Mining for Paydirt: Week Thirteen

Chad Scott

mccluster
Mining for Paydirt is a deep-sleeper article geared toward your average to larger sized leagues. Normally a weekly piece for our premium subscribers, we’re providing it for all viewers to enjoy this week.

The players we focus on here are owned in less than 35% of myfantasyleague.com leagues – they are your blue collar workers.  I’m not going to give you names like Roy Helu or Joique Bell – those aren’t the droids I’m looking for.  I want the players who are on the radar of only the realest of degenerates.  Players you wouldn’t think of owning in a million and one years.  These will strictly be for injury and bye week fill-ins based on match-ups and situation.  Some may stick, some won’t.  It’s the nature of the beast and I’ll be thrilled to get one or two correct a week.

As a kid, Christmas was my favorite holiday of the year.  Hot chocolate, some Andy Williams Christmas on the record player and family opening up gifts was my kind of fun.  As an adult (in age, only), I’ve shifted from Christmas to Thanksgiving as my top holiday off the board.  Either way, these holidays are the equivalent of owning Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham – you’re good either way.

Mainly, I love Thanksgiving for the food and family get-togethers, but secretly, it’s because you get a day off of work and are rewarded with an all-day marathon of NFL football.  Life will be good as I fill my tummy with turkey meat and that sweet nectar called gravy.

Also, be thankful for no more bye weeks.  Let’s get into it…

Dexter McCluster, WR KC vs DEN (29% owned)

When I’m watching NFL Redzone, I can never discern who McCluster is from Jamaal Charles when both are split out.  It really puts me in peril, but I digress…

McCluster is a guy who has a fairly steady floor that’s never hit his pre-draft ceiling – but he’s getting there.  He’s averaging nearly five targets a game, but converting only 68% of those targets into receptions.

In the past two weeks, he’s received 16 targets with 12 receptions for 102 yards.  11 points from your flex is decent production.  This week, the Chiefs play the Broncos where he had five receptions for 53 yards just two weeks ago.

The already fantasy-friendly Denver secondary is banged up.  Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie looks iffy to play and Champ Bailey, who’s dealing with his own injuries, looks like he’ll suit up at less than 100%.  In the past two weeks, the Denver defense has given up 574 yards and five touchdowns through the air.  Couple that with Alex Smith’s recent success through the air and McCluster looks like someone who can help you move on to the fantasy playoffs this week.

Paydirt Prediction: six receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown (18.5 points)

Ace Sanders, WR JAC vs CLE (7% owned)

Mike Brown, a hot waiver-wire pick up a few weeks ago, looks to return from a shoulder injury that kept him out of last week’s game, but it’s Sanders who has shown glimpses of playmaking ability the past two weeks.

Sanders is coming off two consecutive 61-yard games, including 15 targets with 12 receptions.  Ideally, the Jags want to use Sanders in the slot where he can apply his 5’7” frame to his advantage and at this point, they don’t have a reason not to get their fourth round pick increased playing time.

On the flip side, the Browns have given up 16 touchdowns through the air in their past six games.  The legend that is Joe Haden will be matched up against Cecil Shorts III and the Cleveland’s front seven is always formidable against the run (only 87 rush yards per game) – don’t expect much from Maurice Jones-Drew.

Chad Henne hasn’t been the garbage-time quarterback we’ve expected, having just four touchdowns on the season, but this is the kind of match-up where you can squeeze out fantasy production despite the two teams who are playing.

I expect Sanders to keep it rolling this week as he matures into the receiver they had hoped for when they drafted him.

Paydirt Prediction: four receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown (15.5 points)

Brent Celek, TE PHI @ PHI (29% owned)

I feel inclined to play any tight end facing the Cardinals at this point as they’ve surrendered a league-high 20.77 PPR points to the position.  It’s difficult trusting Celek when rookie, Zach Ertz has been seeing an increase in targets, but despite averaging less than three targets per game this season, Philly will have to get Celek in space to keep their high-tempo offense on the field.

We all know how good Patrick Peterson is – hell, their entire defense is playing lights out right now – but they are traveling across the country in a game where both coaches will need to dig deep into their playbooks to keep their playoff hopes alive.  What’s the over/under on how many times the announcers bring up Kevin Kolb?  I’ll set the line at 6.5.

Nick Foles has been playing out of his mind since taking over for an injured Michael Vick and the offense is rolling with him under center.  He’s averaging 250 yards per game and just over two and a half touchdowns.

Lesean McCoy will keep the defense honest and that leaves openings for Celek and Riley Cooper to do some work in the receiving game.

I don’t like me recommending him anymore than you do, but the match-up is too sweet to pass up.

Paydirt Prediction: four receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown