Fantasy Football 101: Week 14 Pickups and Other Quick Hits

Week 13 is in the books as the regular season nears its final weeks.  The fantasy regular season has ended or is near its end, meaning the time for tinkering is done.  Fill holes, add depth and hope you are not in need of a pickup.  Of course, occasionally a late bloomer emerges who could make a post-season impact—think Green Bay RB James Starks (thoughts below).

At this point in the season, you know what you have.  Stick to your guns and don't try to overthink things.  Also, now is not the time to take chances on injured players.  Of course, if you are a severe underdog, don't be afraid to play high potential over mediocre certainty. 

Good luck.

Here is a look at this week's pickup options.

Please note, list excludes recommendations from the past two weeks.

Click here to view last week's article.

Note: To qualify as a pickup, a player must be owned in fewer than 40 percent of Yahoo leagues as of this writing (12/6/10). 

Quarterback

Jon Kitna, Miami Dolphins (owned: 31 percent): Good weapons and improved balance make Kitna a dangerous playoff option. Has thrown for 300-plus yards every other week since getting the starting job, and based on that theory, this should be his 300-yard week.

Drew Stanton, Detroit Lions (owned: one percent): Not a world-beater, but if you are looking for a QB at this point in the season, the player's weapons and offense are as important as the player.  Stanton has played twice and looked solid both times, and gets to throw to Megatron.

Note: I like Tarvaris Jackson (great weapons) if he plays, but can't include him above due to being included on the list two weeks ago.

Running Back

James Starks, Green Bay Packers (owned: six percent): He may sound like an out-of-nowhere late-bloomer, but we mentioned him back in Week 6.  He made a good first impression this week in his first action of the season with 18 carries and 73 yards.  Most importantly, due to a bad depth chart, Starks has a chance to steal the starting job and he is the type of rusher/receiver who could be perfect in the Packers offense.

Tashard Choice, Dallas Cowboys (owned: 11 percent): Marion Barber appears over and the oft-overlooked Choice is primed to take some of his carries.  It is still a timeshare with Felix Jones, but the Dallas offense is clicking and his 19-carry, 100-yard performance was not a fluke.  Choice has always done well when given a chance.

Wide Receiver

Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears (owned: six percent): Bennett is not the most talented Bears receiver, but he runs good routes, displays good hands and has come on strong the past two weeks.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers (owned: 21 percent): Has struggled the past couple of weeks, but Jones has the type of spurt-ability you look for come playoff time. 

Tight End

Tony Moeaki, Kansas City Chiefs (owned: 31 percent): Had hit the rookie wall the past couple weeks, but as the weather turns and the Chiefs make their playoff push, Moeaki will be a key player in their passing game.  The team's No. 2 target behind Dwayne Bowe.

Joel Dressen, Houston Texans (owned: 11 percent): Underappreciated but effective.  Dressen has 12 catches for 184 yards the past three weeks in a tight end-friendly offense.

Defense

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs defense has quietly put together a solid season, and after this week's matchup versus San Diego, they finish with St. Louis, Tennessee and Oakland.

Other Thoughts

- After a slow start (at least by his standards), Drew Brees has hit his stride with 300-plus yards in five of his last six games.  With the Saints chasing the Falcons, expect the fireworks to continue into the playoffs.

- The Brian Westbrook express was short-lived as he received just nine carries (same as Anthony Dixon), while failing to catch a pass. 

- Keep an eye on Titans TE Jared Cook down the stretch.  He may be work ethic-challenged, but will get a long look down the stretch as the team tries to determine his upside.  Has four catches each of the past two weeks.

- Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno has been an unsung hero the past three weeks, but like all Broncos players, it will be interesting to see how much changes with the departure of coach Josh McDaniels.

- Browns WR Mohammed Massaquoi has four catches for 50-plus yards in three of the last four games.  Unless the Browns make a major upgrade at the position, he could be poised for a breakout year in 2011.

- Keeper leaguers hope the Bills give CJ Spiller a chance to shine down the stretch.  He looked healthy this week, but the presence of Fred Jackson may limit his 2011 upside.

- Raiders RB Darren McFadden provided owners with playoff hopes with a bounceback effort this week.  His schedule is very favorable during the playoff run.  Play him with confidence.

- Unless Joseph Addai comes back, avoid all Colts running backs like the plague.

- Rams WR Brandon Gibson continues to be the team's most consistent receiving option.  Not great and upside is limited, but it is hard to argue with his 28 catches the last five games.

- Marshawn Lynch bounced back with three touchdowns last week, but don't drink the Kool-Aid as the bounceback came against the hapless Carolina Panthers.

- Don't be surprised if Tampa WR Mike Williams emerges as a Top 10 receiver next year.  If not for Sam Bradford, he would be a Rookie of the Year candidate and is only scratching the surface of his potential.

- After watching early-round running backs bust at an alarming rate while hidden gems like Arian Foster, Peyton Hillis, Darren McFadden and Ahmad Bradshaw shine, one draft recommendation for 2011 will be to go for quantity more so than early-round quality.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for nfldraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101.

Check out NFLDraft101's 2011 Post-Thankgiving Mock Draft