Guest of the League
Another one bites the dust Est. 2023
Draft Masters - FFL: Offseason | NFL: Offseason

Lineup Prep: Divisional Round

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

Related photo caption below

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.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

RTSports Super Bowl Preview

Player Notes
Deshaun Watson Feb 10 6:30pm ET
Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot reports that the last two civil suits against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have been settled with the women accusing him of sexual misconduct weeks before they were set to go to trial in February and March, according to a league source. The suits were among the 27 that were filed against Watson since 2021 by women accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage appointments. Watson was fined $5 million and suspended for 11 games in 2022 because of his actions. The 30-year-old has been a massive bust for Cleveland since signing a five-year, $230 million contract in March of 2022, and he's played in just 20 games since the start of 2022. Watson suffered multiple Achilles tears in 2024 and will merely be competing for a starting gig this summer. There's still a pretty good chance he never takes another snap as the starter in Cleveland again.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Feb 10 5:20pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers definitely want impending free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return for the 2026 season, but they are in no hurry for a resolution, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Steelers don't think it will take quite as long as it did last year for the situation to resolve itself, and in the meantime, they are content to focus on the development of second-year QB Will Howard. With Rodgers away, Howard will have an opportunity to compete to become the QB1 over Mason Rudolph. But it remains to be seen if the former sixth-rounder can become a viable starter in the NFL, and it will be a moot point if Rodgers re-signs in the Steel City. Expect Rodgers to take his time to decide so he can miss the voluntary portion of the offseason program. If the future Hall of Famer does return to Pittsburgh for another year, he'll be a low-end QB2 option for fantasy after throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Feb 10 5:00pm ET
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder) acknowledged that the hit he took in the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos was significant as it relates to his right throwing shoulder, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Maye was managing his shoulder injury in the two weeks leading into Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks, but both Maye and the Patriots downplayed the severity. Maye admitted that his shoulder was an issue in the 29-13 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl, in which he went 27-for-43 passing for 295 yards and two touchdowns. The second-year QB threw picks and lost a fumble as well in what was a disappointing finish to an excellent second year for the North Carolina product. Maye doesn't expect to require surgery, though, and he should be fully healthy going into the 2026 campaign. The 23-year-old led the NFL with a 72% completion percentage during the regular season and finished as a top-five fantasy QB, although New England's regular-season schedule was extremely soft.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Feb 10 3:10pm ET
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London finished 2024 as the WR5 in Half-PPR formats, and at times in 2025, he looked primed for a repeat performance. However, a knee injury cost him four games down the stretch, leaving him looking like a shell of himself upon his return. While the quarterback situation in Atlanta remains unsettled heading into 2026, London has proven himself to be an elite talent in the league, finishing as a top-six graded receiver by PFF in back-to-back seasons. If the Falcons can find even league-average quarterback play for the foreseeable future, London should again be one of the best fantasy bets at the position in 2026 and could actually be undervalued in dynasty leagues, as the current consensus WR8.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Feb 10 3:00pm ET
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has finished as an RB1 in each of the past three seasons, often overcoming lower efficiency outings with sheer volume and touchdowns. In 2025, he saw his per-game touches dip to a three-year low, as second-year back Blake Corum handled a career high 145 carries, forming a true backfield committee down the stretch of the regular season and in two out of three playoff games. Both players looked to have fresh legs on a run that went as deep as the NFC championship game, and it would come as no surprise to see carries divvied up similarly in 2026. With Los Angeles' top-ranked offense expected to return the bulk of its starters, Williams will still be viewed as an RB1 in 2026 redraft leagues and likely just outside of that in dynasty startups, making the 25-year-old a potential early-season sell candidate.

From RotoBaller

Mason Taylor Feb 10 2:50pm ET
Mason Taylor

New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor finished his rookie campaign with 44 receptions for 369 yards and a single touchdown across 13 games, missing the final four weeks with a neck injury. While he saw his value peak after an early-season, two-game stretch that saw him targeted 17 times for 132 yards, his first season in New York never amounted to much of a fantasy impact, spending most of the year bouncing around the waiver wire in redraft leagues. In dynasty formats, his value is more difficult to peg down, as it's unclear just how the blame should be split between a routinely underperforming Jets offense and Taylor himself. While the Jets ranked dead last in both passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2025, Taylor did not do much to help his cause, finishing the year without a single missed tackle forced. He enters 2026 just outside the TE1 conversation, with the potential to plummet quickly if drastic changes don't take shape early in New York.

From RotoBaller

Austin Ekeler Feb 10 2:40pm ET
Austin Ekeler

Pending free agent running back Austin Ekeler signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season, but has struggled with injuries since. The 30-year-old back managed fewer than 70 offensive snaps in 2025 before a devastating Achilles injury ended his season in Week 2. While his touchdown numbers have dropped precipitously from his fantasy glory days with the Chargers, he continued to prove himself a valuable part of the Commanders' passing game. With almost a full year of recovery before the start of the 2026 season and a work ethic second to none, it should come as no surprise if he signs a minimal short-term deal when free agency opens in March, potentially carving out a dedicated third-down role. While his RB1 days are clearly behind him, he could represent a next-to-nothing dynasty buy with the occasional spike week still in his future.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Feb 10 2:30pm ET
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua finished as the WR1 in Half-PPR formats in 2025, and the 24-year-old wideout belongs in the conversation at the top of the position in dynasty startups. His 95.3 receiving yards per game since his record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign is the highest in NFL history, and with quarterback Matthew Stafford insinuating his return during NFL Honors, the Rams appear poised for another all-in title push in 2026. Nacua, Ja'Marr Chase, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba comprise the top tier at the position. While youth slightly favors Smith-Njigba, and long-term quarterback stability belongs to Chase, Nacua enters 2026 in the most favorable overall position and is the most likely to see his value rise throughout the season. While drafters can't go wrong with any of the three, Nacua makes sense at the top of the draft for those building both an instant contender or long-term juggernaut.

From RotoBaller

Ben Sinnott Feb 10 2:00pm ET
Ben Sinnott

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott's role could change in 2026 with new offensive coordinator David Blough calling plays, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports. "It seemed pretty clear that Kliff didn't see him as a long-term piece of the offense, just because he didn't get many looks," The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala said. Sinnott only had 11 catches on 13 targets for 114 yards and one touchdown in 16 games for the Commanders in 2025 in his second year in the NFL, even though Ertz missed four games after tearing his ACL. Ertz probably won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign and is also a free agent, so Sinnott's role could grow significantly in Washington's offense in his third year in the league. That could change, depending on who the team adds via the draft and free agency in the offseason, but as of right now, Sinnott could be a TE sleeper to monitor.

From RotoBaller

Mike Evans Feb 10 1:30pm ET
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, hinted that his client is leaning toward playing again in 2026, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. "Mike started the season in great shape. Most people in the organization said he probably had the best camp of everyone. He finished feeling better than he has in several seasons. I think his competitive nature leads to more football. That is my hope," Gilmore said. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer fell under 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his 12 NFL seasons in 2025 because of a broken collarbone that caused him to miss half the season. Evans finished with a 30-368-3 line on 62 targets in eight starts, but it sounds like he doesn't have any intention of hanging up his cleats just yet. If Evans plays in 2026, it will most likely be back in Tampa, although it might not be the most ideal spot for fantasy purposes, given their crowded WR corps.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Feb 10 1:20pm ET
Alec Pierce

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggests that the Indianapolis Colts could use the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce as a way to facilitate a long-term deal. The Colts' offseason priority is to sign quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) to a long-term extension, but Pierce is a 1B option, according to Fowler. The only problem with the franchise tag for Pierce is that it would be a steep price tag ($25 to $28 million) for receivers in 2026. The 25-year-old broke out in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL, leading the Colts with 1,003 receiving yards on 47 receptions. He also caught six touchdown passes on a career-high 84 targets over 15 games played. Pierce's fantasy stock will continue to rise if Jones re-signs, which is expected, and if the Colts cut fellow receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has one year left on his current deal.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Feb 10 2:13am ET
David Njoku

Dynasty | Free agent tight end David Njoku went to social media to announce he won't return to the Browns. Dynasty Analysis: Njoku was phased out of the offense this year in favor of Harold Fannin and struggled with injuries this season as well. He should have little trouble finding work but he's going to need to land in the right spot to have any chance at TE1 consideration moving forward. At this point, Njoku remains a pretty uninspiring hold in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Darnell Mooney Feb 10 12:10am ET
Darnell Mooney

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

Braelon Allen Feb 9 11:50pm ET
Braelon Allen

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

DeVonta Smith Feb 9 11:40pm ET
DeVonta Smith

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

Stefon Diggs Feb 9 11:30pm ET
Stefon Diggs

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

Troy Franklin Feb 9 11:30pm ET
Troy Franklin

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

Jerry Jeudy Feb 9 11:30pm ET
Jerry Jeudy

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

Kyler Murray Feb 9 10:13pm ET
Kyler Murray

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.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Justin Jefferson Feb 9 10:13pm ET
Justin Jefferson

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.

From Dynasty League Fantasy