We’ve made it. The fantasy playoffs begin this week in most leagues, and if you’re bothering to read this, chances are you’ve made it to the postseason.
Congrats! Now let’s roll up our sleeves, get to work and win ourselves some championship hardware.
With luck, you’re taking a rock-solid nucleus into the playoffs and won’t have to bother with waivers during your playoff run. But most teams have at least one troublesome lineup spot that needs to be addressed, and a lot of managers are going to be streaming defenses and kickers throughout the playoffs.
Unfortunately, this is not a banner week for waivers. Things are a little sparse at the RB and WR positions. There are some reasonable streaming options at QB and TE, but there are no saviors at those positions. At least the fantasy managers who are streaming defenses have some decent options this week.
Throughout the season we’ve listed stashes at each position. But now that we’ve hit the playoffs, there are no more stash lists. Stash season is over. We need immediate playability from our waiver additions at this late date.
I just mentioned that there aren’t many appealing waiver options at the RB position — at least not many that meet our threshold of sub-50% rostership in Yahoo leagues. But if you play in a shallow league or a less competitive league, it’s worth checking on the availability of Antonio Gibson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Gibson, who’s rostered in 54% of Yahoo leagues, is likely to be Washington’s starting RB this week with Brian Robinson dealing with a hamstring injury. Edwards-Helaire, who’s rostered in 51% of yahoo leagues, led the Chiefs in carries in Week 14 with Isiah Pacheco sidelined with what may well be a multi-week shoulder injury.
Good luck in the playoffs this week, friends. Now let’s go shopping.
Grade: C-
Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.
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RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Ty Chandler (MIN): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, DET, GB
- True value: $16
- Desperate need: $26
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: I’ve been preaching the Chandler gospel all season, but there’s finally an opening in the clouds for the second-year running back from North Carolina. Alexander Mattison left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury that could knock him out for multiple weeks. Chandler has been the better of the two anyway, even after a modest performance in Sunday’s 3-0 snoozer in Vegas. Chandler gets a favorable Week 15 matchup against a Cincinnati run defense that ranks 29th in DVOA. Here’s your chance to roster a potential league-winning flex play.
D’Onta Foreman (CHI): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CLE, ARI, ATL
- True value: $13
- Desperate need: $20
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: Among the three healthy RBs the Bears now have, the elder statesman Foreman was the clear workhorse in the team’s Week 14 win over Detroit. He garnered 13 touches on the day to Khalil Herbert‘s three and rookie Roschon Johnson‘s one. This split was both a surprise and an affront to those of us who guessed Chicago would give Johnson more chances down the stretch, especially in Foreman’s first game back from injury. The Bears love to run the ball and are quite good at it. The former 2,000-yard rusher at the University of Texas is worth an add where available.
Jerick McKinnon (KC): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NE, LV, CIN
- True value: $9
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: While many fantasy managers flocked to the waiver wire to add Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Isiah Pacheco injury news meant only one Chiefs RB would be on my radar. McKinnon found the end zone on Sunday against Buffalo, giving him 12.70 PPR points. That was nearly four more points than CEH, even though McKinnon earned only seven touches to the younger back’s 13. Pacheco is iffy for next week in New England, so fight that RB attrition with a trusted figure playing alongside Patrick Mahomes.
Tyjae Spears (TEN): 44% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, SEA, @HOU
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Derrick Henry must be an alien incapable of being concussed. Henry did not return to the game after taking a hellacious hit in Week 13, paving the way for Spears to flash his incredible skills in the open field. December is normally when King Henry becomes an unrelenting nightmare for defenders with cold bones, but the rookie from Tulane has earned an opportunity to seize a bigger role. The Titans have this generation’s Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs if they choose to run a “thunder and lightning” tandem.
Chase Brown (CIN): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIN, @PIT, @KC
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Color me shocked. After weeks of being mired behind Trayveon Williams on the Bengals depth chart, Brown, a rookie from Illinois, has exploded onto the scene as an exciting rotational complement to Joe Mixon. Brown was a fundamentally sound player through the draft process, but his athleticism was called into question. He reminds me a lot of Kyren Williams in that his football intelligence has staying power in the league. Brown scored 19.30 PPR points in Cincinnati’s Week 14 win over Indianapolis. A good chunk of that came from a middle screen where he navigated his blocking perfectly and broke away for a 54-yard house call. It’s encouraging that he got 12 touches on Sunday after getting nine the previous week.
Zamir White (LV): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @KC, IND
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Raiders listed Josh Jacobs as a non-participant on their estimated injury report Monday with a quad injury. The Raiders play the Chargers Thursday night, so Jacobs doesn’t have much healing time. If he’s unable to go, White would operate as the Raiders’ lead back, although Ameer Abdullah would handle much of the passing-down work. A fourth-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2022, White is a physical between-the-tackles runner who’s logged only 37 rushing attempts in 27 NFL games. White isn’t much of a factor as a pass catcher, but he had 22 touchdown runs over his final two college seasons in Athens. If Jacobs is able to play, White will have been a waste of your FAAB dollars. But if you’re a Jacobs investor and don’t have adequate RB depth, White is a necessary insurance policy.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Odell Beckham Jr. (BAL): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, @SF, MIA
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Beckham Jr. was clutch for fantasy managers last week with a 23.2% target share, 97 receiving yards and a score. He played 54% of the Ravens’ offensive snaps, his highest snap count since Week 8. Beckham is getting healthy and shining during crunch-time. Against Jacksonville in Week 15, he could be the flex/WR3 play who helps put your team over the top. Since Week 8, the Jaguars have allowed the most PPR points per target and the 10th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Noah Brown (HOU): 49% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, CLE, TEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Brown has not resembled the same player we fell in love with in Weeks 9-10 since his return from injury. Over the last two weeks, he has only drawn a 12.5% target share and has had zero receptions. The recommended bids here reflect the idea that we are buying into a C.J. Stroud-led offense for Week 15, but that might not be the case. Stroud left last week’s game with a head injury. We’ll have to monitor reports this week to see if Stroud will play or if we must endure the Davis Mills show in Week 15. Even Mills could deliver catchable targets to Brown, at least at a sufficient enough level for him to cook the Titans’ secondary. Brown could return WR3/flex value in Week 15. Since Week 8, Tennessee has given up the second-most receiving yards per game and the fourth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Brown also has a date with Tennessee in Week 17.
Curtis Samuel (WAS): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, @NYJ, SF
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: If you are plucking Samuel from the waiver wire, it’s with an eye toward flexing him this week. His remaining matchups after Week 15 are not pretty. Since Week 12, Samuels has logged a 25.4% target share and a 23.9% first-read share while churning out 3.17 yards per route run and 82.5 receiving yards per game. With Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson dealing with the Rams’ talented outside corners, Samuel should lead the team in receiving again in Week 15. Since Week 8, Los Angeles has ranked 15th in PPR points per target allowed to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Dontayvion Wicks (GB): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: TB, @CAR, @MIN
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Editor’s Note: Wicks appears to have suffered an ankle injury, and early speculation is that it’s a high-ankle sprain. Given the injury, it’s uncertain if Wicks will be available to play Week 15, so take that into account when putting in your waiver wire bids.
Analysis: Wicks is a receiver pickup who’s probably just for deep leagues or for rosters dealing with injuries in Week 15. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be extremely productive and help you take home a W. Wicks’ per-route metrics have been strong this season, with a 22% target per route run rate and 2.28 yards per route run. Wicks should assume Christian Watson‘s role in the Packers’ passing offense, with heavy usage against single-high looks. Wicks should destroy Tampa Bay’s secondary in Week 15. Since Week 8, Tampa Bay has utilized single-high at the eighth-highest rate (61.5%) while also allowing the 10th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Zay Jones (JAX): 29% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, @TB, CAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Volume is king in fantasy, and Jones has been seeing a ton of it. Over the last two games, without Christian Kirk in the lineup, Jones has soaked up a 27.8% target share. His Week 15 matchup is brutal with Baltimore coming to town, but Jones should still see plenty of targets to outkick efficiency concerns. The big reason to pick up Jones this week is with an eye toward Week 16, when the Jaguars face off against the Buccaneers. Since Week 8, Tampa Bay has allowed the 10th-most PPR points per target and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jalin Hyatt (NYG): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, @PHI, LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Hyatt makes this week’s waiver wire article as a pickup with an eye toward Week 16. The rookie’s usage has been inconsistent, but we know that he is the field stretcher for the Giants. Hyatt’s average depth of target is 24.1 yards. Hyatt could have himself a day against the Eagles in Week 16. Since Week 8, Philadelphia has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers and the 10th-highest adjusted completion rate to deep passing (per Fantasy Points Data). Hyatt will be a strong flex dice roll in Week 16.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Joe Flacco (CLE): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @HOU, NYJ
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: It only took the Super Bowl XLVII MVP two weeks to cement himself as the best QB the Browns have had all season. Flacco passed for 311 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, turning in 22.34 fantasy points. He also lines up as a premium QB streaming option over the next two weeks for fantasy playoffs quarterfinals and semifinals. Cleveland is a real contender this year, especially as good the Browns’ offense has looked with the wily vet at the helm.
Jake Browning (CIN): 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIN, @PIT, @KC
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: What more do you need to see? The most decorated high school quarterback and winningest QB in Pac-12 history is also highly successful in the NFL. Browning was sharp again in Week 14 and has now scored 52.36 fantasy points in his last two starts. For at least one more week – a date with the Vikings – he remains a viable streamer with both a stable floor and QB1 ceiling.
Gardner Minshew (IND): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @ATL, LV
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: By now, everyone understands the level of desperation for fantasy managers who have somehow made the playoffs despite so many QB injuries. Minshew is far from a sexy pick, but he’s certainly better than Bailey Zappe. The Patriots’ signal caller just cracked the Steelers open for 20 fantasy points last Thursday night, offering hope that the previously stout defense has exploitable weaknesses for Minshew in Week 15. He’s also a solid option against Atlanta in the fantasy semifinals.
Zach Wilson (NYJ): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, WAS, @CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: I noticed something different on Sunday. Zach Wilson was given the keys to the offense, the whole offense, for the first time of his career. He was stellar. The BYU standout gashed Houston for 300 yards and two touchdowns in the rain and thoroughly outperformed the presumptive offensive rookie of the year, C.J. Stroud. I don’t mind swinging for the fences with Wilson again this week. Miami has a middling defense, and the game script is likely to favor a lot of volume for Wilson and the Jets passing game. Any repeat of the rhythm and chemistry with Garrett Wilson that we witnessed on Sunday and the script writers will have outdone themselves. Imagine the bragging rights that would result from riding a presumed draft bust to a fantasy championship.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Cade Otton (TB): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, JAX, NO
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Otton is THE tight end streaming option who could carry you through the fantasy playoffs. Otton has been a consistent name in this article all season and could cap the 2023 season with three strong outings. In Week 15, he faces the Packers, who have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game and the most yards per reception to tight ends. In Week 16, Otton can destroy the Jaguars, who have given up the ninth-most receiving yards per game and the second-most yards per reception to the position. In Week 17, he caps the season with the Saints, who have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points per game and the most receiving touchdowns per game. It’s a beautiful fantasy playoff schedule.
Logan Thomas (WAS): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, @NYJ, SF
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Thomas has a beautiful matchup on deck for Week 15. The Rams have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game and are tied for the third-most receiving touchdowns per game allowed to tight ends. Thomas has flashed a sizable ceiling this season when the matchup is right. He has three games this season with at least four receptions and 50 receiving yards. Thomas could easily finish as a top-eight TE option this week against the Rams’ pass-funnel and TE-funnel defense.
Tucker Kraft (GB): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: TB, @CAR, @MIN
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Last week, Kraft had a 59% route run rate, a 16.7% target share and a 20% first-read share (second on the team) as the Packers’ starting tight end (per Fantasy Points Data). In two career starts, he has one TE1 finish (TE1). He could easily find his way back into the TE1 graces in Week 15 against a Tampa Bay pass defense that has surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points per game and the 12th-most yards per reception to tight ends.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN): 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, SEA, @HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Okonkwo has been a disappointment this season after an offseason of hype built the case for him as a late-round draft selection. Okonkwo could redeem himself with three banner performances to conclude the 2023 fantasy season. Since Week 12, Okonkwo has had a 55% route run rate, a 16.4% target share, 2.82 yards per route run and a 13.3% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). In Week 15 and Week 17, Okonkwo faces the Texans, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game and the fourth-most receiving yards per game to tight ends. Sandwiched in between those two games, he squares off against Seattle, which has allowed the 10th-most receiving yards per game to the position.
Michael Mayer (LV): 8% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @KC, @IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Raiders’ run-first approach has decimated Mayer’s weekly floor, but he makes this week’s article because of the matchups he has coming up. In Week 15, he faces the Chargers, who have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. In Week 17, he has a favorable opponent with Indy, which has given up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Mayer could spike a touchdown in either matchup and sneak into TE1 scoring range.
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Indianapolis Colts: 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @ATL, LV
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Yes, the Colts just gave up 34 points and 385 yards of offense to backup QB Jake Browning and the Bengals. But since Week 9 the Indianapolis defense averaged 15.4 points a game and has scored double-digit fantasy points in four of their five games during that stretch. Even in Sunday’s 34-14 loss to the Bengals, the opportunistic Colts got an interception return for a touchdown from safety Ronnie Harrison. The Colts have a lovely schedule over the next three weeks, getting the Steelers at home, the Falcons in Atlanta and the Raiders at home. That means matchups with QBs Kenny Pickett/Mitchell Trubisky, Desmond Ridder and Aidan O’Connell. Yum yum.
Los Angeles Rams: 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, NO, @NYG
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Here’s another defense you could potentially ride for the entirety of the fantasy playoffs. The Rams have been average as a real-life defense and poor as a fantasy defense, entering Week 14 ranked 19th in defensive DVOA and 30th in defensive fantasy scoring. But the Rams’ schedule is extremely favorable over the next three weeks. In Week 15, they get sack magnet Sam Howell and the Commanders. Howell has been sacked a league-high 58 times and has thrown 14 interceptions. In Week 16, the Rams face the erratic New Orleans offense. Saints QB Derek Carr has thrown three interceptions in his last three games. And in Week 17, the Rams get the Giants, who are giving up a league-high 12.5 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.
Atlanta Falcons: 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, IND, @CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Falcons rank 25th in defensive DVOA, and the loss of DT Grady Jarrett to a torn ACL has weakened their run defense. But Atlanta is certainly capable of scoring points against mediocre offenses. The Falcons’ D scored double-digit fantasy points against the Saints in Week 12 and the Jets in Week 13. This week, Atlanta gets a plum matchup against Carolina, which is giving up 11.5 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. Panthers QB Bruce Young has been sacked 48 times and has thrown nine interceptions.
Las Vegas Raiders: 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @KC, IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Raiders would only just a one-week rental, since you wouldn’t want to use them against the Chiefs in Week 16, but Las Vegas is a very appealing option for Week 16. The Raiders get a home date with the Chargers, who just lost QB Justin Herbert to a broken index finger. After giving up only 3 points to the Vikings in Week 14, the Raiders will now face untested backup QB Easton Stick. After a lousy first month of the season, the Las Vegas defense has become a fairly reliable source of fantasy points, averaging 9.4 points per game since Week 5.
Cincinnati Bengals: 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIN, @PIT, @KC
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Bengals rank near the bottom of the league in defensive DVOA, but Cincinnati entered Week 14 ranked a respectable 15th in defensive fantasy points per game. In Week 15, the Bengals will face the Vikings, who pulled QB Joshua Dobbs and inserted Nick Mullens during their unsightly 3-0 win over the Raiders on Sunday. Mullens will most likely get the start for Minnesota in Week 15. In 17 career starts, Mullen has thrown 22 interceptions and has been sacked 36 times.
Chicago Bears: 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CLE, ARI, ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Bears’ defense has quietly become a very effective unit, holding three of its last four opponents to 13 or fewer points and averaging 11.0 fantasy points per game during that stretch. Chicago smothered the Detroit offense in Week 14, holding the Lions to 13 points, 267 yards of offense and 4.2 yards per play. The Bears intercepted Lions QB Jared Goff twice and sacked him four times. Chicago gets a favorable Week 14 matchup against Cleveland. While Browns QB Joe Flacco has been able to move the ball and put points on the board, he’s also made some mistakes. Flacco has thrown two interceptions in his two starts for Cleveland.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Will Lutz (DEN): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DET, NE, LAC
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Lutz has been a reliable source of fantasy points over the last two months, averaging 10.4 points over his last seven games. He’s been money on field goal attempts this year, knocking home 26-of-28. Lutz gets a weatherproof Week 15 matchup against the Lions in the domed environs of Detroit’s Ford Field.
Jake Moody (SF): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, BAL, @WSH
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Moody is an interesting case — a high-floor, low-ceiling kicker whose fantasy scoring is limited by the potency of his offense. Simply put, the 49ers are so efficient at scoring touchdowns that it limits Moody’s field goal potential. The rookie kicker has booted an NFL-high 47 extra points, but he’s just 17-of-20 on field goals through 13 games. Still, a kicker with a sturdy floor isn’t a bad thing, and the 49ers figure to do plenty of scoring this week in a matchup against the Cardinals, the doormats of the NFC West.
Matt Gay (IND): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @ATL, LV
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Gay had a rough Week 14, missing his only two kicks (one FG attempt, one PAT attempt), but he’s been reliable otherwise. Gay entered Week 14 ranked fourth among kickers in fantasy scoring at 9.8 points per game, converting 23-of-28 field goals and 29-of-30 extra points.
Blake Grupe (NO): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, @LAR, @TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Grupe has been erratic at times this season, and he duck-hooked a 29-yard FG attempt wide left Sunday against the Panthers. But Grupe also entered Week 14 tied for sixth in fantasy scoring among kickers, averaging 9.3 points per game. And in this season of frequently inclement weather, Grupe gets to kick in a dome this week at home against the Giants, who are allowing 24.3 points per game.
FOOL’S GOLD
Miles Sanders resurfaced for the Panthers on Sunday with 10 carries for 74 yards, but 48 of those yards came on one play, and Sanders was out-snapped by Chuba Hubbard 62-17. The Carolina backfield belongs to Hubbard now, with Sanders in a supporting, non-fantasy-relevant role.
JuJu Smith Schuster caught 4-of-6 targets for a team-high 90 yards in the Patriots’ 21-18 upset of the Steelers last Thursday night. Before his Week 14 outburst, Smith-Schuster had averaged 2.5 receptions and 17.0 yards per game this season. Patriots WRs Demario Douglas (concussion) and DeVante Parker (knee) both missed Week 14 and could be back as early as this week. And even with both of those receivers out, Smith-Schuster drew only six targets against Pittsburgh.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
The Bengals’ offense is rolling again, but Tyler Boyd has mostly been a bystander. Boyd’s yardage totals in his last four games: 22. 23, 37 and 23. Surprisingly, Boyd is still being rostered in 52% of Yahoo leagues. That percentage should be a lot lower.
Justin Herbert has a fractured index finger on his throwing hand. It’s an injury that will assuredly keep him out through Week 17 — the end of the fantasy playoffs.
In Week 12, Roschon Johnson had a season-high 74% snap share for the Bears and had 10-35-0 rushing and 5-40-receiving against the Vikings. D’Onta Foreman missed that game with an ankle injury. Foreman was back in action after Chicago’s Week 14 bye, and his return pushed Roschon to the periphery of the Bears’ offense. The rookie played 28.2% of Chicago’s offensive snaps on Sunday and had just one carry and one target, while Foreman had a 54.9% snap share and had 11 carries and three targets. Roschon can be jettisoned.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Gus Edwards has punched in 10 touchdowns this season, but unless you’re playing in a TD-only league — remember those? — Edwards isn’t someone you can trust in your lineup in the most important weeks of the season. Against the Rams on Sunday, Edwards played 20 of the Ravens’ 71 offensive snaps, fewer than fellow RBs Justice Hill (29) and Keaton Mitchell (25). Edwards is averaging 8.4 carries over his last five games and adds very little value as a pass catcher. We’re not saying he must be dropped, but he could be dropped.
Khalil Herbert played only 12 snaps Sunday in the Bears’ 28-13 win over the Lions. D’Onta Foreman returned from an ankle injury and operated as Chicago’s lead back, rendering Hebert and Roschon Johnson fantasy afterthoughts. Herbert might get more opportunities if the Bears encounter less favorable game scripts … or not. He’s no longer a player who absolutely needs to be rostered.
Dameon Pierce had 15 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, but his workload evaporated in Week 14. Devin Singletary out-snapped Pierce 32-8 on Sunday and out-carried him 13-4. It’s possible that Pierce’s role reduction was solely because of a negative game script in a 30-6 loss to the Jets, but it’s hard to imagine being able to start Pierce with confidence at any point over the next three weeks.
Don’t drop yet:
Pickens hasn’t drawn more than six targets in a game since Oct. 22 and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Oct. 29. We know that Pickens is a playmaker, but his inability to consistently draw targets is an ongoing concern. Pickens blew up earlier this year when teammate Diontae Johnson was hurt. If you need to clear roster space to add a second defense or a handcuff, do what you have to do. But it might be worth hanging onto Pickens just in case Johnson were to go down.
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