SCO Fantasy Football Picks for Week 16

Once a week SCO staff writers Ben Yokoyama and Charlie Lott will post their fantasy football predictions alongside those of a special guest teacher and one student from the general Blair population.

To submit your fantasy football picks, you need to pick one player for each of the below categories, and write a brief explanation of why you have chosen him. Send your picks in to our experts at fantasyfootball.sco@gmail.com to get them online.

This week we welcome Blair social studies teacher Ms. Rich and sophomore lacrosse player Frank Sandagordo.

Start ‘em:
Players who are locks to play this week.
Ben: Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs, WR
The Chiefs have been collecting win after win lately, and Alex Smith has been passing well. Wide receivers are finally relevant in the Chiefs offense, and Maclin against a not so good Ravens defense is a good thing for his fantasy stock.
Charlie: Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions, RB
Abdullah was one of the biggest draft busts of the year, but he has been getting a steady volume of touches and I could see him scoring a touchdown against the Saints defense.
Ms. Rich: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons, RB
Freeman is still racking up the yards even coming back from injury, and he should perform pretty well this week against the Jaguars defense.
Frank: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, RB
Adrian Peterson will find more running room against the Bears than he did in the last couple of weeks.

Bench ‘em:
Players who we think should not be in your starting lineup this week.
Ben: AJ Green, Cincinnati Bengals, WR
The Bengals wideout is primed for a bad week. He has been so inconsistent all year until these last three weeks. San Fran hasn't been that bad against the pass this year, and AJ McCarron can't be counted on.
Charlie: Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts, RB
Frank Gore is old, and showing it, and he gets an unfavorable matchup against J.J. Watt and the Texans defense this week.
Ms. Rich: Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys, TE
The Jets give up the fewest points in the league to tight ends, and Witten just hasn't been a consistent part of this offense this year.
Frank: Javorius Allen, Baltimore Ravens, RB
The Seahawks shut down Allen last week, and the Chiefs defense is just as good against the run.

Trust:
Players who performed well last week and are certain to have great performances again.
Ben: Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins, RB
Miller exploited the Giants defense for two touchdowns, and San Diego should give more of the same.
Charlie: Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks, WR
With Jimmy Graham out for the season, Baldwin will need to step up as the Seahawks top pass catcher. He has shown speed and soft hands throughout the season, and should be up to the task.
Ms. Rich: Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, WR
He's always good and if there's anyone who can play against shutdown corner Josh Norman, it's Odell.
Frank: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals, QB
One season removed from his ACL tear, Palmer is playing the best football of his career, and this week he faces the Eagles pass defense.

Bust:
Players who had one great performance, but we think won't do so well this week.
Ben: Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, WR
Josh Norman.
Charlie: Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns, RB
Crowell has been mediocre all year until the 140 yard outing against the 49ers, in which he got 100 of his yards from two 50 yard runs. The Seahawks won't be quite so kind.
Ms. Rich: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, QB
Wilson has to slow down at some point (especially with Rawls out for the season), and with Cleveland coming off of a big win and Johnny Manziel actually playing good football, Wilson shouldn't be counted on for another 30+ point game.
Frank: Shaun Draughn, San Francisco 49ers, RB
Draughn has been good thanks to volume, but this week he plays the Bengals defense and is splitting carries with Jarryd Hayne for the first time. His floor is much lower than usual.

Week 2 Off the waiver wire:
Players who are under the radar, and can be picked up in most fantasy leagues.
Ben: Dorial Green-Beckham, Tennessee Titans, WR
Mariota is an excellent passer, and finding the big wideout from Missouri will be a piece of cake against small cornerbacks.
Charlie: Denard Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, RB
Robinson filled in admirably last year as the second-string back, and with T.J. Yeldon doubtful for this weekend, Shoelace should have an RB2 statline against the Falcons.
Ms. Rich: Antonio Andrews, Tennessee Titans, RB
He has finally established himself as the lead back for the Titans and even though they're playing the Patriots this week, he has the potential for a touchdown.
Frank: Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns, QB
Johnny Football is back, and if he can keep his personal life together then he has the talent to be a successful NFL quarterback.