Fantasy Football Waiver Worthy Week 14: Buy 'Em or Deny 'Em

There were some surprising performances from Week 13, but does that mean the players are worth owning?  

Let’s take a look:

Sidney Rice – Minnesota Vikings – Wide Receiver

We have been waiting for Rice to show some type of spark in order to justify using him and it came out in a big way in Week 13.

Rice picked up five receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns, showing a good rapport with Tarvaris Jackson.

He has the potential to be a stud receiver and this type of performance certainly gives us hope that he is finally back from the injury that cost him the bulk of the season. Remember, he is the same player who broke out in 2009 with 83 receptions for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns.

If he happens to be available in your league (and surprisingly, he is there in many), snatch him up immediately. He has the talent to be a must use option in the fantasy playoffs.

Verdict – Buy ‘Em 

Tarvaris Jackson – Minnesota Vikings – Quarterback

After Brett Favre went down early with an injury, Jackson took over the offense and helped lead them to victory. 

Yes, he threw a couple of interceptions, but he was decent overall (15-22, 187 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions). The problem is, if Favre is healthy. it is hard to imagine the Vikings relegating him to their bench, isn’t it? 

Either way, Jackson really only holds value for those in two-quarterback formats. The fact is the offense is going to run through Adrian Peterson at this point. He would also draw some tough passing defenses on the horizon, with the Giants, Bears and Eagles on the schedule the next three weeks. 

It’s hard to imagine having faith in him, so while some of his receivers may hold appeal, Jackson isn’t going to be usable outside of deeper formats.

Verdict – Deny ‘Em 

Drew Stanton – Detroit Lions – Quarterback

The Lions third string quarterback stepped into the starting lineup and certainly looked serviceable, if nothing else (16-24, 178 yards and a touchdown). 

He connected for a touchdown with Calvin Johnson and targeted Brandon Pettigrew early and often. He also showed a touch of mobility including rushing for a touchdown.  Is he going to be a usable option? 

Probably not, but it appears like he is going to be the starting option in Detroit barring a surprising return from Matthew Stafford or Shaun Hill. 

Chances are you already have a better option available to you (outside of deep two-quarterback formats).

Verdict – Deny ‘ Em 

Christopher Ivory – New Orleans Saints – Running Back

He had a big day, picking up 117 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries and averaging 7.8 yards per carry. 

The problem is, can we really project how anyone in the Saints’ backfield is going to produce on a week-to-week basis? 

This week, Ivory led the team in carries, but with Pierre Thomas closing in on a return, as well as Reggie Bush and Julius Jones in the mix, there is just too much risk involved. 

You are probably better left avoiding the situation entirely, but if you have room on your bench and want to stash Ivory away, there’s no harm done. 

The thing is, don’t plan on using him until we see how the carries will be allocated when Thomas returns.

Verdict – Buy ‘Em 

Anthony Armstrong – Washington Redskins – Wide Receiver

Yes, he scored for the second time this season. Yes, he set a career high in receptions (six receptions for 97 yards). 

Does anyone really care? He has proven very little so it is impossible to trust him, especially this late in the season. 

He’s worth keeping on your radar, especially with the potential that he develops into a usable option for 2011, but right now he’s best left away from your roster.

Verdict – Deny ‘Em 

Derek Hagan – New York Giants – Wide Receiver

With the Redskins looking to stymy Mario Manningham, Eli Manning worked Derek Hagan hard in Week 13 (seven receptions for 65 yards). 

The thing is, with Michael Clayton and Devin Thomas working their way into the mix and Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks close to returning, it’s hard to imagine Hagan maintaining productivity. 

There are only so many balls to go around and Hagan just doesn’t rate high on the priority list.

Verdict – Deny ‘Em 

Tashard Choice – Dallas Cowboys – Running Back

We have heard about the Cowboys looking to get Choice more involved in the offense for some time, but finally we saw signs of it: He had 19 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, but the problem is he still didn’t lead the team in carries (that honor went to Felix Jones, with 22 carries). 

With the new regime in place, it is certainly possible that they give him a long, hard look over the final few weeks to see exactly what they have in him. 

While it is impossible to know exactly how the Cowboys plan to use him in the next few weeks, he certainly is worth stashing just in case.

Verdict – Buy ‘Em 

Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks – Running Back

Who saw this one coming, with Lynch rushing for 83 yards and three touchdowns against the Panthers? 

Then again, it was against the Panthers, so how much stock can we really put into it?  He had 27 carries over the previous three games, yet had 21 in Week 13 (only once prior to this week had he carried the ball more than 17 times). 

Still, it’s not like the Seahawks have any other running back that is a lock to carry the ball, is it? 

Do they have any reason to trust Justin Forsett at this point? Lynch certainly has the potential to earn regular carries from here on out, making him worth owning as a depth option in all formats.

Verdict – Buy ‘Em 

Robert Meachem – New Orleans Saints – Wide Receiver

He had three receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown this past week averaging 35.3 yards per catch. 

On the season, he had 28 receptions for 409 yards and four touchdown, averaging 37.2 yards per catch entering the week. Clearly, he’s the epitome of a big play receiver, making it nearly impossible to trust him one a week-to-week basis. 

Throw in the depth of other options they have, and it is impossible.

Verdict – Deny ‘Em

What are your thoughts on these players?  Who would you pick up?  Who would you avoid?

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