Pickups of the Week: Last call on Ladarius Green, Malcolm Mitchell

Each week throughout the NFL season, we identify six players to target on fantasy waiver wires, plus a lightly owned D/ST. All are available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. Add as needed.

Ladarius Green, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers, 22%

If you’re a fantasy owner struggling to find a replacement for Rob Gronkowski in the money weeks … well, let’s be realistic. Gronk is an all-time player at a talent-scarce position, and we don’t generally find guys like that on the waiver wire. Green can’t perfectly replace Gronk’s expected contributions, but he’s a skilled receiving tight end with terrific size (6-foot-6), he’s tied to an upper-tier offense. His first season in Pittsburgh has been disrupted by injury, but he finally made an impact in Week 13, snagging six balls for 110 yards and one score on a team-high 11 targets. The list of tight ends who are likely to see double-digit targets in any given week is short, so Green is clearly a priority add. He’s also something more than a red-zone weapon for Pittsburgh, having produced four gains of 30-plus yards over the past two weeks. He’ll consistently benefit from favorable coverage situations, as opposing defenses remain focused on Le’Veon and AB.

Rest of season schedule: at Buf, at Cin, Bal, Cle.

FAAB bid: $12

Malcolm Mitchell, WR, New England Patriots, 29%

Mitchell saw a season-high 10 targets in Sunday’s win over the Rams, catching eight passes for 82 yards. Over his last three games, he’s delivered 17 receptions for 222 yards and three scores. You really can’t use a guy like that? Mitchell’s ownership percentage remains curiously low. He clearly gets a value boost from Gronk’s absence, and he’s earned the full trust of an elite quarterback. We need to view him as a top-25 fantasy receiver moving forward. Mitchell is worth adding if only to keep him off the roster of a future opponent. Go get him.

Rest of season schedule: Bal, at Den, NYJ, at Mia

FAAB bid: $12

Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets, 44% owned

Every week, almost without fail, the Niners defense allows another running back (or two) to deliver a massive yardage total. With a dozen games in the books, San Francisco has already allowed nine triple-digit rushing performances. Eleven backs have topped 100 scrimmage yards against the league’s worst run D. The Niners have allowed a league-high 20 touchdowns to opposing running backs and a ridiculous 2,158 total yards.

So yeah, the Jets ground game is likely to produce a big day in Week 14. It isn’t simply featured runners who’ve feasted on San Francisco’s defense, just for the record. In three different games this season, the Niners have yielded 100-plus yards to an opponent’s primary back while also allowing 60 or more yards to a secondary runner. Powell has averaged 10 touches per game over his last three, and that sort of workload usually results in a quality stat line against San Fran. If he remains unattached in your league and you need flex assistance, make the add. After the Niners game, Powell will face the league’s No. 30 run defense in Week 15.

Rest of season schedule: at SF, Mia, at NE, Buf

FAAB bid: $10

Mike Gillislee, RB, Buffalo Bills, 23%

Gillislee has carved out a significant rotational role in a run-heavy offense, and he’s crossed the goal line six times in his last seven games. He carried eight times for 49 yards against the Raiders on Sunday, delivering a pair of short-yardage scores. He’s basically delivered the same useful numbers that Karlos Williams produced for the Bills last season, averaging 5.9 YPC along the way. During the most important weeks on the fantasy calendar (15-16), Gillislee will face two of the NFL’s three worst run defenses. He’s a near-lock to deliver another spike or two (or three).

Rest of season schedule: Pit, Cle, Mia, at NYJ

FAAB bid: $8

Dontrelle Inman, WR, San Diego Chargers, 20%

Inman should be long gone in competitive fantasy leagues, and yet here we are. As is the case with Mitchell (see above), Inman is worth adding simply to prevent a receiver-needy owner from scooping him up. All is fair in the fantasy postseason, you guys. Inman has seen at least five targets in each of his last six games, so workload isn’t much of a concern. He’s found the end-zone in back-to-back weeks, too. San Diego has a dream schedule over the next three weeks, featuring three defenses that rank in the bottom-third of the league against the pass. Philip Rivers should thrive, and Inman has a clear path to a big finish.

Rest of season schedule: at Car, Oak, at Cle, KC

FAAB bid: $12

Anquan Boldin, WR, Detroit Lions, 35%

Fantasy owners aren’t generally excited by 36-year-old receivers, but Boldin refuses to fade away. He’s caught at least four balls in eight games this season, delivering six touchdowns (and he was mere inches away from a seventh TD at New Orleans in Week 13). At least Matthew Stafford seems to appreciate what Anquan brings to the party. Stafford has targeted the veteran wideout seven times inside the 10-yard line so far this year. Detroit has no shortage of receiving weapons, but Boldin has firmly established himself as a go-to target near the goal-line. He’s a good bet to find the end-zone in any given week, and he offers a decent PPR floor.

Rest of season schedule: Chi, at NYG, at Dal, GB

FAAB bid: $5

Cincinnati Bengals, 31%

Cincinnati picked off Carson Wentz three times on Sunday, which gives this defense 14 interceptions on the season. That total is tied for second in the league. The Bengals travel to Cleveland on Sunday, so another multi-turnover performance is pretty much guaranteed.

You’ll note that Cincy also gets a title week matchup with Brock Osweiler and the Texans, so consider holding this D/ST through the end of the fantasy season.

Rest of season schedule: at Cle, Pit, at Hou, Bal

FAAB bid: $1

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