Every Monday of the NFL regular season we look at breakout performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success. We will rank these performances from 1-5 based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.
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Fantasy Football Heat Index
Quarterback
Stats: 20-of-30, 272 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 10 rushing attempts, 32 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB4 (28.1 points)
Analysis: After stepping back and watching from the sidelines for two games, Anthony Richardson is the No. 1 QB in Indianapolis again. The raw dual-threat quarterback responded with his best fantasy outing of the season. Richardson had three total touchdowns, zero turnovers and scored a season-high 28.1 fantasy points. He set a new career-high with 272 passing yards and is the QB4 (pending Monday Night football results) on the week.
While this performance should instill some confidence in Richardson fantasy managers, you should tip-toe instead of diving head-first into a potential trap. He’s shown this upside a handful of times over the past two seasons, but he’s been unable to sustain it. Richardson should be rostered in all formats, but he needs to show consistent production before he can be trusted as a high-end QB1.
Heat Index: 4
Running Back
Stats: Nine rushing attempts, 59 rushing yards, one touchdown, four receptions, 28 receiving yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB10 (16.7 points)
Analysis: One week after leaving him for dead in favor of rookie and waiver wire darling Audric Estime, Broncos running back Javonte Williams has risen from the ashes of irrelevancy. Williams led the Broncos backfield in carries, rushing yards receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns on Sunday after being relegated to one carry in Week 10.
Does that mean Williams can be trusted in lineups moving forward? Honestly, no one knows. This backfield has morphed into a full-blown committee with usage practically alternating by the week. If you can help it, avoid the situation in the short term.
Heat Index: 3
Wide Receiver
Stats: Six receptions, 142 receiving yards, one touchdown
Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR4 (23.2 points)
Analysis: The Cleveland Browns’ passing offense has been re-energized under quarterback Jameis Winston. Pass-catchers David Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Elijah Moore have all benefited from Winston’s injection into the starting lineup.
Jeudy has seen a steady uptick in usage with Winston under center, but it had yet to result in anything more than a WR3 finish. That changed on Sunday. Jeudy exploded for 142 yards, including a sensational 89-yard touchdown grab early in the contest. He has 11+ targets in consecutive contests and is the current WR4 on the week.
With so many mouths to feed in this Cleveland offense, Jeudy will be a risky fantasy start sit option this week. However, if this increase in usage continues, Jeudy will remain in the WR2/WR3 mix all season.
Heat Index: 3
Tight End
Stats: 1-of-2, 18 passing yards, one interception, seven rushing attempts, 138 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, eight receptions, 50 receiving yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE1 (38.52 points)
Analysis: Despite our best efforts to speak him out of existence, the Taysom Hill experience is inevitable. Each year, regardless of who is in charge, Hill consistently earns playing time at several positions.
The human Swiss army knife was in full effect on Sunday, resulting in one of the most unique box scores you’ll ever see. Hill finished with 18 passing yards, 138 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, three rushing touchdowns and one interception for good measure. He scored a career-high 38.52 fantasy points and is the overwhelming TE1 heading into Monday Night Football.
Hill is playing under his third head coach in his New Orleans tenure and the QB/TE continues to be a thorn in the side of fantasy football managers. Don’t get me wrong, those starting Hill are popping champagne in celebration of their Week 11 victory. However, just as many are looking at Hill on their bench or are upset at him for taking valuable touches away from Alvin Kamara (only 10.9 points in a 35-14 victory).
These blowup performances from Hill pop up a handful of times each season, but it’s almost impossible to predict when they’ll come. Despite that, wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave are on injured reserve (IR), putting Hill in the TE1 conversation until further notice.
Heat Index: 4
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