NFL Fantasy Fixer-Uppers Week 12

This is it. Don’t get scared now. In most leagues it’s the last week before the fantasy playoffs. If you are sitting pretty with a playoff berth locked up then you’ve done your job so far. If you are one of the many with their playoff lives in the balance, well, listen up. This is your last chance to raid the waiver wire to snag someone who can help lead you to the Promised Land. Let’s take a look at a few who you should put a claim in for right away.

Jordan Cameron, THE, Cleveland Browns (40% owned standard ESPN leagues)

Unless you are a proud owner of Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas or the Gronk you probably need help at the tight end position. Yes there have been others who have been productive but let’s face it. Tight end is thin this year. Real thin. That is why I’m surprised that Cameron is unowned in more than half of the leagues out there. Sure, he hasn’t played in a month. Sure, he hasn’t been overly productive when he has played: season-high of three catches in a game and only one touchdown. But try to remember last year when he was fantasy gold. Word on the street is he will suit up this weekend and with Josh Gordon back in tow and a healthy Cameron the Browns passing game could be in for a jolt of life. He’s certainly worth a roster spot and could be the type of player to lift your team to a title this year.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots (20% owned)

Is the Jonas Gray era over before it got started? Maybe. Maybe not. It’s hard to tell with a Bill Belichick run team. That being said, last week’s hero (Gray) turned in a big fat zero this week. The carries instead went to Blount who is back in New England after the Pats and Steelers adhered to the puff-puff-pass rule. His 78 yards on the ground were his second-highest total of the year and he found the end zone twice which was a season-best. If I had to guess I think the Pats will roll with Blount as he is the more familiar back and keep Shane Vereen as a change of pace and pass-catcher. Could I be wrong? Well, yes. I was all about Gray last week and we know how that worked out. But now I’m high on Blount and you should be too. Now pass the Cheetos.

Josh McCown, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16% owned)

Two words. Mike Evans. He is the reason that McCown is worth an add this week. It seems they are finally clicking now that both are healthy and that should continue as the year plays out. Someone has to throw him the ball, right? Well, McCown is that someone and has actually thrown for over 300 yards and/or multiple touchdowns in two of the last three weeks. Those are solid numbers and are certainly worthy of a backup spot on your bench. Tampa is technically not out of it in the pitiful NFC South so they will have something to play for the rest of the way. Couple that with the fact that their defense is atrocious which should mean the Bucs will have to take to the air in garbage/catch-up time. And did I mention Mike Evans?

Dan Herron, RB, Indianapolis Colts (15% owned)

Boom clap the sound of my heart the beat goes on and on and on and on boom clap. You’ll hate me later when that song is inevitably running through your brain. You won’t hate Herron though and here is why you should add him. The Colts lost Ahmad Bradshaw for the season with a broken ankle and we all know Trent Richardson is a bust. Couple that with the fact that Herron was given the starting nod on Sunday over Richardson should be even more proof he should be on your roster. With a combined 96 yards including five catches (hello PPR leagues!) he certainly stood out in Indy’s backfield. Richardson did find the end zone on a short plunge but Herron has the big play ability. It’s time to go boom (Herron) and not bust (Richardson) in the backfield. See how nice that worked out?

Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders (10% owned)

Remember Thursday night? When the previously winless Raiders upended the first place Kansas City Chiefs? It took a late Derek Carr pass to eke out that win but Murray was the one who started it all. It took him all of four carries to top 100 yards rushing and he also found the end zone twice. What makes that more impressive is the Chiefs had not given up a rushing touchdown all season and they gave up two to Murray on four carries. He was well on his way to replicating what Jonas Gray had done the week prior before he was knocked out with a concussion. That does bring up some concern but Murray should certainly be added regardless. If healthy he should be starting over household names Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. Should is the key word there. We don’t know what Tony Sparano will do but the opportunity to add a potential starting running back in Week 13 doesn’t happen in the fantasy world. Get him and get him now.

Do you have a question about a player I didn’t mention here? Feel free to leave a comment and I’ll be sure to get back as quickly as I can. If you want a quicker response you can ask me on Twitter @therichwhiteguy. I don’t bite. I promise.