D Up!: Late-season adjustments to injuries
Hindsight doesn't do much for you in fantasy football, particularly in the playoffs, and especially in the championship, when poor decisions quickly convert into an offseason of regret. Seemingly minor lineup decisions can decide the fate of our title hopes. A no-show from your kicker (like Neil Rackers in Week 15) can end the four-month road to fantasy glory. As the wear and tear of the brutal NFL season has eroded real and fantasy rosters alike, we find ourselves considering players we never envisioned would influence our season. Players with little relevance just a few weeks ago, like DeShaun Foster and Pierre Thomas, are now key factors to fantasy championships just as studs like Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson are. The same can be said for the defensive side of the ball, where guys like Paris Lenon and Bradie James are outshining the likes of Patrick Willis and DeMeco Ryans.
The key in this most pivotal of weeks is striking a balance between trusting the players who got you this far and taking chances on lesser-known commodities that are in prime positions to produce. There's a tendency in fantasy sports for managers to want tough decisions to be made for them, by someone else's advice or by choosing a player from a ranked list. The truth is people won fantasy leagues long before computer projections and fantasy "experts" influenced the decision-making process. Essentially, I'm suggesting that while all of this available information and counsel is helpful, in the end it's your team and your championship on the line. Mix equal parts research and gut instinct and you should be fine, and at least you won't have any regrets.
Consider using these players if you are in immediate need of impact defenders.
Linebackers and Linemen: The blustery conditions expected in New England this weekend could lead to a run-heavy game that should net Arizona's Gerald Hayes an abundance of tackles. … The aforementioned Paris Lenon is available in nearly 80 percent of ESPN leagues, has been a tackle-machine the past few weeks and should continue his double-digit streak against a Saints' offense that is running the ball with more frequency. … The football public was introduced to Bradie James this past Sunday night, but many of us IDP nerds have been wise to this emerging player from some time. Well, not all of us, it seems, as he's available in nearly half of ESPN leagues and faces a conservative Baltimore offense that should afford him a nice blend of tackles and sack opportunities. … The Jets' Shaun Ellis forced his way onto fantasy rosters earlier in the season after tallying a sack in six of his first seven games, but then hit an extended dry spell in which he notched just 1.5 sacks in his next seven games. The good news is Ellis is back to producing after a huge Week 15 that included his first career touchdown. While another TD is unlikely (ever), Ellis has posted a reliable 19 tackles the past two weeks and has a favorable matchup in Week 16 against a sloppy Seattle offense. … Fellow Jets David Harris' return from injury has seen him post 24 tackles in the past two games, making him an ideal addition to your playoff roster. If you are relying on a boom-or-bust sack threat and want a safe and steady producer, Harris is your man. … Two Baltimore 'backers not named Ray Lewis who could be of use this weekend are hybrid pass rush specialist Terrell Suggs and the savvy Bart Scott.
Defensive Backs: Adrian Wilson might not be the most deserving Pro Bowler this season, but he does merit a spot on your fantasy roster. After a slow start to the season on account of injuries, Wilson has averaged nearly eight fantasy points per game since Arizona's Week 7 bye. With a matchup against a New England offense that will likely be on the field for much of the game, Wilson should be among the top performers this week. … Cedric Griffin often gets lost in the shuffle on the star-studded Vikings defense but he's been a steady tackle producer all season. With a savory matchup against a rookie QB in Matt Ryan, who'll likely need to pass to win, Griffin could be a key cog in your title run. … Kerry Rhodes was my top defensive back coming into the season, despite some downward trending from the end of last season. While that selection didn't exactly pan out, he is coming on of late and merits consideration in even the shallowest of leagues. … If you name your kid Lawyer and he grows up to be a hard-hitting pro safety, would it make sense to assume if you name your kid safety he grows up to be a lawyer? Only time will tell. In any case, Lawyer Milloy is an elite option this week against the run-heavy Vikings and even has some interception potential against Tarvaris Jackson. … Coy Wire has transitioned back and forth from safety to linebacker throughout his career but has always proven effective against the run, which has led to the Falcons employing him at outside linebacker of late. His run defense skills will keep him be busy with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor in Week 16 and he has considerable added value in IDP leagues since he's listed as a safety but will suit up at linebacker.
Target these guys for depth with an eye on their potential to be full-fledged starters.
Linebackers and Linemen: Mathias Kiwanuka looks forward to Osi Umenyiora returning next season so they can baffle commentators' pronunciation skills. For now, though, Kiwanuka must settle for being a widely available and solid sack option for those in need. … Where have you been Tamba Hali? The loss of Jared Allen put a considerable damper on Hali's development as a pass rusher, but he's been showing some signs of life of late and has some favorable matchups on the docket. … With injuries plaguing the Titans' defensive line, former IDP star Jevon Kearse will see increased reps and faces a mediocre Pittsburgh offensive line. … Pisa Tinoisamoa is one of the few, if not the only, members of the Rams' front seven that merits consideration in IDP leagues. Playing behind a sieve of a line and with little help, someone has to rack up the tackles and Tinoisamoa is the lone man on the job.
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Defensive Backs: Rookie standout Brandon Flowers is starting to put up nice numbers just in time to be of use in deep leagues. In keeper formats, Flowers has added value. … Chris Crocker has tallied 39 tackles (30 solos) with 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, an interception and forced fumble in the six games he's been with the Bengals. In Week 16, Crocker faces the team that drafted him and he's verbalized his desire to put up a big game. … Brandon McDonald has been the rare positive to come out of an overwhelmingly depressing year in Cleveland. If you are looking for a true risk/reward pick and find yourself potentially needing a big game, McDonald is an ideal candidate against a sloppy Cincinnati offense. … The Rams' Jason Craft embodies the boom-or-bust concept commonly found with cornerbacks. Against what should be a pass-heavy San Francisco offense, however, my bet is on boom this week.
Jim McCormick is a fantasy football analyst for ESPN.com.
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