X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Red Zone Usage Risers and Fallers - Week 14

Richard King looks at red zone risers and fallers to identify players with higher fantasy football scoring potential in Week 14, based on touches and opportunity in the red zone.

We are at a crucial point in the season. Either your league is in playoff season, or it's just about to begin. Now is the week to get your team in shape before that final push! On a personal note, some of the fallers may have caused me some fantasy pain this season, see if you can work out which ones (although I won't be biased against them, at least not too much!)

As fantasy owners, we know that not all touches are equal. A touch in the red zone has an increased chance of scoring a touchdown, so those touches are important to target. To identify the players to target in trades, RotoBaller's Premium Red Zone Sleepers tool can give you a sense of who is being utilized more in the all-important area of the field to provide more scoring potential. A preview of the tool and the top players in red-zone touches is shown below.

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. Each week, I will identify some risers and fallers based on their red-zone touches, and what that means for your team.

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Red Zone Risers

RUNNING BACKS

Chris Carson (RB, SEA) - 31.3% Red-zone touch%

Seattle is firing on offense, and the running game is a big part of that success. The Seahawks have long been a team that has sought to establish the run before unleashing their receivers in space downfield. Then they tend to return to the run in the red zone (although not all the time)

However, at this point in the season, it certainly looks as though that is how the team is running their offense with Carson touching the ball 40 times in the red zone and scoring seven touchdowns. Carson certainly is in a shared backfield but his continued involvement in the red zone can't be overlooked.

Rashaad Penny (RB, SEA) - 7.8% Red-zone touch%

I looked for another running back to include, ultimately deciding to return to Seattle for the other part of the backfield in Rashaad Penny. The Seattle Seahawks running back has broken out at the end of the season, and ultimately could be that piece that gets you over the line to the championship!

Penny has been heavily involved in the offense over the past few weeks, touching the ball six times for two scores from 16 red zone plays. Penny may well be the smaller part of the committee, but if he is on your roster he has great scoring ability.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG) - 11.2% Red-zone touch%

The New York Giants aren't a great team. But even the worst team will get red-zone opportunities. Shepard has struggled all season to stay healthy but still ranks third on the team in red-zone touches with 11.

Shepard is the lead receiver for the Giants, and with his involvement in the offense between the 20s combined with his red-zone involvement (if the Giants get there) mean that he is worth consideration in deep leagues.

Dede Westbrook (WR, JAX) - 8.6% Red-zone touch%

There has been another change under center for the Jacksonville Jaguars - the return of MINSHEW MANIA! That means that Westbrook is going to be building on the relationship he developed in the early part of the season with the rookie.

To put his involvement in the red zone into perspective, the Jaguars ran 12 red-zone plays in Week 13 and Westbrook had three touches, only bettered by running back Leonard Fournette. Yes, the breakout receiver this season has been D.J. Chark, but don't overlook Westbrook in this final stretch of games.

TIGHT END

Jack Doyle (TE, IND) - 8.3% Red-zone touch%

The Indianapolis Colts offense isn't the high-octane offense it likely would be under Andrew Luck, but Jacoby Brissett is doing a fine job in his absence. The team has a great offensive line and has run 121 plays in the red zone ranking them fifth in the league.

Doyle is currently fourth on the roster in red-zone touches, behind Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, and Eric Ebron. Currently, Mack and Ebron are on the sidelines and Jonathan Williams has been sharing touches with Hines. At a position that is so dependent on touchdown scoring, adding Doyle to your lineup is a great option.

 

Red Zone Fallers

RUNNING BACK

Tevin Coleman (RB, SF) - 27.4% Red-zone touch%

Coleman was a riser earlier in the season, but things have changed since then in the Bay. The team has still been successful on offense, but they have been able to strike from further out in recent weeks with a combination of Deebo Samuel, Emmanuel Sanders, and (unfortunately for Coleman owners) Raheem Mostert on the ground.

While Coleman has been effective in the red zone and leads the team in touches and touchdowns, his role is being squeezed by the effectiveness of other players in the offense. If the offense continues to have the same level of success from further out then Coleman should be a bench consideration for fantasy owners.

WIDE RECEIVER

Sammy Watkins (WR, KC) - 5.6% Red-zone touch%

Watkins broke out in Week 1 with a week-winning performance, but since then has struggled for consistency on the field. Currently, Watkins has only touched the ball six times this season in the red zone. To put that into perspective, that is equal with Tyreek Hill who has missed multiple weeks this season and Mecole Hardman, who is further down the depth chart.

Kansas City's offense has taken an (expected) step backward this offseason, and the inability of Watkins to get involved is a by-product of that. If you have other options for your lineup, use them.

TIGHT END

Jimmy Graham (TE, GB) - 9.5% Red-zone touch%

Graham has touched the ball 11 times in the red-zone this season, and his 9.5% of red zone touches ranks him ninth at the position. He is the second receiver in touches on his team behind Davante Adams- who is Graham's biggest obstacle.

Adams missed several weeks with a toe injury and Graham was able to get more touches than he typically would in the offense. With Adams back in the lineup, he was able to command five of the last 15 opportunities in the red zone.

With the running back duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams able to run the ball effectively and be receiving options themselves, there simply aren't opportunities to make Graham an effective red-zone weapon.

 

Red Zone Sleepers

RotoBaller's Premium tools offer more detailed insight into player values and help you identify which players to target on the waiver wire and/or trade market. Start with a free one-week trial, including NFL Optimizer and DFS Premium and get an advantage on the competition!

More Risers and Fallers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF