Week 12: Deep League Pickups

Back to basics with this week's deep league edition, focusing on players that are likely available in 12-16 leagues for use in Week 12. Now that all bye weeks are done with, every team should no longer need to rely on weekly pickups to fill out their lineup, but the injuries are piling up and to key players like Michael Turner, Ben Roethlisberger and Cedric Benson.

On today's podcast, our host Ben Standig will be joined by Andy Benoit, editor of NFL Touchdown.com and weekly columnist for the New York Times Fifth Down blog. The guys will recap the key Week 11 news and notes, including what to make of the Steelers' upsetting loss, Matthew Stafford's heroics and the resurgence of LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers. Then Evan Silva from Rotoworld will stop by to help breakdown the Turkey Day games plus the top starts, sits and free agents for Week 12.

QB Alex Smith, SF

Any time you can a get QB match-up against a defense that allowed 297 yards passing to Ryan Fitzpatrick (even though his offense only had the ball for 23 minutes), you take it. That is the situation presented to Smith this week as his Niners host the Jaguars, owners of the NFL's 25th ranked pass defense. In Week 11, Smith threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns -- the second time he has thrown for three scores since taking over as the Niners' starter. The bulk of that production came after the Niners fell way behind, something that may not happen against the typically ordinary Jags offense. However, expect Smith, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree to attack regardless, making the Niners' passer a solid QB2 or free agent option if you are in need.

RB Rock Cartwright, WAS

Cartwright was listed in this very column last week when he was just the change of pace back, so of course he makes a return visit now that he is the main man after Ladell Betts suffered a season ending knee injury. Factor in that the word from the Redskins' camp is that RB Clinton Portis is out at least one -- if not two weeks (and the buzz around town is more than that) -- following his Week nine concussion and Cartwright could easily be the primary ball carrier the rest of the season. This fire-hydrant shaped runner has speed to turn the corner (he also serves as the Redskins' kick returner), power to run up inside and is a threat in the passing game. Against the Cowboys, Cartwright rushed for 67 yards on 13 carries and tacked on 73 yards on seven receptions. The Redskins re-signed pre-season darling Marcus Mason (and Quinton Ganther could also steal a carry or two), but Cartwright will be the one carrying the rock.

RB Chris Jennings, CLE

I would be lying if I told you I paid much attention to Jennings prior to last week, but now the former Arizona Wildcat is worth taking a closer look at. Jennings is the change of pace back playing behind the plodding Jamal Lewis and looks firmly entrenched ahead of fellow RB Jerome Harrison. In Week 11 the rookie runner turned 15 touches into 74 yards, though he dropped a potential score. Do not expect more opportunities than that against the Bengals this week, but factor in the Browns' highly favorable schedule down the stretch and Jennings has flex potential (and perhaps more if the aging Lewis misses any action).

WR Jason Avant, PHI

The Philly wide out gets the bump up from last week's "others" section to a full profile after his second consecutive productive fantasy game. One week after blowing up for 156 yards on eight catches, Avant caught four of his five targets for 26 yards and a touchdown against the Bears. Though he remains no better than the Eagles' fourth or fifth option in the passing game, there are plenty of passes to be had and typically he faces the other team's nickel corner or safety. The Redskins secondary has depth at corner and did well to slow down the Cowboys last week, but they can be thrown against. That match-up is followed by the Falcons and Giants -- two secondary units that have been torched in recent weeks. As long as Andy Reid keeps calling pass plays like his life depends on it, Avant makes for a good match-up play as a WR3 option.

WR Davone Bess, MIA

Touting a third receiver is rare enough, but doing so on a guy that primarily plays on a run-oriented team takes it to another level. Bess has 16 receptions for 191 yards over the last three weeks (despite coming off the bench for the Dolphins). His primary downside is lack of scoring; Bess has failed to find the end zone this season. Still, expect the Dolphins to throw more often as Chad Henne gains confidence and the schedule going forward has several favorable match-ups -- including the Bills, Jaguars, Titans and Texans. He is better in PPR leagues, but Bess is a solid and "safe" option as a WR3 in deep leagues.