Notable Injuries:
- Nick Chubb (Foot)
- Trey Benson (Ankle)
- Jaleel McLaughlin (Quad)
- David Montgomery (MCL)
- Alvin Kamara (Groin)
- Jaylin Waddle (Knee)
- Xavier Legette (Groin)
- Evan Engram (Shoulder)
- Zach Ertz (Concussion)
- Patrick Mahomes (Ankle)
- Tommy Devito (Concussion)
Teams on a BYE week:
- None
Waiver Wire Targets:
Jerome Ford (Rostered in 32.4% of ESPN leagues)
In Sunday’s loss to the chiefs, Nick Chubb broke his foot after coming back from a brutal knee injury suffered last year. Bad news for Chubb owners but great for those that kept Jerome Ford rostered. For those that don’t have him, he is still available in a good chunk of leagues. He managed some success early on in the season as a starter with a few double digit fantasy outings. With a lot of injuries to running backs across the board, Ford is a must add.
Kendre Miller (Rostered in 8% of ESPN leagues)
Alvin Kamara is set to miss a little time with an adductor injury. This puts Kendre Miller atop the depth chart against the Packers in week 16. I’m not promising much here as the Saints are atrocious on offense and everyone is hurt. However, startable opportunity in the real world is enough to warrant picking up Miller if very needy at the running back position for our fantasy teams.
Craig Reynolds (Rostered in 0.2% of ESPN leagues)
David Montgomery is likely out for the remainder of the fantasy season with a torn ACL. While Jahmyr Gibbs is the de facto starter and likely bell cow, Craig Reynolds is now a top tier handcuff who could see some meaningful action. Deep teams win championships.
Jalen McMillan (Rostered in 10.2% of ESPN leagues)
McMillan has had an insane past 2 weeks going for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns in that span. I feel like the Bucs are finally starting to get healthy on offense and back to their early season form. The Cowboys just let Jalen Coker put 110 on them so I don’t see why McMillan can’t have the same kind of success. Mike Evans is on his consecutive 1000 yards season campaign and will likely draw the top coverage. The Bucs schedule is also fairly easy the rest of the way with matchups against the Cowboys, Panthers and Saints. McMillan has a good chance of providing value in that span. Worth a pickup.
Jalen Coker (Rostered in 1.4% of ESPN leagues)
Upon returning from injury, the undrafted rookie balled out against the Eagles going for 4 receptions 110 yards and a touchdown. With Xavier Legette expected to miss time with a groin injury, Coker is the next logical cog in this offense. It would be weird for the Panthers not to utilize Coker and get him more reps as they prepare to build next season. Coker could be an interesting flex play against a middle of the pack Cardinals defense.
Brenton Strange (Rostered in 2% of ESPN leagues)
Brenton Strange got his opportunity on Sunday in place of Evan Engram who was placed on IR due to a shoulder injury. Strange turned 12 targets into 11 catches for 73 yards without Engram. That kind of production is insane for a TE. It helps that Mac Jones is at the helm who was semi productive with tight ends when he was in New England. There is also no one to throw to outside of Brian Thomas Jr. It’s hard to see how this offense will perform moving forward but an upcoming matchup against an absolutely terrible Raiders team bodes well for Strange.
Mac Jones (Rostered in 1.5% of ESPN leagues) Genius pick of the week
Hear me out… you might want to consider the Mac attack against the Raiders. I’m feeling bold this week make him my “Genius pick” but I’ve got a couple of reasons. First, the Raiders are absolutely terrible. Second, Jones has a great target in rookie Brian Thomas Jr. who balled out against the Jets. Third, the Jaguars have a super soft schedule coming up with matchups against the Raiders, Titans and Colts making Jones a viable starter. The only question is do you have the stones to start Jones moving forward?
Matthew Stafford (Rostered in 39.4% of ESPN leagues)
I wasn’t super jazzed about Stafford’s matchup against the 49ers cause of the short week and thankfully that feeling proved to be true. While he only produced 8.2 fantasy points, I like his outlook against a Jets team that doesn’t have much to play for while the Rams themselves fight to stay atop the NFC West. Stafford also has 2 top tier weapons in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. If you need QB help, Stafford is a great play this week.
*Point totals mentioned assume full point PPR scoring
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