Apparently it's Oklahoma State day in Targets and Touches. It's also apparent that Aaron Rodgers officially has a new favorite receiver in Green Bay. Is it possible that we've also seen the player emerge who you can pick up this week that may be able to carry you to a fantasy title? It's quite possible. Is it also possible that I'll have a bunch of kitschy Thanksgiving references since it's the last T-N-T before Thanksgiving. No.
Target Analysis
A host of others (Danny Amendola, Davone Bess, Vincent Jackson, Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker, Dwayne Allen & Dallas Clark) also had 11 targets each. Amendola is a consistent threat for the Rams and while he doesn't get touchdowns, he's got value as a flex in a standard league - especially if you get a bonus at 100 yards. In PPR leagues he's a must. And as for the tight ends go, why not take a shot with Allen or Clark? Especially if you're trying to replace Rob Gronkowski or just looking for some consistent production out of the position.
Just when I was shoveling dirt on Andre Johnson, he dusts off a performance straight out of 2009. For everyone who's going crazy with Dre Day tweets at me, hold on. Take a deep breath. This is not going to happen again. The Texans found themselves in an unexpected shootout, and they can win games like this once in awhile. But that's the key phrase: once in awhile. Johnson really isn't even a No. 2 wide receiver, he's more of a flex now. Up until Sunday, he had two 100-yard games this season and two touchdowns. So pardon me if suddenly I'm not doing backflips on him. Houston just won't throw the football like this enough to increase his value.
Dez Bryant has been maddening this season, but I've finally figured him out. Early this season I thought he'd be a breakout. Just two weeks ago his value was very low and I couldn't even recommend playing him. Where is he now? It's taken him awhile to put everything together, both on and off the field. Now that he has, he's at worst a No. 2 wideout. You have to play him as he's the biggest playmaker Dallas has. I think he's going to be gangbusters from here on out. He had a great matchup this week with no Joe Haden for Cleveland, but he's going to be the man in Dallas.
Welcome to fantasy football, Justin Blackmon! 250 yards all season until Sunday, where he put up 221. Suddenly, this Jaguars offense has some weapons on the outside. You've already made Cecil Shorts a flex option, and now Blackmon is worth owning. Maybe not starting, but worth picking up to see if he's one of those rookies who catches fire the second half of the season.
In a Hungry Mechanical Beast battle of Packers Wide Receiver Supremacy, Randall Cobb is eating both Jordy Nelson and James Jones and leaving nothing for the rest of us. Cobb is no worse than a No. 2 wide receiver because despite his size, he's who Aaron Rodgers looks for in the red zone. For the other two, Jordy Nelson will be fine as he gets healthier, but Jones' targets are lessening every week and is averaging just over 50 yards per game the last month with one total touchdown. He's definitely the third option on that team, and now he's someone you look to see who else you may want to play instead.
Take a flier on Danario Alexander. He's only been with the team a few weeks, but I love his size, athleticism and his desire to get the football. Malcom Floyd is nice, but the Chargers receiving corps is underwhelming, and there's a spot for someone to step up and become the teams number one threat. Two weeks in a row, Alexander has been a monster. At this point, most of the Chargers will be playing for jobs next season so the door is open for him to step through. And hey, at some point we're going to see the player who's a mid-to-late season pickup who carries you to a fantasy championship. Can it be Alexander? Why not? So grab him - at the very least he deserves a roster spot.
Touches Analysis
Jalen Parmele totaled 27 touches for the Jaguars, good for the fourth-highest total for Week 11. It looks like he's seized the top job from Rashad Jennings until Maurice Jones-Drew returns. He didn't rack up the fantasy points, but if you own Jennings it's time to drop him to pick up Parmele - again, until MJD comes back...
James Starks' 26 touches ranked him 6th this week. He's taken over the number one job - for now - in Green Bay. While it remains to be seen what happens when Cedric Benson returns in early December, Starks may be worth a flex play, however with the byes over it's not going to be an easy decision to just plug him in. You have to play the matchup...
LaRod Stephens-Howling had a huge day witih 24 touches but more importantly, over 18 fantasy points. Now it's not so set in stone that Beanie Wells will regain the number one spot on the depth chart when he returns. The Hyphen is a very good flex option for you, especially with games against St. Louis and the Jets looming the next couple of weeks...
Jason Smith hosts "NFL Fantasy Live" on the NFL Network and writes fantasy and other pith for NFL.com. Talk to him on Twitter @howaboutafresca, and listen to his Fantasy Podcast with Michael Fabiano and Elliot Harrison every week on nfl.com. He only asks you never bring up when the Jets play poorly.
