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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

RB Strength of Schedule

Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Robinson setup for big season


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  RB SOS  
1. Green Bay Packers 356.01
2. Houston Texans 361.46
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 361.46
4. Las Vegas Raiders 361.48
5. Seattle Seahawks 362.28
6. Buffalo Bills 363.19
7. Arizona Cardinals 363.76
8. Dallas Cowboys 363.9
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 364.51
10. Washington Commanders 364.86
11. Chicago Bears 364.89
12. Indianapolis Colts 365.41
13. San Francisco 49ers 365.86
14. New Orleans Saints 366.49
15. New York Jets 368.23
16. Detroit Lions 368.49
17. Philadelphia Eagles 369.05
18. Minnesota Vikings 369.06
19. Carolina Panthers 369.88
20. Cleveland Browns 370.34
21. Kansas City Chiefs 371.71
22. New York Giants 372.21
23. Los Angeles Chargers 373.19
24. Denver Broncos 373.32
25. Cincinnati Bengals 373.66
26. Los Angeles Rams 374.09
27. Baltimore Ravens 374.16
28. New England Patriots 375.60
29. Atlanta Falcons 376.19
30. Miami Dolphins 377.49
31. Tennessee Titans 378.2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers 378.72


The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.

The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.

The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.

The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.

The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.

Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.

The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.

Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  RB PLAYOFF SOS  
1. San Francisco 49ers 291.43
2. Washington Commanders 325.2
3. Houston Texans 327.8
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 332.03
5. New York Jets 337.57
6. Cleveland Browns 340.8
7. Las Vegas Raiders 341.1
8. Miami Dolphins 348.27
9. Chicago Bears 350.37
10. Buffalo Bills 350.53
11. Arizona Cardinals 352.8
12. Dallas Cowboys 358.87
13. Detroit Lions 359.7
14. New York Giants 365.67
15. Kansas City Chiefs 366.53
16. Green Bay Packers 368.97
17. Seattle Seahawks 370.23
18. Carolina Panthers 377.15
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 378.37
20. Los Angeles Chargers 380.73
21. Jacksonville Jaguars 381
22. Baltimore Ravens 381.43
23. Cincinnati Bengals 383.50
24. Philadelphia Eagles 391.07
25. New England Patriots 397.95
26. Indianapolis Colts 398.40
27. Denver Broncos 399.53
28. Tennessee Titans 401.63
29. Los Angeles Rams 403.92
30. New Orleans Saints 406.33
31. Minnesota Vikings 407.87
32. Atlanta Falcons 422.4

 

There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.

And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.

Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.

One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.

Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.

So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.

Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.

The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
James Cook Nov 15 8:50pm ET
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is a fantasy football RB1 this season but will have an uphill battle to land in the top 12 in Week 11. The Kansas City Chiefs allow the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and surrender 3.17 yards per carry. Cook can make up for a lack of rushing efficiency with work in the passing game. However, he only caught one pass against the Colts last week. That was without Amari Cooper (wrist) and Keon Coleman (wrist) in the lineup. Coleman will be out again. So will tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee). Cooper is questionable. The Chiefs may focus more on containing Cook on backfield routes. Regardless, the 25-year-old will see plenty of usage and ranks as an RB2 this week.

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Khalil Shakir Nov 15 8:50pm ET
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has four straight games with at least six receptions and enters Week 11 leading the team in catches (48) and receiving yards (529). He's providing a safe PPR floor and should get plenty of looks on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) will not play. Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable and sporting a cast. The Chiefs are most susceptible to receiver production from the slot. That's Shakir's role and the health of other receivers does not impact that. The 24-year-old ranks as a high-end WR3 in PPR formats this week.

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Nick Chubb Nov 15 8:50pm ET
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb comes out of his bye to face off against the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 11. Chubb has struggled in his three games played this season, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 42 attempts. The Saints have been one of the best matchups for running backs in the league this season as they are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Chubb can be trusted as a low-end RB2 heading into Week 11 thanks to the friendly matchup.

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Dawson Knox Nov 15 8:50pm ET
Dawson Knox

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox will be the team's go-to tight end this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dalton Kincaid (knee) will be inactive. Despite logging just 10 receptions this season, the 28-year-old is in the streaming conversation. He's had explosive weeks in the past and the matchup is fantastic. Defending the tight end position is the weakness of the Kansas City defense. The unit allows the second-most fantasy points and most yards to the position. Fantasy managers needing help at tight end should be able to find Knox on the waiver wire and plug him into lineups.

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Jameis Winston Nov 15 8:40pm ET
Jameis Winston

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston comes out of his bye with a road game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have been good against opposing quarterbacks this season as they are allowing just the 24th-most fantasy points per game to the position this season. Winston should see plenty of volume as he has made over 40 pass attempts in each of his two starts this year. The veteran is a viable fantasy option as a QB2 heading into Week 11 against New Orleans.

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Josh Allen Nov 15 8:40pm ET
Josh Allen

Whether on the ground or through the air, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (left hand) delivers 20+ fantasy point performances. He hasn't had a disappointing result since Week 5. Fantasy managers hope that doesn't change in Week 11 against a stout Kansas City defense. The Chiefs are better against the run than the pass, but Allen will also be without two of his primary receivers. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) will be inactive. Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable. Allen appeared on the injury report again with a hand injury that hasn't hampered him at all. Despite all that, Allen ranks as a QB1 in what should be a highly competitive game that could determine home-field advantage in the postseason.

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Chris Boswell Nov 15 8:30pm ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell played a limited role in the team's victory last week and will look to make more of an impact against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. While Baltimore has been middle-of-the-road against fantasy kickers this season, Sunday's divisional showdown is tied for the highest over/under of the week. The Steelers should be able to throw and score on the Ravens, but it's hard to imagine Boswell goes another week without a field goal attempt. Boswell has been automatic all season, so he can be expected to produce for fantasy purposes if his number is called. Fantasy managers can lock Boswell in as a top-five option in this potential shootout.

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Kirk Cousins Nov 15 8:30pm ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (elbow, shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice after popping up on the injury report earlier in the week. Cousins is coming off of 300-yard passing game versus the Saints in Week 10, but the yardage total came without a single TD and he threw a pick. The only two games this season in which the veteran signal-caller was held without a TD pass both came against the Saints, but Week 11 brings a tough road matchup against the Broncos who have limited QBs to the 11th-fewest fantasy points this season. Denver has been more vulnerable in recent weeks, though, allowing three straight 220-plus yard passers and six touchdowns over the last three weeks, compared to just two 220-yard passers and six TDS over the first seven weeks. View the 36-year-old as a low-end QB2 this week as they could decide to ride Bijan Robinson and the run game instead in a contest that has the Falcons as two-point underdogs with just 44 expected total points.

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Pat Freiermuth Nov 15 8:20pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth salvaged his Week 10 performance with a touchdown and will hope to earn more opportunities when facing the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Ravens, who have been extremely vulnerable to the pass all season, give up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Although Freiermuth is averaging fewer than three targets per contest with Russell Wilson at quarterback, he should be on the fantasy radar this week given this enticing game environment with a 48.5-point over/under. It's difficult to trust Freiermuth as a fantasy TE1, but he can be considered a streaming option or high-end TE2 for Week 11.

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Mike Williams Nov 15 8:10pm ET
Mike Williams

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams made the most of his limited snaps in Week 10 and will look to get more involved in a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams, who caught his only target for a 32-yard touchdown in his Steelers debut, is likely to see more playing time now in his second week with the team and could get a few shots downfield from quarterback Russell Wilson. This is certainly a matchup that Williams and teammate George Pickens can exploit as the Ravens have surrendered the most fantasy points per game to wideouts this season. While fantasy managers shouldn't be starting Williams in most redraft formats on Sunday, he has some upside as a DFS play in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.

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Jonathan Taylor Nov 15 7:50pm ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been highly effective when healthy this season, playing in seven of the Colts' 10 games and averaging 88.0 YPG rushing while adding 12 catches for 108 yards receiving. Along with five TDs on the year, the 25-year-old has been one of the lone bright spots on offense in 2024. With Anthony Richardson back at QB in Week 11, the Colts will likely lean more heavily on the ground attack versus the Jets who have been weak against the run over their past four contests, allowing a pair of 100-yard rushers and five scores during that time. Even so, with the uncertainty at quarterback and the Colts as four-point underdogs in a game with a low expected total, Taylor figures to be more of a fringe RB1 in Week 11.

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Jared Goff Nov 15 7:40pm ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and was removed from the final Week 11 injury report, so he will be active on Sunday to face the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. Decker will return to action to protect quarterback Jared Goff's blind side after sitting out the Week 10 win over the Houston Texans last Sunday night. The 30-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2016 out of Ohio State has started in all 120 games he's appeared in over his nine-year NFL career. His return is great news for Goff and the rest of Detroit's offense this weekend in a game that the Lions are favored by two touchdowns.

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Tee Higgins Nov 15 7:30pm ET
Tee Higgins

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack (groin) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable for the Week 11 contest on Sunday night against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile, defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring) is also questionable after being limited in practice all week. Mack was active for the Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, but he played only four defensive snaps in the victory. The 33-year-old veteran pass-rusher will probably be active again on Sunday night, but there's a good chance he'll be on a limited snap count yet again, making him one to avoid in starting fantasy lineups in IDP setups. The Bolts defense has been a popular streaming unit in recent weeks with a string of excellent matchups, but they should be faded in Week 11 against a rising Bengals offense that is getting receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) back.

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George Pickens Nov 15 7:30pm ET
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been highly productive for fantasy recently and should continue to find success on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been the single-best matchup for fantasy wideouts this season and were eviscerated to the tune of 11 receptions, 264 yards, and three touchdowns by Ja'Marr Chase last week. Through three games with Russell Wilson under center, Pickens has garnered a 26% team target share and found the end zone twice. Although Mike Williams should be more involved in Pittsburgh's offensive game plan this week, Pickens will undoubtedly remain the top weapon in the passing game. The third-year pro is a must-start fantasy option as a WR1 with upside in Week 11.

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Brandon Aiyuk Nov 15 7:20pm ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) had surgery on his right knee earlier this week to fix a torn ACL and other damage. In addition to tearing his ACL, Aiyuk also tore his MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the rest of the season. He should have already been dropped in single-season fantasy leagues. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will make enough progress in his rehab in the offseason in order to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season next fall. For the rest of 2024, receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings and tight end George Kittle should be the most-targeted pass-catchers, with rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall also seeing an expanded role in the passing attack. Aiyuk was an absolute fantasy bust this year, finishing with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games.

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Russell Wilson Nov 15 7:20pm ET
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will hope to tally a fourth consecutive victory in a Week 11 bout with the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens. Although Baltimore's defense has been stingy against the run this season, it is the second-best matchup for fantasy quarterbacks and surrenders the most passing yards per contest in the NFL. The Ravens have given up a top-12 quarterback performance in six of 10 games. This divisional clash is tied for the highest-projected point total of the week, so we should see plenty of scoring in what could become a shootout. Wilson has been incredibly effective through three starts with a 105.9 passer rating and seven total touchdowns to one interception. Outside of the elite tier of fantasy quarterbacks with rushing upside, there aren't many options that should be started ahead of Wilson this week. The 35-year-old can be viewed as a solid QB1 in all formats on Sunday.

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Lamar Jackson Nov 15 7:20pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) missed practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 11 showdown against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. In addition, cornerback C.J. Henderson (neck) is out, while defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring) is questionable. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Highsmith is week-to-week, meaning he could miss additional time, including the Week 12 tilt on a short turnaround next Thursday night against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. It certainly will make things more difficult for the Steelers defense against two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and the explosive Ravens offense. Pittsburgh's defense/special teams should be faded in fantasy this week. With Highsmith out, Nick Herbig should take on a bigger role at linebacker.

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Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Nov 15 7:00pm ET
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will face the Vikings in Week 11 NFL action this Sunday. The career Titan has really stepped up as the second wide-receiver on this team when DeAndre Hopkins left, leading the team in receiving touchdowns with four. Calvin Ridley is still far and away the top option in the passing game for whoever is quarterbacking the Titans, but Westbrook-Ikine has been a sneaky reliable play for the most part since Week 7, finishing as a top-36 fantasy WR three times. The Vikings have not been great at stopping opposing wideouts, as they currently rank 30th against the position, but quarterback Will Levis will likely be under heavy pressure all game which does not bode well for his #2 receiver. The Indiana product is only a flex option in deeper formats for Week 11.

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Dameon Pierce Nov 15 7:00pm ET
Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) was a full-go in Friday's practice session after being listed as a limited participant on Thursday. Pierce has missed the team's last two games with his groin injury, but barring a setback in Saturday's practice, he could be cleared to play on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The 24-year-old's return would push Dare Ogunbowale back to the RB3 role. If Pierce is able to return in Week 11, he'll return to backup duties in the backfield behind Joe Mixon, who has been excellent in his first year with the team. Pierce has been very efficient (career-high 7.0 yards per carry) in his four games in 2024 after a disastrous second season in 2023 that saw him average just 2.9 yards a tote. However, he hasn't seen enough volume behind Mixon when healthy to give him standalone fantasy value.

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Tyjae Spears Nov 15 6:50pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears avoided the injury report for the first time since Week 6 and will take on the Vikings in Week 11 action. Spears missed Weeks 7-9 with a hamstring injury but returned for last week's contest vs. the LA Chargers, playing a healthy 46% of snaps. The shifty back still ran behind Pollard in opportunity share, but was able to garner 10 in the game, averaging his highest YPC mark of the season at 6.7. Unfortunately he faces an even tougher run-stopping unit this Week in Minnesota, who are fourth-best at limiting opposing backs. The only saving grace here is that the Vikings are middle-of-the-pack in receptions allowed to RBs, which is a strength of Spears' game. Even so, Spears has a small share of a dysfunctional offense that will have a tough time moving the ball this weekend. He is merely a desperation play in deeper formats, with a slight upgrade in full-PPR.

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