Top 10 Hot Players to Ride to a Fantasy Football Championship
By adammcgill
With the fantasy football playoffs finally here, this is the most important time to know which guys to start or which guys to put on the bench. Below is a list of the top ten guys to ride to a fantasy championship in weeks through 14-16 and add another trophy to your collection.
10. Percy Harvin, MIN – Harvin has been dominant in the two weeks that Adrian Peterson has missed with an ankle injury. He has amassed 324 yards on 22 grabs and 4 touchdowns in that time, including 15 rushes for another 50 yards on the ground. He is a great dual-threat receiver and will get plenty of chances to score with Minnesota trailing in almost every game.
9. Reggie Bush, MIA – The former first round pick has finally been consistently getting touches between the tackles and has scored all 5 of his touchdowns in the last four games. He has always been extremely dangerous in space, but the Dolphins’ found the right way to utilize the 203-pound back. Bush will be a great flex option for fantasy owners, regardless of Miami’s record after week 16.
8. Dez Bryant, DAL –Bryant has filled in great as the number one wideout with Miles Austin being in and out of the lineup. He has caught 3 touchdowns in the last four games and has become the physical threat on offense that Jerry Jones’ hoped for. Bryant will also serve as the team’s primary punt returner as the only other player with punt experience on the roster, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, is expected to be cut by the end of the week. Bryant can only get more chances to score from his increased duties, and his value just skyrocketed in leagues that award points for special teams.
7. Chris Johnson, TEN – It took eight weeks for CJ2K to get back into game shape, but after a long wait fantasy owners can finally breathe easy. He has rushed for 486 yards in the last four games, including 3 scores and has helped several owners survive a critical on the road to the first round.
6. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC – MJD is about the only thing in Jacksonville that has any fantasy value and the UCLA product is leading the league with 1,137 rushing yards. He will get over 20 touches every game and has absolutely no competition at the position. He also plays three of the weakest run-defenses in the league in the next three weeks; with games against Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Tennessee. He can easily score three touchdowns or more during the playoffs and will be one of the premier backs moving forward.
5. A.J. Green, CIN – The rookie has already hauled in 7 touchdown passes in his first year and is seemingly catching a long touchdown each week. He has matured well with rookie quarterback Andy Dalton as the duo have become one of the elite connections in the game. Green will be a great second or third receiver especially in leagues that reward extra points for long scores.
4. LeSean McCoy, PHI – McCoy is second in the NFL with 1,134 rushing yards on the year. He has been very durable, especially considering the amount of abuse he takes. He is the only reliable fantasy option on the roster and will continue to get carries as the Eagles’ slowly fly away into the sunset. McCoy will be a dominant number one back for a title run and he will have extra value in Point per Receptions leagues.
3. Ray Rice, BAL – In the three weeks heading into the fantasy playoffs, Rice has been unstoppable. He rushed for 367 yards on 70 carries and has even added another 77 receiving yards. He is the most dynamic back in the game and has 12 total touchdowns (9 rushing, 2 receiving, and even one passing). He is a must start down the stretch and will only get more involved in the offense as the weather begins to get colder.
2. Rob Gronkowski, NE – “Rob Gron” has started his career better than any other tight end in the history of the game with an uncanny 24 touchdowns in his first 28 games. He catches anything that is thrown within in a ten-foot radius of him, quickly becoming quarterback Tom Brady’s favorite red-zone target. As long as the Pats’ continue to start their players, fantasy owners can expect at least one score a game from the 22-year old.
1. Drew Brees, NO – Brees has been heating up just in time for the big show. He has looked flawless by throwing 9 touchdowns and averaging 342.3 yards over the last three games. He is throwing very crisp passes downfield and the veteran has not missed a step with all of the team’s injuries over the first 12 games. The Saints’ are still in a race to make the NFL playoffs, something that will only motivate Brees more to put up as many points as possible. He will be good for at least two touchdowns each week, but more important is the fact that he could potentially explode for 4 touchdowns in any given week.
-By Adam McGill