Quarterback
Davis Mills (at Jacksonville)
Mills was slinging it last week, starting 14 for 14 against the Seahawks. The Jaguars defense isn’t much tougher of a draw than the Seahawks, and Mills is playing for the 2022 starting job. The Texans also have no running game to speak of, so the offense should fall on the rookie’s shoulders.
Trevor Lawrence (vs Houston)
Urban Meyer is out and his fingerprints were most apparent on the offense. Lawrence and the rest of the unit could have a big exhale and weight lifted game and be allowed to play without the strain of Meyer’s mismanagement. Lawrence especially could have the exhilaration of freedom against a Texans defense that shouldn’t put up much resistance to a competent offense if the Jaguars can drum one up on a few days notice.
Tyler Huntley (vs Green Bay)
Huntley is likely to start with Lamar Jackson missing two practices to open the week. He has already showed that he belongs on an NFL field, and he can enhance his fantasy totals with running ability and a likely play from behind game script because the Ravens secondary is depleted and Aaron Rodgers is in top form.
Justin Fields (vs Minnesota)
Fields is starting to blossom as a fantasy quarterback at least, providing a high floor with his running ability and downfield passing prowess. Minnesota has had a lot of trouble stopping the pass lately, and they haven’t seen Fields yet this year. It’s also possible that the Bears offense has adjusted to Fields strengths, giving the Vikings even less effective preparation against what they will see Monday night.
Running Back
Devin Singletary (vs Carolina)
Singletary appears to be the only running back the Bills trust right now, and they should be able to handle Cam Newton and the Panthers well enough to run the ball more in the second half. Josh Allen’s turf toe could also limit his ability to run, which should result in more running back carries. Singletary’s outlook is as good as it has been all year.
Malcolm Brown (vs New York Jets)
There’s a lot to monitor here as Brown has to be activated from injured reserve - he did return to practice this week - and we have to wait and see if any of Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, and Phillip Lindsay get activated from the covid list. In any event, there will be production to be had for whoever gets the ball in the Miami backfield against the Jets.
D’Onta Foreman (at Pittsburgh)
Foreman only got about â…“ of the snaps last week, but he had almost as many carries as the other two backs combined and got both running back receptions and the one rushing score. The Steelers run defense was creased to death against the Vikings last week, and the Titans should aim to use Foreman as much as they can against this weary unit.
James Robinson (vs Houston)
Interim head coach Darrell Bevell said Robinson is the starter and will be used as such, which means hopefully we can put Urban Meyer’s lineup games behind us. Robinson is also facing a mediocre defense in a very winnable game that should allow the Jaguars to lean on the run. The Texans just gave up a career game to Rashaad Penny.
Jordan Howard (vs Washington)
Howard and Miles Sanders are both decent plays against a depleted Washington team in an offense as committed to the run as any in the league, but perhaps Howard will be the better play. He’s more likely to get goal line carries, and after Miles Sanders fumbled the last time both backs were healthy, Howard got carries on 10 of the next 13 plays before getting hurt.
Craig Reynolds (vs Arizona)
Jamaal Williams still hasn’t been activated from the covid list, so it’s possible that Reynolds is the primary back against the Cardinals, who do not excel at stopping the run. Reynolds quietly had 99 total yards in a game that saw the Lions get blown out, so he has some potential this week no matter the game script, as long as Williams sits.
Wide Receiver
DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson (vs New York Jets)
Jaylen Waddle is on the covid list, which promotes Wilson to a more prominent spot in the offense and gives Parker a chance to be the primary downfield target against a weak Jets defense. Wilson could also get some of the short receptions that are used to set up Waddle for run after catch opportunities.
Nico Collins (at Jacksonville)
Davis Mills has a good connection with his fellow rookie receiver and the Texans should be a pass first offense with only David Johnson and Royce Freeman healthy in the backfield. Brandin Cooks is the obvious first option, but Collins (10) had almost as many targets last week as Cooks (11).
Marvin Jones (vs Houston)
Jones was reportedly not on great terms with Urban Meyer, so he could get a big emotional lift from the ouster of Meyer. Trevor Lawrence and the whole offense should function better, and Jones should be the #1 receiver against a so-so Texans pass defense.
Rashod Bateman (vs Green Bay)
Bateman clearly has a connection with Tyler Huntley, going over 100 yards last week, and he is ahead of a banged up Sammy Watkins for snaps and targets. The Ravens should have to lean on the passing game with the Packers likely to light up their shorthanded secondary.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs Arizona)
St. Brown is set up to get a ton of targets with D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson both out this weekend against the Cardinals. He has 12 targets and at least 8 catches and 73 yards in back to back weeks.
Allen Lazard (at Baltimore)
Lazard was the #2 target last week against the Bears. He got more snaps and targets than Marquez Valdes-Scantling and responded with a much better game. The Ravens secondary is down to backups just about everywhere, so Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t have any problem finding Lazard open downfield.
Russell Gage (at San Francisco)
Gage got off to a hot start last week, but wasn’t really needed in the second half as the Falcons opened up a big lead on the Panthers. That is unlikely to happen this week on the road against the 49ers. Gage turned 12 targets into 11 catches for 130 yards in the Falcons last loss - Week 13 against Tampa.
A.J. Green, Christian Kirk (at Detroit)
DeAndre Hopkins is out for the rest of the regular season, so Green and Kirk are looking like much better plays against the Lions. Green is more likely to get the big target share based on last week’s usage, but Kirk is more likely to have the big play that makes your Week 15. Just hope they can compile some numbers before the game gets out of hand.
Tight End
Brevin Jordan (at Jacksonville)
Jordan isn’t getting in on the majority of snaps, but he got seven targets from Davis Mills last week, and he was able to shake loose in the end zone on an extended play, which shows he is on the same page as his fellow rookie. The chances of the Texans pass offense having a second good week in a row are high against the Jaguars.
David Njoku (vs Las Vegas) **Saturday**
Njoku will have to get targets from Nick Mullens with both of the top two Browns quarterbacks on the covid list, but the Browns offense is designed to set up the tight end, and Njoku’s size and athleticism could create a big play in wintry conditions.
Adam Trautman (at Tampa Bay)
Trautman returned to practice this week, but it’s not certain that he’ll play. If he does, he could be a primary target since the Saints wide receivers are underwhelming. Taysom Hill should also have to pass a lot against the Bucs to keep up with Tom Brady.
