By Winsto (12/23/2024)
It is crunch-time in fantasy. Many of you have your championships this week. Due to the shortened holiday week, I will be briefer than usual and to the point. There are a few names here to consider for Week 17 and Week 18, if your league plays that week.
(The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Aaron Rodgers (QB-NYJ)–His Week 16 stats were a bit of a letdown, but he faces a more Buffalo defense that has given up points the last few weeks in Week 17 and a Miami defense, one he threw for over 300 yards against back in Week 14, in Week 18. If you need a QB for this week, he would be my preference. If you need a QB for Week 18, however, I would lean toward the following:
Russell Wilson (QB-Pit)–I am not a big fan of starting him this week against a solid KC defense, even with George Pickens (WR-Pit) likely to return to action. I am, however, a fan of rolling with him in Week 18 against the generous Cincinatti secondary.
Michael Penix (QB-Atl)–The remaining opponents (Washington in Week 17 and Carolina in Week 18) are enticing. He looked solid in his first start in Week 16, despite the pedestrian fantasy stats. The concern would be Atlanta being very conservative with the play calling and being heavily reliant on the rushing attack. That said, the coaches may be forced to unleash him if Washington puts up points.
Bryce Young (QB-Carolina)–He has the most generous defenses left for a QB in this section (Week 17 v. Tampa Bay and Week 18 v. Atlanta).
Cooper Rush (QB-Dal)–Not a fan this week against Philadelphia, but he could be useful in Week 18 against Washington—same logic with Penix applies here regarding playing Washington.
RUNNING BACK
Alexander Mattison (RB-LV)–This add would be for Week 17 against New Orleans, a team that is just reeling from injuries and generous to the RB position.
Kendre Miller (New Orleans)–The 2023 3rd round pick absolutely disappointed fantasy managers in Week 16, but if you believe New Orleans can stay competitive in Week 17 versus Las Vegas, then his role should not fade as it did in the blowout loss against Green Bay in Week 16.
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)
Patrick Taylor Jr. (SF)
Kenny Gainwell (Phi)–Bucky Irving would probably be involved as well, but Gainwell should lead the way.
WIDE RECEIVER
Jalen McMillan (Tampa Bay)–The 3rd round rookie continues to produce, and he seems to be the 2nd option on the passing attack after Mike Evans (WR-TB). Carolina in Week 17 and New Orleans in Week 18 are up next.
Hollywood Brown (Kansas City)–The bad news is he only played 20 snaps (27%) in Week 16. The good news is he saw 8 targets (2nd to Xavier Worthy). He hauled in 5 of them for 45 yards receiving. I expect the snaps to increase in Week 17 against Pittsburgh.
Rashod Bateman (Baltimore)–Bateman is the quintessential boom or bust receiver. You know how this works. He will typically see 3-5 targets, so you are banking on a long play/TD. There is a decent ceiling here, but virtually no floor.
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. But, Drake Maye has shown a solid connection with Henry, as Henry has seen no fewer than 4 targets since Week 04. His remaining schedule is not too kind to the TE, but his floor is about as safe as can be. Just understand that he offers virtually no ceiling.
IDP
I am not on a good streak here. We are now 4 weeks in a row that something happened to one of the defenders I discussed. Four weeks ago, I mentioned Nazeeh Johnson (DB-Kansas City) in this section, and it looked like good advice, until he was benched in the early part of the game. Then three weeks ago, I discussed adding Tyler Nubin (DB-NYG). He was having fantasy success until he injured his ankle midway through the game. Two weeks, I championed Luke Gifford (LB-Ten), who had 8 total tackles (5-3) and an INT, but he only played 42% of the snaps due to a concussion. Then last week, I discussed Micah McFadden (LB-NYG), who of course, left the game due to injury.
So…, let’s try this again, though I am starting to worry that I am jinxing these guys.
Dorian Williams (LB-Buffalo)–When given the opportunity, Williams is a tackling machine, as he demonstrated for much of the season while filling in for Matt Milano (LB). However, it seems the coaching staff are not fond of his coverage skills. Matt Milano (LB) may not play in Week 17, and now Baylon Spector (LB) looks unlikely to suit up as well. The coaches may have no other choice than to play Williams, which is beneficial to fantasy managers.