Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 17th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
Network: CBS
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew: Sit
Gardner Minshew falls outside of our Top 25 QBs in this week’s iteration of The List. The only reason to start him would be if you have quite literally no other option in 2 QB leagues.
Running Back
Alexander Mattison: FLEX Option, RB3
Zamir White: Sit
Alexander Mattison seized control of the Raiders’ backfield leading into their bye week, though he still hasn’t been the most productive or efficient option at the position. In a floundering offense facing the high-octane Dolphins offense, the Raiders may find themselves down early, meaning the volume for the run game won’t be there. The Dolphins allow the eighth-most points to RBs, meaning this isn’t necessarily a bad matchup for Mattison to return weekly streaming value, but he’ll have to make things count early. He’s best left on your benches, while Zamir White is best left on waivers.
Wide Receiver
Jakobi Meyers: FLEX Option, WR3
Jakobi Meyers has been a fairly reliable FLEX option while operating as the de facto WR1 in a post-Davante Adams world for Las Vegas. In his last five games played, Meyers has received at least 7 targets in all of them and at least 9 in all but one. He’s also finished as a top-30 receiver in four of those five weeks. The floor for Meyers is high, but it’s a lower ceiling, especially against a tough Dolphins secondary, meaning he profiles as a FLEX option, albeit a solid one. None of the other Raiders receivers are worth starting.
Tight End
Brock Bowers: Start, TE1
Meyers may be the team’s WR1, but Brock Bowers is the top receiving option in the Raiders’ offense. Bowers is on pace to break Mike Ditka‘s receiving record for a rookie tight end (1000+ yard pace), and he should be in your lineups every week. Start the rookie stud with confidence.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: QB1/2 Borderline
The Raiders are a good matchup for opposing QBs, allowing the eighth-most points to the position, so on the surface, this looks like a good matchup for Tua Tagovailoa and crew. Still, Tua has thrown for multiple touchdowns just once this season and is yet to reach 20 fantasy points scored in a single game. I would sooner turn to other pocket passers that have shown more prolific numbers this season such as Russell Wilson or Jared Goff, but if there’s a week for Tua to look like a gunslinger, this is as good a week as any.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: Start, RB1
Raheem Mostert: Sit
Jaylen Wright: Sit
De’Von Achane had his worst game of the season with Tua under center in Week 10 but still managed to finish as the RB24 on the week. Achane’s passing game involvement still feels understated at this point — he has at least five targets in every game started by Tua this year. It feels strange to see an RB’s value tied so directly to a quarterback, but it’s been too consistent a trend to ignore. Achane’s receiving ability and game-breaking speed make him a top-tier option as long as Tua doesn’t try to make another tackle this week. Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright both saw very limited action last week and aren’t worth starting in your FLEX.
Wide Receiver
Tyreek Hill: Start, WR1
Jaylen Waddle: FLEX Option, WR4
Tyreek Hill‘s days in the WR1 rankings are on thin ice. Hill hasn’t had a productive fantasy day since Week 1 and is now nursing a torn ligament in his wrist. If Hill is able to suit up as he was in Week 10, he gets to face a Raiders defense that surprisingly allows the fourth-fewest points to WRs. If Hill can’t come through with a big day (or at least a respectable one), he’ll be outside of our top 12 receivers next week. The prognosis is even worse for Jaylen Waddle, who has just one finish above the top 39 receivers the entire season. Yeesh. Waddle should be left on your benches or traded based on name value if you can, and if it’s another bust of a week, he could be on the chopping block for a more appealing option.
Tight End
Jonnu Smith: Start, TE1
Jonnu Smith seems destined to hover around the “streaming territory” of tight ends for the rest of the season, but he gets a slight bump into our top 12 rankings this week based on his matchup with the Raiders. Las Vegas allows the second-most points to the position, meaning Smith has a chance to make an impact in your lineups this week. If you’re missing a stud like Cade Otton or Trey McBride this week, Smith is a good matchup-based streamer to consider.