play0:53Why Eric Karabell likes Omarion Hampton for the rest of the seasonEric Karabell explains why Omarion Hampton is a top-20 fantasy running back for the rest of the season.
play0:51What kind of fantasy ranking does Chris Olave have for Week 17?Eric Moody breaks down Chris Olave’s fantasy performance vs. the Jets.
Brock Purdy slings 5 TDs as 49ers rout Colts on MNF (1:11)Brock Purdy delivers a masterful performance to lead the 49ers to a big win over the Colts. (1:11)
Why Eric Karabell likes Omarion Hampton for the rest of the seasonEric Karabell explains why Omarion Hampton is a top-20 fantasy running back for the rest of the season.
Eric Karabell explains why Omarion Hampton is a top-20 fantasy running back for the rest of the season.
What kind of fantasy ranking does Chris Olave have for Week 17?Eric Moody breaks down Chris Olave’s fantasy performance vs. the Jets.
Purdy, McCaffrey and Kittle deliver big “Monday Night Football” performances
Stafford puts up 30 fantasy points in loss to Seattle
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.
Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Weekly rankings Scoring leaders | Projections | Strength of schedule
There were also several fantasy-relevant developments from this game that managers should factor into their lineup decisions going into championship week.
Purdy leaned heavily on his running backs and tight ends against the Colts on Monday. He finished with a season-high 30.9 fantasy points, with 14 of his 25 completions and three of his five touchdowns going to those groups. Purdy has scored at least 26 fantasy points in consecutive games and now faces a Bears defense that has given up the 9th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season.
Jauan Jennings and McCaffrey ran the most routes for the 49ers, and it wasn’t a coincidence that the duo combined for 50.7 fantasy points. McCaffrey is an obvious lineup lock, but managers shouldn’t overlook Jennings, who was started in just 40.7% of ESPN leagues. He’s seen at least five targets and scored at least 18 fantasy points in consecutive games. Jennings belongs in Week 17 lineups, and his role could expand even further if Kittle is ruled out.
In Case You Missed It: Week 16 winners and losers: Chase Brown, Trevor Lawrence lead the way as Josh Allen, Josh Jacobs fizzle
Why Eric Karabell likes Omarion Hampton for the rest of the season
There’s more to box scores than yards and touchdowns. Participation trends let you know who is on the field and what opportunity may come, because you can’t score if you’re on the sideline.
Kimani Vidal exited early in the fourth quarter with a neck injury against the Cowboys and didn’t return, as the Chargers were already shifting more work to Omarion Hampton. Hampton had more snaps and touches than Vidal before the injury and finished with 17 touches and 16.5 fantasy points. He’s a strong start in Week 17 against a Texans defense that just gave up 31.8 fantasy points to Ashton Jeanty, with even more upside if Vidal misses time.
Saquon Barkley led the Eagles backfield in snaps, routes, touches (21) and fantasy points (21.2) against the Commanders. It was just his third game this season with at least 100 rushing yards, and his recent production has come primarily on the ground, with only two receptions over his past four games. Barkley remains firmly on the RB1 radar in Week 17 against a Bills defensive front that has allowed the third-most rushing yards per game this season.
Travis Etienne Jr. saw an expanded role with Bhayshul Tuten inactive due to a finger injury, finishing with 20 touches and 16.6 fantasy points. That production is notable given how difficult the Broncos’ defense has been on opposing running backs. The Jaguars’ Week 17 matchup against the Colts is more favorable, and if Tuten misses another game, Etienne could be positioned for one of his best performances of the season behind an offensive line that ranks seventh in run block win rate.
The Steelers appear to be embracing a true committee approach between Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Warren finished with 16 touches and 29.1 fantasy points, while Gainwell logged 14 touches and 23.8 fantasy points. Both backs played a similar number of snaps, though Gainwell ran more routes. Both remain fantasy relevant, but the committee introduces a volatility managers must account for in Week 17 against the Browns.
The snap distribution between Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard against the Buccaneers mirrored Week 16. Dowdle handled early-down work, finishing with 13 touches and 8.3 fantasy points, while Hubbard played most third downs and totaled seven touches for 4.4 fantasy points. Carolina now faces Seattle in Week 17.
Breece Hall didn’t play his usual number of snaps against the Saints due to negative game flow, but he still finished with 18 touches while his backup, Isaiah Davis, shockingly led the Jets in receiving yards. The touches have been there for Hall, but the fantasy production hasn’t followed in a lackluster Jets offense.
Michael Carter led the Cardinals backfield with 11 rushing attempts, with Emari Demercado handling most passing-down work and Corey Kiner mixing in as the primary backup. The trio averaged 5.7 yards per carry, but none found the end zone or caught a pass. Carter remains on the flex radar for managers in deeper formats against a Bengals defense that’s allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs.
What kind of fantasy ranking does Chris Olave have for Week 17?
Eric Moody breaks down Chris Olave’s fantasy performance vs. the Jets.
Tee Higgins returned in a limited role against the Dolphins, logging his lowest snap rate in a game over the past two seasons after missing time with a concussion. He was active but limited in practice and ceded additional snaps to Andrei Iosivas early before exiting alongside other starters in the fourth quarter. Higgins still finished with three targets and 14.3 fantasy points thanks to a touchdown. If he avoids the injury report this week, he remains a safe start.
Chris Godwin Jr. no longer had a near every-down role with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back, as Tampa Bay rotated heavily at wide receiver. While the top four receivers played similar snap shares, Godwin (6) and Evans (9) led the way in targets against the Panthers. The Week 17 matchup against Miami is tricky, as the Dolphins have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Emeka Egbuka is especially volatile due to his limited route participation.
Justin Jefferson caught six of eight targets for 85 yards in Sunday’s win over the Giants, doing most of his damage before J.J. McCarthy exited with a hand injury. His 14.5 fantasy points were his most in a game since Week 9 against the Lions. Jefferson accounted for over half of Minnesota’s second-half passing production, but his fantasy floor remains volatile with uncertainty at quarterback heading into Thursday against the Lions.
The Bills’ pass-catching rotation remains unsettled. With Keon Coleman and Gabe Davis inactive, Joshua Palmer stepped in as the primary X receiver, though production was minimal. Tight end Dalton Kincaid didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday with a knee injury, played under 40% of snaps for a third straight game, and finished with one target and zero fantasy points. Khalil Shakir led the group with five targets and 34 receiving yards.
The Giants prioritized the running game against the Vikings, finishing with 30 rushing attempts compared to just 13 pass attempts. Wan’Dale Robinson saw six targets and finished with 5.2 fantasy points but should be better positioned for success in Week 17 against a Raiders defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Marvin Harrison Jr. returned from injury but was eased back in, playing just over half of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps. Michael Wilson remained an every-down player, though he played fewer snaps as the “X” receiver with Harrison active. Wilson finished with three targets and 13.2 fantasy points thanks to a 52-yard touchdown, but his fantasy reliability may dip as Harrison reclaims a larger role.
Those looking for a “Monday Night Miracle” from the San Francisco 49ers’ leading fantasy stars most likely got what they were looking for to finish Week 16. Brock Purdy threw a career-high five touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers cruised past the Indianapolis Colts 48-27, extending their winning streak to five games. San Francisco racked up 440 yards, didn’t punt for a second straight week, and saw Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle combine for three touchdowns. The 49ers’ offense looks fully locked in heading into the playoffs.
Kittle exited late in the third quarter with an ankle injury and didn’t return. After missing time earlier in the season, he’s been dominant down the stretch, playing near every snap and delivering elite fantasy production. Kittle finished with seven catches, a season-high 115 yards, and a touchdown. His status is critical to monitor heading into Week 17. If he were to miss time, Jake Tonges would be the primary beneficiary. For additional tight end options, check out Eric Karabell’s waiver wire column.
The Colts leaned heavily on 11 personnel while playing from behind, boosting Josh Downs’ involvement and resulting in his best yardage game of the season (five catches, 65 yards). Alec Pierce was the bigger fantasy story, catching all four targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including two first-half scores from Philip Rivers. He played a similar number of snaps and ran a similar number of routes as Michael Pittman Jr. Pierce led the Colts in receiving yards, has cleared 75 yards in five of his last seven games, and sits 129 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season heading into Week 17.