Make sure to check here every week! Each week, I'll suggest three players that are likely on your league's waiver wire that could provide a spark to your fantasy team. Of course, if you have any questions you'd like me to answer, please send them to me at scottmickels@fantasyplaymakers.com.
Now, for this week's Mick's Picks...
Mick's Picks - Week 14
Seyi Ajirotutu, WR, SD (vs. KC)
FPM Spin: With Vincent Jackson, Legedu Naanee and Antonio Gates all questionable coming into Week 14, Ajirotutu will likely start as the Chargers #2 receiver. Malcom Floyd will be the Chargers #1 receiver and, if Gates sits out this game, he'll undoubtedly get the majority of the secondary's attention. Ajirotutu should be able to take advantage of single coverage and have a productive day against the Chiefs' 21st-ranked pass defense. He's pretty much a long shot fill-in, but considering the circumstances and the match-up he could be useful on a week-to-week basis if you're in a deeper league and thin at receiver.
Season Stats - 12 receptions, 245 yards, 2 TD
Tashard Choice, RB, DAL (vs. PHI)
FPM Spin: Choice got his first real action of the year last week and had a good game rushing 19 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. Give his performance, and the fact their season is essentially over, the Cowboys really have no reason to rush Marion Barber back from his calf injury. As a result, Choice will likely continue to split carries with Felix Jones. Keep in mind though, if he continues to out gain Jones in yards like he did last week, he could find himself as the Cowboys' feature back. He also has great match-ups coming up against the Redskins and Cardinals in Weeks 15 and 16. If you own Barber or Jones, or have room to stash him, Choice makes a good speculative pick-up to ride out the rest of the season.
Season Stats - 33 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD
James Starks, RB, GB (@ DET)
FPM Spin: Starks got his first action of the year last week and had a decent game carrying the ball 18 times for 73 yards. He led the Packers in carries and rushing yards. However, let's not go crazy over one game. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said he plans to implement a 3-man running back rotation of Brandon Jackson, Starks and Dimitri Nance, but he also said Jackson will remain their feature back. Plus, the Packers coaching staff doesn't seem to be totally confident in Starks in the passing game as it was a running play every time Starks was in the game. With that said, if you're a Jackson owner, given what played out last week, it might be a wise move to keep Starks on your roster for insurance. You just never know what could happen the last month of the regular season.
Season Stats - 18 carries, 73 yards, 0 TD
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Daniels Fells, TE, STL: With Michael Hoomanawanui questionable for Week 14, Fells could be the Rams starting tight end. It's also worth nothing he's the only tight end on the team's roster that's caught a ball in every game this year.
Cameron Morrah, TE, SEA: It seems John Carlson could return to action this week, but don't forget about Morrah. He played when given the chance last week.
Tim Tebow, QB, DEN: OK, this one is pure speculation by me, but hear me out. I've been to every Broncos home game this year and at every game there have been hordes of fans screaming "TEE-BOW! TEE-BOW!". Denver fans are dying to see this kid play, and by "play" I mean more than a handful of plays a game when the defense knows what's coming. The Broncos' season is over and as most of you know they fired their head coach Josh McDaniels. Given the fact this team really has nothing left to lose, the cries to let Tebow start have been louder than ever. This is all despite Kyle Orton having a good season, but let's be perfectly honest, he's putting up his numbers this year by necessity not by design. You really think the Broncos running game was designed to be that bad?! I digress. I'm not saying this is a sure thing to happen, but if it does, you heard it here first.
Scott Mickels, FPM Staff Writer/Editor, Member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association
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