| Free Agent Auction Bid (FAAB) Scale |
|
|---|---|
| $ | $0 – $5 |
| $$ | $6 – $15 |
| $$$ | $16 – $25 |
| $$$$ | $26 – $40 |
| $$$$$ | $41+ |
| Based on $100 cap, 12-team league. |
|
Quarterbacks
1 Week Plug & Play
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
You likely weren’t expecting to consider Bortles during Week 15 of fantasy playoffs but he’s been producing consistently over his last seven games. During that span, Bortles has thrown for at least 259 yards five times and accounted for 10 touchdowns. In his last two games, Bortles is completing 71 percent of his passes for 577 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He has the highest passer rating of any NFL quarterback in December. This week Bortles gets a Texans defense that gives up the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks. He’s one of the top streaming options this week if you lost Carson Wentz or need a quarterback. Yes, Blake Bortles could get owners into the fantasy title game.
Availability: Owned in ~ 35% of leagues.
FAAB: $-$$
Forecast: Bortles is a low-end QB1 for Week 15.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
You know we’re at the end of the season when the waiver wire is down to Bortles and Flacco as the week’s best starting options. Flacco certainly hasn’t been a great fantasy quarterback this year. However, he’s thrown for 269 yards and two touchdowns in each of his last two games. This week Flacco gets a Browns defense that just made Brett Hundley (265/3) look like Brett Favre. Flacco doesn’t have a high ceiling but he has the matchup to get owners in that 17-20 point range this week.
Availability: Owned in ~ 15% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Flacco is a strong streaming option this week.
On the Radar: Nick Foles (1%), Jimmy Garoppolo (20%), DeShone Kizer (5%)
Running Backs
Rock Star Free Agent
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
Stewart had by far his best game of the season on Sunday versus the Vikings. He rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Stewart now has five touchdowns in his last three games. His big outing is an outlier since he’s topped 70 yards rushing just twice all year. However, Stewart’s next two games are against the Packers and Buccaneers. Those two defenses rank in the Top 10 at allowing points to running backs. Stewart is finding the end zone and he has two favorable matchups on deck. He’s a strong addition for the rest of the season.
Availability: Owned in ~ 40% of leagues.
FAAB: $$
Forecast: Stewart is a Flex option over the next two weeks.
Injury Replacement
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals
Bernard was picked up in a lot of leagues last week with Joe Mixon (concussion) inactive. He rewarded fantasy owners by leading the Bengals in both rushing and receiving. Bernard finished with eight receptions and 130 total yards. It’s unclear if Mixon will play in Week 15. He still needs to get cleared by Sunday. If Bernard gets another start, he’ll be a strong RB2 play again this week versus the Vikings.
Availability: Owned in ~ 60% of leagues.
FAAB: $$
Forecast: Bernard is an RB2 if Mixon is out again.
1 Week Plug & Play
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions
Ameer Abdullah was a healthy scratch in Week 14. It doesn’t take a genius to know that’s not great news for him moving forward. Riddick has emerged as the Lions top fantasy option over the last two weeks where he’s caught 11 passes for 105 yards and scored twice. He only has 19 carries in those games but Riddick will never be a big factor as a runner. He is a factor in the passing game and red zone though. Riddick is set up to have a big role again this week versus the Bears. He’s on the starting radar in PPR leagues.
Availability: Owned in ~ 40% of leagues.
FAAB: $$
Forecast: Riddick is a Flex play in PPR formats for the rest of the season.
Rod Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Smith had a huge game on Sunday against the Giants. He caught five passes, gained 162 total yards and scored two touchdowns. Obviously, owners can’t expect a repeat performance from Smith in Week 15 but he’s scored in each of his last three games. Smith has recorded double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats in two of his last three games. He only has fantasy value this week with Ezekiel Elliott returning but Smith should remain a factor against a Raiders defense that allows over six receptions per game to running backs.
Availability: Owned in ~ 20% of leagues.
FAAB: $-$$
Forecast: Smith is a Flex option in deeper leagues this week.
On the Radar: Peyton Barber (40%), James Conner (5%), Mike Davis (40%), Wayne Gallman (5%), Kerwynn Williams (15%)
Wide Receivers
Rock Star Free Agent
Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers
Goodwin makes the list for the second week in a row after catching 6 of 12 targets for 106 yards against the Texans. He has 14 receptions for 205 yards in two games since Jimmy Garoppolo became the starter. Goodwin has gained at least 78 yards receiving in each of his last four games. He has the Titans and Jaguars remaining. Goodwin is a strong start for at least one more week.
Availability: Owned in ~ 55% of leagues.
FAAB: $$-$$$
Forecast: Goodwin is a WR3 for the rest of fantasy playoffs.
1 Week Plug & Play
Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars
Westbrook caught 5 of 8 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown versus the Jaguars on Sunday. He has 17 receptions on 27 targets in his last three games. This week Westbrook gets to feast on a Texans secondary that’s allowing the seventh most fantasy points to receivers. As we mentioned above, Bortles is playing well, which now increases the fantasy value of the Jaguars receivers. Combine that with an elite matchup and fantasy owners could certainly do worse than starting Westbrook this week.
Availability: Owned in ~ 30% of leagues.
FAAB: $$
Forecast: Westbrook is a WR3/4 for Week 15.
Paul Richardson, Seattle Seahawks
Both Richardson and Tyler Lockett are on the streaming radar this week when the Seahawks face the Rams. The first time the two teams met, it was a low scoring affair. That could change on Sunday with both offenses humming right now. Richardson doesn’t get a ton of targets but he has reached 70 yards receiving in two of his last three games and scored once. The total for the Rams/Seahawks game is set at 48. Richardson is worth considering in deeper leagues this week.
Availability: Owned in ~ 55% of leagues.
FAAB: $-$$
Forecast: Richardson is a WR4 this week versus the Rams.
On the Radar: Roger Lewis (1%), Tyrell Williams (40%), Kendall Wright (5%)
Tight End
Injury Replacement
Trey Burton, Philadelphia Eagles
Burton really rewarded fantasy owners who streamed him last week. With Zach Ertz (concussion) out, Burton caught five passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns. He has nine receptions on 13 targets is his last two games since Ertz got injured. The bad news for Burton is Ertz is likely to return this week and Carson Wentz is out for the year with a torn ACL. Burton will still be in play if he starts again this week but his value is tied to Ertz’s health.
Availability: Owned in ~ 30% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Burton is a TE1 if Ertz doesn’t play.
1 Week Plug & Play
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Howard caught four balls for 52 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. He hasn’t been putting up huge numbers but Howard does have at least 50 yards receiving in three of his last four games to go along with two touchdowns. Jameis Winston is playing poorly. The one thing he does do though is target his tight ends, especially in the red zone. Eight of his 12 touchdown passes have gone to tight ends. Howard doesn’t offer much upside with Cameron Brate around but he’s an option in deeper leagues where tight ends have dried up on the waiver wire.
Availability: Owned in ~ 30% of leagues.
FAAB: $-$$
Forecast: Howard is a high-end TE2/streaming option this week.
On the Radar: Garrett Celek (1%), Eric Ebron (30%), Jesse James (5%), Ricky Seals-Jones (50%), Adam Shahan (5%)
Kickers
1 Week Plug & Play
Phil Dawson, Arizona Cardinals
Dawson connected on 4 of 5 field goal attempts against the Titans. He’s made nine field goals in his last three games. Overall, Dawson has made at least two field goals in a game five times this season. Dawson faces a Redskins team on Sunday that allows the ninth most fantasy points to kicker. He’ll have a good opportunity to score double-digit fantasy points for the third time in four weeks.
Availability: Owned in ~ 20% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Dawson is a Top 12 kicker this week.
On the Radar: No one
Defense/Specials Teams
1 Week Plug & Play
Tennessee Titans
There wasn’t much offense in the Titans/Cardinals game Sunday. There was a lot of defense, especially by the Titans. Tennessee recorded eight sacks. It’s the second time in three games the Titans defense has posted eight sacks. They have 20 sacks total over that span. Tennessee travels to San Francisco this week. The 49ers offense is improved with Jimmy Garoppolo but it’s still not a unit to shy away from. Fire up the Titans defense with confidence this week.
Availability: Owned in ~ 40% of leagues.
FAAB: $-$$
Forecast: The Titans defense is a Top 10 play in Week 15.
On the Radar: Falcons (20%)
