Wed Jan 21 9:38am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Williams should get his touches
It is hard to believe but we are down to just four teams and three games left in the entire season. Time flies when you are having run, right? I hate to see it come to an end but it has been fun season and an interesting one. Hopefully, we can learn from everything we have seen this year and come up with a winning fantasy formula in 2026.
Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .
Can the Bills please get Josh Allen a legit No. 1 receiver? I just don’t understand how they continue to fail him in this area. He deserves a safety net in the passing game. When you have Brandin Cooks out there in big moments at this stage of his career, I don’t know how you expect Allen to get it done. It is amazing how Allen has produced at MVP levels with the lack of top options in the passing game to work with. Imagine what he might be able to do with a star receiver like Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb on his side.
I still can’t get over that throw from Caleb Williams last week with the game on the line. It was one of the greatest plays I have ever witnessed from a quarterback. Williams took some kind of step forward this year. He is going to be a fantasy star for years to come. Williams is living up to the hype and I’m looking forward to watching his journey. He is just scratching the surface.
C.J. Stroud looked to be turning the corner about midway through this season but his play down the stretch is a concern. He looked awful in these playoffs, especially last week. Stroud was making some head-scratching decisions last week. He was playing more like first year, inexperienced quarterback than a guy that has been in the league three years. The Texans have to be wondering if he is indeed their franchise quarterback. Houston has maybe the best defense in football but they aren’t going to be winning big games if their quarterback keeps turning the ball over. It will be interesting to see what they do this offseason.
If you count the postseason, Christian McCaffrey had 450 touches offensively this year. Wow. There are only five players in NFL history with 450-plus touches in a single season. That is a huge concern for me for next year, especially given his injury history. I’m not sure what to think about McCaffrey for 2026. He led all running backs in fantasy scoring by a lot, so you can’t discount that, but you can’t ignore the amount of touches. McCaffrey is going to be a polarizing fantasy figure next year. You can count on that.
You have to feel bad for Bo Nix. He suffers a season-ending injury on nearly the last play of the game and will now miss a chance to lead his team to a Super Bowl. This is a devastating blow to the Broncos. I would’t count them out for this week just yet, though. Their defense is going to keep them in the game. The issue is going to be Jarrett Stidham. He is obviously a huge question mark for this game. But if he can make a few plays, Denver could pull this off. That defense is something special.
HOT PLAYS
Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots. Henry had just a catch for five yards on two targets last week. It was a disappointing performance. He had touchdowns three of his previous four games, though. Henry had double-digit fantasy points five straight and seven of eight before last week. He has been very consistent down the street, so don’t get too down on him over a game. Look for Henry to get it going against a Broncos defense that has struggled to stop the tight end much of the season. Dalton Kincaid led the Bills in receiving last week, catching six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Henry should be targeted early and often in this one.
Kyren Williams, RB, Rams. Williams had a huge game last week, scoring 27.7 fantasy points. H has double-digit fantasy points in all but two games this year. And with Matthew Stafford having a few struggles in the playoffs, don’t be surprised if the Rams lean on Williams and the run game this week against the Seahawks. Williams has run for 161 yards and a touchdown in two games against Seattle this year. He should be a top fantasy play again this week.
COLD PLAYS
Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams. Stafford had a huge game and a poor showing against the Seahawks this season. Which performance can you expect this week? We think it might be more on the poor side. He is coming off one of his worst games of the season last week, scoring just 12.9 fantasy points. It would not surprise if he has some struggles again on the road against the Seahawks, a team that allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots. Henderson has taken a backseat to Rhamondre Stevenson late in the season. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points two straight and four of five games. He is a hard fantasy player to trust right now, especially since he gets little work in the passing game. This really hut his floor. Henderson has three receptions his last five games. We might just steer clear of him this week against the Broncos, a team that allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs during the regular season.
SLEEPERS
Colby Parkinson, TE, Rams. The Rams use all three of their tight ends, but Parkinson plays the most. Parkinson has played the most snaps of any Rams tight end for the season and last week (68 percent). He has double-digit fantasy points three of four games and five of seven games. Parkinson can do well again this week against the Seahawks, a team that allowed the 11th most fantasy points to tight ends during the regular season.
Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks. Darnold was a concern last week because of his new oblique injury but he looked pretty healthy during the game. He didn’t seem too limited and should only get healthier this week. Seattle might need to throw more to have success offensively against this Rams defense. Darnold has thrown for 270-plus yards each of his games against the Rams this year. Of all the teams remaining, the Rams allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Darnold could surprise in this one.
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: Rams/Seahawks.
Low Scoring Games: Patriots/Broncos.
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 York Giants rookie third-round wide receiver Malachi Fields was a popular late-round flier in deeper fantasy leagues going into his first year in the NFL, with fellow wideout Malik Nabers (knee) entering the 2026 season coming off a torn ACL in 2025. The 23-year-old has caught exactly two passes in each of his first four games in the league on 15 targets for 126 yards and his first career touchdown reception, which came in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. There is a lot to like about the Notre Dame product in the long term, but as New York's WR3 behind Nabers and veteran Darnell Mooney, consistent fantasy production might be hard to come by. Additionally, starting quarterback Jaxson Dart (knee) is out for the year, so the Giants are down to veteran Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy at the position. Fields' upside makes him a worthwhile stash in deeper fantasy leagues, and he could potentially have WR2 upside if Nabers or Mooney miss any time with an injury. Fields is rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger) remains stash-worthy as receiver depth in fantasy football leagues despite missing the last two games due to a finger injury. With Mitchell out for a second straight game this past Sunday in the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears, Isaiah Williams played 90% of the offense's snaps but drew just two targets on the day. WR1 Garrett Wilson saw most of the looks from veteran quarterback Geno Smith. The 23-year-old Mitchell was looking like the clear No. 2 receiver for the Jets in the first two weeks of the 2026 season before he suffered a finger injury that has kept him sidelined for the last two weeks. Mitchell had nine catches on 15 targets through two games for 123 yards (13.7 yards per catch). It is unclear exactly when he might return, but it could be as soon as this week versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 11. Mitchell should have WR3/flex appeal as soon as he returns to action in an improved Jets offense. He is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh called wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) day-to-day on Tuesday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. It comes a day after McConkey was considered week-to-week after aggravating a foot injury and being pulled from Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 24-year-old gave his fantasy managers a donut over the weekend, failing to catch either of his two targets in Seattle before leaving the contest and not returning. McConkey's foot injury is not serious, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to do enough in practice this week to receive the green light to suit up this Sunday at home against the division-rival Denver Broncos. And if the former first-rounder from Georgia does play in Week 5, he could have his snaps managed, making him a risky option in starting fantasy lineups. McConkey had five catches for 82 yards and his first touchdown of the year in the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but he has caught only seven passes on 11 targets for 101 yards in the last three games combined. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on McConkey's practice participation this week.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Durham Smythe (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Sunday in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and will now miss the rest of the 2026 season, an MRI exam confirmed, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Smythe, who has always been a blocking-first tight end, was not on the fantasy radar in his ninth season in the league. In four games in his first year with Baltimore, he caught just one of two targets for four yards. Mark Andrews will continue to be the Ravens' primary pass-catching tight end, but with Smythe now done for the year, rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas will be forced into bigger roles behind Andrews. The loss of Smythe for the season does not move the fantasy needle at all, but it could hurt All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and the Ravens' rushing attack the rest of the way. Smythe, a former fourth-rounder in 2018 from Notre Dame by the Miami Dolphins, has only 137 catches for 1,257 yards and three touchdowns in his nine seasons in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
In a surprising turn of events, the Seattle Seahawks have decided not to sign two-time Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad after receiving his physical results. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season with a mysterious foot injury, and according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the physical he underwent with the team revealed enough for the Seahawks to change course, and Mixon will remain a free agent. Mixon has racked up nearly 10,000 yards and 74 touchdowns over an eight-year career, but given the latest news, it now seems unlikely we'll see him on a football field again.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is committed to keeping quarterback Jalen Hurts under center despite the team's early struggles with play action, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. When Mannion was asked if the Eagles will continue to keep Hurts under center, even though they have been among the worst in the NFL at it, the OC said that Hurts "can do it" and that "we believe in it." Through the first four weeks of the 2026 campaign, the 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler is outside of the top 10 in overall fantasy points at the position, throwing for 713 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding 21 carries for 105 yards and one score on the ground. Hurts ranks 31st out of 38 qualifying QBs in adjusted yards per attempt on passes while under center, and he has a putrid 18% success rate under center. The Eagles' offense was stuck in the mud in Sunday's loss to a tough Los Angeles Rams defense, and it did not help that both star running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) were injured. If both Smith and Barkley miss the Week 5 game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hurts should be viewed as more of a high-end QB2 than a legitimate QB1 for fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals lost All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) early in their Week 4 loss to the Jaguars, and as he has done numerous times throughout his career, tight end Mike Gesicki stepped up to fill the void, finishing the day with 40 yards and a touchdown to make him the TE6 on the week. Chase's availability for Week 5 is unclear, and with Pro Bowler Tee Higgins (adductor) also leaving the game with an adductor injury that now has him considered day-to-day, Gesicki becomes a high-priority waiver add along with teammate Dohnte Meyers. The Bengals face a Dolphins team in Week 5 that has given up the fourth-most points above expectation to the tight end position, and if one or both of the team's top receivers should miss time, Gesicki slots in as a must-start.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell officially caught zero passes in a Week 4 loss to the Vikings, but his day almost looked much different from a fantasy perspective. Bell had a 68-yard touchdown wiped off the board by an illegal touch penalty that came down to a fraction of an inch. While results have been inconsistent, Bell's usage has been on the rise after missing most of training camp while rehabbing the ACL tear that ended his collegiate career. He saw a season-high 82% snap share in Week 4, his second straight game topping 70%, and while the Dolphins passing offense is unlikely to support multiple fantasy options, Bell has the talent to emerge as the Miami receiver to roster, particularly if his snap counts keep rising.
From RotoBaller
After leading the team in receiving through the first three games of the season, Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond came back to earth in a Week 4 win over the Eagles, making only two catches for six yards. With the Bears' passing offense looking more like what fantasy managers expected and finally running through Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland, Raymond is likely to hit waiver wires in many leagues. Outside of the deepest formats, he does not need to be viewed as a priority target or even a hold. Raymond has had fantasy-relevant stretches in the past, but has never proven to be a trustworthy every-week starter, and without an injury ahead of him on the depth chart, he is unlikely to consistently see the type of unexpected volume with which he opened the year.
From RotoBaller
In a Week 4 win played without one of the team's leading receivers, Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller caught only three passes for 36 yards. With Jalen Coker (quadriceps) sidelined by a quadriceps injury, the passing offense was funneled primarily through second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who set or matched career highs across the board with 14 receptions on 16 targets, 192 yards, and two touchdowns. Still, despite a quiet outing, Waller remains a critical piece of one of the league's most improved offenses. Following a disappointing performance, and with the Panthers on a Week 5 bye, he is likely to hit waivers in a number of leagues, making the 34-year-old veteran an intriguing stash candidate for contending teams with adequate bench space. Unfortunately, the Panthers face an Eagles team in Week 6 that has been the most difficult tight end matchup through the first month of the season.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that the flow of the game and long downs have prevented running back Sean Tucker from getting snaps sometimes, but he said that the offense needs to find ways to get Tucker and Kenny Gainwell more carries, according to River Wells of Bucs Gameday. It would be bad news for Bucky Irving's fantasy managers if both Tucker and Gainwell find more touches in Tampa's backfield. In the 17-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 on Sunday, Tucker played only three offensive snaps, carrying the ball three times for 10 yards. Gainwell, meanwhile, played 42% of the snaps and had three carries for five yards while catching both of his targets for 22 yards and a receiving touchdown. Irving led the backfield with a 58% snap share and a team-high 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. As long as Irving remains healthy, he will continue to see most of the early-down work for the Bucs, with Tucker and Gainwell battling for change-of-pace duties as the Buccaneers look for their first win of the season to kick off Week 5 on Thursday night on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders rookie third-round wide receiver Antonio Williams played a season-high 69% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's Week 4 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London with fellow wideout Terry McLaurin inactive due to a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old from Clemson did little with a season-high eight targets, though, catching three passes for 21 yards. It did not help Williams' cause that veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) left the game with an MCL sprain, leading to third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis entering the game. Through his first four NFL games, Williams has caught 12 of his 19 targets for 124 yards and one touchdown. He is currently rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues, but Williams deserves some attention with McLaurin injured and potentially up in the air to play this weekend against the division-rival New York Giants. If McLaurin misses another game and starting QB Jayden Daniels returns from his dislocated left elbow, Williams will be a sneaky flex play in deeper fantasy leagues in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Although Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is still searching for his first touchdown through four games in his first season in South Beach, it is clear that he has become quarterback Malik Willis' go-to downfield target through the air. It has helped that rookie wideout Caleb Douglas has missed the last couple of games due to an ankle injury. In the Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Washington led the Dolphins' receivers in snap count (34), catches (five), targets (five), and receiving yards (67), which were also a season high for him. Through the first four games in 2026, the 25-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2024 from Virginia has 17 catches for 219 yards on 28 targets from Willis. Washington will be a decent WR3/flex option in Week 5 as the Dolphins seek their first victory of the year against the Cincinnati Bengals, especially if Douglas misses a third straight game due to his ankle injury. He is not a sexy fantasy option because of the offense he is in, but he deserves a look off the waiver wire and is rostered in only 31% of Yahoo leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee has become a useful waiver option for managers who need help at the position. He caught five of six targets for 67 yards in Sunday's win over Philadelphia, giving him 13 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets over the last two games. Just as importantly, the volume held up with Puka Nacua back in the lineup. Terrance Ferguson is now on injured reserve with a medial ankle sprain, leaving Higbee with a clearer path to targets for at least the next few weeks. RotoBaller has him third among its Week 5 tight end waiver options and recommends adding him in 12-team PPR leagues. Higbee is not a set-and-forget TE1, but six more targets against Buffalo would make him a usable streamer. At a position where reliable volume is hard to find, he is worth a claim for managers who need short-term help.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson should be more popular off the waiver wire this week after finding the end zone for a second straight game in Sunday's 24-18 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. Robinson was out-snapped by rookie Carnell Tate 54 to 43 in the game and caught only three passes for 19 yards, but he found the end zone for the second straight week after his seven-catch, 57-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. The 25-year-old's touchdown on Sunday came with just over a minute left in regulation. He has not been the target hog that he was the last few years with the Giants, as Robinson has 16 catches on 23 targets for 123 yards and two touchdowns in his first four games with Tennessee. Still, Robinson can be useful as wide receiver depth for fantasy managers, especially if he can continue to develop chemistry with young quarterback Cam Ward. He could be a nice flex play at wideout for the Titans' upcoming matchup this Sunday against the winless Houston Texans.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 30-of-48 passes for 286 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a loss to the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Shough didn't turn the ball over but also was unable to make much of an impact as he was running for his life most of the game. The Saints inability to run the ball effectively between the 20s greatly hampered their ability to score and Shough was left slinging the ball around as they got blown out by Atlanta. Shough has made great strides but this just wasn't his night. He'll remain an ascending QB1 in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had 145 rushing yards, one catch, two receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Dynasty managers were left wondering what could have been as Brian Robinson sniped three more rushing touchdowns from Bijan but it's hard to get too upset when you have one of the two best running backs in fantasy on your team. BIjan looks poised to post another career season now that Michael Penix is healthy and back in the saddle. He remains untouchable in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Falcons running back Brian Robinson had 62 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards and three touchdowns in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Yes, that was BRIAN Robinson, not Bijan Robinson. And somewhere all those people who accidentally drafted Brian Robinson instead of Bijan in a league full of people who chose to laugh at them and not fix it have one night to smile. For what it's worth, Brian Robinson has staked claim as being perhaps the best handcuff in fantasy football and his touchdown potential is going to keep him under flex consideration moving forward.
Dynasty | Falcons quarterback Michael Penix completed 15-of-20 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a win over New Orleans. Dynasty Analysis: Penix isn't putting up video game numbers but the Falcons were the worst scoring team in the league the first two weeks with Cooper Rush at the helm and the highest scoring team the past two weeks with Penix back - that's tough to argue. The question with Penix is always going to be about his health. If he can stay on the field, his ADP and ranking will start to move up again slowly.
Dynasty | Saints running back Alvin Kamara had 23 rushing yards, five catches, 35 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: Kamara was the beneficiary of New Orleans finding its way inside the five by throwing the ball, then giving it to him to score. It was an otherwise inefficient night for Kamara but it's hard to argue with the results. The Saints are looking like a team wanting to mix and match their running backs with Travis Etienne out but Kamara looks like the one you can have as an RB2/Flex option. While his dynasty value is just about cooked, we may just get one more short-term burst of decent value after all.