With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, only emergency pickups are worth considering this week. If a player isn't going to be in your starting lineup, he's probably not worth adding to your roster.
Unfortunately, players don't stop getting injured just because it's the fantasy playoffs. When they do, playing time opens up. And fantasy owners might need to pounce.
BEST BETS
WR DaeSean Hamilton, Denver Broncos. With Emmanuel Sanders out for the season and Courtland Sutton struggling, Hamilton caught seven passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in his first start. The rookie played more snaps than any other Broncos wideout, while fellow rookie Tim Patrick led the way with 10 targets. A home date vs. the Cleveland Browns' 31st-ranked pass defense could make both options in Week 15.
TE Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins. Injury-prone Jordan Reed had played in every game this season until he suffered a toe injury on Sunday. But Davis had still been playing almost as many snaps anyway. Now with Reed likely done for the season, Davis should see even more targets, especially with Josh Johnson the new starter at quarterback this week at Jacksonville.
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RB Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens. Dixon has moved into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind starter Gus Edwards. He's a better pass-catcher than Edwards and he ran for a red-zone touchdown in Week 14. With a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers up next, Dixon would be a threat to score again.
REPLACEMENTS
TE Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers. Taking over Greg Olsen's role in the offense, Thomas had a breakout performance against the Browns. He caught nine of his 11 targets for 77 yards. If QB Cam Newton's shoulder is still bothering him, short throws to Thomas could be even more frequent down the stretch.
RB Elijah McGuire, New York Jets. Starter Isaiah Crowell had just two carries on Sunday before he left with a foot injury. However, McGuire is dealing with an ankle injury of his own. After rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown (and catching three passes for 23 yards) in his most extensive workload of the season, McGuire has a chance to build on it Saturday against the Texans. If he's limited, Trenton Cannon could fill in.
Possibly still available from last week's list: WR Dante Pettis, RB Chase Edmonds, RB Damien Williams, WR Chris Conley.
Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner
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