by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
Injuries… Injuries… Injuries… As most fantasy owners prepare for Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs they are forced to maneuver around a slew of injuries that will have a significant impact on their lineups. Already ruled out are James Conner and Matt Breida and there are a slew of others who are either likely to be out (Melvin Gordon) or are questionable (Kerryon Johnson, Chris Carson). With that in mind let’s take a look at how the rankings fall, with the knowledge that you need to keep a close eye on the news as the week progresses:
- Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers – at Cleveland
- Ezekiel Elliot – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
- Saquan Barkley – New York Giants – at Washington
- Leonard Fournette – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
- Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints – at Tampa Bay
- Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams – at Chicago
- Aaron Jones – Green Bay Packers – vs. Atlanta
- Philip Lindsay – Denver Broncos – at San Francisco
- Joe Mixon – Cincinnati Bengals – at Los Angeles Chargers
- Gus Edwards – Baltimore Ravens – at Kansas City
- David Johnson – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Detroit
- Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers – vs. Cincinnati
- Lamar Miller – Houston Texans – vs. Indianapolis
- Sony Michel – New England Patriots – at Miami
- Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns – vs. Carolina
- Kerryon Johnson – Detroit Lions – at Arizona
- Dalvin Cook – Minnesota Vikings – at Seattle
- Jeff Wilson – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Denver
- LeSean McCoy – Buffalo Bills – vs. New York Jets
- James White – New England Patriots – at Miami
- Mark Ingram – New Orleans Saints – at Tampa Bay
- Chris Carson – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Minnesota
- Tarik Cohen – Chicago Bears – vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Josh Adams – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
- Jaylen Samuels – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Oakland
- Adrian Peterson – Washington Redskins – vs. New York Giants
- Marlon Mack – Indianapolis Colts – at Houston
- Isaiah Crowell – New York Jets – vs. Buffalo
- Spencer Ware – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Baltimore
- Kenyan Drake – Miami Dolphins – vs. New England
- Doug Martin – Oakland Raiders – vs. Pittsburgh
- Peyton Barber – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. New Orleans
- Tevin Coleman – Atlanta Falcons – at Green Bay
- Justin Jackson – Los Angeles Chargers – vs. Cincinnati
- Chris Thompson – Washington Redskins – vs. New York Giants
- Theo Riddick – Detroit Lions – at Arizona
- Jordan Howard – Chicago Bears – vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Nyheim Hines – Indianapolis Colts – at Houston
- Ty Montgomery – Baltimore Ravens – at Kansas City
- Dion Lewis – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
Thoughts:
- Without James Conner do we expect the Steelers to lean on one running back? Will they share carries while taking a more pass heavy approach? The second option is more likely and while it makes Jaylen Samuels the best option from the backfield he isn’t more than a low-end RB2/FLEX given the risk.
- Since the Cowboys’ bye week Ezekiel Elliot has been a monster, with 100+ yards in five straight games and continued heavy workloads (23+ carries in three straight games and 5+ receptions in four straight games). Included in this stretch was a 187 total yard, 2 TD performance against the Eagles, who he’ll draw again this week. He’s among the elite in the league and should continue to show why.
- Aaron Jones has found the end zone in four straight games (6 total TD over this stretch) as he’s become the clear top option in Green Bay. Obviously the coaching change could complicate the picture, at least a little bit, but there’s little reason to think that he won’t carry on as the featured back. Over the past four weeks the Atlanta Falcons have allowed 191, 122, 141 and 132 rushing yards to opposing running backs, further solidifying Jones’ spot among the Top 10 options for the coming week.
- After some heavy usage Nick Chubb saw his carries drop to 9, as the Browns fell behind early and needed to play catchup. While his day was saved by a TD (and he’s scored in four straight games), is that something we are willing to bank on against the Panthers? He’s obviously still a viable option, but he’s more of a RB2 than a RB1 this week.
- It’s been a frustrating season for Leonard Fournette owners, whether it be due to injuries or his recent suspension. That said when he has been on the field he’s been a highly productive option, with 100+ total yards in each of his past three games (and 5 TD over this stretch). The matchup against the Titans is not going to be an easy one, though they just watched Isaiah Crowell and the New York Jets torch them for 135 yards on the ground a week after the Tennessee Titans racked up 211 rushing yards and 1 TD. Don’t make the mistake of shying away from him.
- Over the past three weeks Gus Edwards has rushed for at least 82 yards per game and now draws a Kansas City defense that saw the Oakland Raiders run for 163 yards and 1 TD against them in Week 13. Obviously there are questions about Edwards’ health, but if he’s taking the field and ready to roll he’s going to have RB1 upside. He’s surprisingly become a force and is a must start in all formats.
- The last time LeSean McCoy faced the Jets he torched them for 113 yards and TD (and the Jets watched the Patriots rush for 206 yards and 1 TD against them in Week 12, their next game after the Buffalo debacle). It’s hard not to love McCoy as a viable RB2 for the coming week.
- Both James White and Sony Michel are going to be solid plays this week, though the Dolphins have been more susceptible to those who can run the football. That’s going to give Michel the edge in the rankings, but don’t let that discourage White owners. He should produce solid numbers as well.
- The problem with Kenyan Drake is how many touches is he going to get? He has 3 TD over his past two games, but he’s averaged just 11 touches per contest. That’s going to make Drake a high risk, high reward option against the Patriots, though if the Dolphins fall behind early and they are forced to go pass happy Drake is going to look that much better.
- What’s happened to Tevin Coleman? He has 34 yards, total, over the past two weeks and has been virtually unusable over the past four. While there’s still potential, he’s a desperation FLEX play and nothing more.
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Make sure to check out all of our Week 14 rankings:
| Quarterbacks |
| Running Backs |
| Wide Receivers |
| Tight Ends |
| Kickers |
| Defenses |
Hey prof- Regarding Edwards, what about his ranking in PPR? I’m struggling with starting him or someone like Jeff Wilson, Samuels or Richard? Edwards has zero catches… thanks again for the help
I could see using Wilson depending on the PPR scoring, but I think Edwards will get enough carries/yardage to still outproduce him
Do u feel Samuels is gonna be in a RB committee situation?
That’s what they’ve said, and I also wouldn’t be surprised if they went pass heavy
Hi Prof,
PPR league
Need 2 RB and a flex out of:
RB’s
McCoy
Ware
Edwards
J. Wilson
Richard
WR’s
DJ Moore
Thanks!
RB – Edwards/Wilson
FLEX – Moore (though McCoy is really appealing)
Full PPR – Need the following:
– RB’s (Choose 2): Ingram, Michel, J. Samuels, J. Wilson, or J. Jackson.
I have Samuels and Michel plugged in at the moment. My worry with Ingram is that if it becomes a shootout, then NO will use more Kamara.
– Flex (Choose 1): The rest of the above RB’s, Edelman, C.
Davis, or DJ Moore. I’m leaning either a Ingram or Edelman.
What are you thoughts?
RB – I’d actually go Michel/Wilson
FLEX – I’d lean Edelman, but could go Ingram as well
QB – Prescott or Mayfield? I am starting Amari Cooper so hesitant to go heavy on Dallas. As for my flex, need one of J Samuels, Spencer Ware, or Corey Davis – PPR league. Thanks prof.
I’d go Mayfield regardless.
As for the FLEX, I’d lean Samuels but I’m worried about a committee really limiting his opportunities. He’s high risk, high reward. If you wanted to go “safe”, it’s Davis
14 Team, PPR.
1. Assuming Nick Chubb is RB1, Adrian Peterson or Josh Adams as RB2?
2. Assuming Michael Thomas and JuJu are WR1/2, would you flex Adrian Peterson/Josh Adams, Jarvis Landry, Adam Humphries or Pettis as flex?
Not sure if this matters, but finished 9-4 3rd overall (same record as 2nd, less points) and playing 6th (6-7) who only had 13 less points that I did!
Sorry, forgot #3. What are your thoughts on what, if anything, to do w/D’Onta Freeman (free agents)?
1) Adams
2) Landry (I just have a tough time trusting Peterson; Humphries isn’t far off)
3) I wouldn’t go nuts
12 Team PPR
Start 2RB + 2WR + Flex:
Fournette, L. Miller, Cohen, Gus Edwards
Odell Beckham, T. Boyd, Landry, J. Reynolds
I really don’t know to go with Boyd (tough matchup vs Chargers but playing from behind) or Landry (inconsistent) at WR2?
I have a trade request. Should I trade L. Miller to receive R. Woods? I can plug in the three other RBs and start Odell and R. Woods if I trade. Foreman back maybe to steal a few touches but R. Woods going up against a great Bears D.
Going up against the highest scoring team in the playoffs, must win
RB – Fournette/Edwards
WR – Beckham/Boyd
FLEX – Miller
I don’t fully trust Cohen, and while Woods should be a boost I don’t mind going with Landry or Boyd
Hi,
Round One playoffs. I lost Melvin Gordon so my number one is Aaron Jones. Then I have a bunch of guys all climbed together. Can you help me pick my number 2 and flex?
Wilson, White, Ingram, Mack or Martin???
Thank you!!!
I’d roll Wilson/White (with Ingram close behind White if you don’t trust NE)
Have to play 2 of 5: Please help.
Lockett
Boyd
Ware
Josh Adams
Zay Jones
Thank you
I’d go with Adams & Boyd (Lockett is a coinflip with Boyd)
Hi Prof. Half point PPR for my season!
At the RB pick one – Edwards, Wilson, Drake, or Carson
Thank you!
I’m going Edwards
Rivers Or Watson?
Rivers is among the best options this week IMO, so I’m going with him
In a PPR league. For WR2/fFlex I have to choose between:
T.Y Hilton
Jarvis Landry
Spencer Ware
Gus Edwards
Chris Godwin
Also at QB:
Deshaun or Jameis?
Thank you!
WR2 – Hilton
FLEX – Edwards
QB – Watson (but it’s a coin flip)
Hello Professor,
I see that Mixon initially appeared on the injury report (foot), but got a full practice on Friday. Not sure if this, combined with a good chance that the Bengals fall behind quickly, and we see more of Gio, that Mixon isn’t a viable option this week? My other starter is A Jones.
I agree completely with your assessment of J Samuels; the Steelers throwing more, and with that in mind, I am starting JuJu, and MacDonald. Granted, I’m thinking about starting J Graham instead of MacDonald, especially if I were to start Samuels instead of Mixon?
I recall a number of weeks when Roethlisberger threw to Conner and had big games from catches rather than runs, so could this be the case for Samuels?
Naturally, my instinct is to start Mixon, but his foot, and all the rest, concerns me. Given that the Steelers will probably throw a lot, do you think that this would include Samuels? Granted, if I were to start him, I’m not certain that I want three players from one team, then would turn to Graham who should see a lot of passes from Rodgers.
Anyway, if you have time, I would welcome your perspective on this. Previous feedback has always been very helpful/accurate!
Thank you very much and good luck in the play-offs!
Best,
Tony
Hi,
As a follow-up, I see that J Wilson is still available on waivers, so he might be a better option than Samuels, but not sure if the case when compared to Mixon?
Thanks!
Wilson and Mixon aren’t that different this week so if you are more comfortable I’d grab Wilson in a heartbeat
Hi Professor,
Thank you very much for your feedback despite my long comments and questions- I appreciate it!
I was surprised to see that Wilson was still available, so was able to take him, so thanks again!
Best,
tony
14-team 1/2 PPR. Need to choose an RB2, WR2, and FLEX from the following:
Ware, Jackson, Gordon, Landry, Sutton. Also leaning Mahomes over Winston for QB.
Both RBs and all WRs seem to be clustered this week! Thanks.
RB2 – Jackson
WR2 – Landry
FLEX – Sutton
QB – Mahomes
Agreed it’s tight, though. Good luck!
Full PPR. Need 3 out of these.
Gus Edwards
LeSean McCoy
Tarik Cohen
Justin Jackson
Thanks Professor!
Need 1 so which RB has the most upside in a Standard League:
Sonny Michel NE vs Pit,
Matt Beida SF vs Sea
Jaylen Samuels Pit vs NE