Category: Roster Management

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Since we are so late in the season, most recommendations will be one-week plays from this point forward.

Bye weeks: none

Quarterbacks

1-Week Plug & Play

Drew Lock, Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions

Lock is best utilized in leagues that allow gamers to flex a second quarterback into the starting lineup. And as with some of the deeper dives this year, his utility crosses over to DFS action. For Week 16, the rookie gets a fresh slate after a tough go last week in a snowy battle at Kansas City. The incoming Lions have given up 29-plus fantasy points in three of the last five games. The two games without lofty totals featured rookie Dwayne Haskins, whose game has yet to mature at any fantasy-worthy pace, and Kirk Cousins as the Minnesota Vikings’ running game steamrolled. Jameis Winston was down to his fourth and fifth receivers and still lit it up in Week 15. Lock has plenty of upside vs. a defense that appears to have given up.

Availability: 71%
FAAB: $3-4

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Running Backs

1-Week Plug & Play

Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos

The second-year back is poised to return from a knee injury suffered in Week 7. Detroit, provided the coaching staff will indeed return next year, needs to see what they have in Johnson in an “every snap counts” kind of way. He has flashed a few times in his two injury-ravaged seasons (16 games), but it’s a crapshoot as to whether he will enter 2020 as “the guy” in Motown. There’s always the concern of rust from Johnson, although he received praise from Matt Patricia for Johnson’s recent practice efforts. While Denver is not a statistically ideal test, we’ve seen Bo Scarbrough and Wes Hills produce for the Lions in recent weeks, so consider Johnson a viable PPR flex in Week 16.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $10-12

Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

Regardless of whether RB Jordan Howard (shoulder) plays, the Eagles have a desperate need for a pass-catching option out of the backfield. Scott has proved himself worthy of attention over the last two games, and he flashed potential in limited action way back to his time with the New Orleans Saints. Dallas gave up the sixth-most receptions to the position heading into Week 15, and while Todd Gurley caught only three passes in that game, he found the end zone — the second back to do so in the last three weeks. Scott is a fine flex play in PPR setups.

Availability: 83%
FAAB: $4-5

Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals

This one is more of a shot in the dark than one gamers should be crazy about jumping on. The rookie saw nine carries in Week 15 for 43 yards — the most efficient showing by a Miami back in ages. Gaskin added 29 yards on a pair of catches vs. the New York Giants and may have earned himself more touches. The Bengals have yielded the fourth-most rushing yards (118/game) in 2019, and 11 ground touchdowns have been scored. Toss in four more aerial TDs and we’re talking about more than one per game, on average. The upside is obvious, but the risk is, as well. It all comes down to whether the Dolphins give him the ball enough to matter (roughly 15 touches).

Availability: 87%
FAAB: $2-3

Wide Receivers

1-Week Plug & Play

Breshad Perriman/Justin Watson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans

Perriman is the obvious must-own option of the two, and we recommended him entering Week 15, so hopefully he is already on your team. If not, you know what to do! Watson also warrants a lineup spot this week after the Bucs lost Chris Godwin (hamstring) a week after a bum hammy shut down Mike Evans. They say things come in threes, and WR Scott Miller gets tossed on the scrap heap, as well, after aggravating a hamstring injury of his own. Watson was quiet vs. Detroit (2-17-0) but enjoyed a 5-59-1 day the prior week. This one is not only about the opportunity but Houston as an opponent. The Texans have allowed three receivers to catch at least five balls in the last three weeks, and two of those players went for at least 106 yards and a score. Seventeen receivers in 14 games this year have posted double-digit PPR points against this defense. Do not hesitate to burn whatever remaining FAAB money you have to ensure landing Perriman.

Availability: 74% (Perriman); 84% (Watson)
FAAB: $15-18 (Perriman); $3-5 (Watson)

Josh Gordon, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Feeling frisky? A week after Gordon laid out for one of the prettiest catches of 2019, Seattle hosts the woeful Cardinals defense. Ignore whatever it was Cleveland called a passing game last week and focus on the body of work against this defense in its totality. Arizona has yielded 21 fantasy efforts of 10-plus PPR points and a touchdown per game in 14 contests. This matchup is among the best of the championship week, regardless of the scoring format, and Gordon should often face rookie corner Byron Murphy in isolated coverage. There’s potential for Gordon’s biggest day of the year to come at the perfect time for fantasy purposes.

Availability: 32%
FAAB: $2-3

Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

How much of a gamble can one stomach? Philly has suffered so many injuries at wide receiver that Ward has emerged as a viable fantasy option, and he came through in Week 15 with a 7-61-1 day on nine targets vs. Washington. The Dallas defense has been battered of late, yielding a WR high score of 16.1 (PPR) or more in five straight contests. With 18 targets in the last two games, look for Ward to lead the Philadelphia wideouts in targets and have a reasonable strong PPR day as a flex option.

Availability: 97%
FAAB: $1-2

John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

Purely a flier based on the matchup, Ross could be a deep-league gamble as a flex play. He’s an all-or-nothing play for gamers seeking a cheap touchdown option. Miami has given up a league-high 27 touchdowns to receivers through 14 games this year, and even the Giants managed to produce a trio of double-digit scorers in PPR his past weekend. The Dolphins have yielded at least two touchdowns to the position in five consecutive outings.

Availability: 57%
FAAB: $1-2

Kelvin Harmon, Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants

The matchup is among the finest in the league this week as we’re talking about a defense that has conceded 22 touchdowns in 14 games to wideouts this season. New York cut CB Janoris Jenkins prior to Week 15, and rookie DeAndre Baker has been a major liability all year. Harmon, a fellow rook, should continue to see a little more action with Paul Richardson on IR, and Trey Quinn (concussion) uncertain after missing consecutive weeks after not catching a pass in the prior two games. Harmon has four or more targets in four of his last five contests. There are few better matchup opportunities, although his risk is through the roof based on such limited production in a low-volume passing game.

Availability: 83%
FAAB: $1-2

Tight Ends

1-Week Plug & Play

Jacob Hollister, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

There’s potential for Hollister to return to fantasy relevance after being awfully quiet in three of his last four showings. He has seen nine total targets over the past two games, just one more than he saw in Week 13. He wasn’t a factor vs. the Cardinals in Week 4 due to Will Dissly enjoying a strong showing (7-57-1). The point being, Seattle obviously was intent upon utilizing the position with eight targets sent Dissly’s way. The Cardinals have yielded an insane 17 touchdowns to tight ends in 14 games this year, including two last week to Ricky Seals-Jones.

Availability: 34%
FAAB: $2-3

Noah Fant, Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions

Depending on the depth of your fantasy league, Fant could be on the wire. The rookie has erratically stepped it up in recent weeks, and he even managed 56 yards in a snow globe vs. KC in Week 15. Quarterback Drew Lock has targeted him 10 times in the past three contests, with a pair of three-look games surrounding a line of 4-113-1 on four targets. The Lions have given up three of the five touchdowns allowed in the last five weeks, including one-catch, one-score efforts by a pair of Chicago tight ends in separate games. All five of those TDs have come in the last seven games. Volume is unlikely to be on Fant’s side, so the idea here is a touchdown will draw the line between boom and bust for his utility.

Availability: 35%
FAAB: $2-3

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Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Kai Forbath, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

The matchup rating isn’t actually all that favorable from a statistical perspective. There’s a factor of familiarity working in Dallas’ favor, and the closest quantifiable metric to point toward is former Cowboys kicker Brett Maher going for 13 fantasy points (3 FGAs, 4 XPAs) in the Week 7 meeting. Forbath was good for all three of his field goal kicks and five point-after tries in his Dallas debut. Philly has yielded at least one field goal in five straight, including two games with multiple kicks in that time, and no kicker has posted fewer than five fantasy points since Week 9 vs. the Eagles.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0-1

Randy Bullock, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

The Bengals head south for a battle that affects nothing but draft placement. Miami has given up three or more field goal attempts in four of the last five games, and kickers have been granted four or more PATs in three of those outings. Bullock has been afforded multiple field goals in each of the last three weeks, making nine of his last 10 tries.

Availability: 94%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/Specials Teams

1-Week Plug & Play

Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants

It’s unclear whether Eli Manning will start again this week, so keep that in mind, but it’s not like Daniel Jones (ankle) wasn’t making plenty of mistakes prior to his injury. Manning played a clean game in Week 14 but turned it over three times vs. Miami last weekend. He has been sacked three total times in those games. The Redskins have picked off a ball in five straight, and the last four weeks have produced 19 total sacks and 2.25 takeaways, on average, by this defense. Don’t be afraid to spend up.

Availability: 91%
FAAB: $2-3

Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions

David Blough’s honeymoon ended after one quality game. He has thrown four picks vs. only one scoring strike in the last two weeks, and the Lions have averaged 12 points in that time. Blough has taken three sacks, on average, since assuming the starting role. Denver has generated a trio of sacks in each of the last three weeks, and the defense has tallied at least that many in four of the most recent five games Since Week 10’s bye, the Broncos have created nine takeaways and a defensive touchdown.

Availability: 76%
FAAB: $1-2

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Since we are so late in the season, most recommendations will be one-week plays from this point forward.

Bye weeks: none

Quarterbacks

1-Week Plug & Play

David Blough, Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entering Week 14, Tampa was the weakest opponent at limiting quarterbacks in the five weeks prior. The position had averaged 299.2 yards (3rd most) and a touchdown every 10.4 completions (4th-highest frequency), all while picking off only one of every 54.5 passes (14th). Indy QB Jacoby Brissett was good for a line of 251-2-0 in Week 14. Blough has flashed but also has looked the part of an undrafted rookie through two starts. The ceiling here is not particularly high, although so much lines up for a quality showing: Detroit is at home, and Tampa is pathetic at covering receivers (Detroit’s strength). Blough has another weapon in Jesse James, since tight ends have owned Tampa Bay in 2019. The Bucs have stifled the ground game all year, which should force Detroit into the sky. How brave are you feeling? The wise advise is to keep him out of single-year playoff lineups but utilize him in DFS and two-QB settings.

Availability: 89%
FAAB: $1-2

Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins

This writeup comes before Manning faces Philadelphia in Week 14’s Monday Night Football action. Daniel Jones (ankle) is expected to miss the rest of the way, or at least Week 15 without a miraculous recovery. Manning, unless he is completely inept vs. the beatable Eagles, is a reasonable fantasy option in two-QB setups for Week 15. The Dolphins have allowed quarterbacks to average 28.7 points over the past four games, and the worst showing was Sam Darnold’s 270-2-1 line.

Availability: 83%
FAAB: $1-2

Grab & stash

Drew Lock, Denver Broncos

The rookie was dropping bombs on Houston’s secondary in Week 14, and he now has five touchdown strikes vs. just two interceptions in his two starts. While it may have seemed shocking since the Texans had just come off of a manhandling of the New England Patriots, but Lock’s opponent has been a favorable matchup most of the way. The Week 15 opponent is KC, and there’s really no upside in playing Lock, but if you make it through to Week 16 and play in a two-QB setup, he has starting appeal against the Detroit Lions.

Availability: 78%
FAAB: $1-2

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Running Backs

priority free agents

DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders

Running back Josh Jacobs has been playing through a fractured shoulder and was forced to sit last week. The Raiders are a long shot to make the postseason, and there seems to be little incentive to chance it with their promising workhorse. Washington showed up vs. the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, going for 53 yards and a touchdown on the ground in addition to six catches for 43 yards out of the backfield. The Jacksonville Jaguars come to Oakland in Week 15, and the Raiders head to the LA Chargers in the fantasy finale. Both are quality matchups for PPR backs, and Washington is a must-add in all formats.

Availability: 86%
FAAB: $15-18

C.J. Prosise, Seattle Seahawks

Running back Rashaad Penny’s season is over with a sprained ACL, and the Seahawks sprinkled in Prosise to help Chris Carson. He is not going to solve any fantasy woes, although there is a hint of utility in Week 15 for PPR gamers. The Seahawks travel to Carolina to face a defense that has been laughably weak vs. the position in 2019. In the past six weeks, this unit has yielded two touchdowns per contest (11 rushing) and four catches a game out of the backfield.

Availability: 89%
FAAB: $2-3

Wide Receivers

priority free agents

Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons

A core injury has WR Calvin Ridley on the shelf for the rest of the year, and Julio Jones is playing through a partially separated shoulder. The Falcons pass with a greater volume than all other teams (42.2 attempts/game), and Gage has flashed enough since the trade of WR Mohamed Sanu to earn the benefit of the doubt. Gamers should consider him as a playable option, depending upon what else is available, vs. the Richard Sherman-less Niners in Week 15.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $5-6

1-Week Plug & Play

Marcus Johnson, Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We recommended Johnson as a one-week play last week, and we’re dipping into the well once again. He has an absolutely awesome matchup to exploit, and it’s still a huge question mark whether T.Y. Hilton (calf) will be ready to go (or even capable if he does). Johnson has posted a pair of scores in his last three outings in which Hilton didn’t dress. The lone game without a TD resulted in 9.5 PPR points. Tampa has yielded two wide receiver scores a game in the last six contests.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $2-3

Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

Mike Evans’ hamstring injury is expected to cost him a few games, and the veteran deep threat Perriman will be asked to step up his game. He caught three of his five targets for 70 yards and a score in Week 14. Expect a limited target share, since Chris Godwin and the tight ends, possibly along with second-year WR Justin Watson, will eat into his action. Perriman is the preferred addition over Watson mostly based on familiarity — we have no clue what to expect from the completely untested Watson. Perriman has his limitations, but he has shown chemistry with Jameis Winston and stepped up of late. Winston has a slight fracture in his throwing thumb, which isn’t currently expected to sideline him.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $2-3

Willie Snead, Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets

The Jets entered Week 14 as the second-softest defense at limiting wide receiver touchdowns in the five weeks leading up to facing Miami. The Dolphins failed to put one into the end zone in the hands of a receiver, but two players posted double-digit PPR results on the day. Snead entering a lineup is solely for a gamble of finding the end zone, and the Ravens clearly are more capable of racking up points than Miami, so consider that performance an anomaly working in NYJ’s favor on paper. Snead has scored three times in the last trio of contests and has a career-best five on the year.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $1-2

Isaiah Ford, Miami Dolphins at New York Giants

Entering Week 15, no team had allowed wideouts to score a higher frequency than the Giants. Ford, standing 6-foot-2, offers another lanky weapon for Ryan Fitzpatrick. We saw the slightly larger Preston Williams perform well opposite DeVante Parker, and there’s enough reason to give Ford the benefit of the doubt with such a fine matchup. He landed six of his nine targets in Week 14 for 92 yards. Parker suffering a concussion should make Ford a viable option, presuming the resurgent veteran doesn’t clear the league’s protocol. New York has allowed a touchdown every 6.9 catches entering their Monday Night Football tilt with Philly.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

Grab & stash

John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals

We recommended Ross as a pickup last week with his return to action, and he saw three targets, catching two for 28 yards vs. the Cleveland Browns — a strong pass defense. The speedy receiver used that game to help get his football legs back under him, and the Week 15 matchup brings the New England Patriots to town (on to Cincinnati indeed). The matchup is unkind, despite New England’s recent struggles, but the idea here is to stash Ross for Week 16 vs. the Miami Dolphins. That will give him consecutive weeks to get the motor tuned up.

Availability: 66%
FAAB: $1-2

Tight Ends

priority free agents

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

As long as Gerald Everett (knee) is out of commission, Higbee belongs in the fantasy lineup conversation. The Rams face Dallas in Week 15, which makes him a fringe starting option. The Cowboys have given up just two scores to the position in the last six games, and nine of the weeks have resulted in no trips to the end zone. Evan Engram is the only TE in 2019 to post double-digit fantasy points in PPR vs. the ‘Boys without going in for six. Add Higbee and consider him a flex option or a desperation play as a starting TE if there isn’t a clearer choice.

Availability: 66%
FAAB: $3-4

1-Week Plug & Play

Cameron Brate/O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

Brate is the preferred addition here due to a stronger rapport with his quarterback and being a better fit for the offense. The expected loss of WR Mike Evans (hamstring) opens the door for more looks, and the matchup is among the best for touchdown efficiency. The Lions gave up the second-fewest catches over the most recent five-game span entering Week 14, yet this unit surrendered the highest frequency of touchdowns in that time. One in 4.3 grabs went for six. The Minnesota Vikings didn’t put one into the end zone last week, but the overall body of work illustrates the Lions are awful at preventing the position from exploiting this defense.

Availability: 60% (Brate); 36% (Howard)
FAAB: $2-4; $2-4

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals

Njoku returned last week after missing the majority of the year, and now he draws the Arizona Cardinals after getting a week to find his football bearings. There is one mission here: Scoring a touchdown. He isn’t going to rack up enough work to matter without a trip into the end zone, and Njoku’s athleticism easily can exploit the weakest defense of the position in 2019. Recommending just about any tight end vs. the Cardinals is in play. It didn’t work out with Vance McDonald last week, but the offense passed 19 times. With a defense that has yielded 13 TDs in 2019, the reasoning still holds water.

Availability: 69%
FAAB: $2-3

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots

New England happily allows defenses to operate underneath, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Eifert come alive with Andy Dalton in Week 15. The Patriots granted three receiving scores in the four games leading up to Week 14, and a rushing TD to Travis Kelce added to the fun. This is a risk-reward decision.

Availability: 54%
FAAB: $1-2

Jesse James, Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay has been feeble at limiting touchdowns by tight ends in 2019, especially of late. Despite giving up just the third-fewest catches per game in the five weeks leading up to Week 14, the Bucs had permitted the second-highest frequency of touchdowns scored. Indianapolis chose to attack on the ground and via the wide receiver position in Week 14, but make no mistake, this defense struggles vs. James’ positional mates. T.J. Hockenson being out for the year makes the well-paid James a viable flier for six points.

Availability: 90%
FAAB: $0-1

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Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Aldrick Rosas, New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins

Every kicker vs. Miami in the last month has attempted at least three field goals, and 13 total PATs were attempted in that window. Extending the view back to Week 7, this defense has faced three-plus FGAs in all but one of the eight games.

Availability: 89%
FAAB: $0-1

Josh Lambo, Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders

Oakland has allowed at least six fantasy points in five of the past six contests, affording an average of only 1.5 field goal tries. The meat of the matchup comes via extra points after permitting 3.67, on average, since Week 8. The idea here is Jacksonville is struggling on offense to punch it in to the end zone and may have to settle for field goals on the road. This is even more likely if wideout D.J. Chark (ankle) is unable to go.

Availability: 47%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/Specials Teams

1-Week Plug & Play

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

In the past four weeks, Kyle Allen has taken no fewer than four sacks in each game and as many as seven. The young passer has tossed seven INTs in that time frame, and the offense has coughed it up four times. Seattle has its own issues, but there should be little trouble in exploiting Carolina this week.

Availability: 62%
FAAB: $1-2

Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders

This is a risky streaming option given Jacksonville’s inconsistencies and Oakland’s similarly erratic play. Over the course of 2019, this has been one of the better offenses at limiting turnovers. The last five weeks has been a a different tale with turnovers in four of those games, and multiple mistakes in three of the contests. More importantly, Oakland has given up a defensive touchdown in three straight outings.

Availability: 55%
FAAB: $1-2

Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kind of like the “play any tight end vs. Arizona” mantra, this one is in the same vein. The Lions offer little to nothing on their own, but having Jameis Winston (thumb) turning it over like no other, and an offense likely without Mike Evans (hamstring), makes Detroit a viable fantasy gamble. Winston has thrown 11 picks in the last five games, and the offense has turned it over three other times in that span. A pair of those errors went the other direction, and Winston has been sacked two or more times in three of the past five games.

Availability: 80%
FAAB: $0-1

Free-agent recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. FAAB $ amounts are based on a $100 budget.

Bye weeks: none

Quarterbacks

1-Week Plug & Play

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Should Fitzpatrick remain on your league’s wire, he makes for a fine one-week play against this divisional foe. New York has given up more than 26 fantasy points in three of the last six games: The guys incapable of topping 20 fantasy points were Dwayne Haskins, Derek Carr, Andy Dalton … not exactly an elite crop of talent. While FitzMagic is anything but elite, he’s capable of posting studly numbers at times. The last time these two met was Week 9, and he threw for 285 yards and a trio of scores (26.6 points). WR DeVante Parker is playing like a brand-new man, and the Dolphins are making the most of a suspect cast of weapons. That said, Fitz should be treated as a quality QB2 starter or a low-tier No. 1 play.

Availability: 60%
FAAB: $2-3

Daniel Jones, New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The rookie has been held under 20 fantasy points in three of the last four contests but had thrown only one interception in the four games leading up a three-INT mistake fest vs. the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. It’s one of those “take the bad with the good” scenarios in fantasy … Philadelphia has granted quarterbacks multi-TD games on six occasions in 2019, including a three-score day to Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 13. These teams haven’t met this season, and Jones is a risk-reward decision against a defensive unit that has permitted massive fantasy stats when it has been bad. Five different passers have at least 28 points vs. this group in ’19.

Availability: 52%
FAAB: $1-2

Grab & stash

Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last week, I wrote Minshew was worth a stash since Nick Foles has done nothing to instill confidence that he can be “the guy.” We saw it play out exactly as suspected in Wee 13. There is enough tape on Foles to know what he is and isn’t, so giving Minshew a chance to further prove he is the future makes the most sense. The Jaguars face one of the easiest remaining fantasy schedules with matchups vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, at Oakland and at Atlanta in the upcoming weeks. Add him for depth or as a QB2 in leagues that allow/require utilization of more than one starting passers now that head coach Doug Marrone has publicly committed to Minshew Mania.

Availability: 61%
FAAB: $0-1

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Running Backs

priority free agents

Patrick Laird, Miami Dolphins

Kalen Ballage (leg) left Week 13 action and did not return. Laird stepped up for the second time in three weeks and is a must-add in all fantasy formats, especially in PPR scoring. Ballage was nothing more than a lotto ticket each week for a TD, and Laird is more of a pass-catching extension of the hand-off. In those two contests, he has 11 total targets and 10 receptions for 94 yards. Facing Philly in Week 13, Laird ran a Ballage-like 10 times for five yards and a TD. Miami faces the New York Jets and New York Giants — both at the Meadowlands — in the next two outings, followed by a Week 16 home tilt with Cincinnati.

Availability: 84%
FAAB: $15-17

Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers

Tevin Coleman took a back seat after struggling to generate much of anything, and Mostert had little trouble posting career-best numbers vs. the Baltimore Ravens. While he’s a premium add this week, Mostert isn’t necessarily a must-start until we have a clearer understanding of what to expect from Matt Breida’s ankle injury. Should Breida return, the backfield gets even more convoluted, and it’s not like the matchup is particularly friendly at New Orleans. For now, add him and wait to see what the week of practice reveals for Breida. Coleman easily could reclaim the primary workload, although the hot hand usually wins out in a multi-back situation in which the players tend to be interchangeable.

Availability: 58%
FAAB: $3-4

1-Week Plug & Play

Darwin Thompson, Kansas City Chiefs

The caveat here is two-fold: What is the diagnosis of Darrel Williams’ hamstring injury, and will the Chiefs get Damien Williams back on the field in Week 14? The point being, if either player returns, there’s no lineup-worthy value in Thompson. However, should both miss the contest, it’s pretty clear LeSean McCoy cannot do it alone. The New England Patriots host the Chiefs, and guarding checkdown passes is a major weakness for this defensive scheme.

Availability: 70%
FAAB: $4-5

Wide Receivers

priority free agents

1-Week Plug & Play

Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants

Look, it hasn’t been pretty for Agholor in the last two-plus months. Since Week 3, he hasn’t scored a touchdown, nor has the USC product tallied more than 42 yards of offense in any of those appearances. In the past two weeks, Carson Wentz has targeted him 15 times, resulting in an unmemorable seven catches for 81 yards in total. New York is the driving force behind this recommendation, and the injury to TE Zach Ertz also is a factor. The Giants have permitted 10 touchdowns to wideouts in the last five outings, and seven receivers in that time were good for at least 80 yards, while 11 managed double-digit PPR points.

Availability: 51%
FAAB: $2-3

Marcus Johnson, Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This one depends mostly on the status of wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (calf) after he aggravated his injury in Week 12 and missed Week 13. The trip to Tampa brings on the best possible matchup to kick off the fantasy playoffs. The Bucs have yielded 10 scores to the position in the last five games, and four receivers have posted at least 114 yards in that time. Johnson is likely a total unknown to most fantasy gamers, but he has been more involved of late and is a worthwhile fantasy consideration for gamers in dire need of a flex. In all likelihood, he’s too unknown for most gamers to be willing to take the chance, but the matchup and his role present an opportunity. In the Colts’ last two games without Hilton, Johnson has been targeted an average of five times. He has produced at least 9.5 PPR points in each of those contests, and the Week 11 meeting with Jacksonville saw Johnson score a touchdown.

Availability: 99%
FAAB: $1-2

Demaryius Thomas, New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Miami has granted 10 scores to the position in the last six games, or eight in the past five. Four receivers have gone over the century mark for yardage, and seven of the wideouts landed at least five balls — the most likely way Thomas will make a dent. Miami has conceded at least 19.4 PPR points to seven receivers since Week 7. Thomas, as mentioned, is hardly a threat for a touchdown, but if he’s ever going to score one in 2019, this ought to be the week. The veteran has at least five targets in seven of his last nine appearances, and he has snagged four or more balls in five of them. The combination of matchups and utilization makes Thomas a reasonable waiver add for a Week 14 PPR flex.

Availability: 63%
FAAB: $1-2

Grab & stash

John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals

Two weeks ago, he resumed practicing and enters the final week before the Bengals have to either activate or keep him on IR. It wouldn’t hurt to stash him away ahead of the decision, especially with Andy Dalton back under center. The previous move to QB Ryan Finley was the driving force behind not including Ross in this space.

Availability: 78%
FAAB: $1-2

Tight Ends

priority free agents

1-Week Plug & Play

Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals

In Week 13, with Devlin Hodges starting at quarterback, McDonald landed all three of his targets for a paltry 21 yards. He has caught no more than three passes in any game since Week 9. Exciting stuff, huh? This one is all about the matchup, and, oh boy, is it ever an exploitable matchup! The Cardinals are on a historically bad pace for giving up fantasy points to the position, and we’ve seen an average of a score per game come against Arizona in the hands of tight ends in the last five battles. The season-long outlook is so much brighter: Thirteen of 79 catches by the position found paydirt, coming at a rate of once every six snags. McDonald is a hopeful play for a score from a volatile position.

Availability: 50%
FAAB: $2-3

Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders

Smith hasn’t much competition for touches at his position, yet he can’t seem to get the job done. The Titans have looked his way 13 times in the last four games, including a no-involvement Week 12. Smith should get back on track in Week 14 with such a good matchup for scoring. The Raiders have permitted only two scores to TEs in the last five games, but extending the view just two games adds three more trips to the end zone. The season-long peek reveals eight touchdowns against Oakland by tight ends. Smith caught nine of 10 looks for 142 yards and a score from Weeks 7-8, so it’s not like he has been a total scrub without Delanie Walker.

Availability: 61%
FAAB: $1-2

Kaden Smith, New York Giants

This one is solely predicated on the Giants being without TE Evan Engram (foot) and TE Rhett Ellison (concussion) in Week 14. Smith scored in their absence in Week 12 and managed a line of 6-70-0 on eight looks in Week 13. The rookie is an athletic 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, and he would benefit even more if wideout Golden Tate (concussion) also misses the upcoming week. Don’t invest FAAB yet, but Smith is worth a late-week add if the injury report favors another game of starter’s involvement for him.

Availability: 98%
FAAB: $0

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Kickers

1-Week Plug & Play

Matt Prater, Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Entering Week 13, Minnesota had given up 13 field goal attempts in the prior four outings. That’s the third-highest figure in the league and most among teams with only four games played. The veteran kicker as at least six fantasy points (non-distance scoring) in three of the last five weeks, and Prater has six three-point attempts in the past two games. The overall offensive efficacy issues makes Prater a viable PK1 without Matthew Stafford (back) on the field, presuming he indeed is out again.

Availability: 44%
FAAB: $0-1

Matt Gay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts

The rookie has averaged a pair of field goal tries a game in the last five contests, and he has nailed all but one. The total number of extra points attempted sits at 16 in that window, and each one of those tries went through the pipes. Indianapolis has granted kickers at least seven fantasy points in four of the past five matchups, and 10 of the 11 three-point attempts in that time have connected. The Colts could slow Tampa’s offense just enough to stall out a few drives, and this defense isn’t quite known for its penchant to create turnovers.

Availability: 56%
FAAB: $0-1

Defense/Specials Teams

1-Week Plug & Play

Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders

Tennessee has at least three sacks in four of the last five weeks, and the one week with only two sacks resulted in a defensive touchdown. Mike Vrabel’s bunch has generated two takeaways, on average, in that time frame. The Raiders has been one of the worst matchups most of the year for defenses, but protecting the ball hasn’t been a high priority in recent weeks. In the last three games, Oakland has lost three fumbles, thrown four interceptions (after just one in the previous six outings), and permitted a pair of defensive touchdowns. Quarterback Derek Carr has been sacked nine times in the last month.

Availability: 62%
FAAB: $1-2

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers

With zero sacks in the last two games, and no fumble recoveries since Week 5, Atlanta is a tough sell in any fantasy format. The defense has just eight interceptions on the year, although three-quarters of them have come in the past month. Carolina provided Atlanta its best fantasy day of 2019 in Week 11, giving up five sacks and throwing four picks. In addition, the Falcons managed a special teams return score in that contest. The Panthers have yielded 16 sacks in the past three games alone, committing seven turnovers in that window. The recommendation to play Atlanta is purely a bid to take advantage of the upside of the matchup.

Availability: 81%
FAAB: $0-1