The playoff push is upon us. Performance-driven breakouts and injuries have opened up some opportunities for players who could shine in Week 12. Here are some under-the-radar options at each position that you might want to take a look at for your starting roster. Some of these may be waiver claims, others may be players on your roster that may finally be worthy of a start this week.
QUARTERBACK
Taysom Hill, New Orleans at Denver - The secret is out. Sean Payton is right. Taysom Hill can throw the ball pretty well in addition to being a tough stop as a runner. It's also good to know he surprised many, myself included, and attempted 23 passes, completing 18 (half of which went to his top target Michael Thomas with 9 catches for 104 yards). This week's opponent, Denver, will have their hands full with trying to figure out what Taysom Hill is going to do. Will he pass, run, pass on the run? Denver has been fairly decent against opposing quarterbacks lately (10th best in fantasy points against quarterbacks in the last four weeks), but previous success goes out the window with the Saints' unknown offense coming to town. Hill could once again top 20 fantasy points and be a decent start for us this week.
Andy Dalton, Dallas vs Washington - It appears as if Dallas has found their preferred quarterback after Andy Dalton led the team to a big road win against the Vikings last week. Dalton tossed three touchdowns in the win, he got Ezekiel Elliott more involved, and it didn't hurt that Zach Martin moved to right tackle to help bolster the weakened offensive line. Dalton and the Cowboys will have a tough battle against the Washington Football Team on Thanksgiving Day. Washington is second in the league in sack percentage and could make things more of a challenge for Dalton. Having said that, if you're in a two-quarterback league and you need a body, anybody this week, Dalton has earned his way to another start. You can safely drop Garrett Gilbert if you were holding out hope for him to take over.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas at Atlanta - Last week, Derek Carr had his third game with three touchdown passes this year. This week he'll face the Falcons who have allowed four games of three touchdown passes. Carr and the Raiders may be a run-first team, but Atlanta's weakness is their pass defense where they have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year, including 5th most in the last four weeks.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland at Jacksonville - The draw here for considering Baker Mayfield this week is the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed five 300-yard games this season with seven games of two-plus touchdown passes. Like Las Vegas, Mayfield and the Browns are a run-first team, but this matchup is one that may be tough to ignore. On the year, Jacksonville averages 287 passing yards against with 2.1 touchdowns. Mayfield may not have his A-team at wide receiver, but Rashard Higgins and Jarvis Landry, plus Austin Hooper and don't forget Kareem Hunt as a receiver, could all have above-average games this week as a result.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami at NY Jets - The dolphins opted to play Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback late in the fourth quarter because they thought he gave them the best chance to pass the ball downfield when they needed to. I'm not sure I agree with the decision to send that message to young Tagovailoa, but here we are. It's been noted that Tua will start this week against the Jets and I have a feeling we're going to see him tee off. The Jets have averaged 358 yards passing and 2.7 touchdown passes over the last three games to lead all teams in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks in that span. If Tua struggles to right the ship this week, even without Preston Williams in the lineup, then we can start to get a little concerned. I don't think we'll see that. DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant should be big beneficiaries this week.
RUNNING BACK
Gus Edwards, Baltimore at Pittsburgh - COVID restrictions have struck the Ravens, particularly Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins leaving Gus Edwards and Justice Hill as the lone running backs available to play Thursday night at Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a tough run defense, but Dobbins and Edward ran for 113 and 87 in their earlier meeting in Week 8. That was also before their left tackle Ronnie Stanley was lost to a season-ending ankle injury. Look for Edwards to see the bulk of the team's carries and if Baltimore can move the ball and keep pace with Pittsburgh, he could have a productive fantasy day for us.
Duke Johnson Jr, Houston at Detroit - Detroit has averaged 30 carries, 136 rushing yards, and 1.8 rushing touchdowns allowed per game over the last three weeks. David Johnson is out for at least another week making Duke Johnson Jr the rusher of choice for Houston. Johnson hasn't topped 16 carries in the three games he has started since Week 9 against Jacksonville, but he is far and away the highest percentage of the team carries, collecting 40 carries to C.J. Prosise's 3 carries. Prosise is starting to see more snaps, but Johnson should still occupy the main role. If Houston leans on him in a potential run-dominant game script, he could be a decent producer for us this week.
DAndre Swift, Adrian Peterson, Kerryon Johnson, Detroit vs. Houston - On the flip side of the Houston vs Detroit matchup is Detroit's running game against Houston. The Texans aren't that much better than Detroit defending the run. They have allowed an average of 28 carries for 134 yards and 1.0 rushing touchdowns per game in the last four weeks. If D'Andre Swift (concussion) is available, he could be a big winner this week. If not, expect to see a combination of Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson. Peterson may be counted on more due to his experience, but also his knowledge of pass protection roles.
David Montgomery, Chicago at Green Bay - As much as I try to shy away from Bears offensive players, especially running backs, this matchup is not one to ignore. The Packers' weakness on defense is their run-stopping, although that may start to lean back to normalcy with the return of Christian Kirksey, they are still a group that can be run on. We've seen it all season. Green Bay has allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs this year. It has improved some (possibly due to Kirksey's return) over the last four weeks. They have improved to the 7th worst run defense in that time range. David Montgomery is recovering from a concussion and may be available to play this week. If so, he's worth a shot in your lineup with a favorable matchup.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis vs Tennessee - Jonathan Taylor has been up and down and not at all reliable week to week, however, he is coming off a 22-carry game for 90 yards rushing with 4 receptions for 24 yards. That's a 15-point PPR day. That's not too bad. It's not meeting the lofty expectations that we had at the beginning of the season, but it's worthy of starting. Now, can he keep it up? The Titans have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in the last four weeks. While they don't give up many 100-yard games (two this year and none since Week 3), they have allowed at least one rushing or receiving touchdown to running backs in each game this season. We may see two decent games in a row from the rookie. If you have Taylor, he has a decent matchup and is worth starting as an RB2 or flex option.
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati vs NY Giants - After not allowing a rushing touchdown to a running back since Week 5, the Giants have now allowed three in the last two games. Blake Martinez has been a great addition to the Giants defense this year. Cincinnati's offense is now in disarray after the loss of Joe Burrow, and Joe Mixon isn't expected back this week. This means Giovani Bernard will be a common theme for an offense looking to establish an identity and consistent yards. Cincinnati may struggle on offense, and touchdowns may be difficult to come by, but Bernard could muster 3-5 catches in this game with 60-70 total yards. He could crack 12 PPR points this week simply due to volume and usage.
Salvon Ahmed, Miami at NY Jets - Myles Gaskin is still out with a knee injury and Salvon Ahmed has done enough to earn more opportunities and touches in the Dolphins time-controlled offense. The Jets have allowed only one rushing and receiving touchdown to a running back since Week 5. Teams are finding success with the pass, so the running game is less used. Miami likes to run and the Jets pass defense has been suspect. Something is going to change in this game. My gut says Tagovailoa will open it up more in the passing game, which isn't great news for Ahmed. However sometimes the pass opens up the run, plus there is also the chance for Ahmed to see targets - he had five catches on six targets last week at Denver.
WIDE RECEIVER
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia vs Seattle - The streak of a wide receiver catching at least 8 passes in a game against Seattle has extended to 11. Next up is the Eagles and Jalen Reagor has been the Eagles' go-to wide receiver of choice over the last few games. He has led wide receivers in snaps in each of the last two games and he is tied with Travis Fulgham in targets (12) in that span. He trails only Dallas Goedert in receptions 9-to-8 and appears to be on pace to see an increase in touches in the second half of the season. This we know - wide receivers do damage against the Seahawks and Reagor is the Eagles up and coming talent at receiver. He's worth a start this week as a WR4 or flex.
Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, NY Giants at Cincinnati - Cincinnati has allowed 2.3 touchdowns to wide receivers per game over the last four weeks. At least one wide receiver has scored against the Bengals in every game except Week 1. There is a good chance that Slayton or Shepard get a score this week. Slayton leads the team with 3 receiving touchdowns and he has the most snaps among wide receivers this season. He hurt his shoulder in the Week 10 game, but the Week 11 bye should have him back to normal for this favorable matchup against Cincinnati.
Cam Sims, Washington at Dallas - At 6'5, 214 pounds, Sims is a red zone threat and could be more. Terry McLaurin is the top target, however, Cam Sims is right behind him in snaps. Dallas presents a favorable matchup for the Washington passing game. Sims could be a recipient of a red zone touchdown this week. He's not a strong play, but if you're looking for desperation with a good matchup, Sims could meet those criteria.
Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas at Atlanta - Nelson Agholor has been a great waiver find this year, but if your lineup is stout you may not be starting him each week. This is the week to put him into your lineup, if possible. Agholor and Hunter Renfrow are behind Darren Waller in targets and receptions, but Agholor has 6 touchdowns. Atlanta has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season and has allowed 11 receivers to top 90+ receiving yards in a game this season including five 100-yard wide receivers in the last six games. Nelson Agholor could be next.
Jakeem Grant, Miami at NY Jets - The hard-luck Jets have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers over the last four weeks, allowing an average of 19 receptions, a whopping 262 yards receiving, and 2.0 receiving touchdowns in that span. The Dolphins are a run-heavy team, but their game plan this week may be to exploit the Jets pass defense, specifically against wide receivers. DeVante Parker leads the Dolphins in targets and receptions over the last four weeks, but Grant is right behind him. There's a chance Grant is available on the wire, or he may be at the bottom of your bench. If you need a starting wide receiver this week and you're up against the wall with options, consider Grant with a favorable matchup.
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis vs Tennessee - We have seen Michael Pittman rise in snaps, targets, receptions, and touchdowns over the last few weeks. He has a 100-yard game and a game with a touchdown in consecutive games and he leads all Colts wide receivers in snaps in each of the last two games. His needle is pointing up and while he's not a lock to start every week, he's getting close. Another positive yardage game or a game with a score may be the beginning of a strong second half to the season.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina at Minnesota - Curtis Samuel may not be an every-week starter, because Carolina already has two worthy starting receivers in D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, but I'm here to tell you, Samuel is worth a start as much as some of these other options. Over the last four weeks, Samuel has more targets than D.J. Moore and he has three scores in that span. He scores a touchdown in nearly 40% of his games (19 touchdowns in 48 games) and he also sees carries with an occasional rushing touchdown. It's tough to ignore him much longer, he simply produces. In PPR rankings, Robby Anderson is 13th, D.J. Moore is 14th, but Samuel isn't too far behind at 25th.
Jakobi Meyers and Damiere Byrd, New England vs Arizona - Arizona have allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers over the last four weeks. On average they allow 19 catches for 188 yards and 2.0 touchdowns to wide receivers in that span. Cam Newton has only four touchdown passes this season, but two have come in the last two games including a 365-yard game last week against Houston. He has a history with Damiere Byrd going back to Carolina, but Jakobi Meyers has been his go-to lately. Both are capable of scoring against the Cardinals this week in a favorable matchup.
TIGHT END
Will Dissly, Seattle at Philadelphia - The loss of Greg Olsen opens up an opportunity for Will Dissly to emerge in the productive Seahawks offense. After Olsen, Dissly is next in line in tight end snaps. While he hasn't produced to fantasy relevance yet, there is a good chance that happens in the next few weeks, possibly this week at Philadelphia.
Tyler Eifert, Jacksonville vs Cleveland - There are not many decent available tight ends on the waiver wire, but Tyler Eifert may be there. He has 8 catches in the last three games and leads Jaguars tight ends in snaps. Cleveland has allowed 7 touchdowns to tight ends this year including three in the last two games. This makes Eifert a favorable matchup this week. If you are desperate for a tight end, perhaps Eifert can be an option?
Dalton Schultz, Dallas vs Washington - Dallas has several capable receivers, but over the last four weeks, Dalton Schultz is second on the team in targets behind only Michael Gallup, if you can believe that. Schultz is 9th in tight end targets over the last four weeks and appears to be a common option for Andy Dalton. Could he be on the beginning wave of production with Dalton at quarterback now for Dallas? He's getting looks and he's finding the end zone. If you're rostering Schultz waiting for an opportunity to start him, that time may be coming soon, if not already here.
Questions, suggestions, and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com
