Here we are entering week 13. For many, this is the final week of our regular season. If you are fighting for a playoff spot, hopefully some of these suggestions can help you. The list is small this week since most of the players I would mention have been mentioned numerous times before. Also, there likely is not much left out there as we head into this final week of the fantasy year. Anyhow, good luck folks!
DEFENSIVE LINE
J.J. Watt- Watt has been on this list a time or two before. He is very up and down and that is to be expected as a rookie. While he has been on my weekly rankings throughout the season, I have not had him on there for the past couple weeks. He deserves some credit for his past couple games and merits a look as a pickup. He has 10 total tackles and 2.5 sacks over his last two games. As the Texans try to cling to their division title and playoff spot, they will need to rely on their defense and running game to hang on. Watt should get plenty of chances to fill up box scores as the Texans D tries to keep games close.
LINEBACKERS
Akeem Ayers- Ayers has graced some articles that I have written a few times this year. He has been a pleasant surprise in making his transition to SLB in Tennessee. He is starting to mix in some heavy tackle efforts with his performance plays and as such he is starting to warrant a look in many leagues. The past four games he has 24 total tackles and three performance plays. If you are looking for a spot start and he is out there, give him a shot.
Lawrence Timmons- It feels fundamentally wrong putting Timmons on this list. However, his performances have been so putrid this season that I have seen him on the waiver wire in multiple leagues. His name has carried a lot of weight this year, but his performance has left a lot to be desired. Well as Pittsburgh gets healthy and makes their push for the playoffs, Timmons is finally starting to show his old form. Now back at ILB, he has 13 tackles and an interception over his past two games. His eight tackles this week were his most in a game since week two of the season. Expect him to keep it up as the fantasy playoffs arrive.
Connor Barwin- My goodness has Barwin come on as of late! He is making the most of his opportunity to shine with Mario Williams out. In the past three weeks he has 16 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He capped this performance off with a 10-tackle, 4-sack effort this week against Jacksonville. While I do not expect to see that type of Herculean effort again, I do think he can build on this momentum and keep the sacks and 4+ tackle games coming.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Richard Sherman- The rookie joins Brandon Browner as another hot commodity to own in IDP leagues that require starting CBs. Sherman is steady and very, very consistent. In the last five games that he has started, he has five or more tackles in four of those five games. During that five game stretch, he has managed to accumulate 25 tackles two interceptions and nine passes defensed. For leagues that award points for passes defensed, Sherman has managed at least one in every one of his five starts. He is seeing a lot of action and doing a lot with it. This week the Eagles come to town and they are throwing like crazy. Expect more of the same from Sherman.
Major Wright- Wright may finally be getting the hand of things. He started out slowly when he was inserted into the Bears’ starting lineup, but he has picked up the pace lately. Wright now has 17 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defensed in his last four starts. Like Richard Sherman, Wright has managed at least one pass defensed during that four game stretch. He also had a three game stretch with an interception snapped this week. He can provide some decent production in deeper leagues.
Antwaun Molden- Molden’s time could run out any second. As soon as Devin McCourty is healthy enough to return, Molden will likely head to the bench and become an afterthought. In the meantime, however, he is not a bad addition. Thanks to the injuries in the Patriots’ secondary, Molden has had to start the past two games. During that time he has tallied 11 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception. With the Pats playing the lowly Colts this week, they may not be in any hurry to rush McCourty back. That could mean another start for Molden against Curtis Painter. Could mean good things if you are in a pinch and need a fill-in CB.
