RADIO
Your fantasy football championship match is finally here and finding players with scoring potential is more crucial than ever. Let's evaluate the all-important red zone stats to find great values at the skill positions. Just like targets are the lifeblood of a receiver's value in PPR leagues, red zone touches are the most relevant factor to consider for standard leagues.
In this article each week, we'll identify red zone risers and fallers who could see their fantasy value impacted by usage in the most critical area of the field. RotoBaller's Red Zone Sleepers tool is a great way to get an edge on the competition by identifying players with greater scoring opportunities.
Let's take a look at which players could be touchdown risers or fallers in fantasy football for Week 16 of the 2017 NFL season, based on red zone opportunities.
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Red Zone Risers
RUNNING BACK
Latavius Murray (RB, MIN) - 29.8% Red-zone touch%
Latavius Murray has become as solid as you can get from a running back down the stretch of your fantasy football season. Murray, who has taken over for the injured Dalvin Cook, has logged only one game since Week 6 with under 15 rushes. You know he will get the volume, but will he get in the end zone for those vital points? He has given you six touchdowns in that same span and five of them from the red-zone. He is the clear-cut power running back over Jerick McKinnon and in Week 16 the Vikings line up against a bad Packers defense. Unless you have way better options, role with Murray in your RB2 spot.
WIDE RECEIVER
Keenan Allen (WR, LAC) - 17.9% Red-zone touch%
Wide receiver Keenan Allen had a very rough start to the 2017 season only scoring one touchdown in the Chargers first nine games. Since then he has been on a rampage scoring four touchdowns, posting two games with above 30 fantasy football points, and earning himself over 100 yards receiving in four out of those five games. His red-zone percentage has improved and has become a lock to start down the stretch. He had a very brief injury concern earlier this week, but his injury designation has been lifted. Start Allen in your WR1 slot against the Jets on Sunday.
TIGHT END
Evan Engram (TE, NYG) - 12.2% Red-zone touch%
Evan Engram has become one of the most reliable tight ends in fantasy football. All season his numbers have been solid and more so since the Giants have been decimated with injuries in the wide receiver position. Eli Manning tends to look for Engram especially in the red-zone. He has scored six red-zone touchdowns which ranks fourth among all tight ends. The Giants seem to be sticking with Manning as QB, but Engram had a big game even when they went to Geno Smith in Week 13. He's a TE1 for Week 16 against the Cardinals and he is due to score you a touchdown this week.
Red Zone Fallers
RUNNING BACK
Jay Ajayi (RB, PHI) - 14.2% Red-zone touch%
Remember when the struggling Jay Ajayi was traded to the first place Eagles and we thought, "This is where he turns it around"? Yeah, not so much. All of you Ajayi owners got fooled because since he has been in Philly, his fantasy football numbers have been bad. Interestingly enough, he is actually averaging almost 6.4 yards-per-carry since joining the Eagles, but he just doesn't get the volume or the red-zone touches. His only touchdown for the entire season was a long run in Week 9 and HE has zero red-zone touchdowns all year. Give him the bench and don't look back. You don't want him spoiling what could be a championship for you.
WIDE RECEIVER
Kelvin Benjamin (WR, BUF) - 8.0% Red-zone touch%
Another player traded, another player wasted. Something to remember for the coming seasons of fantasy football. Like Ajayi, the promise of a new team was encouraging for an already stellar season for Kelvin Benjamin. His injured knee has also played a part in the downfall. Whatever it is, he hasn't put up any kind of decent numbers since the trade, including just one red-zone touchdown. In fact, he hasn't even eclipsed 50 yards receiving in any game as a member of the Buffalo Bills. If you're thinking about starting him, give yourself a large slap in the face and wake up. Further instructions are to keep him on your bench, apply some ice to your face, and thank me later.
TIGHT END
Jack Doyle (TE, IND) - 8.0% Red-zone touch%
Over this fantasy football season, Jack Doyle has been one of the surprising names as a tight end. He is currently ranked in the top 10 in tight ends for fantasy football scoring. Recently, he hasn't been that great. In the past five games, he has only one red-zone touchdown and three games of under 20 yards receiving. He's not exactly scorching the Earth here. In Week 16 he has a tough matchup against the tough Baltimore Ravens defense. It's a tough play, but only start him if you really have no better option. Maybe he can steal you a touchdown.
Red Zone Sleepers Tool
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