Week 15: Pickups of the Week

WR Jason Avant, PHI

DeSean Jackson is on injured reserve and that has opened the door for Jason Avant, who gets the added bonus of working with fellow former practice-squader Nick Foles. Foles has looked Avant's way 17 times over the past two games and has connected with him for 11 catches, 212 yards in that time. Avant has shown exceptional hands and, while he lacks the kind of downfield speed we expect from Philadelphia wideouts, he could be a useful playoff addition to fantasy rosters in PPR leagues.

WR Josh Gordon, CLE

As the anti-Greg Little, Josh Gordon has put together a solid rookie campaign and is now a reliable number one option in Cleveland. On Sunday he set new single game highs in catches (8) and targets (12), helping to spur his team to a third consecutive victory. The Browns face Washington's league-worst pass defense this week. That matchup offers massive fantasy potential for all members of Cleveland's passing attack. Gordon isn't flying under the radar any more and should now be considered starter-worthy (even in some ten-team leagues).

WR Kevin Ogletree, TB

Ogletree leaped into the collective fantasy consciousness after a huge Week 1 line (8/114/2), then promptly fell into irrelevance. He's found the end zone only once since and has been locked into a time share for the Cowboys' third receiver job with Dwayne Harris. However, Dez Bryant's broken finger could elevate one of Harris or Ogletree to starter status. We give Ogletree the slight nod, although he could also be effective should he be given a full share of snaps out of the slot. If Bryant can't go this week, Ogletree is a decent replacement option.

TE Dennis Pitta, BAL

Pitta has been hot and cold all season long, alternating between solid performances and occasional vanishing acts. He stunk it up in Weeks 9, 11, and 13, but scored TDs on strong receiving games in Weeks 10, 12 and 14. Owners who acquire his services this week, plugging the holes left by Brent Celek and Jared Cook, will be hoping Pitta can get over his unfavorable even/odd week split. A matchup with the Denver Broncos, who have been torched at times this season by opposing tight ends, could help him snap that pattern.

PK Phil Dawson, SF

Week 13 saw Phil Dawson's streak of 27 consecutive field goals come to an end. But he got right back on track in Week 14, going 3-for-3 and capping a five-game stretch during which he has scored eight or more points per contest. If reliability is important to you at the kicker position (it should be), you might want to consider dropping inconsistent David Akers or banged up Robbie Gould -- each owned in about twice as many leagues as Dawson and each averaging fewer fantasy points on the season.

Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings