Fantasy Football: Week 15 Hot Pickups

Ryan Torain exploded in his first game back from injury with 24 carries for 172 yards. He was riding the pine for most of his fantasy owners this week and those owners have to be kicking themselves. Torain has seized the featured back role and is a RB3 with RB2 upside going forward. Ryan Torain is still available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Tim Hightower went crazy this past Sunday with 18 carries for 148 yards and an amazing two touchdowns. Beanie Wells has been a flop since being named the starter and one has to expect that Hightower has the job back for the rest of the season. The Cards will not get a chance to protect leads on most days so Hightower will not produce like this, but this outing goes to show his upside. Hightower is still available in 56 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Pierre Thomas struggled with only 12 carries for 39 yards in his first game back from injury. With Ivory now injured, the PT Bruiser may get a chance to win some owners their fantasy league. He is still available in 37 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He probably is not available in yours but four out of ten of us will find him on the wire. Take a look.

Anthony Dixon led the San Francisco 49ers in carries with 14 for 60 yards. Westbrook played more passing downs and led the team in receptions with six. Dixon is currently available in 86 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Javarris James had 17 carries for 49 yards and one touchdown this past Thursday. James has carved out the goal-line back role and will maintain this role regardless of who is healthy and who isn't. A healthy Addai will also get some goal-line looks especially on passing downs, so react accordingly. James is currently available in 94 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

David Nelson keeps putting together fantasy relevant weeks. Despite finishing week 14 with only one reception for 11 yards, it was a touchdown haul. With Lee Evans expected to miss next weeks game, Nelson’s fantasy arrow is pointing up. David Nelson is currently available in 100 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Owen Daniels has returned just in time for the fantasy playoffs and is a hot pickup this week. Daniels finished Monday nights game with five receptions for 91 yards and should be heavily involved in the passing game going forward. Daniels is a solid TE1 the rest of the way and should be added in, where available, for nothing more than to block rival managers. Daniels is available in 74 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Arrelious Benn broke out with four receptions for 122 yards and seems to be finding his way in the NFL. Benn will be inconsistent but is a solid flex2 in deeper leagues. Benn is still available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Louis Murphy seems to be rounding back into form and racked up six receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars. Though Murphy may not possess the potential upside of a Darrius Heyward-Bey or Jacoby Ford, Murphy is the teams top wide receiver and Jason Campbell’s most trusted deep threat. Murphy is currently available in 93 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Blair White had seven receptions for 52 yards and has rewarded fantasy owners who hung onto him. White has been solid in PPR formats and is a likely solid flex2 the rest of the way. White has flex upside and is currently available in 85 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Mike Goodson is still finding ways to be fantasy relevant backing up Jonathan Stewart. He finished week 14 with nine carries for 70 yards and one touchdown. Goodson is no more than a flex2 but is someone to look at in deeper leagues. Goodson is currently available in 59 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Jacoby Jones was a popular draft season sleeper but has not showed up this year. Wildly inconsistent and unable to unseat Kevin Walter, Jones still has a weekly upside. Jones finished last week's game with five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown and is a solid flex2 the next two weeks. Jones is available in 77 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Rashad Jennings has looked solid the last few weeks and had a career day with five carries for 109 yards and a touchdown vs. the Raiders. This is still Maurice Jones-Drew’s show as evidenced by the limited carries but Jennings is worth a roster stash in the deepest leagues. MJD owners, let this serve as notice that you need to handcuff in the playoffs. Jennings is still available in 97 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Bernard Berrian is a worthwhile add this week with Percy Harvin having no real reason to force himself into action this week. His migraines will be a lifetime issue and he will play when there is something to play for. However, with the Vikings season over, Berrian is in line for extra snaps at the minimum and to be the #2 receiver like he was this past Monday at best. Berrian caught five balls for 30 yards against the Giants and is upside flex2 in week 15. Only deploy Berrian in the deepest of leagues. Otherwise just make the add to block rival G.M’s. Berrian is available in 94 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Brandon LaFell had a career high six receptions for 38 yards in week 14 and seems to be turning the corner. He is a recommended dynasty league pickup as the Panthers quarterback struggles have to improve next year one way or another. The Panthers suck too much to insert LaFell in fantasy lineups during the fantasy playoffs.

Rob Gronkowski had five receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown in a snow game against the Bears. Gronkowski has surpassed Aaron Hernandez as the Patriots number one tight end and it has become apparent on the field with Gronkowski’s increasing red zone targets. Gronkowski is still available in 62 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is a rock solid TE2 with low-end TE1 upside.

Bo Scaife went off for four receptions for 20 yards and two touchdowns against the Colts and looks to make some noise down the stretch. He is a recommended TE2 the rest of the season. We would not advise starting Scaife in the playoffs, but as he proved last week, he can go off. Scaife is currently available in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.


This article can also be found on Win My Fantasy League.