The Kansas City Chiefs are planning to rest a number of starters against the Los Angeles Chargers today.
The backfield is an area where they could look quite different. According to a new report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Darwin Thompson is expected to get the bulk of the carries in Week 17. It’s possible that Thompson could even get the start for the Chiefs.
Thompson, a former sixth-round draft pick in 2019, only has 13 carries on the season so far. His single-game high in carries came back against the Broncos in Week 13 of 2019 with 11 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. This is going to be a chance for the seldom-used back to prove that he’s worthy of more opportunities within the Kansas City offense.
As for who will spell Thompson when he’s in need of a rest, many expected Darrel Williams to be that guy, but it could actually be Le’Veon Bell. According to Rapoport, Bell will dress but is expected to play very little if at all.
#Chiefs RB Le’Veon Bell (knee) is expected to dress vs. the #Chargers, but if he plays it’ll be very little, source said. RB Darwin Thompson is slated to get the bulk of the carries.
If the Chiefs wanted to avoid using Bell they have other options as well. Williams is, of course, one option. Fullback Anthony Sherman also could be in line for some carries and catches on Sunday too.
Quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Devlin Hodges highlight Touchdown Wire’s Week 14 list of fantasy football sleepers.
NFL coaches and players always talk about how the playoffs bring a whole new level of intensity. It’s true.
The same is true of fantasy football and its playoffs are now upon us. At this point, you have to go for broke. Sometimes, desperate measures are needed. That sums up what the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars are doing in reality.
The Jaguars have no margin for error for the playoffs. The Steelers don’t have much more room for error. But they’re going with rookie quarterbacks Devlin Hodges in Pittsburgh and Gardner Minshew in Jacksonville for the rest of the season.
Are they good enough to start in fantasy? I say yes.
Let me explain my reasoning a little deeper as Hodges and Minshew highlight Touchdown Wire’s weekly list of nine fantasy football sleepers.
9. Gardner Minshew, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jaguars benched high-priced quarterback Nick Foles last week after falling behind, 25-0, last week. The turned back to the rookie Minshew, who went 4-4 as a starter when Foles was injured early in the season and he sparked the Jaguars to two quick scores. That led to the Jaguars announcing that Minshew will be the starter the rest of the season. Minshew has a favorable matchup against the struggling Los Angeles Chargers this week.
For most you, the fantasy football playoffs have arrived. And if you are reading this article, you’re probably in the playoffs. Congratulations. (If you’re still fighting to win the consolation bracket for pride or for a keeper/dynasty league, best of luck and better luck next year.)
Your roster got you into the playoffs. It never hurts to trust those championship-caliber stars. But it’s always important to build out your bench and depth, even when you’re one of the best teams in your league. A few of these players could be helpful, depending on how many players are in your league.
Here are seven players to target on the waiver wire after Week 13.
7. Gardner Minshew, QB, Jaguars
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ESPN: 10%. Yahoo! 8%.
It’s likely that Minshew is in and Nick Foles is out as Jacksonville’s starting quarterback. And in a half of play on Sunday, Minshew managed just over 10 points in standard leagues. He produces in fantasy, particularly because he runs well. The Chargers defense is tough next week, but Oakland is a solid matchup in Week 15.
6. Zach Pascal, WR, Colts
ESPN: 25%. Yahoo! 17%.
With T.Y. Hilton out in Week 13, Pascal shined against the Titans with seven receptions and 109 yards. He’s a solid possession receiver when he’s in the lineup, but goes missing in action when better receivers are healthy.
5. Jordan Wilkins, RB, Colts
ESPN: 6%. Yahoo! 3%.
I mentioned that he might take the job away from Jonathan Williams. And it seems Wilkins is, at least, the top back in a timeshare in Indianapolis. Wilkins had 13 touches (11 carries, 2 receptions) for 56 yards. Williams had nine touches (8 carries, 1 catch) for 24 yards. Wilkins outplayed Williams, and seems likely to take an increased share in the backfield. The major caveat: Marlon Mack is reportedly eying a Week 14 return.
4. Cole Beasley, WR, Bills
ESPN: 24%. Yahoo! 32%.
He has turned up in recent weeks, and is becoming a viable option in both standard and PPR. In the last two weeks, he has 12 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns. It seems the Bills offense is getting better as the season progresses and Beasley is quarterback Josh Allen’s safety valve.
3. Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
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ESPN: 10%. Yahoo! 19%.
As the Dolphins are making a late-season push into competency, Gesicki, a 2018 second-round pick, has six or more targets in the last five games. He has had a touchdown in each of the last two games. Perhaps things are beginning to click for the young tight end, who was a high-profile draft prospect.
2. Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs
ESPN: 5%. Yahoo! 5%.
When Darrel Williams suffered an injury in Week 13, the Chiefs began to feed Darwin Thompson (11 carries, 44 yards, 1 touchdown), who was the rookie many thought might be a breakout candidate at the start of the season. Instead, Damien Williams’ struggles and injuries led to emergences from LeSean McCoy and Darrel Williams. Perhaps Thompson has earned himself a bigger role as the season winds down.
1. Bo Scarbrough, RB, Lions
ESPN: 47%. Yahoo! 43%.
He is definitely the lead back in Detroit, and it’s wild to think he couldn’t get a job in the NFL. Scarbrough hasn’t been brilliant, but he’s an Alabama product who has been competent. His touch total has increased every week since he rejoined the Lions. He had 21 carries for 83 yards in Week 13. It may not be much in terms of points, but it’s the volume you want out of FLEX option.
