The Slate – Week 7

Brock Purdy 

Purdy came in relief of Garoppolo in week 13, finishing with a quality 210/2/1. If Purdy persists in doing well in week 14, we will have enough data to gauge his possible outlook with the Seahawks, who rank 18th in pass defense DVOA according to Football Outsiders. Currently, I place Purdy as a QB3/4 and a possible 2 QB league play.  

Christian McCaffrey/Jordan Mason

You probably don't have a write-up for McCaffrey, who is bonafide RB1 after the team lost Elijah Mitchell. He finished as the RB1 in week 13 and will be going up against a Seahawks team that is ranked 24th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). CMC is an RB1. Jordan Mason has plugged in for some production but can't be trusted as a start quite yet. 

Deebo Samuel/Brandon Aiyuk/Jauan Jennings/George Kittle 

Deebo is the WR23 for the year, and Aiyuk is the WR18. Both may have a higher ceiling this week against the Seahawks, who are ranked 18th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Deebo is a certified WR2 and Aiyuk is a flex play. Aiyuk's last seven finishes were 4, 18, 11, 8, 15, 37 and 44. Jennings is off the radar besides single-game DFS dart throws. Kittle is the TE7 for the year and has finished in the top ten four times. Kittle, like many tight ends, can be hit or miss. He is a TE2/3 this week. I would be cautious of this game outside of the running back since it's on a short week and sports a low Vegas total of 41.5. Update with Samuel likely out, Aiyuk will be a WR2 with upside, and Kittle gets an increased ceiling. 

Geno Smith

Geno is the QB7 for the year and has eight top-12 finishes. He is 6th in passing yards, 5th in passing TDs, and 9th in rushing yards. This week he gets a divisional game against the Niners, a team that is ranked 5th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). The game is on a short week and sports a low Vegas total of 41.5. I would consider Geno a QB1/2, but I would temper expectations this week. Geno clocked in as the QB30 in the last game against the Niners in week 2. 

Kenneth Walker III/Travis Homer/DeeJay Dallas 

Walker is the RB19 for the season and has had finishes of RB 19, 8, 3, 25, 2, 19, 14, and 53 in his last eight games. This week the Seahawks get a Niners team that is ranked 2nd in rushing defense DVOA according to (FO). Also, the team has a low Vegas total of 41.5 and is on a short week (Thursday night). Walker is more of a back-end RB2/Flex play this week, considering the total, short week, and more challenging defense. If Walker doesn't play, I wouldn't entirely trust Homer/Dallas as plug-in-play flexes. 

DK Metcalf/Tyler Lockett/Marquise Goodwin/Will Dissly/Noah Fant

Metcalf is the WR13 for the year, and Lockett is the WR10. Both have consistently finished in the top 36 at WR, except for a few weeks out of the year. This week the Seahawks get a divisional game against the Niners on a short week, and the game has a Vegas total of 41.5. I would consider Metcalf and Lockett as back-end WR2/flex plays this week. Goodwin, Dissly, and Fant are all sits. 

Matt Ryan

Ryan is the QB21 through the fantasy season. He has only two top-five finishes this year but does get a less challenging defense with the Vikings, who rank 24th in pass defense DVOA (FO). Outside of two QB leagues, though, Ryan is a sit considering his history throughout the season. He also will be going up against a quality defense line with edge rushers Hunter and Smith. 

Jonathan Taylor 

JTT is the RB18 for the year, which is a far cry from his draft capital, but he has had an uptick in production in the past few weeks, finishing as the RB 1, 9, 12, and 20 in his previous four games (before week 14). Nonetheless, he is a viable RB2 against a Vikings defense that is ranked 11th in rush defense according to (FO). 

Michael Pittman/Parris Campbell/Alec Pierce/Jelani Woods

Pittman is the WR17 for the year, Campbell WR40, and Pierce WR56. This week the Colts get a Vikings defense ranked 24th in pass defense DVOA, according to (FO). Pittman has your best probability of success, but I would temper expectations and place him in the WR2/Flex range. He has finished mostly as a flex option in the past seven games. Pierce and Campbell are sits. Jelani came out of the woodwork in week 12 with an 8/98/0 line; I would play wait-and-see on him and consider him a little bit of fool's gold. He is a TE3/4 dart throw. 

Kirk Cousins

Cousins is a middling fantasy QB ranked 15th for the season. Unless he is your starter, he is primarily a quality 2 QB league candidate. He also gets a middle-of-the-road pass defense in the Colts. The game sports a 46.5 Vegas Total, with the Vikings favored by 5.5. I would consider Cousins a QB2/3 with a capped ceiling this game unless the Colts stay competitive. The game is set up better for Dalvin Cook at home and with the Vikings being a somewhat heavy favorite. 

Dalvin Cook/Alexander Mattison 

Cook is the RB10 for the fantasy season, with finishes of 6, 13, 7, 14, 2, 33, 34, and 14 in his last eight games. This week the Vikings get a Colts team ranked 15th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO) and are 5.5-point favorites at home. Cook is a bonafide RB1 with some upside. Mattison is only viable if Cook were to get "......." I won't say it out of respect to not manifest anything negative for any fantasy player. 

Justin Jefferson/Adam Thielen/K.J. Osborn/T.J. Hockenson

Jefferson is the WR4 for the fantasy season, is #3 in targets, and has a 29.2% redzone target share. He has finished as the top five WR six weeks this year. This week the Vikings get the Colts, who rank 13th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO); the Vikings are 5.5-point favorites on a 46.5-point game total. The game sets up well for Dalvin as a home favorite, but Jefferson is a bonafide WR1. Thielen has come in the top 36 five times out of ten. So a coin flip or a TD would put him over the edge. Thielen is a low-probability flex play who hits if he scores. Osborn is a sit. Hockenson's last five games had him as the TE 11, 5, 7, 11, 6, and 16. He is an obvious TE1. 

Tyler Huntley 

Huntley is a viable 2 QB league starter and may have a higher ceiling in a game against the Browns, who rank in the bottom third in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Huntley mostly finished in the range of QB18 - 20 in his 2021 starts. Consider him a sit or dart throw in standard leagues if he gets the start. 

Gus Edwards/JK Dobbins

There could be a reason to suspect a higher production probability from this RB tandem for the upcoming week against Cleveland. This week the Ravens get a Browns team that gives up much rushing room between the edges and are in the bottom third in rush defense DVOA (FO). Dobbins returned from injury last week and went 15/120/1 on the ground, and Edwards went 13/66/0. I would consider Dobbins an RB2 with upside and Edwards a fringe flex play who also has a raised ceiling. 

Devin Duvernay/Demarcus Robinson/James Proche II/Mark Andrews

These receivers are very volatile, hit or miss with their weekly production. All are sits except for Andrews, who is a clear-cut TE1. You could use Duvernay as a dart throw attempt flex, but I would stay clear, especially for the fantasy playoffs. 

Deshaun Watson 

Watson's first game back was a defensive fest against his former team, and then last week against the Bengals, he threw 42 times and finished with 276/1 and 33 yards on the ground. Watson is a great 2 QB league play and a fringe QB1/2 against the Ravens, who rank 11th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). 

Nick Chubb/Kareem Hunt

Chubb is the RB6 through 13 weeks and is 5th in carries, 4th in rushing yards, and 2nd in total TDs. Hunt is the RB32 and mostly hovers around being a flex finisher. The Browns are favored by 2.5 against a Ravens team that is ranked 6th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). The Vegas total on this game is relatively low at 42.5. Chubb is an RB1, and Hunt is a risky fringe flex play.  

Amari Cooper/Donovan Peoples-Jones/David Njoku 

Cooper is the WR12 for the year, with mostly Brissett at the helm, and Peoples-Jones is the WR44. This week the Browns get a Ravens team, possibly without Lamar Jackson, and who are ranked 11th in pass defense DVOA with a reasonably low game total. I would place Cooper as a WR2 this week with a somewhat capped upside. Peoples-Jones is a fringe but worrisome flex play. If Njoku plays, he is a TE1. 

Tua Tagovailoa

Tua is the QB16 for the year and has finished in the top-five four times. He is 1st in yards per attempt and 5th in passing TDs. This week he gets challenging Bill's defense, which ranks 7th in pass defense DVOA (FO) and 3rd in rush defense DVOA (FO). The Dolphins are 7-point dogs in this matchup with a Vegas total of 47.5. The loss of Von Miller may change the dynamic of the Bills, but Tua can also be hit or miss in production. I would consider Tua a fringe QB1/2 that hits if he can stay competitive with the Bills, but I would temper expectations. He was the QB25 in their last matchup. 

Raheem Mostert/Jeff Wilson 

Wilson is the RB25 for the year and Mostert is the RB31. This week they play the Bills, who have lost Von Miller for the year but are 7-point favorites against the Dolphins. This week seemingly would lead to a lower ceiling for these two, especially if their team ends up in a negative game script. They are cautious flex options this week. Wilson did leave the game early, and if he doesn't play, it will vault Raheem to an RB2. 

Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle/Trent Sherfield/Mike Gesicki

Hill is the WR3 for the season, and Waddle is the WR9. They both finish within relatively the same spot weekly (whether it's WR1, WR2, or flex) except two weeks out of the year, where one supremely outperformed the other. Tyreek garners 31.2% of the target shares and 15.4% of the redzone shares. Waddle takes 22.8% of targets and 15.4% of redzone shares. Both have a wide gap of outcomes and always have an upside, but if they don't hit, they may end up, at best, a WR3 for the week (which is much better than an overall bust). You can easily treat both as WR1s, but they may have a capped ceiling this week against a stout Bills defense ranked 7th in pass defense DVOA (FO). Sherfield and Gesicki are sits. 

Josh Allen

Allen is the #1 fantasy QB through 13 weeks with nine top-five finishes for the year. He is ranked 3rd in passing yards, 2nd in air yards, and 2nd in passing TDs for the season. His upcoming game is against the Dolphins; a pass funnel defense ranked 23rd in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). It's doubtful that you are sitting Josh Allen at all ever. He is a top-ten QB1 this week and was the QB3 earlier this year against Miami. 

Devin Singletary/Nyheim Hines/James Cook

Through nine games, Singletary has finished in the top 24 - six times and top 36 once. In the three other games, he was a bust. The Bills are a 7-point favorite against a pass funnel Miami defense that ranks 9th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). As a favorite at home, I trust Devin as a flex play to RB2. Hines and Cook are not start-worthy options unless in deeper leagues and DFS single-game punt plays. 

Stefon Diggs/Gabe Davis/Isaiah McKenzie/Dawson Knox 

Diggs is the 2nd overall fantasy WR for the year. 4th in the league in targets overall and has a 30.2% target share on his team and a 31% redzone target share. He is 4th in air yards and 3rd in receiving yards. He has finished as a top-12 receiver in 8 games this season. Gabriel Davis is a more volatile receiver with a chance of exploding but has finished in the top 24 four-time and busted four times. This week the Bills are a 7-point favorite against the Dolphins, ranked 23rd in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Diggs is an obvious WR1, whereas Gabe Davis is a flex play/Fringe WR2 with upside but could easily bust. Mckenzie is a desperate flex/bench that can still hit but only has hit the top 36 three times. Knox is a hail-mary TE2/3 who typically needs to score a TD for fantasy relevance which he did last week.  

Marcus Mariota 

Mariota is the QB11 through 11 weeks and finishes between QB10-20 most weeks. This week he gets a Saints team ranked 12th in pass defense DVOA (FO). This game does sport a low Vegas total of 42.5, and the Saints are favored by 4.5. Mariota is a 2 QB starter but is more of a middling QB in standard leagues. 

Cordarrelle Patterson/Tyler Allgeier

Patterson is the RB34, and Allgeier is the RB38 through 13 weeks. This week boasts a low Vegas total of 42.5 against the Saints, who rank 20th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). I am comfortable with Patterson as a flex play coming off a bye week and Allgeier as a sit but a dart throw flex play. 

Drake London/Olamide Zaccheaus/Damiere Byrd/Parker Hesse

Drake London is the WR39 for the year with meager returns and five finishes inside the top 36, and Zaccheaus is the WR58. This week the Falcons get a Saints team, who rank 12th in pass defense according to (FO). Coming off a bye, London is a hit-or-miss flex play. All other receivers are sits. 

Andy Dalton/Jameis Winston

Dalton is the QB23 for the season and has finishes of 17, 21, 26, 8, and 31 in recent games. Whether Dalton plays or Winston, I consider a raised ceiling for either player after coming off a bye and playing a Falcons defense that is ranked 29th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). I would consider them QB3's this week. 

Alvin Kamara 

Kamara is the RB15 for the year with finishes of 7, 10, 13, 1, 22, 34, 17, 30, and 43 in his last eight games. Even though he has faded to an RB2/Flex play in recent weeks, I consider a bounce back against a Falcons team ranked in the bottom third in both pass and rush defense according to (FO). Kamara is a fringe RB1/RB2 with some upside. 

Chris Olave/Jarvis Landry/Juwan Johnson/Taysom Hill

With Olave and Landry on the field in recent games, Olave has finished as the WR59, 7, and 39, and Landry as WR61, 30, and 82. This week the Saints get an Atlanta team that is ranked 29th in pass defense DVOA (FO). Olave is worthy flex play with a raised ceiling, while Landry is a sit. It's hard to trust Juwan as a viable starter who goose-egged in week 13. He is a TD or bust TE2/3. Hill is off the radar, even though he can blow up on any given Sunday. Or Monday.

Dak Prescott

Since returning from injury, Dak has finished as the QB 18, 4, 8, 9, 17, 12, and 14. This week the Cowboys are favorites against the Jags at 6.5 points. The Jags are ranked 31st in pass defense DVOA and 16th in rush defense (FO). The game sports an average game total of 45.5 currently. Prescott is a QB1 with upside here. 

Ezekiel Elliott/Tony Pollard

In recent games, Zeke has finished as RB 12, 12, 11, 15, 10, and 9, while Pollard has finished as RB 4, 8, 1, 41, 2, and 6. The Cowboys are favorites against the Jags this week on the road against a defense that is ranked 31st in pass defense DVOA (FO). Both running backs are likely to get safe production. Both are RB1/2 with upside. 

Ceedee Lamb/Michael Gallup/Noah Brown/Dalton Schultz

Missing much of Dak for the season, Ceedee still is the WR7 for the year. He is 6th in targets and has a 30.6% target share which is 5th amongst his group. Since Dak's return, Ceedee has finished as the WR 39, 12, 1, 45, 17, 13, and 44. This week the Cowboys get a Jags defense ranked 31st in pass defense DVOA. Consider Lamb a WR1 and Schultz a TE1/2. Gallup and Brown could hit, but neither can be trusted as starters.  

Trevor Lawrence 

Lawrence is the QB6 for the season that hovers around the top 12 in terms of finishes. He has hit the top five four times this season and went 368/3 last week against the Titans. I would utilize Lawrence as a 2 QB league option but would temper expectations against a challenging Cowboys defense ranked 1st in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Lawrence is more of a QB3 this week. 

Travis Etienne

Etienne is the RB19 for the year but has had a production slip in recent weeks finishing as the RB 26, 83, 32, and 41. I would temper expectations this week against a stout Cowboys defense ranked 8th in rush defense DVOA (FO). Consider him a risky flex play. 

Christian Kirk/Zay Jones/Marvin Jones Jr./Evan Engram 

Kirk is the WR9 through 11 weeks with finishes of WR 29, 15, 57, 5, 4, 63, 18, and 37 in recent games. Zay has hit, missed, and hit again in his last three games; last week against the Titans, he went 8/77/1 receiving. With a more challenging Cowboys defense ranked 1st in pass defense DVOA (FO), I would temper expectations with all receiving options. I consider Kirk a flex play and Zay a fringe flex play. Jones is an off-the-radar sit. Engram consecutively had two very productive games and went 11/162/2 last week. Although I consider him fool's gold as of now and would a sit TE3/4. 

Kenny Pickett/Mitch Trubisky 

Pickett has finished as the QB 12, 16, 32, 20, and 26 in recent games and left early with his second concussion of the year. If he is cleared to play in week 15, he will face a Panthers defense that is ranked 20th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). The game sports one of the lowest Vegas totals of the week, with 39. I would consider Pickett a QB3/4 perfect for 2 QB leagues but not a standard league start. Trubisky is in the same range if he gets the nod to start. 

Najee Harris/Jaylen Warren 

In the past five games, Harris has finished as the RB 28, 3, 31, 25, and 13, while Warren has finished 24, 53, N/A, 51, and 34. This week the Steelers get a Panthers team who ranks 22nd in rush defense DVOA (FO) favored by 2.5. Considering Harris is the RB17 for the year, I would place him as an RB2 play, while Warren is a risky fringe flex play. 

Diontae Johnson/George Pickens/Steven Sims/Pat Friermouth

In his last six games with Pickett - Johnson has finished as the WR 45, 49, 41, 57, 45, and 38. At the same time, Pickens finished as the WR 12, 102, 27, 11, 59, and 108. TDs during that span helped Picken's production even though Johnson had favorable targets. This week the Steelers get a none-too-imposing Panthers defense ranked 20th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Johnson and Pickens are flex plays, while Sims is a sit. Friermouth is a TE1/2 who has finished as the TE 4, 18, 9, and 7 in his past four games. 

Sam Darnold 

Darnold finished as the QB16 in week 12. If he gets the nod, he will be a back-end QB3/4 against a middling Steelers defense that does sport a more challenging defensive line, especially if TJ Watt gets back to form. I would temper expectations with Darnold even in 2 QB leagues. 

D'Onta Foreman/Chuba Hubbard

Foreman has finished as the RB 52 and 28 in his past two games, while Hubbard has finished as the RB 44 and 44 (these are before week 14). Last week Foreman went 21/74/0 on the ground, and Hubbard went 14/74/1 and 25 yards receiving. This upcoming game has a low Vegas total of 39.5, with the Steelers favored by 2.5. If Trubisky gets the nod, both running backs will likely have an increased ceiling, especially if DJ Moore doesn't play or is limited. It's also true that Trubisky can come out and have quality games here and there. I would consider both risky flex options. 

DJ Moore/Terrace Marshall Jr./Laviska Shenault Jr/Ian Thomas

Moore is the WR34 for the season and has finished as the WR 52, 60, 63, 11, and a goose egg in recent weeks. It's hard to trust anyone here as a viable play. Moore is on track at this moment to play and is a risky flex play for week 15 against a middling Steelers pass defense. Everyone else is a sit. 

Jalen Hurts

Hurts is the QB1 for the season and has nine top-five finishes. He is 1st in carries, redzone carries, and rushing TDs. This week Hurts gets a Bears team ranked dead last in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Hurts is a bonafide QB1. 

Miles Sanders 

Sanders is the RB9 for the season with finishes of RB 21, 11, 40, 37, 2, 23, and 3 in recent games. This week the Eagles get a Bears team ranked 29th in rush defense DVOA (FO) and are favored by 8.5. It's possible this game doesn't follow "script," but I would doubt Philly not providing fantasy production here. Sanders is an RB1 with upside. 

AJ Brown/Devonte Smith/Quez Watkins/Jack Stoll/Dallas Goedert 

AJ Brown is the WR9 for the year, who commands 28.9% target share and 34.2% redzone shares. Smith is the WR18 for the year. This week they get a Bears team ranked dead last in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Brown is a bonafide WR1, and Smith is a WR2 play with upside. Watkins is a sit but could get some quality production. Stoll is a sit. If Goedert returns this week, you can pop him in as a tight end, but would temper expectations if it's his first game back.  

Justin Fields

Field returned in week 13 and finished as the QB5; for the season, he is also QB5. This week he gets a more challenging Philly pass defense ranked 5th according to (FO), but Fields is still a QB1 when you couple his rushing ability. The Eagles are a run funnel defense ranked 23rd in rush defense (FO). 

David Montgomery

Montgomery is the RB24 through 13 weeks and finished as the RB12 in his most recent outing. This week the Bears get a run funnel defense in which the Eagles rank 23rd in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). The Eagles will be heavy favorites, but I would pencil Montgomery as an RB2 with upside. 

Chase Claypool/Equanimeous St. Brown/Dante Pettis/Cole Kmet

With limited receiver options and a game script that may lead to the Bears playing from behind, anyone to two receiving options may get quality production. It's just difficult to pinpoint the best option outside of Kmet. Chase is, at best, a desperate flex play, and Kmet is a viable TE1/2 with finishes of 2, 1, 17, 24, and 5 in recent outings. 

Patrick Mahomes 

Mahomes is the QB3 for the season and has had ten top-12 finishes. He is 4th in passing yards, 6th in air yards, and 4th in passing TDs. This week he gets a Texans defense that is ranked 19th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO). Vegas is predicting the game script to fall heavily in favor of KC as 14.5-point favorites, possibly leading to more rushing production. Mahomes is a bonafide QB1. 

Isiah Pacheco/Ronald Jones/Jerrick McKinnon

Pacheco has finished as the RB 31, 22, 16, 15, and 16 in recent weeks. McKinnon scored two touchdowns last which led to his high increase in production, and he finished 7/112 receiving. This week they get a Texans team as 14.5-point favorites, leading to an increased ceiling for both players. I consider Pacheco an RB1/2 with upside and McKinnon a flex play. 

JuJu Smith-Schuster/Mecole Hardman/Marquez Valdez-Scantling/Travis Kelce

JuJu is the WR25 for the year and seems fully back from injury, going 9/74/1 in last week's game. It's possible to temper expectations as such heavy favorites against the Texans this week, but I consider him a viable flex play. Hardman and Marquez are sits, although they could easily hit paydirt. Kelce is a TE1 who has finished in the top five in all but three games this season. 

David Mills/Jeff Driskel  

Mills is not a viable solution as a starter in even 2 QB leagues. He may get increased production against the Chiefs, but I would temper expectations. Update. Texans will be deploying both QBs this week, which leaves them both off the radar, except Driskel can be started as a tight end where eligible. 

Dameon Pierce 

Pierce, although the RB15 for the year, does carry some risk as he has some higher variance over the weeks. If he is a go this week, he would be an RB2 based on opponent and recent success finishing as the RB22 and 12 in the past two games. KC is ranked 18th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). If Pierce doesn't play, I wouldn't trust anyone outside of him as a start. 

Nico Collins/Chris Moore/Philip Dorsett/Jordan Akins/Jeff Driskel 

If Collins doesn't play, you could take a dart throw on Dorsett Rodgers or Chris Moore as a flex. If Nico does play, I would consider him a flex and Moore or Dorsett as dart throws. In some leagues, Driskell has a tight-end designation, and he can be trusted as a start, at least in standard scoring.

Jared Goff

Goff is the QB12 for the season, with two top-five finishes in his last two games. This week the Lions get a Jets defense ranked in the top five in pass defense DVOA (FO). Although, the game sports a high Vegas total of 50.5. Goff is a QB 1/2 this week and a very viable 2 QB league starter. 

D'Andre Swift/Jamaal Williams

Swift is the RB27 for the year, and Williams the RB14. Williams out carried Swift 16 to 6 against the Vikings last week. This week they get a Jets defense that ranks 11th in rush defense DVOA (FO). The game has a high game total of 50.5 with the Lion's 2.5-point dogs. I consider Williams an RB2 and Swift a flex play. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown/DJ Chark/Kalif Raymond/Brock Wright

Amon Ra is well back to form, finishing as the WR 2, 3, and 26 in his previous three games. St. Brown is the WR6 for the year and is a bonafide WR1. Chark, Raymond, or Reynolds could get play here, but they are strictly dart-throw fringe flex plays. Wright is a sit. 

Mike White

Mike White finished against the Bears with 315/3/0 and was QB6 that week. He followed that up with another 300-yard-plus game performance against the Vikings, going 369/0, and did run in a TD. Last week White threw 44 attempts for 268 yards against a challenging Bills opponent. This week the Jets get a Lions defense ranked 17th in pass defense DVOA in a game that boasts a high game total of 50.5. Mike is an excellent 2 QB league play and a QB1/2 in standard leagues. 

Michael Carter/Zonovan Knight

Knight finished with 17/71/1 out, carrying Carter 17 to 5. This week the Jets get a Lions defense ranked 25th in pass defense DVOA and a high Vegas total of 50.5. At this point, it looks like Zonovan has surpassed Carter and is an RB2/Flex play this week, while Carter is a sit. 

Garrett Wilson/Elijah Moore/Corey Davis/Tyler Conklin 

With White at the helm, Garrett has finished as the WR 4, 9, and 22. Davis hit the top 36 once in those three games and Moore twice. In a game with a high Vegas total of 50.5, I consider Wilson a WR2 with upside and Moore and Davis as possible flex plays. Tyler finished as the TE 15, 36, and 10 in his past three games. He is a viable TE3 play in a game that boasts a high game total. 

Daniel Jones 

Daniel Jones is the QB10 for the season. In recent weeks, he has finished as the QB 14, 4, 20, 9, and 11 with his last game against the Commanders. Jones has only hit the top 12 five times this year, so he can still be a dicey play in 12-team leagues, but he is a good 2 QB start or possible fill-in for bye weeks. On a positive note, he is 4th in carries, 5th in rushing yards, and 3rd in rushing TDs. This week Jones and company get a Commanders team that is ranked 14th in pass defense DVOA according to (FO) and is a pass funnel defense as they are ranked 4th in rush defense DVOA (FO). Last year against Washington, Jones finished as the QB4 with 29.5 fantasy points (which came mainly on the ground). Jones is a QB 2/3 this week. 

Saquon Barkley 

Barkley is the RB6 for the fantasy season through 11 weeks. I don't want to overwrite someone you are starting anyways. Some sweet notes, though, for shits and giggles. Barkley is 2nd in rushing yards, 2nd in carries, and 10th in Total TDs. He has finished in the top 24 every game but two this season. This week Barkley gets a pass funnel defense in the Washington Commanders, who rank 4th in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). In week 13, Barkley came in as RB31, scoring 6.8 PPR points. You may want to temper expectations, but I consider Barkley an RB2 this week. 

Darius Slayton/Richie James/Isaiah Hodgins/Daniel Bellinger 

Unfortunately, the Giants keep getting nipped with the wide receiver injury bug as Robinson exited with a torn ACL against the Lions, leaving a hodge-podge of receivers as it has been for this team. In a fantasy-friendly environment against the Lions, Slayton finished with 5/86/0, Richie James 3/48/1, and Golladay 2/29/0. Against the Commanders, Slayton finished as the WR61, James as the WR13, and Hodgins as the WR26. Trusting any receiver here is hard, especially for the fantasy playoffs. Slayton has cleared almost 100 air yards in each of his previous three games before playing Washington in week 13. He is your best bet for production, but I consider him a risky flex play. James, Hodgins, and Bellinger are all sits. James and Hodgins could be seen as dart throw flex plays. 

Taylor Heinicke

In recent weeks, Heinicke has finished as the QB 13, 8, 15, 27, 24, and 25. He also had a similar boom/bust pattern last year, so it's hard to go all-in on Heinicke outside of 2 QB leagues. He finished as the QB12 and 34 last year against the Giants but did finish as the QB7 against them in week 13. He finished with 275/3 in that matchup. The G-men are ranked in the bottom third in both pass and rush defense DVOA, according to (FO). Heinicke is a QB3 this week but does have some upside to finish higher coming off a bye and playing at home.   

Brian Robinson/Antonio Gibson

Robinson has finished as the RB 15, 38, and 5 in recent games, while Gibson has finished 14, 16, and 39. These players cut into each other's production but get a Giants team that is ranked 23rd in rush defense DVOA according to (FO). Robinson finished as the RB21 against the Giants in week 13 with 13.1 PPR points. Gibson finished as the RB38. Robinson is an RB2 in this matchup, while Gibson is a fringe flex play. The Commanders are 4.5-point favorites at home. 

Terry McLaurin/Curtis Samuel/Jahan Dotson/Logan Thomas

McLaurin is the WR15 for the season and is a shoo-in WR2/WR1 with upside against a Giants team ranked 23rd in pass defense DVOA, according to (FO). From Week 7 and on with Heinicke, he has had finishes 11, 18, 26, 10, 43, and 53 and was WR7 against the Giants in week 13. Samuel is the WR26 but has finished 64, 41, and 110 in recent games, although he had 14.6 PPR points in week 13 against the G-Men. I would treat Samuel as a risky fringe flex play. His targets have fallen dramatically from what they were at the beginning of the year with Wentz. In his last seven games, Samuel's targets are 8, 4, 4, 4, 2, 0, and 7. Logan Thomas is still a sit-and-wait-and-see approach as he gets healthier. Jahan finished as the WR18 against the G-Men in week 13, but he is also a sit. 

Baker Mayfield 

Even though Baker had a comeback game against the Raiders, I would not consider him a play even in 2 QB leagues playing against Green Bay, who are coming off a bye and are ranked 9th in pass defense DVOA (FO). Baker is a QB4/5

Cam Akers

Akers has had two productive fantasy weeks and has finished as the RB8 and 21st in his past two games with 19 and 11.3 PPR points, respectively. This week the Rams get a run funnel Packers team coming off a bye. Green Bay is ranked 32nd in rush defense DVOA. Even though the Rams will likely play in negative game script, I would pencil Akers in as a flex option this week with some upside.   

Ben Skowronek/Van Jefferson/Tutu Atwell/Tyler Higbee 

The Rams had some production against a low-ranked Raiders defense, but get a Packers team this week coming off a bye and who are ranked 9th in pass defense DVOA. Ben could be a flex play in PPR leagues (finishing 7/89/0 last week), but I would leave all Monday night Rams receivers on the bench. The Rams are currently 7-point dogs in a game that sports a low game total of 39.5. 

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is the QB18 for the season and is coming off a bye to play the Rams on Monday night. The Rams are ranked 27th in pass defense DVOA and 5th in rush defense (FO), so they are a pass funnel squad. The game sports a low Vegas total of 39.5; the Packers are 7-point favorites. I consider Rodgers a QB3 this week with slight upside based on the opponent's pass defense and the (GB) bye week return at home. You have to consider the point spread and the Rams being without Aaron Donald if he doesn't play. The game sets up for Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.  

Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon

Aaron Jones is the RB9 through 13 weeks but hovers mainly in the RB2/Flex area most of the year, besides a few weekly spikes. Jones is 7th in targets and 7th in rushing yards, but only 25th in redzone touches. The Packers are coming off a bye and playing a Rams defense that is ranked 5th rush defense DVOA (FO). With the Packers favored by 7, Jones is an RB2 with upside. Dillon is the RB29 for the year and could see production, but is a risky flex option even though he did finish as the RB13 and 6 in the past two games. Dillon has finished inside the top 36 about 50% of the time this year. The Rams will more than likely be without Aaron Donald for this matchup which bodes well for both players. 

Allen Lazard/Christian Watson/Romeo Doubs/Robert Tonyan 

It's likely Doubs returns this week which may cannibalize some of the WR production amongst this crew. In recent games, Lazard has finished as the WR 55, 37, 79, and 34. In that same range, Watson has finished as the WR 3, 8, 10, and 8. The Packers are coming off a bye and playing a downturn Rams defense who rank 27th in pass defense DVOA (according to (FO). With Doubs just coming back, I would sit him, and Lazard is a fringe flex play, but I would also sit him. Watson is a flex to WR2 option this week. He has cleared over 100 air yards in 3 of his last four games. Tonyan is a sit.