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Note: Most players are less than 30% rostered in Yahoo leagues.
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Running Back
Rex Burkhead (RB – HOU): 13% rostered
Burkhead set season-highs across the board in Week 16, rushing 22 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans were able to take advantage of the Chargers’ COVID-19 outbreak, in addition to downright bullying their league-worst rushing defense. David Johnson‘s absence certainly helped Burkhead’s backfield share, but his usage has been on the rise ever since Houston’s bye. Monitor DJ’s status entering Week 17. The 49ers are also a much tougher opponent on the ground. This performance couldn’t go overlooked, however.
Jordan Howard (RB – PHI): 17% rostered
Boston Scott (RB – PHI): 15% rostered
Miles Sanders exited Sunday’s game with a hand injury, which is reportedly fractured. This would obviously end his season and send both Howard/Scott back into the RB2/3 conversation. Howard also left Sunday’s game with a stinger, which is another situation to monitor. If both Sanders and Howard are out in Week 17, then Scott would become a plug-and-play RB2. If just Sanders misses, then Howard/Scott wouldn’t be able to be teed up as confidently, but they would both still possess some fantasy value.
Wide Receiver
Kadarius Toney (WR – NYG): 22% rostered
The rookie returned on Sunday for the first time since Week 11, which is a game where Toney saw a whopping 12 targets. His recent injury/COVID issues have been especially frustrating with all the other injuries among New York pass catchers. Toney, who has been targeted at an incredibly strong per-route basis at times this season, theoretically could’ve been in position for massive volume over the past month. This is a potentially special talent who registered 189 yards in his only other double-digit target game of the year. He was held to 28 yards on four receptions on Sunday (though he commanded nine targets). Toney’s fantasy outlook would increase if Mike Glennon starts over Jake Fromm in Week 17.
Allen Lazard (WR – GB): 24% rostered
It was a productive Christmas evening for Lazard, who caught 2-of-5 targets for 45 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. This isn’t a player to overly invest in for the fantasy finals, though he now has 5+ targets in three of his past four contests. Tying production to Aaron Rodgers on the cheap is never a bad idea. For those in deeper leagues who need a potential FLEX fill-in, Lazard draws an aging Minnesota secondary in Week 17.
Tight End
Cole Kmet (TE – CHI): 33% rostered
Kmet made sense as a Kelce fill-in for Week 16, so he could already be on some rosters. The 22-year-old caught 4-of-5 targets for 49 yards in the Bears’ win over the Seahawks. Unfortunately, he was once again “vultured” by Jimmy Graham and still has zero touchdowns for the year. Kmet has now topped 40 receiving yards in five straight contests and draws 5+ targets more often than not. The Giants are an attackable Week 17 matchup.
Quarterback
Mac Jones (QB – NE): 33% rostered
Jones entered Week 16 with the highest completion percentage for a rookie quarterback of all time. Buffalo made life difficult for him in New England’s loss, and the Alabama product proceeded to throw two picks. This recommendation is entirely about the matchup, however. The Jaguars are on tap for the fantasy finals. This is a defense who just made Zach Wilson (!!) look respectable, though a lot of his production came on the ground. Starting Jones isn’t an upside play. Managers in a bind could do worse, however.
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Brendan Tuma is a featured writer at FantasyPros. To read more from Brendan, check out his archive and follow him @toomuchtuma.
