DK Metcalf Draws Plus Matchup Against Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has been held below 50 receiving yards in five straight games but will hope to turn things around against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Baltimore has been vulnerable to receivers this season, allowing the 10th-most fantasy points, the third-most targets, the ninth-most receptions, and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns to the position. With Pittsburgh entering Sunday's divisional showdown as underdogs, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) could be forced to throw often to keep pace in a game that may determine the AFC North front-runner. Despite his recent struggles, Metcalf remains the clear top option in the Steelers' passing game and will need to play a crucial role if they hope to compete. Fantasy managers can deploy Metcalf as a boom-or-bust WR3 or flex play this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Continues to Struggle
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was being viewed as a league-winner when he was in the midst of a mid-season surge. He came out of nowhere and had four straight performances with 60 receiving yards or more. Since Week 10, though, Gadsden has been basically invisible on the field. During that span, he has six receptions for 81 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown. Another factor to consider is that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand. Herbert is hopeful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but it's unclear how much he will be impacted by the injury. The Chargers have a lot of mouths to feed and could lean on the running game more with rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on track to make his first appearance since Week 5. Gadsden probably won't offer more than TE2 value in Week 14.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Romeo Doubs is Quickly Losing Steam
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs had a solid mid-season run where he was posting performances in the WR20 range. Now, Doubs appears to have taken a back seat in the receiving game with Christian Watson becoming quarterback Jordan Love's go-to target. Over the last four games, Doubs has finished with fewer than 50 receiving yards in three of them. Doubs managed to salvage his fantasy value with a touchdown during last week's Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions. Given his recent play, Doubs hasn't earned much faith from fantasy managers. The impending return of Jayden Reed (shoulder, foot) will make it even more difficult for Doubs to make an impact in Green Bay's crowded receiving room. For now, Doubs can be viewed as a low-end flex option for the Week 14 divisional matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kenneth Gainwell Carries PPR Flex Value in Week 14
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell had just seven touches in last week's loss but will look to bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Despite the light workload in Week 13, Gainwell logged a 42% snap share and posted 25 receiving yards, good enough for third-most on the Steelers. His contributions in the passing game could be especially important on Sunday, as the Ravens surrender the seventh-most targets, ninth-most receptions, and eighth-most receiving yards to opposing running backs. With Pittsburgh lacking consistent playmakers and entering the week as underdogs, quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) will need his weapons to step up in the short passing game. Gainwell fits that role well and profiles as a middling PPR flex option for fantasy managers in Week 14.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Golden Looking at Reduced Role When he Returns
Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 14 matchup versus the Chicago Bears. When healthy, Golden has been barely noticeable on the field. The rookie wideout has been held to under 30 receiving yards in three of his last four games. The return of Christian Watson has played a role in Golden's lack of production. It's not going to get better for Golden with fellow wideout Jayden Reed (shoulder, foot) nearing his return from Injured Reserve, possibly this Sunday. Golden played less than 40 percent of the offensive snaps in his last two games. Even if he returns to action this weekend, Golden isn't someone to trust in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jaylen Warren a Rock-Solid RB2 Against Baltimore
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has scored in two consecutive contests and will look to keep that momentum going in a Week 14 road matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been below average against the run this season, surrendering over 4.4 yards per carry and 11 rushing touchdowns. Baltimore has also struggled to contain pass-catching running backs, allowing the seventh-most targets, ninth-most receptions, and eighth-most receiving yards to the position. Warren hasn't been as consistently utilized through the air as he was early in the season, but he remains fully capable as a check-down option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist). Even with Kenneth Gainwell emerging as a reliable weapon for Pittsburgh, Warren is still the team's primary runner and preferred option on early downs. Fantasy managers should treat Warren as a solid RB2 heading into Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Otton Losing Steam as a Fantasy TE Option, Difficult to Trust vs. the Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton continues to be on a downward trend and is starting to lose steam as a starting TE option for fantasy managers. Over the last three games, Otton was held under 30 receiving yards with two or fewer receptions in two of those contests. The 26-year-old will look to bounce back against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. Otton's role in Tampa Bay's offense is unlikely to expand with Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) back in the mix. Also, running back Bucky Irving is back in the mix, so the Bucs could lean on the running game more frequently. Tampa Bay is getting healthy, which means fewer opportunities for Otton even in a plus matchup against the Saints. Otton should be viewed as a streaming option in deep leagues and comes in as TE18 in the latest RotoBaller rankings.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jayden Daniels Cleared, Back in QB1 Territory for Return Against Minnesota
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) is set to make his return in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings. Daniels will wind up only missing three games after suffering a dislocated left elbow during Washington's Week 9 loss against the Seattle Seahawks. The second-year star quarterback should have his full arsenal of weapons healthy on Sunday, with No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin back healthy and Noah Brown (groin) expected to return as well. Daniels wasn't quite near the level of his historically significant rookie campaign before getting injured, completing 62.5% of his passes for 1,184 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 54 carries for 262 yards and two touchdowns as a runner in six games. Despite leaving a few games early and working with a subpar pass-catching group for most of his starts, he still averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game, which ranks as the QB8. Daniels will have a tougher matchup in his Week 14 return, however, facing a Vikings defense that will send a heavy number of blitzes and has allowed the fifth fewest passing yards per game.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
John Metchie III Still a Key Piece for Jets Passing Attack
New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III broke a two-game touchdown streak in last week's win over the Atlanta Falcons, although it wasn't a terrible day for the 25-year-old. Metchie went for only 19 yards on four catches, but he drew a season-high eight targets from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Since being acquired in a trade with the Eagles, Metchie has quickly moved his way up to the top of the receiving depth chart in New York, with Garrett Wilson (knee) on Injured Reserve. In the last three weeks, Metchie has 13 catches on 18 targets for 129 yards and two touchdowns while playing at least 82% of the snaps. Fantasy managers who used him as a streamer in Week 13 were surely disappointed, but don't let that convince you to bench him this week against the Dolphins, who have allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points to wideouts in the last three weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tez Johnson is a Touchdown-Dependent Option in Week 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson has been a tough player to trust in fantasy leagues lately. For example, Johnson posted a two-touchdown game in Week 10. A week later, Johnson was held to one reception for six yards in the loss to the Buffalo Bills. He found the back of the end zone in Week 12 but took a step back last Sunday, catching just one pass for five yards. Given recent performances, fantasy managers are basically hoping that Johnson finds the end zone to salvage his fantasy day. It's unlikely that it's going to get better for Johnson with Chris Godwin Jr. making his third straight appearance in Week 14 following his fibula injury. Also, lead back Bucky Irving is back in the mix, so the team will likely lean on the run game more frequently. Johnson is the third option in the passing game and will likely even fall further down on the depth chart once Mike Evans (collarbone) returns down the stretch. Fantasy managers can't trust Johnson as anything more than a touchdown-dependent option for the upcoming matchup against the New Orleans Saints. He is best viewed as a risky FLEX option in deeper leagues this Sunday.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Darren Waller Is A Solid Streaming Option Against the Jets
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller is a viable streaming option if you're desperate for a tight end solution this week, as he and the Dolphins visit the Jets. Waller played 47% of snaps last week in his return from the IR and hauled in two of his three targets for a team-leading 47 receiving yards. Waller played three full games before his pec injury and had 10 catches for four touchdowns and 117 receiving yards. The Dolphins haven't been throwing the ball very much in their recent offensive game plans, typically relying on De'Von Achance to do most of the work. However, since Waller showed upside earlier this season, he is worth a look if you need help at the position. He's the No. 11 TE in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings, making him a fringe starter in standard-sized leagues.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Ricky Pearsall a Drop Candidate?
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has not had the second-year breakout that many were predicting back in training camp. Injuries have been a big issue yet again, as he didn't return from a PCL sprain in his knee until Week 11 after getting hurt in Week 4. In three games since his return, the 25-year-old former first-rounder has caught only five passes for 20 yards on nine targets. Overall, he's sporting a 25-347-0 line in seven games. It's not like he hasn't been on the field since his return, as he's played at least 75% of the snaps in all three games. Fantasy managers who have hung onto Pearsall will be hoping that the Niners will devise a plan to get him more involved when they come out of their Week 14 bye to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 14. Better days could be ahead, but Pearsall is likely to continue to struggle for a high target share in an offense that has plenty of mouths to feed between Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Godwin Jr. Doesn't Carry an Injury Designation for Week 14, Offers FLEX Value
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) is looking to build off his solid performance in last Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran wideout hauled in three of his five targets for 78 yards in Week 13. It was Godwin's second game back in action after missing five contests due to a fibula injury. He continues to deal with the fibula injury and was limited in Wednesday's and Friday's practice. However, the 29-year-old was cleared and doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Godwin's target share should remain steady as Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) were both ruled out for Week 14. The Bucs have a plus-matchup in Week 14 against a Saints defense that struggles against the pass and ranks at the bottom of the league. All signs are pointing to Godwin offering solid fantasy value for his upcoming divisional matchup. Fantasy managers should roll with Godwin as a FLEX or WR3 as he's RotoBaller's WR30 heading into Week 14.
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Aaron Rodgers Just a Low-End QB2 in Week 14
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is set to face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Rodgers struggled in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but this matchup is much more favorable on paper. Although the Ravens have improved defensively in recent weeks, they have still allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers. Just last week, Joe Burrow accumulated 261 passing yards and two scores against Baltimore. Nonetheless, the Steelers' offensive woes remain a major concern. Rodgers hasn't thrown multiple touchdowns in a contest since Week 8 and has failed to eclipse 200 yards in three straight starts. As a result, it's difficult to rely on Rodgers as anything more than a low-end QB2 in superflex formats heading into Sunday's road bout.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Continues to Get Plenty of Chances
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is getting plenty of catches in his role as the team's second receiver, but he isn't turning those catches into big numbers, making him a high-risk play against the Jets. He has multiple catches in 10 straight games dating back to Week 3, and he has at least three catches in seven of his last eight. He hasn't hit 50 yards in any contest yet, though, and didn't find the end zone in either of his last two games. He has a decent PPR floor in the Dolphins' low-risk, dink and dunk passing game, but he doesn't have a high ceiling since he hasn't been able to break loose for any big plays. Washington is the WR52 in RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings, so he's only a desperation WR5 or flex play in the deepest of leagues.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
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