Week 12 was met with numerous COVID-19 cases and surprise injury designations. This allowed for young players to take advantage of opportunity and players like Collin Johnson and Chad Beebe to flourish. This article does not take into account the Steelers vs. Ravens game that is set to be played on Wednesday night, but here are my picks for the wire in Week 13.
Ito Smith- Todd Gurley missed Week 12 with another knee problem, no surprise there. Most fantasy gurus projected Brian Hill to step in and take the touchdown heavy role, instead it was none other than Ito Smith. Smith received less snaps and carries than Hill, but countered it with more production. The veteran back took 12 carries for 65 yards and a score along with four catches for 10 yards. If Gurley misses next week, Ito Smith is a must roster.
Scoville Units: Hungarian- 10,000
Cam Akers- The Rams backfield has been about as murky as the Mississippi River. Between Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown, and Cam Akers, it is like throwing a dart at a wall to find which is the lead back. This week it was second-round draft pick Cam Akers, who took nine carries for 84 yards one of which was a 61-yard touchdown. Personally, I think that Akers is the most talented back, but with the season winding down, his emergence looks to be in 2021. Akers is still worth a roster spot in the off chance that he leads the backfield for the rest of this season.
Scoville Units: Thai Pepper- 100,000
Breshad Perriman- Since coming back in Week 9, Perriman has been an extremely productive receiver. Last week he continued this trend catching four of eight targets for 79 yards. In a Jets defense that has been less than competent all season, Perriman might be a bright spot in the darkness. Sam Darnold is officially back at quarterback and Perriman is a key beneficiary.
Scoville Units: Habanero- 275,000
Keke Coutee- The biggest impact this week occurred in the Texans facility. Will Fuller V, who was having a phenomenal season, has been suspended for the next six weeks after testing positive for PEDs. This along with the cutting of Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb’s injury makes Coutee the second wide receiver on the Texans Depth chart. Coutee has been used as a gadget player in the past two weeks, but should see a major uptick in snaps.
Scoville Units: Scotch Bonnet- 270,000
Gabriel Davis- In Week 12 the Bills were met with placing John Brown on the IR. While this is a negative to Bills fans, it is no doubt a positive for Davis. Brown has missed five weeks in total this season and is set to miss the next two. In games where Brown has missed, Davis has eclipsed double digits four times. In Week 12, Davis caught three passes for 79 yards and a score, assuming that he can replicate this performance in the coming weeks, he is definitely worth a roster spot.
Scoville Units: Cayenne Pepper- 50,000
Allen Lazard- In Week 11, Allen Lazard returned after a seven-week hiatus. While his Week 11 performance left a little bit to be desired, in Week 12 he answered the call. Despite missing a drive after a big hit, Lazard received 46% of snaps catching four of six passes for 23 yards and a score. While Lazard may not have passed 25 yards, he was one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets in the first three weeks. Projecting that Lazard picks up where he left off, he has good matchups the rest of the way.
Scoville Units: Fatali- 325,000
Players to watch: Devontae Booker (If Josh Jacobs misses), Collin Olabisi, Vikings receivers (If Adam Thielen misses).
