The fantasy football playoffs are finally here! If you are still reading this, chances are your team made it to the playoffs. Congrats for that, but the battle does not stop here. There are still important transactions to make in order to secure your fantasy football championship. The fantasy playoffs are the time when key contributions from scarce positions like Tight Ends and D/STs can be the difference between advancing and going home. Most of your decisions should be easy at this point, and my best advice to lineup decisions is “Dance with the one that brought you.” For those who are in desperation mode for whatever reason, use this list as a last-ditch survival mode to get you through the first round of the playoffs.
Quarterbacks to Add
1. Johnny Manziel, Browns: This may be a perfect storm for fantasy football experts who are familiar with the added value of running QBs. “Johnny football” finds himself in a very advantageous situation heading into the final few games of his rookie season. The Cleveland Browns stand at 7-5 and are in a complete logjam with about 5 other teams who are all competing for playoff spots in the AFC, and Manziel may be their best chance to grab one of those spots. Brian Hoyer has been abysmal the last few weeks throwing 5 interceptions in his last 3 games, and Manziel’s rushing totals should cancel out any turnover problems. The Browns have yet to officially name Manziel as the starter, so you can get an early jump on the only difference making QB that will be available on your waiver wire.
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Texans: Ryan Fitzpatrick was just benched 3 weeks ago for his inconsistent play, but due to an injury to his replacement, Ryan Mallet, Fitzpatrick has emerged as a serviceable streaming QB option. Fitzpatrick finished week 13 as the highest scoring fantasy QB with an astonishing 39 fantasy points from 6 TD passes. The explanation for this success can mainly be contributed to an outstanding supporting cast of Deandre Hopkins, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster. With weapons like that, it is not difficult to see why Fitzpatrick is able to produce for fantasy owners. The Texans have 2 matchups upcoming against one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Fitz should be able to feast on a weaker opponent.
Running Backs to Add
1. Doug Martin, Bucs: With an ownership percentage of 42% in ESPN leagues, Martin has been drooped and made available in plenty of fantasy leagues, now is the time to take a gamble on a former fantasy jewel. It is very clear that when Martin is healthy, he is the number one back in the Tampa Bay offense, and he proved the coaching staff right by having his best game of the season, albeit only 58 yards and a TD, but what Martin did was establish himself as a starting RB, and in fantasy football, this always has value. Add Martin if you are in a desperate situation at RB and can use a volume play.
2. Marion Grice, Cardinals: Grice was the Cardinals solution at RB when starter Andre Ellington left Sunday’s loss against the Falcons in the first quarter with a hip injury. If Ellington has to miss any time, it will be Grice he will see the most touches in this Cardinals backfield going forward. The situation is not ideal with an offense that seems to be stalling with Drew Stanton at the helm, but again, any starting RB has fantasy value. Add Grice in extremely deep leagues, especially if you are an Ellington owner.
3. Chris Johnson, Jets: The RB formerly known as CJ2K has been fantasy irrelevant all season, but due to a new approach to the Jets offense has given him added value going forward. Johnson is coming off of his best rushing performance as a Jet, rushing for 107 yards on Monday night against the Dolphins, and one thing we all learned is that the jets plan to run the ball going forward. The Jets attempted an NFL low 13 pass attempts on Monday night, while rushing the ball 42 times. There is no trust in either Jets QB, Geno Smith or Michael Vick, so this is the type for ratio that we can expect from this offense going forward.
Wide Receivers to Add
1. Kenny Stills, Saints: I’ve written about Kenny Stills for several weeks in a row, and somehow the fantasy masses have yet to catch on to this hidden gem. Stills has finished with at least 9 fantasy points in 3 straight games, and has turned into the Saints #1 WR with Brandin Cooks placed on injured reserve. Stills exploded for 5 catches for 156 yards and a TD against the Steelers in a competitive game on Sunday, and will continue to be Brees deep threat target. Stills is only owned in 17% of ESPN leagues, if he’s available in your league, pick him up and start him.
2. Donte Moncrief, Colts: The Colts may have found their X receiver for the future in Donte Moncrief. Moncrief possess the perfect comibantion of size, speed, mobility, and hands that will make him a future favorite target of Andrew Luck. The only thing that has been stopping Moncrief from fantasy success has been a low snap count, but it appears as if Moncrief has permanently replaced Hakeem Nicks in all 3 WR sets and even has been getting looks over Wayne in some 2 WR sets. Moncrief may not be set for fantasy superstardom just yet, but he is worth flex consideration against the Browns on Sunday. He is addable in most leagues, and definitely should be owned in all dynasty formats.
Tight Ends to Add
1. Jordan Reed, Redskins: Jordan Reed is a talented football player, but just has a huge problem staying healthy, well right now he’s healthy, and the with the way the TE landscape has been this season, Reed is a top 10 play when he’s on the field. Getting a decent contribution from your TE slot can be the difference in advancing in the playoffs.
Defense and Special Teams to add
1. Texans: Insert D/ST facing the Jags
2. Rams: This Rams defense has been playing outstanding over the last month, and now get a chance to face the reeling Redskins with check down machine Colt McCoy starting at QB. The Rams are dangerous in the return game with Tavon Austin and Chris Long is back from an ankle injury to pile up the sacks.
3. Vikings: The Vikings get the Jets offense who refuse to pass the ball downfield, clearly limiting how many points they can score in any given week.