Fantasy Football News
Kyle Pitts A Low-Floor, Limited-Upside Option In Week 16
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts reemerged from obscurity in Week 15 to haul in four passes, albeit for a measly 28 yards. The 24-year-old totaled three receptions over the previous three contests, has 14 fewer catches than running back Bijan Robinson on the season, and hasn't scored since Week 8. The former first-round draft pick has fallen well outside the top 12 TEs in fantasy scoring on the year and takes on a Giants pass defense that has been good at covering tight ends this season, yielding the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing TEs thus far. Add in another variable -- a left-handed rookie quarterback -- and Pitts makes for quite the fantasy gamble in Week 16. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher projects as a mid-range TE2 option for Sunday's matchup and not a great option for managers who are still eying fantasy championships.
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Jason Sanders A Shaky Streaming Option In Week 16
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders looks to extend his made field-goal streak past 18 in Week 16. The 29-year-old is having one of his best years as a pro and is now the eighth-ranked kicker in fantasy football. The San Francisco 49ers come to town in Week 16 and allow the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers. Sanders has also hurt fantasy managers by missing extra points in back-to-back weeks. This could be a spot where the Dolphins have trouble moving the ball due to receivers Tyreek Hill (wrist, personal) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) being banged up. Sanders should be viewed as a shaky streaming option for Week 16. He comes in as RotoBaller's 16th-ranked kicker in the Week 16 rankings.
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Ray-Ray McCloud III A Risky WR5 Option In Week 16
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught just one of his three targets for 14 yards last week, but it wasn't just McCloud who had a dud. The receiving corps in general underperformed as a result of ineffective passing from Kirk Cousins and from a ground game that was clicking, with the backs totaling 168 rushing yards. The 28-year-old had been much more involved in Weeks 11-14, averaging six catches and over seven targets during that stretch. With Michael Penix Jr. making his first career start on Sunday, how the passing attack will unfold is a bit of an unknown, but if the left-handed quarterback needs a safety blanket, McCloud III could fit the bill. The wideout has the lowest average depth of target out of the first-team receivers with an aDOT of 6.27. The Clemson product is shaping up to be a WR5 this week with perhaps some slight upside in PPR leagues, but it's a risky proposition with the quarterback situation and fantasy playoffs on the line.
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Malik Washington Could See Uptick In Looks Vs. 49ers
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington may have a chance to have a productive performance in Week 16. Jaylen Waddle (knee) is listed as doubtful, and Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) is questionable. The rookie had his best performance of the season last week with five receptions on six targets for 52 yards against the Houston Texans. The matchup against the San Francisco 49ers defense will be a difficult one. Their defense is ranked second in fantasy points and second in yards allowed per game to opposing wide receivers. Washington has looked great in special teams and has done whatever is asked of him on the field. He should be viewed as an emergency flex option in Week 16.
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Jonnu Smith A Strong TE1 Despite Tough Matchup In Week 16
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith has been one of the most consistent players in all fantasy football over the last several weeks. The 29-year-old is ranked as the TE4 and has seen incredible volume down the stretch. He has touchdowns in four of the previous five games and eight or more targets in four of the last five. However, Week 16 presents a difficult matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, who have been stout against tight ends. They rank 2nd in fantasy points allowed to tight ends per game and allow the least yards per game to the position. With linebacker Dre Greenlaw questionable, that could present even more problems for Smith. With the injuries to Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) and Jaylen Waddle (knee), Smith should command plenty of looks this week. He is still a TE1 and should be started in all formats. He ranks as the TE4 in the Week 16 RotoBaller rankings.
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Noah Gray Looks To Remain Heavily Involved Against Houston
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray has continued to have a significant impact despite operating behind future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce. In fact, Gray has outscored Kelce in fantasy football since Week 11, with Gray ranking as the TE4 in fantasy football during that five-game span while Kelce was the TE15. A 25-year-old Duke product, Gray has appeared in all 14 games this season, catching 37 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns, all of which are career-high marks. This week, he takes on the Houston Texans, who have allowed the fifth-fewest catches and fourth-fewest receiving yards to opposing tight ends in the NFL. However, they have been susceptible to touchdowns at the position, letting tight ends find the end zone at the seventh-highest clip. All in all, Gray remains a solid fixture on the fantasy radar, ranking as a mid-to-low TE2 option at home this Saturday.
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CeeDee Lamb Looks To Stay Hot Against Bucs
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has continued to be a major contributor in fantasy football despite losing his quarterback, Dak Prescott (hamstring), in the middle of the season. Lamb has looked solid in six full games with Cooper Rush under center, as the two have connected for 41 completions, 429 yards, and two touchdowns. He ranks as the overall WR11 during that six-game span and he has found the end zone in each of his last two contests. In Week 16, Lamb will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose defensive secondary has been suspect at times in 2024. The Buccaneers have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers, as well as the 13th-most fantasy points to receivers who operate out wide. Lamb has played 368 snaps (46.6 percent) from the slot this season, which is the seventh-most in the NFL. Still, he should be able to feast against the Buccaneers, who allowed Los Angeles Chargers slot receiver Ladd McConkey to put up five catches, 58 yards, and one touchdown against them in Week 15. For fantasy purposes, Lamb continues to rank as an intriguing fantasy playmaker in the mid- to low-WR1 range this Sunday.
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De'Von Achane Looks To Continue Excellent Stretch Vs. 49ers
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane heads into Week 16 with five top 15 running back finishes in a row despite only averaging 36.8 rushing yards per contest. His receiving output and his knack for getting in the endzone have kept him a top-10 fantasy running back. He remains 34 receiving yards behind Alvin Kamara for the league lead by running backs. This week, he gets a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who struggle at allowing fantasy points to running backs. They rank 21st in fantasy points and 30th in rushing touchdowns allowed per game. The 23-year-old should look to see plenty of targets with the injuries Miami is dealing with at the receiver position this week. He is a must-start top 10 play and is the RB8 in the RotoBaller weekly rankings.
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Tyler Bass A Solid Kicking Option For Week 16
Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass is worth starting in most fantasy football leagues ahead of his matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 16. The 27-year-old ranks ninth in fantasy points among kickers this year, going 50-for-54 on extra points and 21-for-26 on field goals. Even amidst some accuracy concerns on field goals, Bass has been able to rack up the scoring with an excessively high number of extra points. He has drilled 17 extra points over his last three games as the Bills continue to find the end zone at a rapid pace. That should continue this week against the New England Patriots. While New England ranks near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers this year, they have surrendered an average of 2.7 touchdowns per game (eighth-most in the NFL), which means that scoring opportunities won't be too hard to come by for Bass. He should be deployed as a top-10 kicker in Week 16.
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Michael Wilson A Risky Option Against Carolina
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson remains a risky WR3/FLEX play in deeper leagues as he prepares to take on the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old has been a beacon of availability this season, playing at least 66 percent of offensive snaps in all 14 games. He has a modest stat line of 41 catches, 482 yards, and four touchdowns so far, ranking 52nd among wide receivers in terms of fantasy points (PPR). He had come on strong with 25.2 fantasy points between Weeks 13 and 14, but he dropped down to just 2.9 points with a pair of catches for nine yards last weekend. This week, Wilson faces the Panthers, who have been mediocre in terms of defending wide receivers. Carolina has allowed the 14th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers this year, as well as the 12th-most fantasy points to receivers who play out wide. For context, Wilson has taken 212 snaps from the slot (30.6 percent), which is the 34th-most among NFL receivers. Managers can certainly justify starting him in deeper fantasy formats, but we'd advise looking elsewhere for production in leagues with 12 teams or fewer.
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Jake Bates Looks Like A Starting Option In Week 16
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates can be started with confidence in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears. He is coming off a game against Buffalo in which he missed a 52-yard field goal but made all six of his extra points. The 52-yarder was his only attempt of the game so he will look to rebound a bit at Chicago this week. Tied to the Lions' high-powered offense, Bates is a trustworthy option for fantasy managers at the position. Look for more opportunities for field goals in this game and expect Bates to deliver this week.
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Trey McBride Is The Top TE Play In Week 16
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is arguably the No. 1 overall tight end play in fantasy football in Week 16 when the Cardinals travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. McBride is having one of the best seasons we've seen from a tight end in recent memory, and statistically, the best in Arizona in a long time. One statistical category that is lacking is touchdown production, though. McBride just broke the record for most receptions in a season (89) without a touchdown. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been vocal about getting McBride into the end zone, and they will have a good opportunity to do so in Week 16, as the Panthers are allowing the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. It's hard to find a better option at the tight end position than McBride, and he should be started in all league formats.
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Tua Tagovailoa Cleared To Face 49ers In Week 16
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has been removed from the injury report after he was a full participant in practice on Friday. The 26-year-old has been cleared to play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon. Tagovailoa has produced a mixed bag of results this season, completing 73.7 percent of his passes for 2,652 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through 10 games. He turned over the football four times last weekend, but he has fared much better at home, which keeps him on the fantasy radar for Week 16. For context, in six games at Hard Rock Stadium this year, Tagovailoa has 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions and all three of those interceptions came in one game (Week 2 versus Buffalo). Losing Jaylen Waddle (knee) this week does make Tagovailoa's job a little more challenging, but he's still worth deploying as a low-end fantasy QB1 versus San Francisco.
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Sam LaPorta Looks Like Good Option In Week 16
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta hasn't had the monster season that many were predicting but he has made some strides over the last few weeks. Ahead of Week 16 at the Chicago Bears, LaPorta is looking like a good option at the tight end position. The Iowa product scored two touchdowns in the Thanksgiving matchup between the Lions and Bears in Detroit. The Bears are about middle of the pack against tight ends in fantasy points allowed, so LaPorta looks like a promising threat to score a touchdown in this matchup. In his last four games, LaPorta has seen at least six targets in each game and saw 10 targets against Buffalo last week. An increased role along with his red-zone prowess makes LaPorta a favorable start at the tight end position in the fantasy playoffs.
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Dre Greenlaw Questionable To Face Miami In Week 16
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee) is questionable to play against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. The veteran defender made his season debut last week against the Los Angeles Rams, registering eight tackles on a 30 percent snap share. However, in the aftermath of last week's contest, the 27-year-old has experienced some soreness, putting his availability in question for this Sunday. If Greenlaw can't suit up, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles would earn additional defensive snaps.
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Falcons Expected To Release Kirk Cousins In March
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cousins signed a hefty four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons last offseason, but the move hasn't panned out very well for Atlanta. The veteran quarterback has the Falcons at 7-7 and second place in the NFC East. He has completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a career-high 16 interceptions. Cousins was benched for first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. ahead of Week 16, and with the news that he'll be cut loose next March, it's possible that the veteran signal-caller doesn't register another snap in a Falcons jersey. The 36-year-old's proven track record should help him land a job somewhere else, but he won't get nearly as lucrative of a deal. He likely won't be a shoo-in to start with his next team, either.
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Matt Prater Won't Return From Injured Reserve In Week 16
Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (knee) has been ruled out for Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. The veteran kicker had his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week, but the Cardinals have determined he's not quite ready to return from injured reserve yet. In the meantime, Chad Ryland will continue to handle kicking duties for Arizona. Through 10 games this year, he has gone 18-for-18 on extra points and 22-for-26 on field goals.
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Jameson Williams A Risky Play In Week 16
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has a difficult matchup in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears and makes for a risky play in the fantasy playoffs. The Bears defense allows the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and Williams was held to five catches for 28 yards when the teams played in Detroit in Week 13. The speedy wide receiver has the big-play ability to make one play account for a large chunk of a productive day. Against a good pass defense with other options in the Lions' passing offense like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tim Patrick, and Sam LaPorta, Williams could be a bit overlooked in this game. Look for other more steady options to fill in the receiver spots for fantasy playoff lineups.
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Amon-Ra St. Brown Can Be Trusted In Week 16
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off a monster performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. He faces a tough test in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears but should produce for fantasy managers in the fantasy playoffs. The Bears' defense allows the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Chicago held St. Brown in check in Week 13 in Detroit as the talented receiver hauled in five passes for 73 yards on seven targets. Last week, St. Brown had a season-high 18 targets in the team's loss to Buffalo. The volume will not be as heavy in Week 16 but look for St. Brown to be involved as the team's biggest target in the passing game. If the Lions find success on the ground, they could lean into the rushing attack in this game so the game script could be very different from last week. It doesn't figure to be a huge breakout game for St. Brown for the second week in a row but look for a solid performance in this game.
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Wait And See On The Role Of Craig Reynolds
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds is a popular waiver-wire addition ahead of Week 16 against the Chicago Bears but it might be best to check on his role and usage before plugging him into lineups. With David Montgomery (knee) out, it is natural to think that Reynolds could step into the tandem running back role with Jahmyr Gibbs and produce numbers that could be useful for fantasy. But Gibbs could dominate the backfield and be in line for expanded usage and a more featured role with Reynolds and Sione Vaki giving him rest spells. Reynolds could factor into the Lions game plan but in the fantasy playoffs this week it is risky to take that chance and would be better to trust a more reliable option at the position.
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Kyle Pitts
• TE
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Falcons
