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Eric Moody, ESPNDec 2, 2024, 01:29 PM ET
- Former manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company, now living my dream creating fantasy and sports betting content about the NFL, NBA, and WNBA for ESPN.
The NFL is a “next man up” league. By extension, your fantasy football league is as well. You acquired your team during the draft, but it’s the moves you make as the season unfolds that will ultimately decide if you’re playoff-bound or planning for next season. Every week, we’ll help you identify the players available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues whose value has taken a turn for the better and should be added to your roster as starters or as smart stashes for your bench.
Next man up
Folks, brace yourselves as “bye-mageddon” is back for a sequel. The Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders are all off this week. That’s a lot of firepower that will be left on the fantasy sidelines as teams look to solidify playoff positioning.
Sunday night also gave us the biggest fantasy headline of the week. Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers‘ star running back, suffered what is believed to be a PCL injury in his right knee against the Bills. This could put the rest of his season in jeopardy. It’s rough news, especially since McCaffrey had only just returned in Week 10 after missing most of training camp and the first eight games of the season due to Achilles tendinitis.
With Christian McCaffrey hurt again, can Jordan Mason keep his footing going forward? Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Jordan Mason (rostered in 41.7% of ESPN leagues) stepped up while McCaffrey was sidelined earlier this year, averaging 18 touches per game and also scoring the 10th-most fantasy points as the 49ers’ starter, despite himself missing most of Week 6. On Sunday, Mason delivered again with 13 carries for 78 yards. Rookie Isaac Guerendo (1.3%) also found the end zone for the 49ers’ only touchdown.
Mason is a must-add across all leagues. The 49ers have a great schedule for running backs over the next three weeks, putting Mason in position to deliver top-10 fantasy RB numbers again. Guerendo is also worth a look in deeper formats.
Other RB options
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Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (32.5%): Against the Texans, Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. played on a similar number of snaps, but Etienne had more touches (16-8). Bigsby was effective with his limited touches in his first game back since Week 10. With QB Trevor Lawrence now dealing with a concussion, the Jaguars could choose to lean more on the run, meaning Bigsby may well see an increased role in the fantasy playoffs.
Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders (11.1%): Austin Ekeler‘s fantasy season is essentially over, as he won’t return from IR until Week 18 at the earliest. On Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Brian Robinson Jr. and McNichols split snaps over the first three quarters (around 60/40), helping the Commanders build a commanding lead. Thanks to that lead, Chris Rodriguez Jr. took over in the fourth, finishing with 13 touches and 15.4 fantasy points. Robinson’s 17.9 fantasy points on 17 touches grabbed attention, but it was McNichols who displayed efficiency with his touches, rushing for 32 yards on just six attempts. He is the back to target off the wire, especially considering Robinson’s injury history.
Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders (0.1%): McCormick has been the Raiders’ most effective runner this season, putting up 64 yards on just 12 carries. With that performance, he should have a role in the rotation moving forward. However, it’s tough to trust any Las Vegas running back in fantasy until we get more clarity on the backfield breakdown, especially once Zamir White and Alexander Mattison return.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (22.0%): Breece Hall just doesn’t look 100% as he deals with a knee injury. With the Jets’ season all but over, there’s a chance they shut Hall down to protect his long-term health. That opens the door for Allen, who could be a league-winning pickup. The Jets have the most favorable schedule for running backs down the stretch, making Allen worthy of a stash in all formats.
Next QB up
Fantasy managers are beginning to be thankful that they drafted Caleb Williams. Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (37.0%): Williams has been impressive, scoring 20-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games while showcasing his dual-threat ability as both a passer and a runner. He’s now thrown 232 consecutive passes without an interception — a remarkable feat for a rookie. His second-half performance against the Detroit Lions last Thursday was especially impressive, as he corrected first-half struggles with poise and precision. That kind of mental toughness is exactly what you want in a quarterback. Looking ahead, Williams faces the 49ers in Week 13, followed by matchups with the Minnesota Vikings, Lions, and Seattle Seahawks. He’s a reliable QB2 with QB1 upside.
Other QB options
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Is Russell Wilson a quality fantasy option at QB?
Eric Karabell breaks down Russell Wilson’s fantasy performance vs. the Bengals.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (43.1%): On Sunday, Wilson delivered a season-high 26.8 fantasy points against the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing for over 400 yards for just the third time in his career, and his first as a Steeler. He became only the third Steelers QB to post 400 yards and three touchdowns in a game, joining Ben Roethlisberger and Tommy Maddox. While he’s a solid QB2 with upcoming matchups against the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs ahead, this was only his second game this season with 30-plus passing attempts, so volume remains a concern for his fantasy outlook.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (18.9%): Maye posted his third-best fantasy performance of the season on Sunday with 19.4 points against the Colts. The Patriots’ dual-threat QB has scored 17-plus fantasy points in four out of eight games since becoming the starter, logging at least five rushing attempts in half of those matchups. Coming out of the bye in Week 15, Maye faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that’s allowed the 12th-most passing yards per game, making him a solid QB2 option, especially in superflex leagues.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (3.8%): Young has shown significant improvement of late, posting one of his best games this past Sunday with 23.6 fantasy points. He’s the first Panthers QB since Cam Newton in 2012 to record back-to-back 250-yard games with zero turnovers. With the Dallas Cowboys, Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the fantasy playoff schedule (Weeks 15-17), Young could be a sneaky play in deeper superflex formats. Dallas and Tampa Bay both rank in the top six for most fantasy QB points allowed, making him worth considering in deeper leagues.
Next WR up
Keep your eyes on Nick Westbrook-Ikhine heading into the fantasy football playoffs. AP
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (19.9%): Westbrook-Ikhine has been consistent despite the “boom-or-bust” label. He’s scored 12-plus fantasy points in five of his last six games (with three over 16 points), and has seen six-plus targets in three of those matchups — including a season-high eight on Sunday. With favorable playoff matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars (twice), Bengals, and Colts — three defenses in the top-15 for WR fantasy points allowed — he’s a solid add for managers making a playoff push.
Other WR options
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (47.6%): Doubs was ruled out for last week’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Miami Dolphins. However, he practiced on Sunday for Green Bay, suggesting he will return for Week 14’s game against a Lions defense that gives up the fifth-most WR fantasy points per game. The Packers have the fifth-most favorable rest-of-season schedule for receivers.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (35.9%): Bryce Young’s strong play has been a boost for Legette and the schedule ahead is favorable. Over his last five games, Legette has caught at least four passes in four of them. He’s also scored nine-plus fantasy points in three of those matchups.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (27.3%): Thielen saw 10 targets on Sunday against the Buccaneers, racking up 23.9 fantasy points while working primarily out of the slot. It’ll be interesting to see if that role and volume holds when Jalen Coker returns from his quad injury. For now, though, it’s clear that Young trusts Thielen, making him a top WR pickup off the wire this week.
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Parker Washington’s Week 13 fantasy recap
Check out some stats behind Parker Washington’s stellar Week 13 fantasy performance.
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (0.9%): Washington took advantage of a great matchup against the Texans, racking up 12 targets and a season-high 24.3 fantasy points. With Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis both out for the season, his role as the Jaguars’ No. 2 receiver is locked in. Washington is an excellent pickup for those in deeper formats.
Next TE up
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (41.9%): Freiermuth is heating up at the right time, finishing with seven targets and a season-high 18.8 fantasy points against the Bengals on Sunday. That’s two straight games with four-plus catches and double-digit fantasy points. In Week 14, he faces a Browns defense allowing the eighth-most TE fantasy points. Plus, the Steelers have the sixth-most favorable schedule for tight ends over the rest of the season. Freiermuth is a solid option if you need help at the position.
Another TE option
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (32.9%): Dissly had a tough game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, finishing with just one target and zero fantasy points, largely due to Ladd McConkey soaking up 50% of the team’s overall target share. However, let’s not forget that Dissly scored eight-plus fantasy points five times from Weeks 7-12. With the Chiefs defense allowing the fourth-most TE fantasy points per game, Dissly could bounce back in a big way this week.
