Author: TJ Streett

Last Call On Jason Thompson

Jason Thompson is one of the hottest power forwards in the NBA and the fantasy world is taking notice.

Analysis: Jason Thompson has outperformed Kenneth Faried, DeMarcus Cousins and Carlos Boozer thus far this year. Faried, Cousins and Boozer are all owned in 100% of fantasy leagues while Thompson is not. Faried doesn’t hit free throws, Cousins’ field goal percentage is a joke(42%) and Boozer is simply overrated. Yet Thompson remains available in half of leagues and continues to be an under the radar fantasy performer at this point in the season. He’s averaging 7.8 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 11.1 PPG and he’s shooting 51% from the field this year. His free throw shooting is respectable(73%) and he has been getting to the line more as of late.

Thompson is getting about thirty minutes of floor time over the past few weeks and he’s taking advantage of it. Thompson is averaging 9.9 boards per game in the month of December, that is impressive. He isn’t a flashy player on a big market team which is why he isn’t universally owned but he does produce when given the minutes.

Streaming Defenses- Week 15

Week 15 is one interesting week in regards to the defensive fantasy match-ups.

Analysis: The Baltimore defense is struggling at the moment and it may get even worse when Denver visits this coming week. Denver is averaging 28.8 points per game which is third best in the NFL. Peyton Manning is on fire and Denver is riding an eight game winning streak. Baltimore on the other hand did just give up 31 points to Washington and 23 to Charlie Batch and the Steelers.

An interesting alternative to starting the Ravens’ D is the Titans. The Titans have the train wreck that is the New York Jets this week. The Jets are 26th in points per game, 29th in passing yards and are 30th with 26 giveaways on the year.

Another solid option is the Detroit defense. The Lions have Arizona in week 15 and if they haven’t mentally checked out it could be a big fantasy day. The Cardinals are on a nine game losing streak and have scored a total of 6 points over their last two games. Both the Titans and Lions are worth checking out since teams like Baltimore and Atlanta(vs. NYG) are playing such tough opponents.

Stock Rising- Jason Avant

Jason Avant amassed 133 receiving yards on 7 receptions Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Analysis: This is Avant’s second big fantasy week in a row. He is obviously benefiting from the absence of DeSean Jackson and his impact has been significant. Avant has 17 targets, 11 receptions and 212 yards in his last two games. He is not much of a touchdown threat which does hinder his value but he may be of use in these final weeks. Nick Foles does spread the ball around on a pass heavy team so Avant should continue with a healthy amount of targets.

If Pierre Garcon does not have RG3 throwing him the ball next Sunday against Cleveland his fantasy value does take a hit. Is Avant a better fantasy option than Garcon if RG3 is out? Possibly, but he is not the red zone threat that Garcon is. Yes, there is an amount of risk in starting Avant next week but if LeSean McCoy remains out it will continue to boost his value. Avant is available in virtually every league but his stock is certainly rising.

Three Ball Help- Randy Foye

Randy Foye’s minutes in Utah have risen recently and to no one’s surprise so has his fantasy production.

Analysis: Randy Foye has been averaging thirty minutes per game over the past few weeks and his increased playing time is paying off. Foye has averaged 3.0 three pointers made and 6.6 three point attempts over his last five games. His greatest asset has always been his long range shooting ability so it’s good to see him shooting threes at a career high clip.

Foye may have point guard/shooting guard eligibility but you can’t really play him at the point. He only averages 1.8 assists per game this year and has not been a viable fantasy point guard since his days in Minnesota years ago. But Foye does bring some others tools to the fantasy table. He’ll give you about one steal per game and he’s a career 86% free throw shooter. He is available in eighty percent of leagues which doesn’t exactly make sense since he is getting thirty minutes per and hoisting up threes like it’s going out of style but keep in mind that he can hurt you with his field goal percentage if and when he cools off.

Why Not Brandon Myers?

Oakland tight end Brandon Myers caught 14 balls for 130 yards and a score Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Analysis: Brandon Myers has caught at least five balls in seven of his last eight contests and he has four touchdowns in his last five games. He isn’t a sexy fantasy player but he is a Raider tight end and that is a great thing to be at the moment. Oakland does not even have a semblance of a running game. Carson Palmer has thrown at least 40 passing attempts in five of his last seven games and no one is benefiting more than one Brandon Myers. Myers was targeted 15 times Sunday and has 38 targets over his last four games. All this twenty-seven year old does is produce these days.

Keeping his huge game Sunday in mind it is a must to pick Brandon Myers up now if you even have a chance to. He is outperforming the majority of the tight ends in the NFL and only four weeks are left in the season to capitalize. He’s available in over seventy percent of leagues and he may reach 1,000 receiving yards this year… unbelievable!