play0:47Bowen: D’Andre Swift’s volume puts him in RB2 range for Week 16Matt Bowen explains why D’Andre Swift’s expected workload makes him a solid RB2 option in Week 16.
play0:32Why Ja’Marr Chase remains a top option for fantasy managersLiz Loza breaks down Ja’Marr Chase’s fantasy performance in Week 15 for the Bengals.
play1:06Should fantasy managers have Dallas Goedert active in Week 16?Eric Karabell reacts to Dallas Goedert’s big fantasy game vs. the Raiders.
What does Quinn Ewers at QB mean for Jaylen Waddle in fantasy? (1:07)Daniel Dopp breaks down whether fantasy managers should start Jaylen Waddle with Quinn Ewers starting as quarterback. (1:07)
Bowen: D’Andre Swift’s volume puts him in RB2 range for Week 16Matt Bowen explains why D’Andre Swift’s expected workload makes him a solid RB2 option in Week 16.
Why Ja’Marr Chase remains a top option for fantasy managersLiz Loza breaks down Ja’Marr Chase’s fantasy performance in Week 15 for the Bengals.
Should fantasy managers have Dallas Goedert active in Week 16?Eric Karabell reacts to Dallas Goedert’s big fantasy game vs. the Raiders.
How does Dolphins’ QB change affect Achane, Waddle, Waller?
What to expect from Steelers, Dolphins going forward
Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our Fantasy Football Buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has made a move at the quarterback position ahead of the Week 16 matchup versus the Bengals, benching starter Tua Tagovailoa for rookie Quinn Ewers. So, let’s discuss the fantasy impact of this coaching decision.
Running back De’Von Achane could see a bump in usage with the rookie under center, and he gets a very positive matchup against a subpar defense. That keeps Achane in the mix as a top-3 play at the position in Week 16 due to his anticipated volume and explosive-play ability, as he leads the league with 36 rushes of 10 or more yards.
Given the unknowns with Ewers, on a team playing out the regular-season schedule, Jaylen Waddle sticks in the WR3/flex range, while tight end Darren Waller remains a lower-tier TE2 despite the defensive matchup.
Snaps, targets, routes run and other participation data that can portend future value, because you can’t score fantasy points if you don’t get the ball. Here are some performances that stood out on Sunday.
Bowen: D’Andre Swift’s volume puts him in RB2 range for Week 16
Matt Bowen explains why D’Andre Swift’s expected workload makes him a solid RB2 option in Week 16.
Breece Hall’s number of snaps were normal in the first half for the New York Jets, but as the game got away from New York in the second half, Isaiah Davis saw more touches. Davis finished with 13.5 fantasy points thanks to a touchdown, while Hall managed just 5.7.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. continues to lead the New York Giants’ backfield, finishing with 18 touches and a season-high 24.7 fantasy points. He took on a larger role against the Washington Commanders, setting season highs in snaps on early downs and third downs. Devin Singletary remains involved, but Tracy’s expanding role positions him as the more reliable fantasy option moving forward.
Javonte Williams left briefly with a shoulder injury against the Minnesota Vikings and saw reduced snaps as Malik Davis took on more work. Williams still finished with 15.1 fantasy points, but his usage was clearly limited. Davis is a name to monitor if Williams has a setback. As long as Williams is active, he remains a viable fantasy starter despite a tough Week 16 matchup against the Chargers’ defensive front.
RJ Harvey left late against the Green Bay Packers with a rib injury after maintaining his usual lead role in the Denver Broncos’ backfield, finishing with 19 rushing attempts. If Harvey misses time, Jaleel McLaughlin becomes the Broncos’ top running back and a strong waiver target, even though the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chiefs have been stingy against opposing running backs.
Jahmyr Gibbs set a season high in snaps against the Rams, finishing with 17 touches while David Montgomery managed just seven. The only thing keeping Montgomery afloat in fantasy is that he has scored a rushing touchdown in three straight games, which makes him hard to trust in a must-win fantasy matchup.
The Seattle Seahawks’ committee between Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet continues to frustrate fantasy managers, as both finished with similar snaps, routes and touches. Walker had 10 touches and Charbonnet had nine. Both remain on the flex radar depending on league size, but you’ll need some antacid if you’re forced to start them.
Why Ja’Marr Chase remains a top option for fantasy managers
Liz Loza breaks down Ja’Marr Chase’s fantasy performance in Week 15 for the Bengals.
Ja’Marr Chase’s 16 targets and 23.2 fantasy points against the Baltimore Ravens were his most in a game since he posted 19 targets and 21.1 fantasy points against the Jets back in Week 8. Tee Higgins was ruled out on Friday due to a concussion, and with the Cincinnati Bengals officially eliminated from playoff contention, it remains to be seen whether Higgins will return, or whether Cincinnati will limit or shut down Joe Burrow and Chase.
DJ Moore stepped up for the Bears after Rome Odunze was ruled out shortly before Sunday’s kickoff, having aggravated the foot injury that kept him sidelined in Week 14. Chicago also lost Luther Burden III in the third quarter because of an ankle injury. Moore became the focal point of the Bears’ passing game, leading all Chicago pass catchers in snaps, routes, and fantasy points (22.9). His fantasy viability in Week 16 ultimately depends on the availability of Odunze and Burden.
The New England Patriots have noticeably reduced Stefon Diggs’ snaps over the past three games in both 11 and 12 personnel, a sharp shift from his every-down role earlier in the season. He has accumulated just 11 targets and 15.2 fantasy points over that three-game span. Diggs’ decline is significant, making it difficult to have confidence in starting him.
Rashid Shaheed earned a larger role in Seattle’s 12 personnel and delivered with a season-high seven targets since joining the Seahawks and 12.1 fantasy points. Shaheed is on the flex radar in deeper formats, while Cooper Kupp can safely be dropped.
Ricky Pearsall had the second-most targets on the San Francisco 49ers with seven and finished with 15.6 fantasy points, his best game since Week 3 against the Cardinals. Pearsall appears to be back to full strength.
Should fantasy managers have Dallas Goedert active in Week 16?
Eric Karabell reacts to Dallas Goedert’s big fantasy game vs. the Raiders.
Harold Fannin Jr. finished with a season-high in snaps and a season-high 14 targets against the Bears. It was his second consecutive game with double-digit targets and his third straight game with at least 10 fantasy points. Fannin’s results will likely remain inconsistent, but he’s still on the TE1 radar, and it’s clear that he is Shedeur Sanders’ preferred target and will remain heavily involved in the offense.
Oronde Gadsden II had his best game since Week 9 with 10.1 fantasy points against the Chiefs, but his snaps continue to decline as Will Dissly has replaced Tucker Fisk in the Chargers’ tight end rotation. Gadsden’s role is shrinking, and with difficult matchups ahead against the Dallas Cowboys and Texans, he remains a risky fantasy start despite the solid Week 15 production.
Colby Parkinson delivered a career game with seven targets and 24.5 fantasy points as the Rams continued using 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TEs, and 1 WR) at a historic rate. He now plays nearly every early-down snap and has four touchdowns in his last five games. With Davante Adams injured and a favorable matchup in Week 16 against a Seahawks defense that’s allowed the second most receiving yards per game to tight ends, Parkinson could continue to produce.
Let’s remember that Ewers has seen very limited action this season, throwing a total of just eight passes in late-game work during the Week 7 blowout loss to Cleveland. We should expect a game plan from McDaniel featuring heavily defined passing concepts that open middle-of-the-field voids, and more quick-game throws to narrow the post-snap lens for the rookie. Ultimately, this will be a run-focused call sheet from McDaniel, which leaves Ewers with very little fantasy value for Sunday. That is to be expected, but how does this affect the Dolphins’ top offensive options?
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-15 on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers delivered his most efficient performance of the season, completing 85% of his passes with two touchdowns to keep Pittsburgh atop the AFC North. The Steelers’ offense controlled the game with quick throws, strong production from Kenneth Gainwell and timely scoring from DK Metcalf and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Miami’s playoff hopes ended as the Dolphins mustered little offense in the cold, continuing Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles in sub-40-degree games. Here are a few other takeaways from the Monday night meeting.
D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai still operate as a committee, sharing snaps, routes, and touches, but it was Swift who delivered a matchup-winning performance with 19 touches and 22.6 fantasy points against the Cleveland Browns, thanks to two rushing touchdowns. The Chicago Bears leaned more on Swift in the second half as they closed out the game. He has now seen at least 16 touches in three consecutive games and has scored at least 20 fantasy points in two of them, putting him firmly on the RB2 radar against the Packers in Week 16.
Bam Knight left early with an ankle injury and did not return, leaving Michael Carter to handle every-down work for the Arizona Cardinals against the Houston Texans. Carter finished with 18 touches and 13.4 fantasy points. Emari Demercado returned from his own ankle injury but was used sparingly, mostly on passing downs. With James Conner and Trey Benson already out for the season, Carter becomes the clear waiver priority unless Knight is confirmed healthy. There’s a strong chance he’d lead the Cardinals backfield in touches over the next two weeks.