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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Offseason | NFL: Week 18

Jets interview Ron Rivera for head coach, Louis Riddick for GM

Thu Jan 2 7:53pm ET
Field Level Media

The New York Jets said Thursday that they completed interviews with Ron Rivera for their head coaching vacancy and Louis Riddick for their general manager job.

The Jets have gotten the hiring process underway after firing coach Robert Saleh in October and GM Joe Douglas the next month.

Rivera, 62, spent this season as an analyst for ESPN and Westwood One after serving as an NFL head coach for the previous 13 seasons. Rivera coached the Carolina Panthers from 2011-19 and the Washington Football Team/Commanders from 2020-23.

His record sat at 102-103-2 overall and 26-40-1 with the Commanders when he was fired following the 2023 season. Rivera guided the Panthers to a 15-1 season and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015.

Riddick, 55, has been with ESPN since 2013 and has interviewed for GM vacancies in recent years, most recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2021 season.

The former NFL defensive back (1992-96, 1998) worked as a scout and director of pro personnel for Washington from 2001-07, and as a scout and front office executive for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2008-13.

New York has already interviewed Thomas Dimitroff, Jon Robinson and Jim Nagy for the GM job.

The Jets (4-12) have Jeff Ulbrich as their interim head coach and Phil Savage as their general manager as they wrap a disappointing season. The new regime will have to decide whether to cut ties with Aaron Rodgers or move forward with the 41-year-old quarterback for a third season.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 17

Player Notes
Kalif Raymond Jan 2 8:30pm CT
Kalif Raymond

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) was a full participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Raymond was designated to return from the injured reserve last Thursday. Afterwards, Raymond was a full participant in practice, but remained sidelined for Monday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. It remains to be seen if the Lions will let him back get on the field for the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend. Raymond has 16 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns this season. If active, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Raymond to be a difference maker during Sunday's game.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Jan 2 8:30pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore will finish off his 2024 season with a road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Moore has been quiet of late, having caught just eight passes for 55 yards over his past four contests. The Ravens have struggled against wide receivers this season, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position. The entire Cleveland passing attack gets a small upgrade as the team will start Bailey Zappe in place of Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the season finale. That being said, Moore hasn't been consistent enough to trust as anything more than a WR5 in fantasy heading into Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Akins Jan 2 8:30pm CT
Jordan Akins

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins finished second on the team in receiving in a Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He will draw another start with David Njoku (knee) already ruled out for his team's Week 18 road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Akins will take on a Baltimore defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to enemy tight ends this season. The Cleveland pass catchers will also get a slight upgrade in the season finale as the team will start Bailey Zappe and not Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. That being said, Akins is tough to trust as anything more than a low-end TE2 in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

D'Onta Foreman Jan 2 8:20pm CT
D'Onta Foreman

Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman led the team in rushing in a Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. With both Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) ruled out for a Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Foreman is expected to operate as Cleveland's lead back in the season finale. The Ravens have been tough on running backs this season, allowing just the 25th-most fantasy points per game to the position. They also have something to play for as they can lock up the AFC North and a first-round home game with a win over the Browns. Foreman should see decent volume but his ceiling is capped in a tough matchup, making him a mid-range RB3 for fantasy this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Jack Campbell Jan 2 8:20pm CT
Jack Campbell

Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (ribs) was upgraded to a full participant during Thursday's practice session. Campbell was limited to open the week due to a ribs issue, but is back to a full-go now. Campbell has made a huge impact on defense for the Lions this season. He has 125 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 16 games. Campbell has played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in six straight games. He appears to be fine heading into an important game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Derrick Henry Jan 2 8:20pm CT
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry will suit and try to win an AFC North crown in his first season with the team. He's registered back-to-back games with at least 20 fantasy points in half-PPR formats, and now he sets his sights on the Cleveland Browns in the season finale. Henry posted 73 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries the last time he played the Browns, and fell just shy of an RB1. At home, Henry averages 119.0 yards and a touchdown per game, and the Browns won't have a full team of starters. He comes in as an RB1 yet again to finish off the season.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Jan 2 8:20pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) will put the finishing touches on a career year in a Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Jeudy turned in a solid effort last week, catching 12 passes for 94 yards in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Cleveland will turn to their fourth starting quarterback of the season as Bailey Zappe will make his first start for the team after Kevin Stefanski chose to tab him as his starter over Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The quarterback change will actually be a slight upgrade for Jeudy as Thompson-Robinson has not shown much as an NFL passer across his two seasons. The Baltimore defense has been beatable through the air this season, making Jeudy a low-end WR2 in fantasy for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Brian Burns Jan 2 8:10pm CT
Brian Burns

New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (illness) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This marks back-to-back days that Burns has been limited in practice due to a lingering illness. Burns hasn't missed a game this season, so this illness is unlikely to keep him out of the regular season finale. Burns has been a force on defense with 66 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. This absence would certainly be a hit to this defensive unit ahead of their Week 18 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Jan 2 8:00pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is in the race for his second consecutive MVP and third overall while leading the team into a regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Jackson and company control their playoff destiny, and if they beat the Browns, they win the AFC North and get a home playoff game. The last time these two teams faced off, Jackson posted 289 yards and two touchdowns on 23-for-38 throwing despite losing 24-29. The Browns have a long injury list this time around and have decided to rest some players since they're out of the playoff race. Fantasy managers still competing in Week 18 will want to keep Jackson in all lineups.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Jan 2 8:00pm CT
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas hasn't been the most consistent fantasy option during the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's still had the best season of his young career, catching 34 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns. Granted, the 25-year-old hasn't been productive enough to be considered a week-to-week fantasy starter. But with Tee Higgins (knee, ankle) and Chase Brown (ankle) both questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Steelers, Iosivas may need to get more involved, giving him some upside for the remaining redraft participants. He'll also draw DFS attention for those looking for value in Week 18, although Brown and Higgins must be ruled out first.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Jan 2 7:50pm CT
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki hasn't been the most reliable fantasy option throughout the 2024-25 campaign. To be fair, he's had some productive outings, although they have been few and far between. However, the 29-year-old is coming off a potent performance, catching 10 of his 12 targets for 86 yards in the Week 17 overtime win over the Denver Broncos. With the Bengals looking to secure a spot in the postseason, Gesicki could remain more involved than normal, especially if Tee Higgins (ankle, knee) and Chase Brown (ankle) don't suit up. Yet, if either of those guys play, Gesicki's ceiling will come crashing down heading into the Week 18 meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Herbert Jan 2 7:50pm CT
Khalil Herbert

Cincinnati Bengals running back Khalil Herbert has barely seen any action since being traded by the Chicago Bears in November. He's appeared in seven games for the Bengals this season. However, he has only eight carries for 45 yards and one catch for seven yards to show for it. But with Chase Brown (ankle) questionable for the Week 18 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Herbert may take over as the No. 1 option out of the backfield. The 26-year-old was once one of the most promising young backs in the National Football League, giving him some upside on Saturday. Still, his presence in any fantasy lineup isn't without risk.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Jan 2 7:40pm CT
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been a top fantasy option all year, leading all wideouts in catches (117), yards (1,612), and touchdowns (16). With Cincinnati still alive for the postseason, the former LSU Tiger will need to be at his best in Week 18 versus the Steelers. Chase played well enough when the Bengals met the Steelers on December 1, catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Granted, it wasn't his best performance. However, Chase may need to see more targets this time around, especially if Tee Higgins (knee, ankle), who is questionable, doesn't suit up. But even if Higgins is on the field, Chase is a must-start, obviously. He's also worth considering for all DFS contests, despite his hefty rostering cost.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Jan 2 7:30pm CT
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist, knee) was limited during practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, he's was a full participant in Friday's session. The Bengals still have a chance to make the playoffs, so it would have taken a lot to keep the signal-caller off the field in Week 18 against the Steelers. While some other things need to happen that are outside of the team's control regarding their postseason chances, Burrow will do all he can to pick up another win. Without question, he's been an MVP-caliber quarterback all year, leading the league in passing yards (4,641). Burrow also ranks first in touchdowns (42), with the former LSU Tiger tossing at least three of them in each of his previous eight games. While there's a chance Chase Brown (ankle) and Tee Higgins (ankle, knee) won't be in uniform on Saturday night, Burrow remains a top fantasy option for the remaining redraft participants as well as DFS managers.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Jan 2 7:10pm CT
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest, illness) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. If Pearsall cannot upgrade to full participation at Friday's practice, he could carry a questionable designation into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. The first-rounder is coming off the best game of his rookie season in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions, when he set season-highs across the board in catches (eight), targets (10) and receiving yards (141) while catching his second touchdown of the year. There's a chance fellow wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs, wrist) doesn't play this weekend, which would thrust Pearsall into the WR2 role behind Jauan Jennings. However, with backup QB Joshua Dobbs getting the start, Pearsall would still be an unreliable, boom/bust WR4/5 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Goedert Jan 2 7:00pm CT
Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday after the team opened his 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve. It's good progress for Goedert for sure, but it doesn't mean the Eagles will actually activate him from IR by Saturday so that he can play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants. Philadelphia is already locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC for the playoffs, and head coach Nick Sirianni already said the team will be resting key starters, including quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) and the NFL's leading rusher in running back Saquon Barkley. Not only will Goedert be potentially facing a limited snap count if he's active on Sunday, but he could also be taking passes from third-string QB Tanner McKee if Kenny Pickett (ribs) doesn't play.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Jan 2 6:00pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) has yet to practice in Week 18 after missing a second straight day on Thursday. Spears suffered his second concussion of the year in the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday and is fully expected to be held out of the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans. Lead back Tony Pollard (ankle) missed last week's game and could also be held out this weekend despite being limited in practices this week, meaning Julius Chestnut could lead Tennessee's backfield in Week 18. The 23-year-old Spears looks likely to end his sophomore season in the NFL with 84 carries for 312 yards (3.7 yards per tote) while catching 30 of 35 targets for 224 yards and one TD in 12 games. It was a step back from his rookie production as he operated mainly as the change-of-pace option behind Pollard all year.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Jan 2 5:50pm CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) practiced on a limited basis on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Pollard was inactive for the first time this year in the Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and is up in the air to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans. He did not practice at all last week, so the 27-year-old's ankle is apparently feeling much better, although there's no guarantee the Titans will play him in a game that only matters for their draft positioning in 2025. Backfield mate Tyjae Spears (concussion) has yet to practice this week and is unlikely to play this weekend, too, so if Pollard misses a second straight game to close out the year, look for Julius Chestnut to lead Tennessee's backfield against Houston. If Pollard is active, he's only 83 yards away from reaching 1,100 yards on the year for a $250,000 bonus.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Jan 2 5:40pm CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Tagovailoa was held out of the Week 17 win over the Cleveland Browns last Sunday due to a hip injury and is up in the air to play this Sunday in the another must-win game in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Jets. For what it's worth, head coach Mike McDaniel said on Wednesday that the team was preparing for the Jets as though Tyler Huntley will make a second straight start. The 26-year-old's status for Week 18 will likely come down to how much he does in practice on Friday, although he could also end up being a game-time decision on Sunday afternoon. Tagovailoa missed four games earlier this year due to another concussion and is currently the QB14 in half-PPR points per game (17.8). He's a shaky fantasy option this week.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Jan 2 5:30pm CT
George Kittle

After being limited in practice on Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) upgraded to a full practice session on Thursday. Kittle is battling through multiple injuries with one final game left this year, but his ability to practice in full on Thursday means he should be able to gain clearance to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Although the 31-year-old's fantasy value will take a hit if he plays this weekend with quarterback Joshua Dobbs getting the start over Brock Purdy (elbow), Kittle will still be in play as a TE1 for lineups as the top-scoring TE in half-PPR scoring this year thanks to catching 76 of his 91 targets for 1,079 yards and a league-high eight TDs. If Kittle plays, he figures to be Dobbs' favorite target, especially if receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs, wrist) is held out.

From RotoBaller