just three offensive touches. Here’s hoping Monday’s MRI doesn’t reveal a significant problem; the early reports were encouraging.
With Gordon sidelined against the Panthers, rookie Kenneth Farrow dominated the backfield work for San Diego, gaining 78 scrimmage yards on 22 touches (16 carries, six catches). He’s a powerful, downhill runner who trucked a few defenders during his collegiate career at Houston, where he averaged a perfectly respectable 5.3 YPC. If Melvin can’t go in Weeks 15 or 16, then Farrow would be in line to receive huge workloads against a pair of teams (Oakland and Cleveland) that rank near the bottom of the league at defending the run. The Raiders have allowed 4.7 YPC on the season and 120.2 rushing YPG, and the Browns have been even more generous (4.6, 146.2). Add Farrow if only to keep him away from a future opponent.
Rest of season schedule: Oak, at Cle, KC.
FAAB bid: All of it. We’re in the playoff semis, people. You cant save your FAAB for next year.
Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets, 45%
This will serve as last call on Powell, a back you really should have added before Sunday’s matchup with the defenseless Niners. He received a massive workload against San Francisco, after lead runner Matt Forte was forced from the game with an early knee injury. Powell became the tenth RB this season to top 100 rushing yards against the Niners (which is ridiculous), finishing with 145 yards and two spikes on 29 carries. He added five receptions for 34 yards. Next week, Powell gets yet another friendly matchup, as the Jets host Miami and the league’s No. 30 run defense. The Dolphins have allowed 4.8 YPC and 133.8 YPG this year, and the Cards just rushed for 175 yards against ’em. Assuming Forte won’t be available for Saturday’s prime time matchup, Powell will be a recommended play.
Rest of season schedule: Mia, at NE, Buf
FAAB bid: All of it. Every dollar.
Justin Forsett, RB, Denver Broncos, 20%
The main problem with Forsett at this stage is that he is verifiably not good, at least by NFL standards. He’s averaged 3.1 YPC this season, at age 31. But we need to include him here nevertheless, because he appears to be atop the backfield hierarchy in Denver. And that’s more an indictment of Devontae Booker than anything else. Forsett is more trusted than Booker in pass-pro, and he out-touched him nine to five on Sunday. If you need a warm body in the backfield … well, there he is.
Rest of season schedule: NE, at KC, Oak
FAAB bid: $5
Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets, 2%
OK, this would take some guts. Huevos of the highest order, really. Anderson certainly isn’t for everyone. But if you’re a deep league player and/or a heavy underdog, well … maybe. After all, Anderson has seen 23 targets over the past two weeks, snagging 10 balls for 160 yards and one score. He’s a rookie from Temple with legit deep speed and great size (6-foot-3), and he obviously has the attention of his team’s sketchy QB, Bryce Petty. When a quarterback is elevated from the junior varsity, it’s not uncommon to see them drag a depth-chart receiver to relevance, too. Anderson entered the summer as an unpolished talent, but worked on technique with Chad Johnson and various others. And here he is, putting up useful numbers in the money weeks. If you’re looking for a Hail Mary in the semis, consider the add.
Rest of season schedule: Mia, at NE, Buf
FAAB bid: $8
Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington, 36% owned
Garcon rarely delivers a triple-digit yardage total, but he’s topped 50 receiving yards nine times this season, so he offers a decent fantasy floor. He’s also reached the end-zone in two of the past four weeks, clicking well with a hot quarterback. (Kirk Cousins has tossed multiple touchdown passes in five of his last six games.) With a terrific matchup on deck against Carolina, the league’s No. 30 pass defense, all elements of Washington’s offense are in play. Garcon actually leads his team in both targets (93) and receptions (64) this season, yet his ownership percentage doesn’t reflect his recent usage.
Rest of season schedule: Car, at Chi, NYG
FAAB bid: $8
Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens, 25%
It’s rare that Flacco produces at the level he reached in Week 13, when he passed for a season-high 381 yards and four TDs against the Dolphins. But he gets a must-win home matchup with Philadelphia next Sunday, so we have every reason to expect a useful fantasy line. Flacco has been excellent in Baltimore this season, tossing 12 of his 15 touchdown passes at home while posting a passer rating of 93.3. Philly’s defense, meanwhile, has been shredded by opposing QBs in recent games. The Eagles have allowed 1675 passing yards and 12 TDs over the past six weeks, picking off just four passes. Assuming Flacco and his receivers emerge healthy from the Monday night tilt with New England, he’ll be a viable fantasy option in Week 15.
Rest of season schedule: Phi, at Pit, at Cin
FAAB bid: $5
Charles Clay, TE, Buffalo Bills, 10%
Clay finally broke the plane on Sunday, catching three balls for 52 yards on six targets and making his first visit to the end-zone this season. Don’t be shocked if he gets another spike in Week 15, because he’s about to face a Cleveland defense that’s allowed 11 touchdowns to opposing tight ends, the highest total in the league. Tyler Eifert made a pair of house calls against the Browns on Sunday, becoming the third tight end this season to deliver a multi-TD game against Cleveland. If you’ve been streaming this position throughout the year (or at least since Gronk went down), consider rolling with Clay for the friendliest possible matchup.
Rest of season schedule: Cle, Mia, at NYJ
FAAB bid: $3
Houston Texans, 44%
This is a curiously low ownership percentage for a very good defense. Houston’s D ranks as the league’s sixth best overall (318.5 total YPG) and fifth best against the pass (212.8 YPG). The Texans managed to collect three takeaways against the Colts on Sunday, and they’ll have the opportunity to feast on Blake Bortles in Week 15. Not surprisingly, Bortles is again among the league leaders in interceptions (15) and sacks (28). Pick on Blake whenever you can. Don’t leave Houston on the wire.
Rest of season schedule: Jax, Cin, at Ten
FAAB bid: $5
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