Fantasy Football Player Notes

De'Von Achane continues to thrive whenever Tua Tagovailoa is under center. Achane finished as the overall RB7 in Half-PPR leagues last week. It was the third time in four weeks that Achane finished at least that high. There is not much reason to fade Achane in Week 12 when the Dolphins host the New England Patriots. Achane is the clear-cut lead back in Miami, well ahead of both Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright. In the last three weeks, Achane has 58 touches. Mostert and Wright each have 17. New England has given up the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs and ranks 28th in DVOA versus the run. That makes Achane a high-upside RB1 in Week 12.

Everyone has choices to make in life. Some good and well, some not so good. We'll file the New England Patriots coaching staff's decision not to shadow Puka Nacua with Christian Gonzalez last week under not-so-good. In Week 5, Christian Gonzalez followed Tyreek Hill on 78% of his routes, limiting him to four receptions and 59 scoreless receiving yards. We'll see if they let Gonzalez shadow him or allow Hill to destroy them this week. That's also assuming that Gonzalez is active this week. He popped up on the injury report on Friday with a hip issue and has been listed as questionable. If Gonzalez is out, Hill could be off to the races. Since Tagovailoa's return, Hill has had a 20% target share, a 38.4% air-yard share, 2.03 YPRR, and a 25.6% first-read share. He has four end-zone targets across his last four games. If you have Hill, you're starting him weekly in nearly every instance. Since Week 6, New England has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Since Week 8, Smith has had a 17.7% target share, 2.21 YPRR, two end zone targets, and a 20% first-read share. He is the TE8 in fantasy points per game with three TE1 weeks this season. He ranks fifth in deep targets and 15th in red zone targets among tight ends. Smith has run 53% of his routes from the slot this season. New England has allowed the 14th-highest PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Since Tagovailoa's return, Waddle has only had a 13.1% target share, 1.30 YPRR, and a 14.4% first-read share. I don't know why Miami refuses to throw Waddle the ball, but it's not happening. Could that change this week if Gonzalez shadows Hill? Sure, it is a possibility. If Tagovailoa does feed Waddle, he should have plenty of success against a secondary that, since Week 6, has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.