Jonathan Stewart - Wait, Stewart a top 10 running back coming into the season, is now a waiver wire pick up for week 13? Everyone and their sister dropped Stewart after combining for 69 carries for 208 yards through eight games. Stewart missed the next two weeks with a concussion, but bounced back on Sunday with a 12 carry 98 yard performance while splitting carries with Mike Goodson. Goodson has surprised many with his recent performance in the Panthers backfield, but from the start of the season I’ve always believed Stewart would become the featured back even with DeAngello Williams stealing carries. It was only a season ago, when Stewart carried teams to a fantasy championship running for 589 yards and scoring five touchdowns from week 13 through week 17. Expect Stewart to get 70 percent of the carries between him and Goodson, while leading Carolina in red zone touches.
Tashard Choice – Not that Marion Barber had been much a fantasy option in 2010, but he’s officially out for the next two weeks with a calf injury, opening the door for Choice. The Cowboys running back situation has been a mess all season, so it’s not like Choice will be running behind the 1993 Dallas Super Bowl offensive line. Knowing how much they have struggled, Choice is likely to get be the running back in the red zone making him a nice flex option. Dallas has the Redskins and Cardinals in weeks 15 and 16, so Choice could play an integral role in the fantasy playoffs.
Ben Obomanu – Mike Williams sat out vs. the Chiefs on Sunday, and while there is optimism he could play against the Panthers, owners that lack depth at receiver should add Obomanu. Obomanu has been a beast in the previous three games with 14 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks are a pass first time and Matt Hasselbeck is slinging it around as if Mike Holmgren was still the teams Head Coach. With the Panthers on deck and Williams questionable for Sunday, Obonamu makes for a nice third receiver for this weeks matchup.
Derrick Mason – While it’s perceived Anquan Boldin is the go to receiver in the Ravens offense, it’s obvious the veteran Mason is Joe Flacco’s favorite target. Mason has 19 catches, with just fewer than 55 yards a game and three touchdowns in his last four games. Boldin as well as Todd Heap draw a ton of double teams, so Mason has been able to take advantage of this opportunity in recent weeks. While you would likely never bench Boldin, I find it hard to believe Mason isn’t the more reliable option in the Baltimore passing game.
Jacoby Ford – The Raiders offense has lacked fantasy options with the exception of Darren McFadden all season, but with emergence of Ford Oakland has two legitimate options. In two of his last three games Ford has gone over the century mark in receiving yards, while providing Oakland with big play capability. Ford likely shouldn’t be depended on every week, but with Randy Moss and so many issues with the Giants receivers, Ford is a nice option for those who need a pick me up with their fantasy playoffs on the line. The Raiders have the Jaguars and Broncos in weeks 14 and 15, so Ford will make for a nice sleeper against teams who struggle to defend the pass.