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 13

Richard King looks at red zone risers and fallers to identify players with higher fantasy football scoring potential in Week 13, based on touches and opportunity in the red zone.

We are in the final stretch before the playoffs, meaning it is time to get your roster in shape for a playoff push and championship run. 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

Nick Chubb (RB, CLE) - 42.6% Red-zone touch%

Including a player at the top end of involvement is a bit of an odd selection. However, the reason for including him is the (perceived) change of the landscape in Cleveland's backfield.

Kareem Hunt has now returned from his suspension, but that hasn't affected the way the team has distributed the carries in the red zone. Hunt has been efficient in converting his touches into touchdowns, but the majority of the touches have been given to Chubb.

If you are a Chubb owner, you should continue to feel confident about including him in your lineup.

Benny Snell Jr. (RB, PIT) - 9.6% Red-zone touch%

Let's not sugar-coat it. The Steelers are towards the end of a dead season and have succumbed to a number of injuries in recent weeks. However, regardless of the ineffectiveness of the offense, there is still value to be had.

James Conner has been sidelined due to injury for a number of weeks, which first allowed Jaylen Samuels and now Benny Snell to become more valuable. Snell seems to have established himself as the goal-line back for the team, with six touches out of the past 14 red-zone chances. If he is available in your league, grab him for the playoff stretch.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Russell Gage (WR, ATL) - 7.3% Red-zone touch%

Gage has sprung out of nowhere in the middle of the season as a waiver wire pickup. However, with injury to Austin Hooper and Mohamed Sanu being moved to New England, Gage has been used as a red-zone weapon in recent weeks.

In fact, his eight touches in the red zone are only one behind their elite receiver Julio Jones. Gage is likely already owned in your league, but if he isn't, pick him up. If you are the owner, you grabbed yourself more than a PPR player, use him in your playoff stretch.

Anthony Miller (WR, CHI) - 7.1% Red-zone touch%

Chicago's offense hasn't fired this season, with the team ranking 26th in the league in red-zone visits and Miller has struggled with consistency since he was drafted. But in recent weeks he has been able to carve out a larger role, especially in the red-zone.

Miller is obviously the second receiving option behind Allen Robinson (you could argue third, behind Tarik Cohen but we will come back to him later). However, of the last 19 red zone plays, Miller touched the ball more than any other player with five touches.

While he has yet to score a touchdown in the red zone this season, his usage should mean that he breaks that streak sooner rather than later.

TIGHT END

Jared Cook (TE, NO) - 7.4% Red-zone touch%

New Orleans is firing on offense with the return of a number of important players, including quarterback Drew Brees.

Cook has been involved in the red zone in recent weeks and he tops the team in red-zone touches over the last week. At a position that often boils down to touchdown or bust, Cook should be entrusted with a starting position moving forward.

 

Red Zone Fallers

RUNNING BACK

Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI) - 14.1% Red-zone touch%

After our spoiler earlier it shouldn't be a surprise that Cohen is included as a faller this week. Simply, Cohen's position as a red-zone weapon has been squeezed by a number of factors.

First, the offense in Chicago has taken a huge step backward this season, ranking 26th in the league. That means there aren't a lot of opportunities to go around.

Second, the role of Cohen has changed. The team has David Montgomery taking on the carries out of the backfield, and the receiving opportunity has been limited with Miller being more involved in the receiving game.

WIDE RECEIVER

Curtis Samuel (WR, CAR) - 12.2% Red-zone touch%

Carolina Panthers have one weapon on offense: Christian McCaffrey. Last season we had the 50% club, players that were heavily involved in the red-zone on offense.

McCaffrey is bordering on 55% of the team's touches this season in the red zone. As one of the most versatile players in the league, there aren't a lot of touches to share with all of the other receivers in the team.

TIGHT END

Mark Andrews (TE, BAL) - 7.4% Red-zone touch%

Andrews has been a candidate for a number of weeks as a red-zone faller. However, I'm been hesitant to include him as he has been a revelation at the position.

However, Baltimore runs the ball heavily in the red zone (running the ball on 62.2% of the plays inside the opponent's 20-yard line). Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards account for 54 of the 135 plays in the red-zone. That is without considering the touches of quarterback Lamar Jackson.

With the number of touches that the Ravens are giving to their running weapons, there are simply not enough opportunities to share with their receiving weapons.

 

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

Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Jerome Ford

the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Chig Okonkwo

"Poised" for Best Season of Career
Xavier Watts

Falcons High on Xavier Watts
Xavier Restrepo

Training With Star Wideouts
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
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
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF