NFL Player News

Barrett (5’11/233) is a two-time graduate student who enrolled in 2018 and was voted a team captain for the 2023 season. The MLB prospect out of Valdosta, Georgia started all 15 games in 2023, posting 65 total tackles, including 3.5 TFL and 3.0 sacks. Barrett’s 35 defensive stops corroborate his 84.3 PFF run-defense grade, though the two-time all BIG 10 selection may struggle with this in the NFL due to his lack of strength at the point of attack. Where the six-year Wolverine may excel at the next level is on blitzes and in pass defense. Out of his 19 pass rush attempts in 2023, he hurried the QB on 16 of them for a pristine 92.3 PFF rush grade. In coverage, the Lowndes HS product plays with his head on a swivel, recording five PBU throughout his two starting campaigns.

Falcons WR Darnell Mooney is, unfortunately, just a dart-throw FLEX option with London sidelined. Mooney has totaled 45-plus receiving yards just twice this season. Falcons TE Kyle Pitts will continue operating as the No. 1 pass catcher. He should be started as a high-end TE1.

Otton is, unfortunately, sidelined by a knee injury. The pass-catching corps gets WR Mike Evans (collarbone) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) back tonight, though, boosting QB Baker Mayfield’s fantasy-scoring potential. Mayfield will also helpfully have LT Tristan Wirfs (oblique) protecting his blindside this evening.

Evans takes the field on game day for the first time since Week 7. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Evans will be on “somewhat of a pitch count” in his first game back, though coaches often allow players to play without restrictions if their body responds positively to early-game work. Evans is a tad risky, but his upside remains high. He should probably be in most fantasy lineups.

The mediocre blocker should be available to two-hand punch a few chest pads and occasionally earn a target on Sunday. Mayer is largely an afterthought in the Raiders’ passing game, though. His backup, TE Ian Thomas (calf), was limited on Thursday.

Ferguson’s absence is discouraging. It is possible that yesterday’s limited session was because Ferguson suffered the injury in practice. Hopefully, today is just a planned rest day and he can resume practicing tomorrow. The Cowboys face the Vikings’ blitz-based pass defense in Week 15. Having a big-bodied target in the short-to-intermediate field depths would help out QB Dak Prescott.

Last week, the hamstring injury caused Adams to miss practice on Wednesday before logging a limited session on Thursday and practicing fully on Friday. He played on game day but caught just 4-of-6 targets for 29 yards. The Rams face the Lions in what should be a very high-scoring game in Week 15. The Rams are likely just managing Adams’ reps in the lead-up to the big game, though it would be great to see Adams practice on Friday.

Golden does not need to be rostered in re-draft formats. His downfield skillset overlaps with WR Christian Watson, and the veteran wide receiver is playing extremely well. Golden will likely handle a small snap share against the Broncos on Sunday.

Reed is on track to play in a tough matchup against the Broncos this week. The Packers’ slot receiver ran a route on 60.0% of the pass plays last week, which was encouraging. Reed is on the FLEX radar once again, though his target volume is likely capped. Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) was also limited.

Players rarely miss games due to illness. We fully expect McCaffrey to play in Week 15 against the Titans. If the 49ers were to jump out to a healthy lead, it is possible the coaching staff gives RB Brian Robinson a little extra work in the fourth quarter, but McCaffrey should be viewed as an elite RB1, regardless.