Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Free Agents to Target - Week 16

December 19, 2007 @ 12:42:12

By Richard Garcia
Edited by Herija C. Green

Running Backs: One-Week Play

Kolby Smith, Kansas City Chiefs - Smith produced his best overall game since taking over the starting job in Week 12, totaling 105 yards on 18 carries and three receptions this past Sunday. There isn't an expected return date on running back Larry Johnson (foot), who has been out of the team's lineup since Week 10. He faces a considerably favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions, who are allowing the most rushing yards (159) and touchdowns (2.50) per game to the position over their last four games. He is available in 37 percent of casual and 17 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons - Norwood surpassed running back Warrick Dunn in carries last week, carrying the ball nine times for 73 yards. Over the last three weeks, he and Dunn are close to equal in the amount of utilizations they are receiving, with Dunn edging Norwood by a total of three during that time. Dunn is still the starter at this point, but the playing field is beginning to equal, which should continue to benefit Norwood's numbers. Norwood could be played as a solid No. 3 option; available in 68 percent of casual and 27 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Lorenzo Booker, Miami Dolphins - Booker has seen a steady increase in touches over the last few weeks with running back Jesse Chatman (ankle) still sidelined with an injury. He managed to carry the ball eight times for 17 yards while hauling in six passes for the third consecutive week. Running back Samkon Gado remains the starter, but with Chatman's status still uncertain for this week's matchup, Booker could be used as a low-tier No. 3 option if needed. Booker is available in 99 percent of casual and 95 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Wide Receivers: One-Week Play

David Patten, New Orleans Saints - Patten has become the second-most utilized receiver in the offense over the Saints last four games, despite failing to record a reception in Week 13. He managed to gain 71 yards on four receptions and found the end zone for the second consecutive game, giving him three on the year. This week he faces a Philadelphia Eagles team that is giving up the second-most receiving yards and third-most receptions in the league to the position over the last four weeks. Patten is available in 91 percent of casual and 59 percent of competitive leagues and should be considered a No. 2 or No. 3 fantasy receiver this week.

Michael Jenkins, Atlanta Falcons - Prior to last week's five-yard performance, Jenkins put up respectable numbers in the previous two games; hauling in 13 receptions for 131 yards combined and adding a touchdown in each. He finds himself set to go against an Arizona Cardinals team that is in a multi-way tie for the most touchdowns (1.75) allowed per game to the position over the last month. Despite the matchup, Jenkins should be considered no more than a No. 3 option or injury replacement. He is available in 96 percent of casual and 85 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets - Cotchery (finger) has silenced any talk that he might have to miss the remainder of the season due to injury. He caught six passes for the second week in a row and has totaled 172 yards receiving yards in his last two games after being equipped with a special soft splint for the finger. The Tennessee Titans offer a good matchup for Cotchery, allowing a little more than 157 yards receiving and 1.25 touchdowns per game to the position in their last four. However, play Cotchery as a last resort in fantasy lineups this week. He is available in 23 percent of casual and 24 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Bryant Johnson, Arizona Cardinals - Johnson didn't make the most of his opportunities when receiver Anquan Boldin (toe) missed their Week 14 game, catching just one pass for a touchdown. Both Boldin and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald played in their last game, which means that Johnson could see less passes thrown his way. However, he’s got a good matchup against a Falcons squad allowing 168 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per contest to opposing wideouts in the last month so he may be able to make the most of limited opportunities. He is available in 86 percent of casual and 55 percent of competitive leagues polled.

NEW - Jabar Gaffney, New England Patriots - Gaffney followed his best game in a Patriots uniform in Week 14 with a two-catch performance for eight yards last week. It is apparent that he has passed wide receiver Donte' Stallworth on the depth chart, surpassing Stallworth in every offensive category in their last four games. They face a Miami Dolphins team this week that is allowing a little more than 10 receptions and a touchdown per game to the position in their last four games. Gaffey could help out a fantasy team in need as a solid No. 2 option. He is available in 99 percent of casual and 68 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Tight Ends: One-Week Play

Alge Crumpler, Atlanta Falcons - Crumpler continues to disappoint fantasy owners. He heads into the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Cardinals after failing to record a reception for the first time in 74 games last week. Overlooking that fact along with him receiving just one ball thrown his way, believe it or not, Crumpler has a strong matchup. The Cardinals aren't giving up much in regards to receptions and yards, but they have given up to scores to the position over their last four games. Crumpler should be considered a last resort if a better option isn't feasible. He's available in 35 percent of casual and 47 percent of competitive leagues polled.

NEW - Ben Utecht, Indianapolis Colts - Utecht, who saw minimal time prior to tight end Dallas Clark suffering an injury, has continued to be a viable option in the passing game with Clark's return. He is averaging close to four looks from quarterback Peyton Manning per game, while averaging more receiving yardage than Clark over the last month. This week he faces the Houston Texans, who are allowing the most receptions (6.50) and receiving yards (79) per game in the league to the position in their last four games. Utecht could be considered a low-tier No. 1 option due to his strong play if a better option isn't available. He can be acquired in essentially all leagues.

Place Kickers: One-Week Play

Jason Hanson, Detroit Lions - Hanson is coming off his least productive game of the year, managing to kick only two extra points. He has an extremely favorable matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are in a multi-way tie for giving up the second-most actual kicking points (9.8) per game to the position over the last four games. Hanson will be kicking under the comforts of Ford Field and should be considered a low-end fantasy option. He is available in 28 percent of casual and 19 percent of competitive leagues polled.

NEW - Rian Lindell, Buffalo Bills - Lindell heads into this week's matchup after failing to account for any points in their game against the Cleveland Browns. The conditions for the game weren't the best, but Lindell failed to register at least one point in a game for the first time in his career. He faces a New York Giants this week, a team that is in a in a multi-way tie for giving up the third-highest point total (9.5) per game to opposing kickers over the last month. Last week should be considered a fluke for Lindell, and fantasy owners should feel comfortable playing him as a last resort option with a strong matchup. He is available in 97 percent of casual and 86 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Defense: One-Week Play

Buffalo Bills - For a team in need of a good defense to play heading into their championship game or who need a little push to get them there, look no further than the Bills. They are allowing a respectable 18.8 points per game while averaging 2.5 sacks and creating 1.75 turnovers per contest in their last four games. Only seven teams have scored fewer than the 16 points per game that the New York Giants are averaging in their last four, while giving up a little more than two sacks and close to three turnovers per game in their last four. The Bills are a solid one-week option; available in 81 percent of casual and 59 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Tennessee Titans - The matchup against the New York Jets is almost too good to be true for a Titans defense that has been playing well of late, creating an average of two sacks and two turnovers per game in their last four. The Jets are allowing the most sacks (4.5) per game while giving up an average of two turnovers per contest to opposing defenses during that time. The Titans have a strong matchup and should be considered a one-week play for a team that is desperate. They are available in 36 percent of casual and 20 percent of competitive leagues polled.

NEW - Detroit Lions - The Lions defense has made a complete about face after once leading the league in turnovers created. Over the last four weeks, the Lions are allowing the most points (36.5) in the league, while averaging just one sack per game and tying for the third in the league for the least amount of turnovers created; averaging less than one per game. Looking past all that, the Kansas City Chiefs offense has been anemic, scoring the fourth-fewest amount of points (12.8) in the league and allowing the third-most sacks (four) during their last four games. The Chiefs are also turning the ball over an average of 2.5 times per game, which could turn around the Lions misfortunes. They should be considered a desperation play; available in 43 percent of casual and 44 percent of competitive leagues polled.

Author Bio

Richard Garcia
Garcia served as a managing editor for KFFL. Prior to his time with KFFL, Richard worked in managerial roles with both Frito-Lay Inc. and UPS. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and fulfilled his internship requirements with the Los Angeles Kings Hockey organization in 2001.