3 days agoChicago Bears running back
D'Andre Swift has put up decent numbers in his first year with the team and will look to build on his success against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. The 25-year-old rusher has been inconsistent this season. He was the RB44 overall in points per game for the first three weeks of the season, the RB6 in that metric from Week 4 to Week 11, and the RB41 in the past three weeks. However, Swift's inefficiency is offset by his opportunities, as he is one of only eight players in the league to get at least 10 touches in each game this season. Opportunities increase his floor to being a risky low-end RB2, and he comes in as RotoBaller's RB24 this week.
--Bruce Clark - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoChicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams has struggled to be fantasy-relevant throughout this season and faces an uphill battle in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. The first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had one of his best performances against the Lions in Week 13 when he combined his 256 passing yards and three scores through the air with 39 rushing yards. However, since then, Williams has averaged a measly 163 yards passing and 1.5 passing touchdowns per game. The Lions are dealing with many injuries on the defensive side of the ball and have allowed 79 total points over the last two games. Williams checks in as RotoBaller's QB18, making him a solid second quarterback in Superflex/2QB leagues.
--Bruce Clark - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoAccording to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have ruled out safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The defensive back suffered this knee injury during their Week 14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and will now miss his second-straight contest. Before the injury, Winfield tallied 49 tackles (30 solo) during Weeks 7 through 13. During this span he tallied two sacks and two pass deflections. While sidelined, fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Christian Izien, Tykee Smith, and Kaevon Merriweather to see most of the snaps at the safety position.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Greg Auman
3 days agoAccording to Joel A. Erickson of the IndyStar, the Colts have ruled out wide receiver
Alec Pierce (concussion) for Week 16's divisional tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce sustained this concussion during last weekend's loss to the Denver Broncos and was unable to practice all week. The 24-year-old will need to clear the league's protocol in order to return in Week 17 to face the New York Giants. During Weeks 10 through 13, Pierce found the end zone twice and averaged a solid 10.8 PPR points per game. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Josh Downs and
Michael Pittman Jr. to lead the passing attack. However, they do have a tough matchup ahead of them on Sunday as the Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Joel A. Erickson
3 days agoAccording to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (hamstring) was seen at Friday's practice. This is a positive sign for his availability heading into the weekend as he was unable to participate at all this week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status on Friday's injury report as he will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend. Njoku was unable to suit up last weekend with this hamstring injury and is in danger of missing his second-straight contest. During Weeks 11 through 14, the veteran tight end averaged a solid 15.6 PPR points per game and found the end zone three times. If Njoku is able to play on Sunday, he should be viewed as a low-end TE1 facing the Cincinnati Bengals who have allowed the most PPR points to the position. He does come with some inherent risk with
Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking over starting duties under center.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Oyefusi
3
days
agoMiami
Dolphins
wide
receiver
Jaylen
Waddle
(knee)
was
not
seen
at
the
portion
of
Friday's
practice
open
to
the
media
and
is
listed
as
doubtful
for
the
Week
16
contest
on
Sunday
against
the
visiting
San
Francisco
49ers
at
Hard
Rock
Stadium.
Waddle
read more...
3 days agoCarolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that quarterback
Bryce Young will start the final three games of the 2024 regular season. "Bryce is going to finish the season for us," Canales said. Young took a step back in the Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the Panthers have no reason to go back to veteran
Andy Dalton while out of playoff contention. The 23-year-old second-year signal-caller got off to a terrible start in 2024 and was benched after two games in favor of Dalton, who gave the club a spark initially. Eventually, Dalton got injured, forcing the Panthers to go back to Young. In his last seven starts, Young has taken a step forward, completing 60.6% of his passes for 1,492 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions while also running for two scores. Still, he turned the ball over four times last Sunday and has only one passing touchdown in each of the last six games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Joe Person
3 days agoDespite missing a practice this week due to a knee injury, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins has been cleared from the final Week 16 injury report and will play against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Higgins has missed several games this year due to injury, so fantasy managers may have been a bit worried when they saw him miss practice on Thursday. However, the 25-year-old was being rested more than anything and is fully expected to be fine this weekend as the Bengals look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. When healthy in 2024, Higgins has been money for his fantasy managers, scoring six touchdowns in nine games played. He's no
Ja'Marr Chase, but Higgins still has WR1 upside in fantasy for this week's matchup against Cleveland. In the first meeting against the Browns, Higgins caught four of eight targets for 82 yards and a touchdown.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
3 days agoCincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that quarterback
Joe Burrow (knee) was officially limited for the third time this week on Friday but he is good to go for Sunday's divisional contest against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. Burrow is also battling through soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist, but all systems are go for the 28-year-old signal-caller. Even though the former first overall pick threw for under 200 yards against the Browns in their first meeting on Oct. 20, fantasy managers should keep Burrow locked into their starting lineups this weekend as a top-five QB. Burrow has been the QB3 overall in total fantasy points and currently leads the NFL in passing yards (3,977) and touchdown passes (36) while throwing only eight interceptions. The Browns have played divisional opponents much tougher in 2024, but Burrow is a must-start, high-end QB1.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
3
days
agoThe
Baltimore
Ravens
downgraded
wide
receiver
Nelson
Agholor
(concussion)
to
out
for
the
Week
16
contest
on
Saturday
against
the
division-rival
Pittsburgh
Steelers
due
to
his
concussion.
It
doesn't
come
as
much
of
a
surprise
after
Agholor
missed
practice
all
week.
Additionally,
fellow
read more...
3
days
agoCleveland
Browns
running
back
Nick
Chubb
(foot),
who
suffered
a
season-ending
broken
foot
in
the
Week
15
loss
to
the
Kansas
City
Chiefs,
is
headed
for
free
agency
in
March,
and
The
Athletic's
Zac
Jackson
writes
that
it's
hard
to
say
what
Chubb's
read more...
3 days agoAtlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins was benched in favor of first-round rookie
Michael Penix Jr. this week after throwing nine interceptions in a five-game span in which the team went 1-4. Cousins, 36, is unlikely to be the No. 1 QB in Atlanta again this year, and the chances that the 13-year veteran signal-caller comes back in 2025 as the backup are slim. Cousins has a no-trade clause after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last offseason with around $100 million guaranteed. If the Falcons cut Cousins, they'll get hit with $65 million in dead money. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut, they dead money would spread over the next two seasons -- $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026. A trade could be pulled off if Cousins approves it, and in that scenario, the Falcons would be on the hook for the remaining $37.5 million of remaining proration. Cousins also has a $10 million roster bonus for 2026.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
3 days agoNew England Patriots kicker
Joey Slye can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues ahead of Sunday's Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Slye has been relatively mediocre this year, showcasing impressive power but struggling with accuracy on kicks that most NFL kickers would make. All in all, he's 19-for-20 on extra points and 23-for-30 on field goals in 2024. This week, the bad news for Slye is that he faces the Bills, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2024. To further complicate matters, he'll be kicking in Orchard Park, New York, which is known for cold temperatures, wind gusts, and potential snow in the winter months. Any of these weather conditions could affect Slye in Week 16, further reducing his fantasy value. For now, he's a mid-range K2 who lacks fantasy appeal on Sunday.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoThe New England Patriots defense/special teams should be avoided in all fantasy leagues ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots' defense has struggled to impose its will this year against some of the NFL's weaker offenses, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished with 32 points against the Patriots and did not turn over the football. If New England can't slow down someone like the Jaguars, they'll have no luck against the Bills, who have scored 445 offensive points and are allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing D/ST units in 2024. The Patriots rank among the bottom few defenses this week and should be avoided at all costs.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoNew York Giants quarterback
Tommy DeVito (concussion) cleared concussion protocol on Friday and has been removed from the injury report, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. Meanwhile, fellow quarterback
Drew Lock (heel, left elbow) practiced again and has also been removed from the injury report, as expected. The Giants intend to start Lock at quarterback in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, which means that DeVito will return to the backup role. Lock has completed just 51.9 percent of passes through two starts with just 405 yards, zero touchdowns, and three turnovers. On a more positive note, he has flashed impressive mobility with 116 rushing yards on nine attempts. Lock has also shown that he can support strong production from the Giants' receivers, including
Malik Nabers, who caught 13 of his 23 targets for 148 yards through Lock's two starts. Fantasy managers should view Lock as a high-end QB3 option this week.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Raanan
3 days agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins (rest, knee) was seen practicing on Friday. He had been limited on Wednesday and absent on Thursday, so his presence to close out the week is a promising sign. According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Higgins was "working with trainers on the side, which has been the norm in recent weeks." It appears the 25-year-old receiver is trending toward playing against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, but we'll want to see the Bengals' final injury report before jumping to any conclusions. Higgins is a borderline must-start receiver if active; he is averaging 5.8 catches, 82 yards, and 0.8 touchdowns over his last four games. He ranks as a mid-to-low WR2 option this Sunday against Cleveland.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ben Baby
3
days
agoNew
England
Patriots
quarterback
Drake
Maye
will
get
his
first
taste
of
December
football
in
Orchard
Park
during
Sunday's
divisional
matchup
against
the
Buffalo
Bills.
Maye
is
coming
off
a
solid
game
against
the
Arizona
Cardinals
in
which
he
registered
202
passing
yards,
read more...
3 days agoArizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Benson, a rookie, has consistently operated as the Cardinals' No. 2 running back behind
James Conner, totaling 291 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards, and one touchdown this year. With Benson sidelined and
Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve, the Cardinals will call upon
DeeJay Dallas to back up Conner in Week 16. For fantasy purposes, Conner, who was the overall RB1 last week, is the only Arizona running back worth rostering and starting on Sunday.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Josh Weinfuss
3 days agoBuffalo Bills wide receiver
Curtis Samuel (rib) is officially questionable to play against the New England Patriots in Week 16. He had been limited in practice. The 28-year-old has offered a solid veteran presence in his depth role, but not enough to justify rostering him in fantasy football. After all, he continues to operate behind
Khalil Shakir,
Amari Cooper,
Keon Coleman, and
Mack Hollins. Even if he's active this Sunday, Samuel, who has just 201 yards and one touchdown through 13 games, can be left on fantasy waivers.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Maddy Glab
3 days agoThe Denver Broncos defense/special came up empty in Week 16 in a Thursday night loss on the road to the Los Angeles Chargers. Denver's D entered this contest as one of the very best defenses in all of football while leading the NFL in sacks and defensive touchdowns scored. However, they did not live up to their billing on a short week, allowing 34 points to the Chargers while recording just two sacks against quarterback
Justin Herbert. They held LA's offense to 13 points in the first half before falling apart in the second half. They did pick off Herbert one time in the contest, but all in all, they allowed 380 yards of total offense to their division rivals, who were missing starting running back
J.K. Dobbins (knee). It was an uncharacteristic performance from what has been a top-five fantasy defense in 2024, and fantasy managers might want to expect more of the same in a bad matchup in Week 17 against the Bengals.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
3 days agoTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield (knee) and left tackle Tristan Wirfs (foot, knee) were both spotted practicing on Friday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Mayfield missed practice on Wednesday, but he returned on Thursday. It appears that he'll be good to go for Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, barring a setback. The talented signal-caller ranks as the overall QB5 in fantasy football this season, and he's in the midst of a hot stretch that includes seven passing touchdowns over his last two games. He'll rank as a top-10 fantasy option this week against Dallas. Meanwhile, Wirfs is on the practice field for the first time this week after missing the last two days' sessions. It's too early to know his status for Week 16, but Wirfs has previously shown that he can play in a Sunday game after logging just one practice on Friday. Having him active would be key for the Buccaneers as they look to protect Mayfield's blindside.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Rick Stroud
3 days agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans (rest) and tight end
Cade Otton (knee) were seen practicing on Friday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Evans had been absent on Wednesday, but he returned to practice on Thursday and should be all set to play in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 31-year-old caught nine passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he needs 251 yards over his next three games to achieve his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season. Otton, meanwhile, had not practiced yet this week, so the fact that he was able to get on the field in some capacity Friday is a good sign. Fantasy managers will still want to check the Buccaneers' final injury report for confirmation on his status, but his presence Friday is a step in the right direction. Otton would rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy tight end if active against Dallas.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Rick Stroud
3 days agoDenver Broncos kicker
Wil Lutz had a serviceable day for fantasy managers in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football and also kept his made-kick streak alive. Since having the potential game-winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs blocked in Week 10, Lutz has gone 11-for-11 on field goals and 19-for-19 on extra points in a span of five games. He made both of his field-goal attempts (long of 55 yards) and all three of his extra-point opportunities in the 34-27 loss to the Bolts on Thursday night to give his fantasy managers a solid 11 points in most scoring formats. The 30-year-old veteran has been one of the most accurate kickers in the league (90.6%) and is getting plenty of opportunities in what has become a capable offense under rookie QB
Bo Nix. Lutz will be a must-start in a good matchup in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
3 days agoBaltimore Ravens wide receiver
Tylan Wallace is not a playable option despite a decent opportunity and matchup in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens could be looking for additional pass-catching options with
Rashod Bateman (foot) and
Nelson Agholor (concussion) both questionable against a Steelers pass defense that ranks in the middle of the pack against fantasy receivers. But at this stage, Wallace's 115-yard performance in Week 10 is the aberration, not the norm. Outside of that week, he has seven total catches for 76 yards. Managers shouldn't risk playing Wallace in the fantasy playoffs, even in the deepest of leagues.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoDenver Broncos fullback
Michael Burton got into the action in the 34-27 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium on a short touchdown pass from rookie quarterback
Bo Nix in the second quarter. Burton is not a big part of Denver's offense, but he caught one of Nix's two touchdown passes on the evening for his second touchdown in the last three games. He also fell into the end zone on a goal-line carry in the Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 32-year-old veteran has mostly served a blocking role for Denver's struggling ground game this year, but he'll occasionally get a touch or two. On the year as a whole through 15 games, Burton has only six rushing attempts for five yards and a touchdown while adding 10 catches on 10 targets for 65 yards and another score. He should continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
3 days agoBaltimore Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely should be considered a very high-risk bet in the fantasy playoffs with the Ravens playing host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. The third-year tight end's ups and downs have been wild this season, ranging from a TE1 showing in Week 1 to a zero-target performance despite playing more than half of Baltimore's offensive snaps in Week 12. With receivers
Rashod Bateman (foot) and
Nelson Agholor (concussion) questionable and Pittsburgh ranking a middling 17th against tight ends, Likely certainly could find himself drawing more targets. But betting on which weeks Likely will pop is like a scratch-off lottery ticket. Tread carefully.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoNow that Baltimore Ravens running back
Justice Hill (personal) is slated to play in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he can be considered a fringe flex option for fantasy managers in PPR formats. The veteran back hasn't done much as a change-of-pace rusher behind starter
Derrick Henry, but he has been an effective receiver by drawing 50 targets and turning them into 42 catches and three touchdowns on the year. The Steelers rank ninth against fantasy running backs, though Hill logged a top-30 finish among running backs in the first meeting with Pittsburgh. He's a low-ceiling option, but his receiving floor makes him playable, especially in formats with more than one flex spot.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Mike Williams has both opportunity and a great matchup in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but starting him at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is not advised. Pittsburgh will again be without top receiver
George Pickens (hamstring) and Baltimore has been unusually poor against the pass, ranking 31st against fantasy receivers. However, it's awfully difficult to start a receiver that played only 29% and 35% of the team's snaps without Pickens the past two weeks. Williams may see a slight uptick in production against Baltimore, but he's just not getting enough run in the Steelers' offense to gamble on this week.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoDespite what could be additional opportunity, fantasy managers should steer clear of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Van Jefferson in a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Top Pittsburgh receiver
George Pickens (hamstring) missed the previous two contests and is out again against Baltimore, but that hasn't really led to much for Jefferson, who had two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in those two games despite playing the majority of the offensive snaps. The Ravens rank 31st against fantasy wide receivers, but it's tough to trust the journeyman to be a beneficiary. Managers holding Pickens should look elsewhere for a backup plan.
--Nick Piotrowicz - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
3 days agoDallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is heading into the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2025 but is hoping to get a long-term deal done before free agency opens in March. That fifth-year option is worth $21.4 million, but Parsons doesn't seem to be worried about securing the largest contract in the league. He said "It would be nice to be surrounded by good players," and went on to say that making more money to have a harder time winning doesn't sound fun. The Cowboys have yet to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so Parsons could have a chance to build his contract case even further after registering 8.5 sacks, 32 total tackles (21 solo), eight tackles for loss, and 19 QB hits through 10 games.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Todd Archer
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