QUARTERBACK
SWIM
Case Keenum (Minnesota Vikings):
At this point, there is no reason to think Keenum is going to cool off anytime soon. He’s been one of the most steady QB1’s going since the teams week 9 bye and gets a nice match up against a Bengals defense that has been allowing big yardage through the air to some of the leagues bottom barrel QB’s lately.
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons):
Despite his struggles all season long, he has provided a steady enough floor for owners to keep starting in hopes of that big breakout game. This could finally be it, as he has notoriously had big games against Tampa, while the Bucs are also being shredded through the air this season.
Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers):
The Titans pass defense has been improving as of late, but they are still vulnerable to good QB play and Garoppolo has averaged 314 yards in the air in his first two 49er starts. He should at least be able to get close to that 300 yard mark again this week, but multiple touchdowns would sure be nice to vault him into potential QB1 status.
SINK
Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans):
I know the match up looks great on paper, but Mariota himself has looked horrible lately, becoming even tough to trust in two QB leagues anymore. He got a big piece of the offense back last week in Rishard Matthews, but he did nothing in his return and certainly didn’t help Mariota out.
Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams):
Even with the Seahawks defense extremely banged up, I still find it hard to trust Goff in a spot like this on the road. He has been able to pick up big chunk plays through the air, and will likely need a few in this game to produce like a QB1.
RUNNING BACK
SWIM
Kenyan Drake (Miami Dolphins):
Drake will again be the bell cow back for Miami this week, and should see upwards of 25+ touches against a Bills team that will likely struggle to score points again this week. The Bills haven’t been able to slow down opposing run games to begin with, making Drake a high upside RB2 play this week.
Alex Collins (Baltimore Ravens):
Collins keeps producing in his lead back role, scoring in each of his last 4 games and gets a juicy match up here against a Browns rush defense that has been gashed as of late. He is a solid bet for 100+ yards and a TD in this game.
Mike Davis (Seattle Seahawks):
Davis is practicing in full, so feel free to fire him up as an RB2 option in what is a nice match up for him. The Rams have struggled to stop the run much of the season, and Davis has looked good as the Seahawks lead back the past two weeks.
Deep Dives–Kerwynn Williams, Peyton Barber
SINK
Orleans Darkwa (New York Giants):
Neither Darkwa or Wayne Gallman are playable this week against an Eagles defense that has been the best team against the run this season. The timeshare all but negates any fantasy value either may return.
Lamar Miller (Houston Texans):
Miller predictably has had a hard time getting anything going without Deshaun Watson, and should continue to see a stacked box every time he touches the ball this week. The only Texan position player worth considering this week is DeAndre Hopkins.
WIDE RECEIVER
SWIM
Marquise Goodwin (San Francisco 49ers):
While the Titans don’t allow too many big plays in the secondary, they have consistently allowed some nice weeks to opposing receivers. Factor in that Goodwin has been targeted 20 times since Jimmy Garoppolo took over under center two weeks ago and he should be locked in for at least WR3 value, with upside for more.
Jamison Crowder (Washington Redskins):
He’s been quiet the past two weeks, but has at least seen 13 targets over that span and should see 7 or more this week against a Cardinals defense that is vulnerable against slot receivers. He should be a fine WR3 option in PPR formats this week with some upside.
Mohamed Sanu (Atlanta Falcons):
Sanu has actually been more consistent than Julio Jones over the past quarter of the season, and gets to face a team in Tampa that just loves to give up yards and catches to opposing wide outs. While it’s a big bounce back spot for Julio, don’t be surprised to see Sanu finish as a WR2 this week as well.
Deep Dives–Dede Westbrook, Paul Richardson, Mike Wallace
SINK
Robby Anderson (New York Jets):
He and Bryce Petty did show some nice chemistry last season, but going up against Marcus Lattimore with a backup QB is not exactly a recipe for success. The volume should be there, I just don’t see the production being there for fantasy purposes barring a TD catch.
Stefon Diggs (Minnesota Vikings):
He’s taken a clear back seat to Adam Thielen, not topping 70 yards since week 10 now and the match up here isn’t ideal with the Bengals doing a respectable job against perimeter receivers on the year. While Thielen and Case Keenum are good plays this week, I’d keep Diggs on the bench if possible.
TIGHT END
SWIM
O.J. Howard (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):
Howard is seeing a big uptick in playing time lately, and is now being used more as a pass catcher as the weeks go on. He has had 3 decent games over the past 4 weeks, and could very well see a season high number of targets in Monday nights potential high scoring affair. At least expect Jameis Winston to target him in the end zone once or twice.
Ricky Seals-Jones (Arizona Cardinals):
You’ll be forced to reach a bit here for tight ends this week if you don’t have any of the consensus top 10 options, so you are basically chasing a touchdown here with Seals-Jones. Despite his lack of opportunity in the passing game, he has made the most of it, and you have to wonder when he gets more involved in the passing game. A match up with the Redskins defense may be the time to start.
SINK
Vernon Davis (Washington Redskins):
Even with Jordan Reed out for the season, Davis just hasn’t been much of a factor in the passing game, now catching just 4 passes for 41 yards over the past 3 weeks. The Redskins should be able to control this game from the beginning, so banking on him seeing 7 targets again like last week is probably unwise.
Eric Ebron (Detroit Lions):
Ebron posted his best game of the year by far last week, but do not be looking for him to repeat this week. He’s still too inconsistent to trust, and will be going up against a Bears defense that has been tough on opposing tight ends.