It's championship time! Here are a few quick trends to help get you the edge you need to win this week:
Las Vegas LB Denzel Perryman is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
With Divine Deablo and Jayon Brown already on IR, the full-time starter mantle falls upon Luke Masterson. In Week 16, Masterson played a season-high 84% of defensive snaps and earned 10 tackles with a tackle efficiency of 18%. His rate on the season is over 19%, significantly higher than the league average. Managers should expect Masterson to step into a full-time workload in Championship Week and contribute to a fantasy title in any league where all other three-down linebackers are starting.
Cleveland LB Reggie Ragland played 61% of defensive snaps in Week 16.
Once again, the Browns continue their trend of being highly unpredictable with their linebacker usage. Having just joined the team, Ragland came off a Week 15 performance where he played just two snaps and didn't touch the ball. This week, he played over Deion Jones and earned 10 tackles at a 30% rate. While regression to the mean is almost certainly inevitable, managers might still be interested in taking a chance on Ragland in their championship matchup if they are desperate for some upside in a deep league. In Week 17, the Browns face the Washington Commanders, who have been the fourth-best matchup for linebackers this season.
Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.
An ELITE subscription is required to access content for IDP (individual defensive players) leagues. If this league is not a IDP (individual defensive players) league, you can edit your leagues here.
Tennessee LB Jack Gibbens played 72% of defensive snaps in Week 16.
With Dylan Cole sidelined with an ankle injury, the second linebacker role for the Titans was up for the taking. While Zach Cunningham was active and started the game, he exited early with an elbow injury allowing Gibbens to soak up the remaining snaps behind Monty Rice. Obviously, there are multiple injury situations to follow before anyone can be confident throwing Gibbens into a starting lineup in Week 17. Cole and Cunningham would both need to be inactive vs. Dallas. However, there is some speculation that the Titans may rest some of their starters in this game as it has no playoff implications for them, and instead gear up for their Week 18 game vs. Jacksonville. If this is the case, Gibbens would be in line to play a part-time role, albeit in a poor matchup vs. the Cowboys, who are 30th in points allowed to opposing linebackers. Gibbens earned seven tackles at a league-average 15% rate, so his floor is relatively limited. That being said, he is available practically everywhere, so if managers need an upside play in deeper leagues, he can be in consideration.
Detroit S Ifeatu Melifonwu played a full-time role on defense in Week 16.
I expected C.J. Moore to be the injury replacement for DeShon Elliott, but it was Melifonwu who played 66 of 68 snaps for the Lions. He lined up in the sweet spot on 59% of snaps and earned eight tackles. If Elliott misses Week 17 with the injury that held him out this week, expect Melifonwu to continue playing in this productive role and consider him a starting option in moderately deep leagues.
Arizona S Budda Baker is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
Chris Banjo is third on the team in snaps at the safety position behind Baker and Jalen Thompson. While it might be challenging for managers to trust him in championship week, there’s no denying the value of Baker’s usage, and if Banjo plays that same role, he’s likely to produce in a positive matchup vs. Atlanta. Managers can consider him a starting option in leagues with at least 36 starting safeties.