1. Chris Godwin, Bucs – Rostered in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues
Godwin has been too up-and-down to really trust in standard-sized leagues this season, but that could change if DeSean Jackson’s thumb, which forced him to visit a specialist on Monday, causes him to miss time. Godwin has been outstanding with his targets as of late, catching all 14 of them for 195 yards the last three games, and even though Adam Humphries would remain a concern, he should be expected to command a more consistent target share if Jackson is forced to sit. In one of the best passing attacks in the league, that will make him a viable FLEX play, although it has to be noted the Bucs’ schedule is not great following this week’s matchup with the Panthers.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues
2. Josh Doctson, Washington – Rostered in 12 percent of Yahoo leagues
Notoriously wary of taking chances, Alex Smith’s injury could end up being good news for Doctson’s fantasy outlook. Colt McCoy has targeted the receiver 15 times on his first 50 attempts this season, a 30 percent target share, including 10 times against the Cowboys. Doctson was able to turn that work into six catches for 66 yards despite a tough matchup, and he should have a much easier time on Monday night against the Eagles. A disappointment to this point in his career, Doctson has a shot to finish this season on a high note.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
3. Antonio Callaway, Browns – Rostered in 9 percent of Yahoo leagues
Woefully inefficient early in the season, Callaway has turned things around over the last month, catching 77.8 percent of his targets for 188 yards and two touchdowns over the last four games. More importantly, his usage has been roughly on par with Jarvis Landry’s since the new coaching staff took over. Perhaps it is just a small-sample-size fluke, but Callaway’s arrow is pointing up.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
4. David Moore, Seahawks – Rostered in 10 percent of Yahoo leagues
As mentioned last week, Moore’s usage has been trending up as of late, and that continued against the Panthers despite the receiver seemingly being benched in the first half. He did enough damage after the break, however, catching four passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Volume will always be a concern in this offense, but he is getting enough targets to be useful in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
5. Christian Kirk, Cardinals – Rostered in 38 percent of Yahoo leagues
Kirk is probably rostered in the leagues he should be, but his schedule the rest of the way has to be mentioned. The Cardinals get the Packers, Lions, Falcons, and Rams over the next four weeks. If Josh Rosen can offer anything resembling competent quarterback play, Kirk could finish the season with a flourish.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
6. Mike Williams, Chargers – Rostered in 41 percent of Yahoo leagues
Perhaps Williams should be higher after two touchdowns against the Cardinals, especially with Tyrell Williams struggling with an injury, but he still caught just four passes for 25 yards in that game. Williams has been good for a touchdown every now and again this season, but consistent fantasy production just has not been there. Perhaps this game marks a change, making him worth an add, but he is just a stash at this point.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues
7. Adam Humphries, Bucs – Rostered in 30 percent of Yahoo leagues
Humphries caught yet another touchdown pass in Week 12, bringing his total to four over the last four games. He has also topped fifty yards in all but one of his last seven games. Humphries yardage upside remains limited, but he is seeing targets in one of the most productive passing attacks in the league. That makes him valuable in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues8. Bruce Ellington, Lions – Rostered in 2 percent of Yahoo leagues
With Marvin Jones sidelined – he has since been placed on injured reserve – Ellington has 16 targets over the last two games. He has turned those looks into just 80 yards, highlighting his lack of real upside, but he should continue to see targets, making him an option in deep and especially PPR formats.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 14-team leagues
9. Dante Pettis, 49ers – Rostered in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues
It could ultimately mean nothing if Marquise Goodwin is able to return this week, but Pettis saw a receiver-high seven targets against the Bucs and turned the work into four catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. The matchup with the Seahawks this week is not daunting, so Pettis will be a deep-league option if Goodwin remains out.
Recommendation: Should be rostered in 14-team leagues
Week 14:
Christian Kirk will be in a great spot against the Lions. Tre’Quan Smith gets the Bucs. Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel face off with the Rams. Mike Williams faces the Bengals.Week 15: Kirk is again in a good spot against the Falcons. The Chicago duo faces the Packers. John Brown gets the Bucs. Josh Reynolds faces the Eagles.
Week 16: Kirk’s good run continues with the Rams, although they will be healthier in the secondary by this point. Curtis Samuel gets the Falcons. Antonio Callaway faces the Bengals.
Week 17: Mohamed Sanu finishes up with the Bucs. Dante Pettis finishes with the Rams. Josh Doctson finishes with the Eagles.
Watch List: Curtis Samuel continues to make plays when given the opportunity. He is just not getting enough of them…John Ross has three touchdowns in three games, but he has also caught just 7-of-20 targets and will now be working with Jeff Driskel…Scoreless since Week 6 and with no games over 75 yards in that span, Mohamed Sanu is who he is at this point. Aim higher on the bench…Marquise Goodwin’s status is up in the air after he sat out Week 12 because of a personal matter…Nelson Agholor has three targets the last two games…Danny Amendola is hurt and DeVante Parker played limited snaps against the Colts, leaving Kenny Stills as the best fantasy option. With the Bills up next, he is not a very good one…Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel are interesting because of their schedule down the stretch, but Miller’s usage is a concern while Gabriel has not done anything with his work the last two weeks…It remains unclear when Randall Cobb will return, and it probably does not matter for fantasy purposes…Willie Snead goose-egging against the Raiders might be the most surprising result of the fantasy season…Dede Westbrook had himself a game against the Bills, but the Jaguars’ passing game is one to avoid even with Cody Kessler taking over at quarterback. That is also the case for Donte Moncrief…Robby Anderson is back, Jermaine Kearse had 12 targets, and Quincy Enunwa made a big play. Even so, this is not a passing game to target…The big game has not happened yet, but Michael Gallup is a name to watch given the Cowboys’ schedule down the stretch.
Deep Cuts: He caught just three of them, but Marcell Ateman was targeted 10 times against the Ravens, nine more than Jordy Nelson…Washington’s new slot receiver, Trey Quinn turned six targets into five catches for 26 yards and a score on Thanksgiving…Ryan Switzer came out of almost nowhere to post a six-catch, 67-yard day against the Broncos. His usage felt game-plan specific, but it is something to watch in deep PPR leagues…Dante Pettis got the looks on Sunday, but Kendrick Bourne played the majority of the snaps as well and also has a big game to his name this season…Zay Jones faded back into oblivion, but Robert Foster made yet another splash with a 75-yard touchdown against the Jaguars…With Tyrell Williams struggling with an injury, Travis Benjamin caught three passes for 47 yards against the Cardinals…He only got one target against the Bengals, but Breshad Perriman’s snaps are on the way up…All of Tommylee Lewis, Austin Carr, and Keith Kirkwood scored against the Falcons, but it tough to imagine them returning consistent fantasy value once Tre’Quan Smith returns.
