Studs and Duds: Wild Card Weekend
Tue Jan 18 9:04am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Allen has monster performance
Well, that wasn’t too exciting this weekend. I had higher hopes for the games, but for the most part, the games were not very good. There was just one game decided by less than seven points. And even that game wasn’t very close for much of the game. Here is to hoping things are more competitive this coming week.
Bengals 26, Raiders 19
Fantasy Stud: Ja’Marr Chase. Chase led the way at receiver for the Bengals once again. He caught nine passes for 116 yards. He also ran three times for 23 yards, giving him 139 total yards. Chase has 100-yard games two of his last three. He had a monster rookie season and looks to be a fantasy star for years to come, especially after coming up so big in his first playoff game.
Fantasy Dud: Tee Higgins. Higgins was the Bengals receiver that disappeared in this one. He had just a catch for 10 yards. Higgins was limited in practice all week because of a foot injury, so maybe this had something to do with his down game. He had a some monster games down the stretch, so this disappearing act was a bit of a surprise for fantasy owners.
Game Notes: C.J. Uzomah had a big game, catching six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. This was his highest reception total of the season and the first time he scored since Week 7.
Darren Waller was a big part of the passing game, finished with seven receptions for 76 yards. He finally looked healthy and was a big contributor for the Raiders once again.
Bills 47, Patriots 17
Fantasy Stud: Josh Allen. Allen had a monster performance, going 21-of-25 for 308 yards and five touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran six times for 66 yards. Allen was unstoppable and the Patriots had no answer for him. He moved the offense up and down the field all night. If Allen can continue his strong play, he might be the first quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts in 2022.
Fantasy Dud: Damien Harris. Harris had nine carries for 30 yards and caught a pass for seven yards. He didn’t get the work with the Patriots down big in a hurry. He had 100-yard games each of his first two games against the Bills this year, so there were higher hopes for Harris in the playoff opener.
Game Notes: Dawson Knox was the top target for the Bills, catching five passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns. His yardage total was his second highest of the season. This was his third multiple touchdown game.
Kendrick Bourne was one of the few bright spots for the Patriots. He had seven receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Bourne had 75-plus yards two of his last three games.
Bucs 31, Eagles 15
Fantasy Stud: Mike Evans. Evans had a big game as the top option in the Bucs passing attack. He had nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. It was his first 100-yard game since Week 5 of the season. He has been finding the end zone on a regular basis, though, scoring 15 touchdowns now on the season.
Fantasy Dud: Miles Sanders. Sanders returned from his broken hand but had little room to run against a good Bucs rush defense. He had seven carries for just 16 yards, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 12 yards. Sanders had an uneven season but finished well, which should help his chances to be the starter to open next year.
Game Notes: Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard split the work at running back for the Bucs. Vaughn had 17 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. Bernard ran 13 times for 44 yards and a touchdown. Bernard was heavily involved in the passing game, catching five passes for 39 yards.
Dallas Goedert was the top target for the Eagles, having six receptions for 92 yards. Goedert had 70-plus yards four of his last five games.
49ers 23, Cowboys 17
Fantasy Stud: Deebo Samuel. Samuel continues to be a huge part of the 49ers offense in a variety of ways. He had three receptions for 38 yards and ran 10 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. He had 110 total yards and a score. Samuel has 20 or more fantasy points three of four games.
Fantasy Dud: CeeDee Lamb. Lamb caught just a pass for 21 yards in game the Cowboys threw the ball 44 times. You just expect Lamb to be more involved in the offense. Lamb had fewer than 66 yards six straight games to end his season. He didn’t have quite the breakout season most expected this year.
Game Notes: Ezekiel Elliott had his struggles on the ground once again. He had 12 carries for just 31 yards, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. You have to wonder what the Cowboys will do with Elliott next season after another disappointing year.
Elijah Mitchell finished just four yards shy of a 100-yard performance. He ran 27 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell has at least 85-rushing yards three straight games.
Chiefs 42, Steelers 21
Fantasy Stud: Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes was his usual electrifying self in this game, going 30-of-39 for 404 yards and five touchdowns with an interception. He also ran three times for 29 yards, giving him 42.1 fantasy points. This was a season high in fantasy points for Mahomes. He is playing his best football at a good time for the Chiefs.
Fantasy Dud: Najee Harris. The Chiefs completely shut down Harris. He ran 12 times for just 29 yards and caught two passes for a negative yard. Harris also lost a fumble, scoring just 4.9 fantasy points. Harris had a big rookie year but slowed down a little late in the year, having fewer than double-digit fantasy points three of five games.
Game Notes: Jerick McKinnon got nearly all the work at running back and produced very well in a lead role. He had 12 carries for 61 yards. McKinnon also had six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Ben Roethlisberger had a decent game in his last game in the NFL. He was 29-of-44 for 215 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.
Rams 34, Cardinals 11
Fantasy Stud: Odell Beckham. Beckham has been revitalized with his move to the Rams. He had four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a 40-yard pass in the game. Beckham has scores three of four games and six of eight. He has been a dependable target for the Rams and a top red-zone threat.
Fantasy Dud: Kyler Murray. Murray was awful, looking nervous in his first ever playoff game. He was 19-of-34 for 137 yards with two interceptions. Murray threw an awful interception near his own goal line, leading to a Rams touchdown. He looked flustered the entire game and made next to no plays down the field. You just expected better from Murray, who looked completely lost much of the game.
Game Notes: Cam Akers looked really good in an expanded role, leading the Rams backs in touches. Akers ran 17 times for 55 yards and caught a pass for 40 yards. He seems completely back to full strength from his torn Achilles.
A.J. Green didn’t have a catch in this game. Christian Kirk led the way at receiver for the Cardinals, finishing with six receptions for 51 yards.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
It's no secret that the Buffalo Bills need to add some wide receivers in this year's NFL draft after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason. At No. 28 overall in the first round of Thursday night's draft, the Bills would seem to be set to take a pass-catcher. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero thinks the draft class' depth at the receiver position could lead the Bills to wait perhaps until the second round to take a receiver, potentially adding a defensive player in the first round instead. As Buffalo's depth chart stands right now, their top three receivers are Khalil Shakir, Justin Shorter and veteran Curtis Samuel. Even if the team adds a few wideouts in this year's draft, tight end Dalton Kincaid could be Buffalo's leading receiver in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams, who haven't picked in the first round since 2016, are calling up to try to get into the top 10 of the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday evening, according to sources. The Rams currently sit at pick No. 19, so it would take a lot to pull off a move into the top 10 this year. It's unclear who they might be eyeing if they were to pull it off, but the best bet would be to select Georgia pass-catching tight end Brock Bowers, who has been projected to go at 10th overall to the New York Jets in a lot of mock drafts. The Rams have also been rumored to be looking for a successor to aging quarterback Matthew Stafford, but it's unlikely they pull off a move all the way into the top five to take one of the high-end signal-callers in this year's draft. A defensive tackle is also on their draft wish list.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos are a contender to select a quarterback and potentially make a move in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, even after trading for quarterback Zach Wilson earlier this week. Denver sits at No. 12 overall, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reiterated that he thinks the Broncos could trade down within the first round. They likely don't have enough draft capital to move into the top-four picks to take a high-end QB, so instead, they could move down to take a pass-rusher or even Oregon QB Bo Nix. The Broncos have been linked to Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy as well, but McCarthy's draft stock has been soaring in the lead-up to the draft, which means the Broncos would likely have to trade into the top five to get him. As of right now, Wilson is set to compete with Jarrett Stidham for the starting job under center in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants have been trying to trade up to No. 3 overall with the New England Patriots in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, with the belief being that they want to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, according to multiple league sources. The prevailing thought is that it's a long shot to happen, though, but the Patriots are listening to all calls. The Giants and Vikings appear to be the most aggressive teams that are trying to trade into the top five in order to take a QB of the future in this year's draft. The Patriots have been open to trading down, but so far they've reportedly not received any serious enough offers, and they are also looking for a QB of their own after trading away Mac Jones this offseason. Most pundits are expecting New England to stand pat and take Maye if LSU's Jayden Daniels goes to the Commanders at No. 2.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders are declining the fifth-year contract option of linebacker Jamin Davis, according to a source. It's been heading this way for on and off-field reasons. The plan in 2024 is to have the athletically gifted Davis become a "hybrid" defender, which should translate to less pass coverage and more attempts to rush the quarterback. Davis played his rookie season in 2021 at Mike linebacker before moving to the off-ball role in the team's 4-2-5 base defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he tied for the highest yards per catch allowed (12.1) last year and ranked fourth-worst in average depth of target (5.5) because of his limited coverage instincts. The 25-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Kentucky has just seven sacks in his three seasons, but he could be more productive in that category if he's rushing the passer more in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Bengals are picking up the fifth year option on the contract of Ja'Marr Chase. Dynasty Analysis: Consider this a placeholder as Cincinnati now needs to prepare to make Chase the highest paid receiver in the league. Amon-Ra St. Brown has set the market with a four-year, $120 million extension ($77 million guaranteed), so the Bengals are going to need to assemble a few armored cars here soon. Chase and Justin Jefferson should both be set to sign historic deals and while the option being picked up buys the Bengals one more season, dynasty managers shouldn't worry about him hitting free agency any time soon. Chase remains a bona fide candidate for the top overall selection in dynasty leagues.
When asked by Rich Eisen if he has any idea on where he's going to end up in this week's NFL draft, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy hinted at the New York Giants, who currently own the No. 6 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night. "I have somewhat of an Idea, New York, #Giants, I've spent the most time with. They're a phenomenal staff," McCarthy said. The young QB's stock has been rising rapidly ever since his pro-day workout. Reports suggest the Giants and Vikings could be in a raise to trade up to select McCarthy, who is attractive because of his experience running a pro-style offense in college. With Daniel Jones (knee) coming off a torn ACL and with no guaranteed money owed to him beyond 2024, the G-Men have done their due diligence on QBs in this year's draft and feel like a lock to take one at some point this week.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos' connections to Oregon quarterback Bo Nix have persisted with the 2024 NFL draft just a day away on Thursday night. Nix is a player that teams could wait on until the second round, but the Broncos don't have a current second-round pick this year and are slated to select in the first round at No. 12. Their acquisition of former first-rounder Zach Wilson adds another layer to their QB situation heading into Thursday evening. The Broncos have done their homework on the QB draft class -- they hosted Washington's Michael Penix Jr. on a top-30 visit and watched Michigan's J.J. McCarthy work out -- and have discussed a potential trade up in the first round. However, they have plenty of other needs and have also talked about trading down. Right now, Jarrett Stidham and Wilson are slated to compete for the starting job in training camp.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders are thought to be high on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and if the QB market starts drying up quickly in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft and they feel the need to trade up in order to avoid being shut out, the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 and the Tennessee Titans at No. 7 are two teams that people think are willing to trade down. The Raiders would love to be able to get up high enough to take LSU's Jayden Daniels to reunite him with head coach Antonio Pierce, but they know they might not be able to do that. The Raiders have talked with the Arizona Cardinals about what it would take to trade up to No. 4, but Vegas' interest in that pick would likely cool off significantly if Daniels is among the top three picks, as expected.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots ownership seems to have a strong preference to come out of the first round of this year's NFL draft with a quarterback, so moving back to, say, No. 11 with the Minnesota Vikings or No. 13 with the Las Vegas Raiders might be too far of a drop for the team to still ensure their ability to do that. But if they move back only three spots to No. 6 in a trade with the New York Giants, they could still be in position to pick a QB in the first round and add multiple extra premium picks. The Patriots gathered information on Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. in the pre-draft process in case they decide to trade down. The Pats appear to be high on him, but ESPN's Dan Graziano doesn't think he'll be in consideration if they stay at No. 3. Most pundits believe New England will take North Carolina's Drake Maye if they stick in the third spot.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Jeff Howe predicts that New York Giants will trade the sixth overall pick in this year's NFL draft and a 2025 second-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in order to move up to fourth overall to take Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Thursday night. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort is eager to trade down for a second straight year. If LSU's Jayden Daniels or North Carolina's Drake Maye remain available at No. 4, the Minnesota Vikings or Las Vegas Raiders would probably become more aggressive in pursuing the fourth overall pick. "I think there's going to be a race to McCarthy between the Giants and Vikings," a coach said. McCarthy doesn't have the upside that the top three QBs in this class do, but rival executives cited concerns with Giants current QB Daniel Jones' (knee) health after tearing his ACL and dealing with a neck injury in 2023.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Jeff Howe thinks No. 3 to the New England Patriots in Thursday night's NFL draft feels like the spot for North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, although a couple executives made a case for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. Maye has prototypical size, arm strength and athletic ability, but there's genuine concern about his inconsistencies in 2023, and his tape shed light on some erratic throws and tendencies. He has a reputation as a high-character person with great leadership abilities. Maye would be the more traditional pick at No. 3 to the Pats, with McCarthy being viewed as more of a surprise. If Maye is still available at No. 3, one executive thinks the Minnesota Vikings "would move heaven and Earth" to try and move up to draft him. If Maye lands in New England, he could sit and learn behind veteran Jacoby Brissett in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys officially picked up hybrid defensive end Micah Parsons' fifth-year option for the 2025 season on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the move. Parsons' salary is worth $21.32 million as a defensive end, which is the position at which he played the majority of his snaps in 2023. The 24-year-old former 12th overall pick in 2021 out of Penn State has been a beast rushing the passer so far in his first three NFL seasons. He's made the Pro Bowl in all three seasons and has a total of 213 tackles (142 solo), 40.5 sacks, 51 tackles for loss, 89 QB hits, eight passes defended, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) in 50 regular-season starts. Parsons had 64 tackles and a career-high 14 sacks in 2023 and will once again be a highly coveted pass-rusher in IDP fantasy formats this fall.
From RotoBaller
Word around the league is that the Washington Commanders have advocates in their building for both LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and North Carolina QB Drake Maye. However, almost everyone polled for The Athletic's story believed Daniels was destined for Washington with new general manager Adam Peters hot for Daniels. The belief from rival teams is that the Commanders had been leaning toward Maye much earlier in the pre-draft process, but Daniels has done enough to lock himself into the No. 2 pick. One executive from a team outside of the top 10 wouldn't rule out a brief Daniels slide, perhaps down to No. 4. Still, it's highly unlikely Daniels drops out of the top five. If he goes to D.C., he'll be favored to start from Day 1 in his rookie season.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (leg), offensive guard Austin Corbett (knee), pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney and running back Tarik Cohen (Achilles) have all been taking part in drills during voluntary offseason workouts this week. Meanwhile, offensive guard Chandler Zavala (knee) and linebackers D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) Amare Barno (knee) weren't participating in drills. Thompson, who suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 last year against the New Orleans Saints, is the most notable name of this group. The 30-year-old should be ready to go for training camp and the preseason later this year as long as he doesn't suffer a setback before then. The former 25th overall pick in 2015 out of Washington recorded 100-plus combined tackles in each of his previous four seasons with Carolina before getting hurt in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson has requested to be traded from the Bengals, according to a league source. Hendrickson is due to make $15 million in 2024 and is looking for more long-term security than the Bengals have been willing to offer. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old's wish will be granted with the first round of the 2024 NFL draft coming on Thursday evening. The former third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2017 out of Florida Atlantic has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons with the Bengals. In 17 starts in 2023, he had a career-high 43 tackles (28 solo), a career-high 17.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 25 QB hits and three forced fumbles. Even if he heads to a new team for 2024, Hendrickson should still be in play as a weekly starting defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys are currently meeting with free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott's representatives around the facility on Wednesday, a day before the start of the 2024 NFL draft, according to a source. There has been mutual interest from both sides in a reunion this offseason as the Cowboys look to bolster their running back position after losing Tony Pollard in free agency. As of right now, Dallas' RB room consists of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Royce Freeman and Snoop Conner. The 28-year-old Elliott had 184 carries for 642 yards (career-low 3.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding 51 catches for 313 yards and another two scores through the air in 17 games for the New England Patriots in 2023. At this point in his career, Zeke needs volume to be fantasy relevant, and that probably won't happen if he returns to Dallas.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott's (Patriots) representative is meeting with the Dallas Cowboys Wednesday, April 24, according to a source.
Fantasy Spin: The Cowboys do not have a clear starter at running back, so Elliott probably would have a big role if he decided to return to the Cowboys. Fantasy players can monitor the situation because Elliott could be at least a flex option if he starts in 2024.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent DE Dawuane Smoot (Jaguars) recently met with the Houston Texans.
From TheHuddle
The Los Angeles Chargers are set to undergo a rebuilding phase following the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh and the departures of longtime offensive weapons Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams. L.A. has been rumored to be a top landing spot for Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison or LSU wideout Malik Nabers, but Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report suggests they are likely to pick an offensive tackle if they stay at pick No. 5. Notre Dame's Joe Alt is expected to be the first player at the position off the board. Alt has been mocked to the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 7 for much of the offseason, so the Chargers picking the 2023 first-team All-American would shake things up drastically. The Chargers have a lot of options with teams potentially trying to move up for a quarterback, so they are one of the key teams to monitor in the first round on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
