Editor's note: Welcome to the weekly installment of "Tacklin' Fantasy," our recap of the news and trends you need to keep top of mind for fantasy dominance
49er to start: Vernon Davis, TE
Vernon Davis is the only receiver that is consistently a part of the pass game for the 49ers. Davis’ eight touchdowns are nearly three times as many touchdowns as the rest of the team combined. The 49ers' Week 12 opponent, the Washington Redskins, have the No. 26 ranked pass defense, as they have allowed 43 passing plays of 20 or more yards.
Raider to start: Rashad Jennings, RB
Since filling in as the Raiders starting running back, Rashad Jennings has rushed for 102, 88 and 150 yards. With the improved health and play from the offensive line, look for Jennings' strong run to continue. The Raiders play the Tennessee Titans in Week 12, a team that has given up a touchdown to an opposing running back in six consecutive games.
[RELATED: Jennings closing in on McFadden's starting spot]
49er to sit: Frank Gore, RB
Running back Frank Gore has seen his carries decrease in each of the last five games, not a good sign for a guy expected to carry fantasy teams. With Colin Kaepernick’s inability to throw the ball -- over 200 yards once in the past nine games -- teams are loading up the box to stop Gore. The Washington Redskins are giving up 115 yards on the ground a game.
[RELATED:Widespread reasons for 49ers' offensive woes]
Raider to sit: Denarius Moore, WR
Last week, receiver Denarius Moore took a backseat in Matt McGloin’s first start with just two receptions on six targets for 11 receiving yards and a touchdown. More importantly, the matchup this week against the Titans doesn’t look good for Moore as the Titans are holding No. 1 wide receivers to an average of six targets and 41 yards (second-least in NFL) a game.
[RELATED: Allen won't name a starting quarterback, yet]
NFL trend: Ever-changing Bucs
Doug Martin, Mike James, Brian Leonard and Bobby Rainey. Those are the names of Tampa Bay Buccaneer running backs who have seen substantial carries this year. The Bucs have been plagued by injuries, but may have found their guy in Rainey. Last week against the Atlanta Falcons, Rainey rushed 30 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Don’t jump at those numbers, though, as Atlanta has given up 200 or more rushing yards in two of its previous three games. Rainey played six games for the Cleveland Browns to start the year, amassing only 13 carries and 34 yards. If you picked up Rainey, trade him now as the Bucs play the Lions, a team that has held Matt Forte (17 rushes, 33 yards) and Le’Veon Bell (18 for 36 yards) down in the past two weeks.
Buy-low candidate: Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants
Victor Cruz is the No. 1 receiver for the New York Giants. The issue isn’t Cruz’s skill, but “elite” quarterback Eli Manning and his league leading 17 interceptions. Manning has missed Cruz for touchdowns on three separate occasions in the past two weeks. The “Salsaman” has scored one touchdown since Week 1, but plays the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12, a team he had five receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns against in Week 1.
Sell-high candidate: Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots
New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley has scored a touchdown in each of his last five games while leading the Patriots’ high-powered offense in rushing yards with 562 yards. But Ridley has fumbled in each of the past two games and has lost playing time for it -- LeGarrette Blount and Ridley each had 19 snaps last week. To boot, fellow back Shane Vereen is healthy. He led the team with 34 snaps in Week 11 and capitalized with a team-high eight catches. Expect Vereen and company to further carve into Ridley’s playing time going forward.
Star to sit: Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates is second among tight ends with 56 receptions and 664 receiving yards, but he's averaged just 45.2 yards per game over his last five. The All-Pro has been supplanted as the No. 1 option by rookie receiver Keenan Allen (Cal), who is averaging 83 yards per game in the last seven. Meanwhile, tight end Ladarius Green is soliciting more playing time after his career high 81 yards last week. The Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, a team that has given up 45 or more receiving yards to a tight end one time all year.
No-namer to start: Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming into the year the Steelers were high on receiver Markus Wheaton. Then he missed six games from finger surgery. Now healthy, Wheaton will see more time with No. 2 receiver Emmanuel Sanders' status in flux from a foot injury. As a senior at Oregon State, Wheaton caught 91 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Steelers play the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. With Joe Haden shutting down Antonio Brown, other Steeler receivers should see ample opportunities.
