Happy Thanksgiving, fantasy players. With three games today, let's just get to the recommendations so you can make any necessary roster adjustments in a timely fashion.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
K.J. Wright SEA
Von Miller DEN
Vincent Rey CIN
Kevin Burnett OAK
Nick Roach OAK
Mike Neal GB
Wright is not exactly a household name, but he's been a tackle machine over his past 3 games and he gets to face the LB friendly New Orleans offense this week. If you are in need of tackles, grab him. Miller was not exactly lighting it up on his return to the Denver D, but his last game was a revelation of just how great he can be. Play him every week, but be aware, that some teams scheme to eliminate his presence, like the Chiefs did two weeks ago. Rey comes off his bye week, and I fully expect him to take up where he left off, facing the LB friendly Chargers. Maualuga will cut into his snaps, but it is hard to believe the Bengals will sit him and not take advantage of what he brings to the field. Burnett is going up against the sack-allowing Cowboys today, and that makes me want him in my lineup. Same thing for Roach. Neal has posted sacks in the past two weeks, and while the Lions have been protecting Stafford very well this season, anything goes when these two teams meet on Thanksgiving. If you need a fill in LB, you would do well to consider Neal
Defensive Linemen
Robert Quinn DE StL
Ezekial Ansah DE DET
Andre Branch DE JAX
Cameron Jordan DE NO
Akiem Hicks DE NO
Camerson Heyward DE PIT
Trent Cole DE PHI
Kyle Williams DT BUF
Quinn would be my top target if I wanted to beef up my DL ranks. He sits with 13 sacks, after picking up another one last week. If by some chance he is available, grab him thank your lucky stars. Ansah is a welcome addition to the Lions' D-line, picking up 2 sacks against the Buccaneers last week, and if he can stay on the field, he would be a sneaky pickup at this point in the season. Branch just keeps on ticking, and he is a good shot for a sack as he faces the Browns this week. Jordan has been playing like he's gotten his second wind, posting 2.5 sacks last week. Hicks is also a good source for tackles on the Saints' line, and he also picked up 1.5 sacks in Week 12. Both he and Jordan have a good match up in Week 13 against the Seahawks. Heyward also has a great match up for sack potential when he faces the Flacco led Ravens this Sunday. Cole is someone that is on too many waiver wires. Talent has a tendency to rise to the occasion, and facing the Cardinals should lead to sack opportunities. Finally, Williams is a nice DL, especially in DT required leagues, and facing the lackluster Falcons could make him valuable this week.
Defensive Backs
Duron Harmon S NE
Reggie Nelson S CIN
Bradley Fletcher CB PHI
Aaron Williams CB BUF
Not so much to look at here on the wire. Harmon has been very good since starting in the Patriots' backfield the past two weeks. While he may be relegated to a backup role when Steve Gregory is cleared to play, he still is a good option in Week 13 (but check Gregory's status on Sunday). Nelson has a good match up against the Chargers this week, who are very safety friendly. Fletcher is back from injury and he is a great source of tackles, and passes defensed. You cannot count on interceptions, but he has displayed a good nose for the ball all season when healthy. Williams is facing the Falcons at home, where the statisticians are very friendly with defensive numbers.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Colin McCarthy TEN
Tamba Hali KC
McCarthy is no longer the starter in Tennessee, and that makes him undesirable for the most part, except in leagues that have extremely shallow wire options. Hali avoided a serious injury last week, but his mild sprain will limit his effectiveness for a week or more. Bench him if you have the room.
Defensive Linemen
George Selvie DE DAL
Jason Pierre-Paul DE NYG
Ndamakong Suh DT DET
Nick Fairly DT DET
Selvie posted one tackle in Week 12, which is reflective of how he has been performing as of late. You should feel free to drop him. Pierre-Paul is not playing like he is at 100%, and unless he breaks out soon, you would do well to bench or drop him in favor of a more productive DE. Suh and Fairly are being targeted by Offensive Coordinators, taking them out of the game more often than not. Unless and until they start to overcome these schemes, they are not worth rostering.
Defensive Backs
Michael Mitchell S CAR
Mitchell was playing like a star early on, but now he is waiver wire material. His lack of production can be traced to the emergence of the Panther front 7, and since I don't see those guys slacking off, you should find another DB for your team.
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need to be evaluated at kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. The list below is intended as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
Sean Lee DAL (hamstring)
Justin Durant DAL (hamstring)
Lance Briggs CHI (shoulder)
Justin Houston KC (elbow)
Tamba Hali KC (ankle)
Lamarr Woodley PIT (calf)
Craig Robertson CLE (knee)
Tank Carder CLE (shoulder)
Kavell Carder IND (ankle)
Sean Weatherspoon ATL (shoulder)
Akeem Dent ATL (ankle)
Ahmad Brooks SF (stinger)
Aldon Smith SF (shoulder)
Chris White NE (back)
Vontaze Burfict CIN (ankle)
Jarrett Johnson SD (hand)
Defensive Linemen
Jason Hunter DE OAK (foot)
Charles Johnson DE CAR (knee)
Brett Keisel DE PIT (foot)
Charles Johnson DE CAR (knee)
Armonty Bryant DE CLE (back)
Mike Devito DE KC (knee)
Jason Pierre Paul DE NYG (shoulder)
Glenn Foster DE NO (knee)
Johnny Jolly DT GB (groin)
Jeremiah Ratliff DT CHI (groin)
Tyrunn Walker DT NO (knee)
Jay Ratliff DT CHI (groin)
Kyle Williams DT BUF (back)
Ray McDonald DT SF (ankle)
Defensive Backs
Tyvon Branch S OAK (ankle)
Duke Ihenacho S DEN (concussion)
Shamarko Thomas S PIT (ankle)
Major Wright S CHI (hamstring)
Chris Clemmons S MIA (knee)
T.J. McDonald S StL (shin)
Sergio Brown S IND (hand)
Brandon Browner CB SEA (suspended)
Champ Bailey CB DEN (foot)
William Blackmon CB JAX (shoulder)
Antonio Cromartie CB NYJ (hip)
Vontae Davis CB IND (groin)
Cortland Finnegan CB StL (eye-out for the season)
Jabari Greer CB NO (knee-out for the season)
Casey Hayward CB GB (knee-out for the season)
Chris Houston CB DET (foot)
Dimitri Patterson CB MIA (groin)
Darrelle Revis CB TB (groin)
Josh Robinson CB MIN (chest)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromarti CB DEN (shoulder)
Buster Skrine CB CLE (ribs)
Gregory Toler CB IND (groin)
Corey Webster CB NYG (groin, ankle)
Trumaine McBride CB NYG (groin)
Chris Carr CB NO (hip, hamstring)
Aqib Talib CB NE (hip)
Kyle Arrington CB NE (groin)
As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.