Wed Jul 3 10:36am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Hurts was first quarterback picked
RealTime Fantasy Sports is proud to present you the results of our “Champions Draft." The draft this season once again consists of the top rated fantasy players on our site. We invited players rated near the top of our Top Fantasy Players report. So this is the best of the best on our site.
In this column, we'll give you a round-by-round look at the draft. Each round includes some notes on that round, talking about what just went down. Hopefully, this gives you some insight into the draft and helps prepare you for all your drafts this coming year.
Before we get to that, here is a quick overview of the league format. We used the same rules as we do for the "All-Pro" fantasy leagues on our site. So you can view the entire set of rules on our main page for that game. But here is a brief look. Each team starts a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, a defensive/special teams, a kicker and a flex player (RB, WR or TE). Scoring is pretty standard. Touchdowns are worth six except for passing touchdowns, which are worth four. And it is a points per reception league, giving every player a point per reception. Defenses get points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. The rules are pretty standard with how many leagues operate these days.
ROUND 1
1. Ballers - Christian McCaffrey RB, SF
2. Birds - CeeDee Lamb WR, DAL
3. CRUNCHY - Bijan Robinson RB, ATL
4. Super Paurs - Breece Hall RB, NYJ
5. Wreckingcrew - Tyreek Hill WR, MIA
6. PaurPlay - Justin Jefferson WR, MIN
7. Crusty GON Pod - Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, DET
8. Bubbles Army - Ja'Marr Chase WR, CIN
9. HORNS - Jahmyr Gibbs RB, DET
10. Goodfellas - Puka Nacua WR, LAR
11. Suncoast - A.J. Brown WR, PHI
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Saquon Barkley RB, PHI
NOTES: The first round was pretty chalk, going very similar to the current ADP. These savvy owners didn’t take many chances with the first round. There were five running backs and seven receivers picked in Round 1. It was not a surprise to see no tight ends or quarterbacks picked in the first round. The only mild surprise was seeing Jonathan Taylor failed to get picked this round. He normally goes at the end of the first round, but didn’t in this one.
ROUND 2
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jonathan Taylor RB, IND
2. Suncoast - Garrett Wilson WR, NYJ
3. Goodfellas - Sam LaPorta TE, DET
4. HORNS - Travis Etienne RB, JAX
5. Bubbles Army - Davante Adams WR, LV
6. Crusty GON Pod - Chris Olave WR, NO
7. PaurPlay - Josh Jacobs RB, GB
8. Wreckingcrew - Kyren Williams RB, LAR
9. Super Paurs - Devon Achane RB, MIA
10. CRUNCHY - Derrick Henry RB, BAL
11. Birds - Isiah Pacheco RB, KC
12. Ballers - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, ARI
NOTES: Sam LaPorta was the first tight end picked, getting taken by Suncoast this round. He went a tad sooner, having an ADP of 24.99 but he wasn’t going to last to Suncoast when he picked again, so he had to pull the trigger now if he wanted him on his roster. . . . This was a running back heavy round, seeing seven go off the board. This is normally a trend in many drafts with a lot of owners going receiver in the first round. . . .Isiah Pacheco might have been the only surprise running back of this round. The Birds selected him with the 11th pick. This wasn’t too far off his ADP, though, normally going pick 26.62. . . . .Marvin Harrison continues to be the first rookie picked on draft day. The Ballers picked him with the last pick, making him the 24th pick overall.
ROUND 3
1. Ballers - Drake London WR, ATL
2. Birds - Michael Pittman Jr. WR, IND
3. CRUNCHY - Nico Collins WR, HOU
4. Super Paurs - Deebo Samuel WR, SF
5. Wreckingcrew - James Cook RB, BUF
6. PaurPlay - Travis Kelce TE, KC
7. Crusty GON Pod - Rhamondre Stevenson RB, NE
8. Bubbles Army - Rachaad White RB, TB
9. HORNS - Stefon Diggs WR, HOU
10. Goodfellas - Joe Mixon RB, HOU
11. Suncoast - Mike Evans WR, TB
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aiyuk WR, SF
NOTES: This round was a little more receiver heavy once again, having seven go off the board. This seems to be a trend in a lot of drafts, having owners get two receivers and a running back after three rounds. . . . .Travis Kelce is the second tight end picked, which is a little unusual for him, but definitely a trend. Kelce has an ADP of 30.8, going after LaPorta in most drafts. Paur Play is hoping he has at least one more big season in him. . . . .It is always interesting seeing how owners value the two top receivers for the Texans. Nico Collins went before Stefon Diggs in this draft. Collins was picked third this round by CRUNCHY while the HORNS picked Diggs with the ninth pick.
ROUND 4
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jaylen Waddle WR, MIA
2. Suncoast - Jalen Hurts QB, PHI
3. Goodfellas - D.J. Moore WR, CHI
4. HORNS - DeVonta Smith WR, PHI
5. Bubbles Army - Josh Allen QB, BUF
6. Crusty GON Pod - D'Andre Swift RB, CHI
7. PaurPlay - Patrick Mahomes QB, KC
8. Wreckingcrew - D.K. Metcalf WR, SEA
9. Super Paurs - Amari Cooper WR, CLE
10. CRUNCHY - Kenneth Walker III RB, SEA
11. Birds - Lamar Jackson QB, BAL
12. Ballers - Trey McBride TE, ARI
NOTES: This was a quarterback heavy round, seeing four go off the board. Jalen Hurts was the first quarterback selected, getting picked by Suncoast. He went ahead of Josh Allen, who normally is the first quarterback picked in drafts. . . . .Trey McBride was the third tight end picked, going to the Ballers with the last pick in this round. McBride is flying up draft boards this year after this strong finish last season. He has an ADP of 48.2, so this spot for him is not out of the norm. . . .There was just two running backs picked this round after seeing at least four picked each of the first three rounds. D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker were the backs picked this round.
ROUND 5
1. Ballers - Zay Flowers WR, BAL
2. Birds - Mark Andrews TE, BAL
3. CRUNCHY - Aaron Jones RB, MIN
4. Super Paurs - Cooper Kupp WR, LAR
5. Wreckingcrew - C.J. Stroud QB, HOU
6. PaurPlay - Alvin Kamara RB, NO
7. Crusty GON Pod - Kyle Pitts TE, ATL
8. Bubbles Army - Dalton Kincaid TE, BUF
9. HORNS - Anthony Richardson QB, IND
10. Goodfellas - James Conner RB, ARI
11. Suncoast - David Montgomery RB, DET
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - George Kittle TE, SF
NOTES: David Montgomery was one of the top league winners last year but falls to the fifth round of this draft, going to Suncoast with the 11th pick. Fantasy owners have concerns for a repeat season from Montgomery, having an ADP of 68.9. This could end up being a make or break pick for the defending champ. . . . .Cooper Kupp is another polarizing figure this season. He was a very early pick last year, but goes to the Super Paurs with the fifth pick in Round 5. He has taken quite the fall in drafts, having an ADP of 46.5. . . .There were four tight ends pick this round. Dalton Kincaid is the biggest mover from last year. The Horns picked him with the eighth pick. Kincaid is normally the fifth tight end off the board, so Horns might have gotten a little value with him being the seventh tight end selected with this pick.
ROUND 6
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Malik Nabers WR, NYG
2. Suncoast - Najee Harris RB, PIT
3. Goodfellas - Jaylen Warren RB, PIT
4. HORNS - Zack Moss RB, CIN
5. Bubbles Army - Christian Kirk WR, JAX
6. Crusty GON Pod - George Pickens WR, PIT
7. PaurPlay - Calvin Ridley WR, TEN
8. Wreckingcrew - Jordan Love QB, GB
9. Super Paurs - Zamir White RB, LV
10. CRUNCHY - Tee Higgins WR, CIN
11. Birds - Jayden Reed WR, GB
12. Ballers - Tony Pollard RB, TEN
NOTES: The one pick that stands out in this round was the Birds taking Jayden Reed with the 11th pick. He has an ADP of 86.9, so they might have went a little early on Reed. He certainly has potential after scoring eight touchdowns his rookie season, but the Birds might have been able to get him a few rounds later. . . .The quarterback position slowed down a little this round with Jordan Love the only quarterback selected. He goes with the eight pick to Wreckingcrew. Love was fifth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year, so getting him after the elite guys are gone could turn out to be good value for Wreckingcrew. . . . .Some running backs that could be splitting work this year flew off the board. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Zack Moss, Zamir White and Tony Pollard were all picked. They all have some question marks about playing time but if one emerges, they could be great value in Round 6.
ROUND 7
1. Ballers - Terry McLaurin WR, WAS
2. Birds - Jonathon Brooks RB, CAR
3. CRUNCHY - Rashee Rice WR, KC
4. Super Paurs - Joe Burrow QB, CIN
5. Wreckingcrew - Evan Engram TE, JAX
6. PaurPlay - Diontae Johnson WR, CAR
7. Crusty GON Pod - Keenan Allen WR, CHI
8. Bubbles Army - Austin Ekeler RB, WAS
9. HORNS - Chris Godwin WR, TB
10. Goodfellas - Tank Dell WR, HOU
11. Suncoast - Javonte Williams RB, DEN
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Raheem Mostert RB, MIA
NOTES: Our first rookie running back was picked this round, seeing the Birds take Jonathan Brooks with the second pick. Brooks could start the year slow, recovering from his knee injury, but could be a huge factor down the stretch for the Birds. Brooks went around 10 spots later than normal, having an ADP of 64.3. . . .Rashee Rice is a player facing a possible multi-game suspension. If not for that, he would be going much higher. Instead, he falls to CRUNCHY with the third pick this round. Rice has an ADP of 81.6, so he goes about where he normally does in drafts. If he can end up avoiding a suspension, this pick will be a huge steal for CRUNCHY. . . .Raheem Mostert is another intriguing player to watch in drafts. He was a league winner for many last year but is not getting drafted like that. AlwaysBetOnBlack gets him with the last pick this round. Mostert has an ADP of 84.8, so most drafters are not betting on a repeat of his huge season.
ROUND 8
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brian Robinson Jr. RB, WAS
2. Suncoast - Marquise Brown WR, KC
3. Goodfellas - Dak Prescott QB, DAL
4. HORNS - Nick Chubb RB, CLE
5. Bubbles Army - Devin Singletary RB, NYG
6. Crusty GON Pod - Tyjae Spears RB, TEN
7. PaurPlay - J.K. Dobbins RB, LAC
8. Wreckingcrew - Blake Corum RB, LAR
9. Super Paurs - David Njoku TE, CLE
10. CRUNCHY - Jake Ferguson TE, DAL
11. Birds - Christian Watson WR, GB
12. Ballers - Trey Benson RB, ARI
NOTES: Nick Chubb is returning from another major injury and lasts until the fourth pick of Round 8. He has big question marks, but the Horns could take a chance on him with three quality backs already on his roster. . . .The Ballers took a chance on rookie Trey Benson in Round 8. After taking Christian McCaffrey with the first pick, the Ballers filled up other positions on his roster before taking chances on running backs later in the draft. . . . .There were seven total running backs picked this round. Many owners are hoping to find that great mid-round value, looking for the Raheem Mostert of this season.
ROUND 9
1. Ballers - Zach Charbonnet RB, SEA
2. Birds - Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL
3. CRUNCHY - Kyler Murray QB, ARI
4. Super Paurs - Ty Chandler RB, MIN
5. Wreckingcrew - DeAndre Hopkins WR, TEN
6. PaurPlay - Chase Brown RB, CIN
7. Crusty GON Pod - Caleb Williams QB, CHI
8. Bubbles Army - Jordan Addison WR, MIN
9. HORNS - T.J. Hockenson TE, MIN
10. Goodfellas - Gus Edwards RB, LAC
11. Suncoast - Courtland Sutton WR, DEN
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Trevor Lawrence QB, JAX
NOTES: Three quarterbacks go this round, giving every team at least one quarterback except one. Ballers is the only team that doesn’t have a quarterbacks after nine rounds. The three quarterbacks picked this round were Kyler Murray, rookie Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence. . . .Teams continues to load up on mid-round running backs with five getting of the 12 picks being running backs. None of these backs are sure things but both Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards have some touchdown potential on their teams. . . .DeAndre Hopkins is not getting drafted as he was in the past. He goes with the fifth pick to Wreckingcrew. This spot is even later than normal for Hopkins, who has an ADP of 79.6.
ROUND 10
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Xavier Worthy WR, KC
2. Suncoast - Dallas Goedert TE, PHI
3. Goodfellas - Ladd McConkey WR, LAC
4. HORNS - Keon Coleman WR, BUF
5. Bubbles Army - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, SEA
6. Crusty GON Pod - Jerome Ford RB, CLE
7. PaurPlay - Jameson Williams WR, DET
8. Wreckingcrew - Rico Dowdle RB, DAL
9. Super Paurs - Mike Williams WR, NYJ
10. CRUNCHY - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, JAX
11. Birds - Curtis Samuel WR, BUF
12. Ballers - Brock Purdy QB, SF
NOTES: Round 10 is the round of the rookie. There were four rookie receivers picked this round, including Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas. These are four receivers that all have the chance to emerge as top playmakers in their respective offenses. . . . .Ballers is the last team to take a quarterback, picking Brock Purdy with the last pick in Round 10. Purdy was seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year. . . . Suncoast was the last team to select a tight end, taking Dallas Goedert with the second pick. Goedert can be erratic but has a high weekly ceiling in his offense.
ROUND 11
1. Ballers - Kendre Miller RB, NO
2. Birds - Josh Downs WR, IND
3. CRUNCHY - Rome Odunze WR, CHI
4. Super Paurs - Gabriel Davis WR, JAX
5. Wreckingcrew - Brandin Cooks WR, DAL
6. PaurPlay - Jahan Dotson WR, WAS
7. Crusty GON Pod - Cole Kmet TE, CHI
8. Bubbles Army - Brock Bowers TE, LV
9. HORNS - Jerry Jeudy WR, CLE
10. Goodfellas - Jayden Daniels QB, WAS
11. Suncoast - Tyler Lockett WR, SEA
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aubrey K, DAL
NOTES: We had our first team take a second quarterback. Goodfellas took rookie Jayden Daniels with the 10th pick. They picked Dak Prescott two rounds earlier, giving him what could be a potent one-two punch at quarterback. . . .Our first kicker was picked. Brandon Aubrey was taken with the last pick this round by AlwaysBetOnBlack. It is a tad earlier than normal for our first kicker. Aubrey has an ADP of 133.1. . . .The top tight end in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, was picked by Bubbles Army with the eighth pick. Bubbles is hoping Bowers is the Sam LaPorta of this year’s rookie class.
ROUND 12
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Dallas Cowboys Def/ST, DAL
2. Suncoast - Jakobi Meyers WR, LV
3. Goodfellas - Kimani Vidal RB, LAC
4. HORNS - Khalil Shakir WR, BUF
5. Bubbles Army - MarShawn Lloyd RB, GB
6. Crusty GON Pod - Antonio Gibson RB, NE
7. PaurPlay - Justin Herbert QB, LAC
8. Wreckingcrew - Pat Freiermuth TE, PIT
9. Super Paurs - Jared Goff QB, DET
10. CRUNCHY - Kirk Cousins QB, ATL
11. Birds - Tua Tagovailoa QB, MIA
12. Ballers - Chuba Hubbard RB, CAR
NOTES: AlwaysBetOnBlack took the first kicker and followed that by picking the first defense. The Cowboys defense is the first off the board, giving AlwaysBetOnBlack both the Cowboys kicker and defense. . . . .There were a couple rookie running backs picked this round. Kimani Vidal and MarShawn Lloyd don’t have a clear path to playing time with their respective teams but have some potential if given the opportunities. . . .Four teams took backup quarterbacks this round. It is interesting to see Justin Herbert fall so far, but he has question marks because of a new offense and lack of playmakers in the passing game.
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.
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was a non-factor in the Packers' 20-19 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 11. Kraft only earned just one target, a short target that was intercepted by Chicago's Terell Smith in the second quarter. The lack of involvement was felt in the Packers' passing attack which only had 17 pass attempts through the entire game. With the number of quality pass-catching options available for quarterback Jordan Love, there will be games like this by Kraft. With the Packers heading back home to host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Kraft should be considered a low-end TE1 for fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (hip) is questionable to return to Sunday's divisional clash with the Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old carried a questionable designation heading into this contest. However, he was still a force on the defensive end, totaling four tackles and 1.5 sacks. With the game closer than most anticipated, the Niners would love to see Bosa back on the field. If not, there's a good chance he'll miss practice time leading up to the Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs was very quiet in the Packers' 20-19 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 11. Doubs only earned two targets and reeled in just one of them for 17 yards receiving. Taking a backseat in the production department to fellow wide receiver Christian Watson and running back Josh Jacobs, Doubs typically runs the most routes on the team, but with so many pass-catching options in the offense plus quarterback Jordan Love only notching 17 pass attempts, some players get a bit lost in the shuffle at times. In the Packers' next game in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers, Doubs is more of a low-end flex play for fantasy because of his inconsistency.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. The wideout entered Week 11 with a Achilles injury but was removed from the injury report. However, he hasn't done much to benefit fantasy managers despite his availability, catching just two passes for 27 yards. If the hamstring injury keeps him off the field for the remainder of Week 11, Kirk Cousins will likely lean more on Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud III, and Kyle Pitts, with Bijan Robinson in line for more targets out of the backfield.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth logged two receptions for 14 yards on two targets in an 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Freiermuth, who found the end zone last week, continued to have a limited role in the Steelers' offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. He gained fewer than 20 yards for a third straight game and ceded four opportunities to second-year tight end Darnell Washington. Fantasy managers who drafted Freiermuth likely aren't still relying on him at this point in the season. He can be dropped in most redraft formats and should not be viewed as a viable option against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had a career day as the Packers edged the Chicago Bears 20-19 at Soldier Field in Week 11. Watson had the biggest yardage day of his young career as he caught all four of his targets for 150 receiving yards. Watson's Week 11 was capped off by a huge 60-yard reception that led to the go-ahead touchdown plunge from quarterback Jordan Love. Even with Watson's huge day, he's still a bit hard to trust knowing that he could just go back to meager production with so many pass-catching options in Green Bay. In the Packers' next matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Watson is a boom-or-bust flex option for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson brought in 2-of-3 targets for 13 yards in the team's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. It's a discouraging effort for the 27-year-old just one week after he registered eight receptions and 72 yards and was seemingly becoming more involved in the offense. However, Tennessee has been sound against opposing passing attacks all season, so we may chalk this one up to a poor matchup. Still, seeing Hockenson garner a bit more work would have been nice. If it's any consolation, the former first-round pick did match fellow TE Josh Oliver for the second-most targets on the team behind wideouts Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, who each collected eight. The former Iowa Hawkeye will get a slightly softer matchup next weekend when Minnesota lines up against the Chicago Bears on the road at Soldier Field.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill wasn't able to put together much of a fantasy-relevant week against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The pass-catching specialist registered two carries for 13 yards and caught four of his seven targets for 28 yards. He would have had one more catch for a good chunk of yards, but the Steelers took the ball right from his hands for an interception. Hill has only posted two relevant weeks so far this season, but he'll try to get going against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled nine carries for 41 yards and caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in a Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Warren was given double-digit touches for a fourth consecutive game but still failed to make much of an impact for fantasy purposes. Although he did earn a season-high of four opportunities through the air, he was out-targeted and outgained by Najee Harris in the passing game. Warren is yet to score a touchdown in 2024 and will likely continue to offer limited upside so long as Harris stays healthy. He can be stashed as a handcuff but should remain out of starting lineups in most formats heading into a Week 12 meeting with the Cleveland Browns.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs put up a excellent day en route to the Packers squeaking by the Chicago Bears 20-19 in Week 11. On the ground, Jacobs paced the Packers with 76 yards plus a seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Jacobs not only paced the Packers in the rushing department, but also led the team in targets (5) and was second on the team with 58 receiving yards on the afternoon. With Jacobs' prowess on the ground and through the air, he should be looked at as a low-end fantasy RB1 for the Packers' next test against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed both of his field-goal attempts and did not try an extra point in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Hopkins misfired on attempts from 51 and 27 yards out in the second quarter when the game was still close. The veteran kicker has now made 14 of his 20 field goals and added 10 extra points through 10 games. He will look to bounce back against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns defense allowed 35 points while notching one sack and forcing two turnovers in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Cleveland's defense played well until the fourth quarter when they allowed the Saints to score three unanswered touchdowns to ice the game. They had no answer for Taysom Hill, who ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns while tacking on eight catches for 50 yards. Cleveland's defense will be challenged again in Week 12's Thursday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews took a backseat in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran saw fewer targets than Isaiah Likely in his first game back. Andrews finished the game with two receptions for 22 yards on three targets compared to Likely's five targets and four receptions for 75 yards. Whenever Likely and Andrews are both healthy, they're difficult to predict. This marks Andrews' seventh week with less than nine fantasy points which is two more than he had all of last season. He'll try to bounce back against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers held the Baltimore Ravens to 16 points while recording two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in a Week 11 win. Baltimore has been a must-avoid matchup for fantasy DSTs this season, but Pittsburgh's defense proved itself against its toughest opponent yet. While the Steelers did allow running back Derrick Henry to find the end zone in the first half, MVP candidate Lamar Jackson was held scoreless until just over one minute remained in the fourth quarter. Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen led the Steelers in tackles while star EDGE T.J. Watt tallied two QB hits and a sack. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson made the defensive play of the game with an impressive interception in coverage with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. The Steelers DST should be rostered in all formats and considered a must-start against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all six of his field-goal attempts in an 18-16 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. This contest was projected to be a relatively high-scoring affair, and while it didn't quite live up to expectations, Boswell saw plenty of action. The Ravens limited Pittsburgh's offense in the red zone, forcing the Steelers to lean on Boswell time and time again. Fortunately for the team and fantasy managers alike, he answered each call. Boswell nailed long kicks of 50, 52, and 57 yards as easily as he converted on three chip-shots. The 10th-year veteran is on pace for a career-best campaign and has solidified himself as a fantasy asset. He'll face another AFC North opponent in the Cleveland Browns next week.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers salvaged his week with a late touchdown during the 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ended the game with two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The Steelers' pass rushers did a good job at making Lamar Jackson uncomfortable and they consistently had Flowers blanketed no matter where he went. On the plays where Jackson scrambles looking for an outlet, Flowers usually finds a way to get to the ball, but he was double-covered in some of those situations as well. He'll go up against another tough pass defense in the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku caught all nine of his targets for 81 yards in a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Njoku wound up first on the team in catches while finishing behind only Jerry Jeudy in targets and receiving yards. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jameis Winston in the third quarter. Njoku has now drawn at least seven targets in five straight games while notching two touchdown catches over that span. He has solidified himself as a top-six fantasy tight end going forward and should remain in lineups for Week 12's Thursday night matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was able to salvage a quiet day on the stat sheet with a touchdown in the Packers' 20-19 victory in Chicago against the Bears. Reed only earned two targets on the afternoon from quarterback Jordan Love, but he caught both of them for 23 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown that kicked off the scoring for the Packers. In addition to the receiving work, Reed also had a rushing attempt but lost five yards. With the Packers set for an NFC showdown with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, Reed is more of a mid-range WR2 for fantasy football, as he has to compete with several other players for targets and attention from Love.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely led the team in receiving yards during their 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. In his first game back, Likely registered four receptions for 75 yards on five targets. He saw more targets and had a more successful day than his counterpart Mark Andrews. With Likely healthy again, the Ravens' tight end room remains the most difficult one to predict each week. They'll go up against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison caught 3-of-8 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The eight targets matched a season-high for the second-year wideout, and the score was his third on the season and second in three games. Addison's touchdown was a 47-yard catch-and-run in which he burned Tennessee's defense up the left sideline. It was a nice effort from the 22-year-old, who has had trouble building on his spectacular rookie season. However, seeing him match superstar Justin Jefferson's team-high of eight targets in the contest was encouraging. The former USC Trojan will get another staunch test next weekend when the Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Leading up to Week 11, the Bears had allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses (190.4).
From RotoBaller