Every week we’ll bring you The Primer, a deep dive into every fantasy-relevant player from every NFL game of the week. You can find the full weekly Primer here. Below we dive into a few notable players ahead of this weekend’s games.
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Outlook
Sam LaPorta: Sammy Ballgame continues to reset rookie tight end expectations as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. Ballgame is currently on pace for 122 targets, 91 receptions, 962 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns. Among 38 qualifying tight ends, he ranks sixth in target share (20.0%), fifth in YPRR (2.04), and eighth in first-read share (21.3%). He is 14th in deep targets and ninth in red zone targets among tight ends. Since Week 8, Chicago has operated with the sixth-highest rate of single-high (63.6%). Among 57 qualifying tight ends, he ranks fourth in target share (21.9%), first in YPRR (2.86), and first in fantasy points per route run (0.69) against single-high. Another week for Ballgame to crush. Week 14 Positional Value: TE1
Adam Thielen: Thielen’s season has gone in the toilet. Over his last five games, he has surpassed 45 receiving yards only once and had only one WR2 or higher finish (WR21). Since Week 9, he has had a 21.4% target share, a 26.0% air-yard share, 0.95 YPRR, and a 27.8% first-read share. It has been tough, as he has averaged only 33.3 receiving yards per game with 0.22 fantasy points per route run. It’s tough to consider Thielen as anything more than an uninspiring flex play at this juncture. Thielen will run about 71% of his routes against Alontae Taylor (since Week 8: 65.4% catch rate and 101.3 passer rating). Since Week 8, New Orleans has ranked 14th in PPR points per target allowed to slot receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR3
D.K. Metcalf: After his monster performance against Dallas, Metcalf is now the WR18 in fantasy points per game. He ranks ninth in deep targets and sixth in red zone targets among wide receivers. Since Week 8, he has had a 24.1% target share, a 47.2% air-yard share, 2.41 YPRR, and a 32% first-read share. Over the last six games, he leads the team with nine end-zone targets. Since Week 12, the 49ers have utilized two-high at the seventh-highest rate (56%). Since Week 8 against two-high, Metcalf has seen his target share dip to 17.6%, his air-yard share fall to 37.2%, and his first-read share fall to 24.6%. This game sets up as a sneaky Tyler Lockett game. Week 14 Positional Value: WR2
De’Von Achane: Achane returned last week to reclaim his spot as the lead back for Miami. He played 61% of the snaps, handling 20 touches and churning out 103 total yards. Among 58 qualifying backs, Achane ranks top-two in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. Achane should have no problems steamrolling a neutral matchup against the Titans. Since Week 8, Tennessee has allowed the 14th-highest explosive run rate and the 13th-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 14 Positional Value: RB1/2
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