By Winsto (11/19/2024)
There are a few names here to consider for Week 12 and beyond. This week has SIX teams on a Bye (Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and New York Jets), so plan accordingly.
(The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Bo Nix (QB-Denver)–This is Nix’s 4th week in a row in this column. I am not sure what else he needs to do to get your attention. Over the last 4 weeks, he is averaging 257 yards passing (better than guys like Kyler Murray and C. J. Stroud), 2.3 passing TDs (better than guys like Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen), and 0.3 rushing TDs. His next 2 opponents are pretty generous to the QB position (Las Vegas and Cleveland), and his remaining schedule after his Week 14 Bye is nothing to fear. There is a path here for Nix to finish as a top 10 QB in fantasy for the season.
Russel Wilson (QB-Pittsburgh)–This is the 2nd week in a row I am including him in this column. For a Bye week replacement and beyond, Wilson has value here. Yes, he did not fair particularly well against a vulnerable Baltimore secondary, but as a Steelers fan told me, he had not seen the Steelers offense look this competent since the Ben Roethlisberger-headed offense of years past. Since taking over as the starting QB, he is averaging 235.5 yards passing, and he has 6 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, and 3 turnovers (4 games). His next three games (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Cleveland) are VERY generous to QB fantasy points. There will be some moon shots to George Pickens (WR) and recently added Mike Williams (WR) in the next few weeks.
Anthony Richardson (QB-Indianapolis)–Look, I would not say I am confident with this addition. The floor is very low, but there is a decent ceiling with the rushing potential. In his first game back after being replaced by Joe Flacco, Richardson held his own, throwing for 272 yards and 1 TD while adding 32 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. Be aware that his Week 12 match-up is against Detroit, who has been quite stingy. BUT, his last 3 games of the season are against Tennessee, New York Giants and Jacksonville.
Other QBs to consider include Drake Maye (QB-New England) and Jameis Winston (QB-Cleveland). Maye has been okay since taking over, but his remaining schedule, including Miami this week, gives me some pause. As for Winston, if you choose to go down that path, you have to accept that there will indeed be some highs but also some lows. In addition, Winston’s next three games (Pittsburgh, Denver, and Pittsburgh) is pretty rough.
RUNNING BACK
Audric Estime (Denver)–So…, I am just as guilty as others in thinking Estime might become a thing in fantasy. Coach Payton fooled me. Estime saw his playing time drop from 45% to 23% from Week 10 to Week 11 while Javante Williams went from 29% to 52%, and Williams, to his credit, took advantage. If you want to hold onto Estime to see what happens, go for it. As for me, I do not like to get fooled twice.
Roschon Johnson (Chicago)–Johnson saw his highest snap share (42%) of the season in Week 11 under the Chicago’s new Offensive Coordinator. He also saw 10 of the 24 running back carries, and he gained 33 yards and 1 TD. What is even more interesting is that he had 4 Red Zone touches compared to D’Andre Swift’s 1. Those are the positives. The negatives are four of his next five games are against Minnesota and Detroit’s rush stuffing defenses.
Tank Bigsby (Jacksonville)–Interestingly, Bigsby’s ownership has fallen below 50%. He had seen 7 or more carries in every full game he has played since Week 4. He has a 5.5 YPC (compared to Travis Etienne’s 4 YPC) on the season. In addition, Jacksonville has faced a rough stretch of solid defenses versus the run in recent weeks. After Houston in Week 13, the remaining defenses are not overly scary (Tennessee, New York Jets, Las Vegas, Tennessee, and Indianapolis.)
Dylan Laube (Las Vegas)–Alexander Mattison and Zamir White both left the Raiders game in Week 11, and their playing time for Week 12 is uncertain. Yes, there is still Ameer Abdullah, but if I am going to grab a Raiders running back, I am going to go for the rookie with upside. Laube, to me, is that player. He can run, and he can catch. His Week 12 opponent, Denver, unfortunately is solid against the run, though not elite.
Handcuffs—These are players, rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, who I would grab if I had the space. They have little to no standalone value, but each could be a legitimate RB1 or RB2 if the opportunity presented itself. This is the order I would rank them as of now.
Blake Corum (LAR)
Trey Benson (Ari)
Zach Charbonnet (Sea)
Jordan Mason (SF)–Cheating a bit here, as he rostered in 54% of leagues.
Braelon Allen (NYJ)
Ray Davis (Buf)
Kimani Vidal (LAC)
Marshawn Lloyd (GB) (Talk about simply having a snake-bitten rookie season. Now he has appendicitis and will probably land back on the I.R.
WIDE RECEIVER
Adam Thielen (Carolina)–Remember that he had a 1,000-yard receiving year in 2023 with Bryce Young (QB)? Diontae Johnson (WR-Bal) is now gone. He has been activated off the IR. Someone has to catch the ball in Carolina, right? Carolina faces a solid Kansas City defense this week, but he should find some success. He is someone who will see targets down the stretch, especially with Tampa Bay (twice) and Atlanta on the schedule.
Keon Coleman (Buffalo)–Buffalo has a Bye this week, so this is an add for down the stretch. He was showing signs of life (14 targets, 195 receiving yards, and 1 TD) in the two games prior to the Miami game in Week 09 and has missed the last two weeks. Coming out of the Bye, I would expect him to function as decent WR3 down the stretch.
Quentin Johnson (Los Angeles Chargers)–He may not see a heavy amount of targets or receiving yards, but he has scored a receiving TD in 3 straight games. In addition, Baltimore and Atlanta, two defenses that have no problem giving up fantasy points to wide receivers, are next on the schedule.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (New Orleans)–In his two games with the Saints, he has 5 total receptions for (checks notes) 196 yards and 3 TDs. This has all the looks of unsustainability, but Derek Carr has to throw to someone, right? New Orleans has its Bye week this week, but the remaining schedule is nothing to shy away from.
TIGHT END
Hunter Henry (New England)–Is he scoring a plethora of TDs? No, no he is not—he has 1 TD on the season. Is he 6th amongst all TEs in receiving yards? Yes! Drake Maye has shown a solid connection with Henry, as Henry has seen no fewer than 4 targets since Week 04.
Ja’Tavion Sanders (Carolina)–Fellow TEs Ian Thomas (placed on IR) and Tommy Tremble have been banged up, and the 4th round rookie has played over 80% of the snaps over the last two weeks. He has also gone for 6 receptions (on 7 targets) for 95 yards and 1 TD during that stretch. Week 12’s opponent is Kansas City, a team that has given up the 9th most fantasy points to the TE position. Sanders is a nice Bye Week fill-in for Week 12!
IDP
Jack Campbell, LB (Detroit)-Alex Anzalone (LB), the leader of the defense, has been placed on the IR, and now it looks like Campbell will be wearing the Green Dot and staying on the field. There is probably a limited ceiling here, but he should have a steady floor.