Wed Jan 17 9:40am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

LaPorta is getting healthier
Here is to hoping that the playoff games are better this weekend. For the most part, the games last week just weren’t very good unless you were a fans of those teams. I’m hoping for some barn burners this week, going down to the last drive. It will make for a lot better viewing.
Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . .
I like a snow/cold game as much as anyone, but it does kind of stink for the teams involved when playing in the playoffs. You play all season in pretty normal conditions, but have to deal with brutal conditions when the playoffs hit. Again, I love to watch a snow game, but it probably would be better for the playoffs if teams didn’t have to deal with the awful winter weather. Oh well.
The Josh Allen experience is truly wild. He can drive you crazy with the turnovers and mistakes, but when he is playing well, Allen is really the best in the game. He showed that last week. Allen is just so tough defend, especially when he is running the ball more. The Bills kind of took that out of the game plan early in the season, but brought it back more after changing offensive coordinators. The change in philosophy has been a huge spark to the Bills offense.
I’m really excited about Jameson Williams next season. The Lions are starting to use him a lot more in normal routes than just as a deep threat. He is showing his ability as a route runner lately. Williams has a chance for a breakout season as long as he is healthy and playing. The big issue for Williams to start his career is just staying on the field. The ability is there for huge things. I’m ready to see what he can do next year.
It will be interesting to see what the Vikings do with their quarterback position this offseason. I almost think Kirk Cousins will be back and the team will draft a quarterback to learn from him. That might make the most sense and keep star receiver Justin Jefferson happy. This is one situation I’m going to keep a really close eye on this offseason because it has a lot of fantasy implications.
If I’m the Bears, I’m trading that No. 1 overall pick and loading up on more draft picks to surround Justin Fields with better talent. I know Caleb Williams is a stud and could be a fantastic pro, but Fields is no slouch. He made strides this year, especially late in the season. I think the franchise would do better to take advantage of the hype surround Williams and get a huge haul in a trade.
I don’t see Bill Belichick going to a team that doesn’t already have a franchise quarterback. You hear him interviewing with Atlanta, but that situation just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. I think he is going to go to a team that already has a top quarterback, so he doesn’t have to deal with the issues he had with the Patriots after losing Tom Brady.
And speaking of coaches, you have to wonder what is going to happen in Dallas after their stunning early-round exit in the playoffs. Mike McCarthy has been great during the regular season, but owner Jerry Jones doesn’t care about regular season wins. Jones wants Super Bowl titles. I would not be surprised if McCarthy is relieved of his job in the coming days.
I really thought the Browns operated better with Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback this season than Deshaun Watson. Flacco gave that passing game a spark and it produced huge numbers on a weekly basis. You have to think the Browns are really regretting going all in on Watson as their franchise quarterback. He certainly has not played near his past levels. The Browns really overpaid for Watson and could be feeling it for years to come.
News and Notes: The Bills released running back Leonard Fournette from the practice squad on Tuesday.
HOT PLAYS
Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions. LaPorta was able to play last week and didn’t look quite 100 percent, but still found the end zone. He has double-digit fantasy points three straight games and scores two straight. He should be even healthier this week, meaning his production could be even better. Plus, he has a great matchup against a bad Bucs pass defense. The Bucs allowed the second most fantasy points to tight ends during the regular season.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers. McCaffrey is always a must start and hot play, but especially this week. He gets a Packers defense that is the worst out of all the remaining playoff teams against the run. Green Bay was 28th against the run in the regular season and allowed the 13th most fantasy points to running backs. Green Bay allowed 200-plus rushing yards four times this season. We think McCaffrey is going to have a monster showing in this one, possibly pushing 200-plus total yards and 30 fantasy points.
Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens. Flowers had a breakout season as the top target at receiver the Ravens. He played really well late in the season, having 20-plus fantasy points three of five games. He has scores four of five games. Flowers keeps getting it done on a weekly basis. Look for more success this week against the Texans in what should be a high-scoring game. The Texans have allowed 265-plus passing yards three of six games.
COLD PLAYS
Devin Singletary, RB, Texans. Singletary had a solid season, emerging as the starter for the Texans. He has scores two straight games and has been consistent for the Texans, especially the second half of the season. Singletary has a really tough matchup to keep up his solid play this week, though, playing the Ravens. Baltimore was 14th against the run during the regular season, allowing 109.4-rushing yards per game. Houston might need to rely on C.J. Stroud and the passing game moire than Singletary if they hope to have much offensive success.
David Montgomery, RB, Lions. Montgomery found the end zone again last week, giving him four straight games with a touchdown. He still hasn’t topped 65-rushing yards in any of those games and has just three catches during that stretch. He might be a scary play this week against a Bucs defense that allowed just 10-rushing touchdowns all season. The Bucs allowed the third fewest fantasy points to running backs during the regular season and were fifth overall against the run.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. It is so hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes, but his numbers down the stretch haven’t been great for fantasy owners. He has just one touchdown each of his last three games. He has been pretty mediocre for fantasy teams. It might be more of the same this week against the Bills on the road. Buffalo has really played better defense down the stretch and allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks during the regular season.
SLEEPERS
Baker Mayfield, QB, Bucs. Mayfield had a great opener in the playoffs, hitting the 300-yard mark while scoring three touchdowns. Mayfield has multiple touchdowns five of six games. He has three three-touchdown games during that stretch. He has a great matchup against the Lions, a team that allowed the third most fantasy points to quarterback during the regular season. Look for Mayfield to keep it going this week.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Packers. Wicks scored another touchdown last week, giving him scores three straight games. He keeps finding the end zone, making him a top red-zone target for the Packers. He could score again this week in a game the Packers are likely throwing often and playing from behind. This could lead to even more targets for Wicks. He could be a sneaky play for fantasy owners.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Bills. Shakir scored his third touchdown of the season last week. He has 12-plus fantasy points two straight games. He has at least three catches four consecutive games. Shakir is getting more work with Gabe Davis out and playing well in an expanded role. Shakir has a chance for another solid game this week in what should be a high-scoring game with the Chiefs.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Packers/49ers, Bucs/Lions.
Low Scoring Games: None.
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.
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas continues to face significant competition within his own position group. Ahead of Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Douglas faces an uphill battle to handle the workload necessary to produce in fantasy football. Douglas has already tied his career-high of three touchdowns this year, but he is behind his 2024 pace in targets, catches, and receiving yards. In fact, he's averaging only 2.1 catches and 30.2 yards per game, and he has surpassed 45 yards in just two different weeks. The 24-year-old has slipped down the pecking order this season after New England brought in Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Meanwhile, Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) has taken on a larger role as a playmaker. While Douglas can still hold his own as a receiver, he has failed to separate himself from the rest of his teammates. As a result, he has a lower fantasy ceiling and remains off the radar in leagues with 14 or fewer teams.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee has started to see his role slip away, coinciding with the emergence of rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson and veteran Colby Parkinson. Higbee caught just one of two targets for 23 yards last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. He played only 39 percent of the offensive snaps, but this was partly due to an ankle injury sidelining him for a portion of a contest. Nevertheless, even if he were fully healthy, Higbee likely wouldn't have seen enough usage to achieve fantasy relevance. He's losing key opportunities to Ferguson, who had 117 yards in three games from Week 7 to 10, and Parkinson, who scored in back-to-back games while playing roughly two-thirds of the snaps. As long as Higbee is vying for targets with Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and several impactful tight ends, he'll be tough to trust in fantasy football. He can be left on waivers going forward, ranking outside the top 24 options at his position.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson has scored both of his touchdowns on the season in the last two weeks, compiling six catches for 55 yards on seven targets and one score in each game. Parkinson, interestingly, played a season high in snap share and tied star wideout Puka Nacua at 68% in their Week 11 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The spike in playing time was partly caused by Tyler Higbee leaving late in the third quarter with an ankle injury. The three highest snap shares of the season for the 26-year-old Parkinson have come in the past three weeks after the Rams' Week 8 bye. It has been a part of the Rams' transition to use more 13 personnel, and Parkinson has played the most of any Rams tight end during this span. Rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson generates most of the buzz for Rams tight end due to his second-round draft capital and freak athleticism, but Parkinson has been playing the most and could have TE2 streaming value if Higbee were to miss time.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert has served as the primary backup to rookie Ashton Jeanty in his age-33 season, recording 19 carries for 90 yards and six catches (six targets) for 45 yards in seven games. Jeanty has held down one of the heaviest workloads in the league, which has resulted in Mostert's most touches in a game being seven, which came back in Week 5 against the Colts. The veteran back has also served on special teams as a kick returner, leading the league with a 30.9 average yards per return. Even if Jeanty were to miss time, the offensive line and overall offensive environment don't create a lot of upside for Mostert as a contingency option.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. saw his first NFL action in Week 5 this season and has maintained a limited role in the offense. Horn played 27.1% of the snaps in that game and hasn't seen his snap share increase since. In fact, he had his lowest snap share of the season in Carolina's Week 11 win over the Falcons, playing just 8.8% of the snaps, and hasn't recorded a touch in the past two games. The rookie sixth-rounder has totaled six catches for 66 yards on 10 targets to go along with seven carries for 44 yards in seven games. It appears Brycen Tremaine has surpassed the rookie on the depth chart, as he has seen his snaps increase lately. Horn is an intriguing stash on taxi squads in dynasty leagues, but he isn't relevant in redraft leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington has played in all 10 games this season and has served as the primary No. 3 wide receiver behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Whittingon owns a 53.5% snap share and has run 44.7% of the team's routes this season, collecting 13 catches for 130 yards on 18 targets. The Texas product had a prime opportunity to produce in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Puka Nacua missed the game due to an ankle injury, but Whittington was unable to capitalize, catching just two of four targets for nine yards. There was optimism for the 25-year-old to step in and be a potential streaming option that week after he made two spot starts in Weeks 4 and 5 last season and totaled 13 catches for 151 yards on 18 targets. For now, he will continue to operate behind the Rams' two star wideouts and remain off fantasy radars.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith had his lowest snap share since Week 1 in the team's 27-14 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 11. Smith played just 15.8% of the snaps and ran 21.2% of the routes, both significantly lower than his season averages. It seems the rookie wideout has moved into a depth role after the Jets acquired two wide receivers at the trade deadline in John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell. Smith wasn't a fantasy-relevant option to begin with, catching six of 10 targets for 47 yards in 10 games this season.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson finished with just one reception for 17 yards on two targets in a Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite this modest output, Wilson's expanded role was an encouraging development. The second-year pro logged a 57% snap share, his second-highest mark of the season and his highest in games with Calvin Austin III active. Austin, who had previously operated as the team's clear WR2, played on just 29% of offensive snaps. It's unclear if this utilization will stick, but Wilson has looked like the better player since Austin's return from a shoulder injury. Although Wilson still isn't a viable fantasy starter, his usage is worth monitoring as the Steelers head into a Week 12 meeting with the Chicago Bears.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith did not catch either of his two targets in a Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith has not had a worthwhile fantasy showing since Week 7, when he last found the end zone. It has been an incredibly disappointing season for the 30-year-old, who was expected to be heavily involved in Pittsburgh's offense after the team traded for him in the offseason. While Smith still has more fantasy points than teammate Darnell Washington, the latter has impressed in recent weeks and could earn a more consistent role moving forward. Smith should still be rostered in dynasty formats, but fantasy managers should look elsewhere for tight end production in all redraft leagues.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington logged four receptions for 67 yards on five targets in a 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. While Washington didn't have an incredibly productive fantasy outing, he made plenty of noise with a massive play in the second quarter that set up a Steelers field goal. Washington caught a short pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) and ran through three defenders to gain 31 yards before stepping out of bounds. He later picked up 17 yards on a throw from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. It will be hard to trust Pittsburgh's offense against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, especially if Rodgers is unable to play, but Washington has looked great when given opportunities this year and could be worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf turned in yet another disappointing performance in Week 11, securing five of eight targets for 49 yards in a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) exited the contest at halftime and is currently considered questionable to play in Week 12 with a fractured left wrist. If Rodgers can't go, Metcalf will be catching passes from Mason Rudolph, who hasn't started a game since Week 17 of last season. Regardless of who is under center, it is becoming increasingly difficult to trust Metcalf, as he has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in three straight games. On the bright side, Pittsburgh will face the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Bears have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, keeping Metcalf in play as a boom-or-bust WR2.
From RotoBaller
When the Las Vegas Raiders traded away veteran wide receiver Jakobi Meyers at the NFL trade deadline, there was a thought that rookie wideout Jack Bech might see more playing time. However, across the two games that have followed, Bech has recorded just one catch for 19 yards on two targets. The 22-year-old played just nine offensive snaps in the Raiders' 33-16 Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. For the time being, Bech remains behind Tre Tucker, Tyler Lockett, and Dont'e Thornton Jr. on his team's wide receiver depth chart. Las Vegas also utilizes a lot of two-tight end formations with Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, which limits the opportunities for its depth wide receivers. Bech maintains some long-term fantasy appeal in dynasty formats, but it does not appear as though the production is going to come for him in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Across 10 games in 2025, Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has recorded 32 catches for 248 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets. For most of the season to this point, he's played the WR3 role in Chicago alongside wideouts Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. However, Zaccheaus' usage dropped off sharply in the Bears' Week 11 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The 28-year-old recorded zero catches on zero targets and played a season-low 10 offensive snaps. Chicago could be shifting playing time to rookie wideout Luther Burden III, who played 33 offensive snaps against Minnesota. Zaccheaus was not a major factor for fantasy managers before Week 11, but he could now be fading into true fantasy irrelevance. The usage split between Zaccheaus and Burden III is worth monitoring heading into Chicago's Week 12 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter recorded a season-high five receptions on seven targets in his team's 41-22 Week 11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. With Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) likely to miss the team's Week 12 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carter could be in line for a sizable role for a second straight week. The 26-year-old is unlikely to factor much on early downs, as Carter has fallen behind Arizona back Bam Knight in the pecking order for carries. However, Carter has recorded at least five targets in three out of six games played for the Cardinals this season. One wrinkle for Carter is the potential return of Trey Benson (knee), who could be returning soon from the knee injury that has kept him on Injured Reserve since Week 4. However, if Benson and Demercado are out in Week 12, Carter could have some deep-league fantasy appeal.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is often overlooked due to the presence of his star teammate and fellow tight end Brock Bowers. However, Mayer has maintained a consistent role in his team's passing game even since Bowers returned in Week 9 from a knee injury that forced him to miss multiple games. Over the last three weeks, Mayer has recorded nine catches for 61 yards on 15 targets. While the overall ineptitude of the Raiders' offense limits Mayer's upside, his stable target volume provides a decent floor in PPR fantasy leagues. He's not worth a starting spot in the vast majority of fantasy formats, but Mayer could be a player to monitor in deep leagues.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell had one of his highest usage games of the 2025 season in Week 11, recording 54 scrimmage yards on eight touches against the Cleveland Browns. With Ravens running back Justice Hill (toe) sidelined by a toe injury, Mitchell stepped into the team's RB2 role behind Derrick Henry. If Hill remains out for Baltimore's Week 12 matchup against the New York Jets, Mitchell could see steady playing time on passing downs for the second straight week. Across 19 career games with Baltimore, Mitchell has averaged 6.6 yards per carry and 7.3 yards per touch. He could be worth targeting on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in leagues with 14 or more teams heading into Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Even with Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) sidelined in Week 11, Bills TE2 Dawson Knox had a modest outing, recording one catch for 23 yards on three targets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kincaid did not practice on either Monday or Tuesday heading into Buffalo's Week 12 matchup against the Houston Texans on Thursday night, so Knox could have another chance to be his team's lead tight end. Still, in the two games he's played this season without Kincaid, Knox has recorded two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Expectations for Knox should be limited, but the 29-year-old does have a better chance to find the end zone without Kincaid in the lineup. In the deepest fantasy leagues, Knox could be a low-end streaming option for managers to add off the waiver wire heading into Week 12.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has been inconsistent during his rookie campaign. To be fair, it's not easy to be a consistent contributor in this Browns offense that has been struggling as a whole. The good news is, Fannin has seen five targets or more in each of his last five games. Last week, Fannin hauled in two of his five targets for 26 yards in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 21-year-old hasn't been productive every week, but is worthy of a look as a deep league option for the upcoming Week 12 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell made his team debut against the New England Patriots last week. Mitchell was traded to the Jets in the deal that sent defensive back Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts. Mitchell didn't have a ton of time to learn the playbook, but was immediately heavily involved in the passing attack. Mitchell was targeted six times, but was only able to haul in one of those passes for 10 yards in the loss. The result obviously isn't good, but the six targets is promising for Mitchell. The Jets are without Garrett Wilson (knee), so someone needs to step up for this team. The 23-year-old figures to get a decent amount of chances down the stretch for the Jets. Mitchell could be worth a look as a deep league option as he continues to build chemistry with his new quarterback.
From RotoBaller