

Wed Jan 14 10:35am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Williams can keep it going
I’m not sure this weekend can live up to the last, but let’s hope it happens. Wow, those games were unreal last weekend. Nearly every single one came down to the wire. And several saw multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter. Plus, we had some big-time fantasy performances, leading to some high fantasy scores in the first round of playoff leagues. Let’s keep it going!
Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .
Love him or hate him, I would hate to see Aaron Rodgers end his career on an interception that was returned for a touchdown. That would be a terrible way for it to end for him. I would be surprised if Rodgers returns, though, especially after Mike Tomlin left the Steelers. I think Tomlin was a big reason for Rodgers playing this year. I’m just not sure there is going to be a great fit for Rodgers going forward. We’ll see.
Personally, I would fire Nick Sirianni if I were the Eagles. I know they won the Super Bowl last year but I just can’t take all the drama with him and his star players. I know some of the players can be the blame, too, but it sure seems like a pattern with him. And I can’t get over the playcalling of this team. They did fire offensive coordinator Kevin Patella, which is a plus, but I’m not sure that fixes everything. This team has so much talent on both sides of the ball and should not have played like they did all season. I really think Sirianni is a huge part of the problem with this team. I would just move on from him. The window is only so big when it comes to the NFL and the Eagles could be closing sooner than later. Get someone in there that can bring some more stability to the team.
The Panthers lost but sure showed me a lot. This is a team that is going to be a problem the next several seasons. Things are just getting started for them. And I think head coach Dave Canales is a great coach and fit for the franchise. The big thing for the Panthers is the continued development of Bryce Young. He is going to need to keep growing and showing more consistency. Young is making improvements but still isn’t there yet. But you have to be excited about this team if you are a Panthers fan. There is some exciting, young talent on this team.
Houston won that game last week but you still have to worry about that offense. Just when think C.J. Stroud has figured it out again, he makes some head-scratching plays. He is going to have to play a lot better if they hope to win this week. The scary thing is the defense is so, so good in Houston. If the offense was just a little better, I think this team could make a run at the Super Bowl. The defense is that good. I’m just not sure Stroud is playing well enough for that to happen right now.
You have to love the development of Caleb Williams this year. I know he started slow in that game last week but his fourth quarter was epic, making one of the best throws you will ever see on fourth down to help win the game. Williams is a special talent that you could expect to keep getting better, especially under the tutelage of head coach Ben Johnson. Williams might be a top-five fantasy quarterback for me next year. I think he has that kind of ceiling.
HOT PLAYS
Davante Adams, WR, Rams. Adams failed to score a touchdown last week but looked healthy, which is a huge positive. Adams had five receptions for 72 yards and tied a season high in targets with 13. That was another huge positive. He should get a big workload this week against an iffy Bears secondary. Chicago allowed the sixth most fantasy points to receivers during the regular season. We like Adams to find the end zone in this one.
Caleb Williams, QB, Bears. Williams scored 28.05 fantasy points last week. He started slow but had an unbelievable fourth quarter, leading his team to a huge comeback victory. Williams has 21-plus fantasy points four of five games. He has become an elite fantasy quarterback and seems to be gaining confidence every week. We like him to have another big game this week against the Rams. This should be a high scoring game and the Rams have struggled against the pass recently. Los Angeles allowed 235-plus passing yards five of six games.
R.J. Harvey, RB, Broncos. It took a little time but Harvey has emerged as the clear lead back for the Broncos. He has found the end zone five of his last six games. He has double-digit fantasy points all but one of those games. He should get a big workload again this week as the No. 1 back for Denver. He gets the Bills, a team that allowed the eighth most fantasy points to running backs. Buffalo has allowed 150-plus rushing yards three of five games.
COLD PLAYS
Bo Nix, QB, Broncos. Nix led his team to the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs, having a solid overall season. But from a fantasy perspective, he has been a little erratic. He scored just 11.95 points his last time out and has less than 20 points two of five games. And we could see the Broncos relying on the run more this week, exploiting a weakness of Buffalo. The Bills allowed the third fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks during the regular season. Buffalo has allowed fewer than 140-passing yards four of five games. The pass defense has been a huge strength for the team late in the year.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Patriots. Diggs is the top receiver for the Patriots but his production has been erratic at times this year, especially the last few weeks. He has just five receptions for 59 yards on eight targets his last two games. The opposition is locking him down some lately. We would not be surprised if that happens again this week against the Texans. Houston has maybe the best defense in football and allowed the third fewest fantasy points to receivers during the regular season.
James Cook, RB, Bills. Cook has fewer than nine fantasy points three straight games. He got 15 carries last week but managed just 46 yards. He had another great overall season but some tough rush defense late in the season has given Cook fits. It could be more of the same this week. The Broncos allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs. Denver has allowed fewer than 85-rushing yards two of three games and three of five. This defense is going to give the Bills offense plenty of fits, especially against the run.
SLEEPERS
Cooper Kupp, WR, Seahawks. Kupp hasn’t had much of a season, his first in Seattle, but has enjoyed some success at times. He has double-digit fantasy points four times. You would expect the 49ers to do all they can to take away Jaxon Smith-Njigba, giving Kupp some favorable coverages. Plus, the 49ers are thin in the secondary, which is another big positive for Kupp. Don’t be surprised if he has one of his better games of the season this week. He has a history of success coming up with the big game in the playoffs, so the Seahawks could lean on him more than they did in the regular season.
Jake Tonges, TE, 49ers. Tonges has shown well when given the chance to start this year, having double-digit fantasy points five games. He has proved to be a reliable target at tight end for the 49ers. He could have another one of those double-digit games this week against the Seahawks. Seattle has struggled some at times against the tight end, allowing the 11th most fantasy points to tight ends. Plus, Tonges found the end zone against the Seahawks in Week 1.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks. Kenneth Walker gets most of the headlines in the Seahawks backfield but this has turned into a real timeshare down the stretch. Charbonnet has at least 17 carries two straight games. He has 17-plus fantasy points three straight, producing consistent numbers in this high-powered rush attack. He has scored a touchdown in each of his games against the 49ers this year. Charbonnet can do that again this week, making him an intriguing fantasy play.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week, we will take a look at some of the high and low-scoring games for the coming week. In high-scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low-scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Rams/Bears.
Low Scoring Games: Texans/Patriots.
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 jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
RTSports Super Bowl Preview
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney didn't live up to expectations during the 2025 season. Many fantasy managers viewed Mooney as one of the most intriguing No. 2 wide receivers in fantasy football coming into the year, but injuries and a lack of rapport with Atlanta's quarterbacks cost his fantasy managers in a big way. Mooney, who had 992 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, came back down to earth with just 32 catches, 443 yards, and one touchdown across 15 games this past season. The sixth-year receiver had the second-worst season of his career, letting down the managers who drafted him at his preseason ADP around 120. It will be interesting to see how the Falcons address their pass-catching unit this offseason. At the very least, we would expect them to bring in some competition for Mooney. However, the team also has a glaring hole at tight end with Kyle Pitts headed for free agency. Plus, the quarterback position remains in limbo with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) injured and Kirk Cousins' future uncertain. There are a lot of moving parts here, but one thing is for certain: Mooney will be ranked a lot lower in 2026 fantasy drafts than he was in 2025. Managers shouldn't be rushing to select Mooney or acquire him in dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) saw his 2025 season come to an abrupt end after he suffered an MCL sprain back in Week 4. New York left the door open for him to return, but that never came to fruition. He ultimately finished his second pro season with 18 carries, 76 rushing yards, two catches, 17 receiving yards, and one touchdown through parts of four games. It was a frustrating setback for a young ball-carrier who was projected to eat into Breece Hall's workload. While that didn't pan out in 2025, we could still see Allen step into a much larger role next season. Hall is headed for free agency, and if the Jets don't franchise tag him, he could quite possibly sign elsewhere. That would leave Allen and Isaiah Davis, who had 422 yards and one touchdown across 16 games last season, sharing a rung atop the depth chart. The fantasy surge of Allen and Davis hinges on New York letting Hall walk and failing to replace him, which is far from a guarantee. However, there's certainly a path to Allen being a top-36 fantasy running back next season. Managers should pay close attention to the Jets' free agency plans when evaluating the 22-year-old's fantasy future.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith had another solid campaign during the 2025 season, catching 77 passes for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns. This was the lowest touchdown total of his career, but it was encouraging to see him eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in the last four years. It's also worth noting that he had more yards and just one fewer catch than teammate A.J. Brown, indicating the gap between the two may not be as large as it seems. Of course, it's unclear if this duo will be together for long. There were rumors of drama between Brown and the Eagles throughout the year, and we wouldn't be surprised to see trade talks ramp up during the offseason. Trading Brown is far from a guarantee, but even the threat of a depth chart shakeup makes Smith a very intriguing "buy" in dynasty fantasy football leagues. If Smith were to become the top receiver in Philly, he'd have top-12 appeal among wide receivers in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught all three of his targets for 37 yards during Sunday's Super Bowl LX loss against the Seattle Seahawks. Diggs produced every time the ball was thrown his way, but he didn't quite live up to his expectations as New England's No. 1 receiver. Although it was a tough game for the Patriots' wide receivers all around, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas started to produce in the second half, and the two ultimately combined for nine catches, 123 yards, and a touchdown. Diggs had an up-and-down regular season, but it should be chalked up to a success given that he had 85 catches, 1,013 yards, and four touchdowns. The veteran's contract is designed to give the Patriots a potential out this offseason, but if New England chooses to bring him back, he'll remain a top-25 wide receiver in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin took a major step forward during his second season in the NFL. He appeared in all 17 games throughout the 2025 regular season, catching 65 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns. Despite competing for volume with Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., and Evan Engram, Franklin managed to finish the year as the overall WR30 in full-PPR leagues. The Broncos aren't losing any key receivers in free agency, so Franklin won't face any less competition heading into next year. However, having another full season and offseason under his belt should allow him to elevate his game and push for a 1,000-yard season. He'll also benefit from playing another year alongside quarterback Bo Nix (ankle), who should be healthy by Week 1. Franklin is a top-36 receiver heading into 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had an underwhelming season despite operating as the No. 1 receiver on the depth chart. Jeudy ultimately caught passes from a mix of quarterbacks, including Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. None of those signal-callers played particularly well, and as a result, he was held to just 50 catches, 602 yards, and two touchdowns. These were his lowest marks since 2021, when he only played 10 games. The 26-year-old is a talented receiver, and the fact that he's under contract for two more seasons indicates that he'll remain with Cleveland in 2026. However, he hasn't necessarily put last year's adversity behind him. The Browns' quarterback plans remain uninspiring, and Jeudy will continue to face competition from the likes of Cedric Tillman and Harold Fannin Jr. As a result, managers shouldn't count on Jeudy to be a top-36 receiver ahead of 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Cardinals are expected to move on from quarterback Kyler Murray. Dynasty Analysis: Murray has a fully guaranteed $36,800,000 this season. If he is on the Cardinals' roster at the beginning of the new league year (March 11), it will trigger a $20 million guarantee for the following season. It's a lot of money to invest in a player who has been inconsistent and the fact a journeyman player like Jacoby Brissett could outplay Murray as much as he did last season likely didn't help matters, either. It seems likely Murray is either traded or released this month. His dynasty value will be in flux until he finds a new home.
Dynasty | JJ McCarthy's job as the starting quarterback in Minnesota is in doubt going into next season. Dynasty Analysis: McCarthy's first season at the helm was a disaster as he threw for just 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, playing in just ten games due to various injuries. In short, he just wasn't very good this year, turning a player like Justin Jefferson into a fantasy non-factor in the process. McCarthy will likely be competing with a veteran player this off-season to try to keep his job. His dynasty value is cratering as a result.
Dynasty | Free agent quarterback Malik Willis has already been connected with the Dolphins and Cardinals. Dynasty Analysis: Both teams are likely searching for new answers as Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray both seem like locks to be moved this off-season. Willis showed some real flashes of brilliance for Green Bay this year and seems destined to land a starting job somewhere this off-season. With a weak class of free agent quarterbacks, he should be able to have his choice of a few destination. A fringe dynasty player for years, Willis squarely belongs on dynasty rosters at the moment.
Dynasty | Reports are surfacing indicating Saints quarterback Derek Carr could unretire if the right situation presents itself. Dynasty Analysis: Carr has reportedly been throwing without pain over the past few months and remains in good shape. It's possible he finds a team that wants him considering how barren the free agent market is for quarterbacks at the moment. However, the Saints still retain his rights and would need to trade him. It does seem clear they're riding with Tyler Shough, regardless of Carr's decision. He could be added in 2QB leagues if you have a deep roster and a spot for him but he's far from a priority add.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White (ankle) was shot in the ankle during an event in San Francisco on Monday morning, sources told Matt Barrows of The Athletic. White underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to be OK. The 49ers acquired White from the New England Patriots in late October. The 27-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 out of Georgia Tech tallied 12 tackles (five solo), 1.5 sacks, six QB hits, and a fumble recovery in nine regular-season games with the Niners in a rotational role. White might not be ready for the start of offseason workouts because of his ankle surgery, but he should be fully ready to play by training camp this summer. He's heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2026 and should once again be a rotational defensive lineman for San Fran next season.
From RotoBaller
All signs are pointing toward Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. being the team's No. 1 pass-catching tight end again in 2026 after fellow TE David Njoku announced on Monday that he's not expecting to re-sign with the team in free agency this offseason. Fannin, 21, surprisingly led Cleveland in receiving in 2025 after the team selected him in the third round out of Bowling Green. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder hauled in 72 of his 107 targets for 731 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games played, which made him the TE5 overall in half-PPR scoring. Fannin did it all despite a less-than-ideal situation at quarterback, too, which makes his rookie campaign even that much more impressive. The Browns' QB picture won't look all that much better going into next year, but Fannin should maintain TE1 value in fantasy as a key piece of the offense in his sophomore season.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns impending free-agent tight end David Njoku said on his Instagram account on Monday that "the time for me to find a new home has come," according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Njoku is set to become a free agent on March 12, one day after the new league year begins. The 29-year-old has spent his entire nine-year career in Cleveland and made it known that he'd love to return to the Browns, but it's not in the cards. The former 29th overall pick by the Browns in 2017 out of Miami took a clear back seat to rookie Harold Fannin Jr. in 2025 and is now expendable. Njoku wasn't a reliable fantasy tight end with the reduced role last season, as he caught 33 passes on 48 targets for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games played. It was one of the worst years of Njoku's career, but a bounce-back could be possibly, depending on where he lands in free agency.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spoke to several people in the NFL who believe that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will eventually relinquish offensive play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Webb, a former backup quarterback with the Buffalo Bills, has been a fast riser in the coaching ranks and had multiple head-coaching interviews this cycle. The decision will be up to Payton, but nothing has been decided for now. Payton has called plays at a high level for decades, but his decisions came under scrutiny in the AFC Championship game loss to the New England Patriots. Webb took over the OC job in Denver following the firing of Joe Lombardi. Handing over play-calling duties to Webb might be another way for the Broncos to hang onto the coveted coach beyond the 2026 campaign, and they could potentially be grooming him to take over head-coaching duties if Payton decides to retire down the road.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught four of his 10 targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. Just a few days after being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba was held in check by a historic defensive performance from Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. While the young receiver was smothered, this simply redirected more volume to Cooper Kupp and running back Kenneth Walker III, who both fueled the victory. Fantasy managers should expect that Smith-Njigba, who had 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season, will continue to get plenty of attention from the NFL's top cornerbacks going forward. He was relatively quiet in a tough matchup on Sunday night, but he should overcome most of those challenging situations in 2026 -- very similar to how he performed during the 2025 regular season. He enters 2026 fantasy drafts as a top-three receiver in all leagues.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp caught six of his 12 targets for 61 yards during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. Kupp led the Seahawks' receiving corps in all three of those categories, taking those responsibilities from Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba was smothered by Christian Gonzalez for most of the game, and he also missed a small portion of the game for a concussion check. Kupp has now won two Super Bowls in five years. He got his first ring with the Rams, and now, he gets his second ring at the culmination of his first campaign in Seattle. He finished the regular season with a modest 47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns, but he produced when it mattered most under the international spotlight on Sunday night. Kupp should remain in the No. 2 receiver role for next season, but he ranks outside the top 36 receivers ahead of 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 23 yards on seven carries during Sunday's Super Bowl LX loss against the Seattle Seahawks. He also caught all five of his targets for an additional 40 receiving yards. Stevenson struggled rushing the ball, but he remained involved and effective in the passing game as New England prioritized shorter pass attempts over deep shots downfield. This was a familiar trend for Stevenson, who essentially won back the primary ball-carrier role after returning from injury in late November. Even with second-round rookie Tre'Veyon Henderson in the mix, Stevenson tallied 603 rushing yards, 32 catches, 345 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns across 14 contests. He averaged 12.8 full-PPR points per game, finishing the year as the overall RB25. Henderson should get even more involved next season, but Stevenson will still have a sizable role. He enters 2026 fantasy drafts as a mid-to-low RB3/flex option.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's "not impossible" that the Las Vegas Raiders trade All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) before the start of free agency in March. Crosby is around a month into his recovery from surgery on his meniscus, which typically carries a recovery time of three to four months. The 28-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career with the Raiders, but it remains to be seen if he wants to stick around for another rebuild with a new coaching staff under head coach Klint Kubiak. Crosby is ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery, but he's unlikely to be medically cleared before free agency officially begins on March 11. It means that if Crosby is traded, it likely wouldn't be until later, perhaps at the 2026 NFL Draft or before the regular season. When healthy, he's been one of the league's best pass-rushers, earning five straight Pro Bowl nods and racking up 69.5 career sacks. Crosby would generate significant interest around the league if the Raiders are serious about trading him.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 27 of his 43 pass attempts for 295 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during Sunday's Super Bowl loss against the Seattle Seahawks. He also rushed for 37 yards, took six sacks, and lost a fumble. Maye had a spectacular season, putting together an MVP-caliber campaign during just his second year in the NFL. He remained successful throughout most of the postseason, adapting to a mix of weather conditions while taking down three top defenses en route to a Super Bowl berth. However, the hot streak ended there, as Maye was stymied by an elite Seattle defense. His three turnovers were momentum-killers in a game that had 15 punts and five field goals. He struggled with ball placement when passing, too, and his passing yard total isn't exactly indicative of the game he had. In fact, 235 of Maye's 295 passing yards came in the fourth quarter, setting a new Super Bowl single-quarter record as he took advantage of the Seahawks playing a more relaxed style of defense in the final minutes. Arguably, the best part of Maye's game was his five rushing attempts, which often moved the chains and gave New England a glimmer of hope. Still, Maye's struggles when passing and inability to handle pressure in a collapsing pocket cost New England the game. He'll enter the offseason with his work cut out for him, especially as the Patriots prepare for a tougher schedule in 2026. Maye might not replicate his 2025 stats next year, but he's still a safe bet to rank among the top five quarterbacks in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries during Sunday's Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots. He also caught two of four targets for an additional 26 receiving yards. Walker's spectacular postseason culminated in a terrific showing on the world's biggest stage. He averaged five yards per carry and broke off several big runs that helped the Seahawks clinch a Super Bowl title. For his efforts, he was also named Super Bowl MVP. Walker had a very impressive 2025 campaign, and it came during a contract year. For the first time in his career, he was healthy for all 17 regular-season games. He tallied 1,309 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns while splitting work with Zach Charbonnet during the regular season, and he put the rushing workload on his back after Charbonnet tore his ACL during Seattle's first playoff game. Walker will now enter free agency as arguably the top running back available, alongside players like Travis Etienne Jr. and Breece Hall. Walker's landing spot will paint a better picture of his fantasy value in 2026 drafts, but for now, he's a solid top-12 running back in all redraft formats, especially if he ends up back in Seattle.
From RotoBaller