NFL Fantasy Fixer-Uppers November 24th 2015

OK, look. I never want to see anyone get hurt. Injuries stink and could severely alter the fortunes of a whole franchise just like that. The only solace I take in them is it really makes my job easier identifying some top targets on the waiver wire every week. This week is no different as more big name players, or at least starters, went down and could miss some extended time. Let's see who is worth a pick up this week.

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks (39% owned standard ESPN leagues)

Marshawn Lynch did not play last weekend and the Seahawks didn't even miss him. That is because Rawls did his very own beast mode impersonation by rumbling for 209 yards and a touchdown. This isn't a fluke either as Rawls previously ran for 169 yards and a score earlier in the season when given 20+ carries. Lynch is being checked for a sports hernia by a specialist and could miss the rest of the season. At the very least it appears he will not suit up this weekend which means Rawls will get the start. No team in the NFL runs the ball more than Seattle and while the Pittsburgh defense should pose a tougher opponent than San Francisco if I had Rawls on my squad I would plug him into my starting lineup with confidence. He should be the top waiver pickup this week.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons (26% owned)

When the season started nobody was really sure who would emerge as the lead back for the Falcons. Tevin Coleman took on that role against the Philadelphia Eagles and played well racking up 80 yards on 20 carries but he was injured in that contest. That meant Devonta Freeman was given an opportunity and we all know what happened after that. Freeman went down this past weekend with a concussion and his status for Atlanta's next game is up in the air. If he can't go it appears Coleman would be given the starting job. He did manage 17 carries after Freeman's early exit but turned that into just 48 yards. Perhaps a week of practice as the lead back could shake off any rust as Coleman had just 22 combined carries over his previous six games. A starting running back is always worth a roster spot in fantasy and it appears Coleman has a spot at being just that. At least for this week.

Javorious Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens (6% owned)

Baltimore's lead back Justin Forsett left the last game with a broken arm and that means his season is done. Allen stepped in during his absence and had 22 carries for 67 yards. While the yardage total leaves a little more to be desired it is the total number of carries that I am focused on. The fact that he was given the ball 22 times means he should be the workhorse for this offense especially now that Joe Flacco is done for the year. This coming week is the perfect time to plug Allen into your lineup as they will face the Cleveland Browns and their porous rush defense. If you were a Forsett owner and had Allen on your bench as a handcuff then good for you. You've done your job. If you are in one of the other 94% of leagues out there in which Allen is available, well, I hope you have a high waiver priority. He is a must-add in all leagues.

Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns (3% owned)

Remember him? The man that helped make Gary Barnidge fantasy relevant? Well, he's back in the starting position in Cleveland thanks to Johnny Manziel's partying. If you take away week one in which McCown was injured, the signal-caller has thrown for multiple touchdowns in five of his six contests and three of those has seen him crack the 300-yard plateau. I expect more consistency from McCown than Manziel so all of Cleveland's receivers get a boost with him under center. He plays for a bad team which means they will most likely be behind and remember the old adage: garbage points count the same way in fantasy.

Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (<1% owned)

If you know anything about me you know that I love players who are almost universally unowned. Celek is one of those and he happens to play for the team I root for which means nothing but I just wanted to put that out there. Zach Ertz was upended against Tampa Bay and suffered a concussion which means he isn't likely to play on Thursday in Detroit. Enter Celek who has had a bit of a renaissance over the past two weeks hauling in 11 catches for 213 yards. Right now it's difficult to say for sure who will be calling the shots under center in Philly but odds are whomever it is will want to look Celek's way. He's certainly worth a flyer if nothing else.

Is there a player you have your eye on that I didn’t cover here? Please leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Want to reach me more directly? Ask me on Twitter @therichwhiteguy and give me a follow so you can stay up on all my blogs as they are posted. Not sure you should take my word for it? Well, I have won over $30 on Draft Kings. Pretty sure I'll be on a commercial any day now.