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Dynasty $500 - FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

Chiefs WR Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown active vs. Texans

Sat Dec 21 11:51am ET
Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown will make his season debut on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Houston Texans.

Brown, who was listed as active for the game, has worked his way back after being placed on injured reserve on Sept. 13 with a sternoclavicular joint injury sustained in the preseason opener.

Brown, 27, signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Chiefs in March after three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2019-21) and two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2022-23).

Brown has 313 catches for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns in 72 career games (65 starts). He posted a 1,000-yard season with the Ravens in 2021.

The Chiefs (13-1) opened up a roster spot for Brown earlier this week when they released veteran running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

While Brown will play on Saturday for Kansas City, the team listed the following players as inactive: defensive ends Joshua Uche and Malik Herring, defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, defensive back Chamarri Conner, offensive tackles D.J. Humphries and Ethan Driskell and offensive lineman C.J. Hanson.

As for the Texans (9-5), guard Nick Broeker, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, defensive end Jerry Hughes, wide receiver John Metchie, center Juice Scruggs, tight end Cade Stover and inside linebacker Devin White were listed as inactive for Saturday's game.

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The Paur Report

Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 16

Player Notes
Parker Washington Dec 21 11:10am CT
Parker Washington

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is a difficult player for fantasy managers in the playoffs to feel good about starting in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders serve as a good matchup for the young receiver, but Washington has been overshadowed by Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange ever since he broke out with six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 13. Also, Mac Jones has been a volatile player when replacing Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, either having good enough games to support multiple receiving options in fantasy or struggling to support even one. Despite a great matchup with the Raiders, it is hard to recommend Washington with confidence in Week 16 due to his target competition and inconsistent quarterback play.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Dec 21 11:10am CT
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (knee) will be facing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense on Sunday Night Football in Week 16 that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to opposing RBs in the last five weeks, which includes just one rushing touchdown given up. However, because of the high volume that Dowdle has been seeing of late as Dallas' clear-cut No. 1 RB, he'll carry high-end RB2 value for fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs. The 26-year-old is coming off a a career-best 149 rushing yards on 25 carries in last week's win over the Carolina Panthers after setting a previous career-best with 131 rushing yards the week prior. In the last four games, Dowdle has really been eating, seeing at least 18 carries per game and averaging 5.69 yards per attempt with a touchdown. Fantasy managers may not want to expect another career performance on Sunday night, but Dowdle is certainly trending up.

From RotoBaller

Cam Little Dec 21 11:10am CT
Cam Little

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little is a better option than usual in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Against kickers in fantasy, the Raiders have been the worst this season, making Little an interesting streaming option. Mac Jones and the Jaguars offense is difficult to trust in the fantasy playoffs, but the Raiders are good enough of a matchup to make Little worth consideration. The rookie kicker has been accurate and able to hit long kicks, so fantasy managers can feel good about him as a kicker. However, in a game where the Jaguars may be playing for a better draft pick, it is hard to predict how the offense will do. A great matchup with the Raiders puts Little on the table as a potential option for fantasy managers in need of a kicker in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Rush Dec 21 11:10am CT
Cooper Rush

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is set up with a friendly matchup on Sunday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 as he looks for a second straight strong performance. Rush had one of his better performances of the year in last week's win over the Carolina Panthers, throwing for 214 yards and a season-high three touchdowns in the 30-14 win. He'll now take on a Buccaneers defense that is tied with the bad Cincinnati Bengals defense for the second-most fantasy points allowed to opposing signal-callers. They've allowed 23 touchdown passes on the year with only seven interceptions, and they've also surrendered the fourth-most passing yards overall. The 31-year-old veteran backup's ceiling obviously isn't a high one, but Rush has the potential to be a very serviceable QB2 in superflex leagues in a primetime game at home on Sunday evening.

From RotoBaller

Brenton Strange Dec 21 10:50am CT
Brenton Strange

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange is a great option that isn't considered one of the top-tier names in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The young tight end had a breakout performance last week, putting up 11 catches for 73 yards. While the low yardage per catch is not ideal, it does show that Strange is developing into a security blanket option on short passes for quarterback Mac Jones with Evan Engram out for the season. The Raiders have struggled to defend tight ends this season, so for fantasy managers looking for something new at the tight end position this week, Strange is a great option, especially in PPR leagues. Strange could look like one of the top waiver wire adds of the week in hindsight due to a great matchup with the Raiders in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Dec 21 10:50am CT
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has just two receptions over the last four contests, but has an opportunity to get more involved on Sunday against the Titans. With Alec Pierce set to miss the game having not cleared concussion protocol, Mitchell could work in as the primary deep threat in this matchup. That may not mean much for fantasy, however, as the 22-year-old will be on the receiving end of passes coming from quarterback Anthony Richardson who has a 47.0% completion rate, while Pierce recorded three catches or less in 11 of the 13 full games he played prior to Week 15, so Mitchell's workload should look similar. The Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing WRs on the season, which won't make it any easier for the wideouts. View Mitchell as nothing more than a WR5/6 dart throw for fantasy on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Dec 21 10:40am CT
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is a decent flex option in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He has been more heavily involved in the passing game as of late and even got more carries than fellow back Tank Bigsby in Week 15. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Etienne Jr. will dominate touches out of the backfield this week. The split between the two backs has been inconsistent all season and more in line with a hot-hand approach. Just two weeks ago, the 25-year-old back had just four carries. Given the unpredictable nature of the Jacksonville backfield, it is hard to trust either running back. Etienne Jr. is best viewed as a solid flex start who should be slightly upgraded in PPR due to his recent pass-game involvement in Week 16 against the Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Allgeier Dec 21 10:30am CT
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier has been the recipient of double-digit carries just four times all season and has yet to record those outings in back-to-back weeks. In Week 15, the 24-year-old carried the ball 12 times, so is he due for a return to single digits? With rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center on Sunday, the Falcons may need to rely on the run game more than usual. The team is favored by nine points in this game against the Giants, so they could be looking to kill the clock late as well, meaning more action for the running backs. The Falcons haven't been shy about giving goal line carries to Allgeier, so the 8:3 TD split for Bijan Robinson and Allgeier doesn't tell the whole story. Allgeier has received six carries inside the five while Robinson has received eight, so it's a near-even split. Nevertheless, fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs won't be using the BYU product as an RB1 or RB2, but one could make the case for an RB3/Flex play this week, albeit a risky one.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Dec 21 10:00am CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts reemerged from obscurity in Week 15 to haul in four passes, albeit for a measly 28 yards. The 24-year-old totaled three receptions over the previous three contests, has 14 fewer catches than running back Bijan Robinson on the season, and hasn't scored since Week 8. The former first-round draft pick has fallen well outside the top 12 TEs in fantasy scoring on the year and takes on a Giants pass defense that has been good at covering tight ends this season, yielding the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing TEs thus far. Add in another variable -- a left-handed rookie quarterback -- and Pitts makes for quite the fantasy gamble in Week 16. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher projects as a mid-range TE2 option for Sunday's matchup and not a great option for managers who are still eying fantasy championships.

From RotoBaller

Ray-Ray McCloud Dec 21 9:30am CT
Ray-Ray McCloud

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III caught just one of his three targets for 14 yards last week, but it wasn't just McCloud who had a dud. The receiving corps in general underperformed as a result of ineffective passing from Kirk Cousins and from a ground game that was clicking, with the backs totaling 168 rushing yards. The 28-year-old had been much more involved in Weeks 11-14, averaging six catches and over seven targets during that stretch. With Michael Penix Jr. making his first career start on Sunday, how the passing attack will unfold is a bit of an unknown, but if the left-handed quarterback needs a safety blanket, McCloud III could fit the bill. The wideout has the lowest average depth of target out of the first-team receivers with an aDOT of 6.27. The Clemson product is shaping up to be a WR5 this week with perhaps some slight upside in PPR leagues, but it's a risky proposition with the quarterback situation and fantasy playoffs on the line.

From RotoBaller

Jason Sanders Dec 21 9:30am CT
Jason Sanders

Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders looks to extend his made-field goal streak past 18 in Week 16. The 29-year-old is having one of his best years as a pro and is now the eighth-ranked kicker in fantasy football. The San Francisco 49ers come to town in Week 16 and allow the 10th fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers. Sanders has also hurt fantasy owners by missing extra points in back-to-back weeks. This could be a spot where the Dolphins have trouble moving the ball due to Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) injuries. He should be viewed as a shaky streaming option for Week 16. He comes in as RotoBaller's 16th-ranked kicker in the Week 16 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Malik Washington Dec 21 9:20am CT
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington may have a chance to have a productive performance in Week 16. Jaylen Waddle (knee) is listed as doubtful, and Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) is questionable. The rookie had his best performance of the season last week with five receptions on six targets for 52 yards against the Houston Texans. The matchup against the San Francisco 49ers defense will be a difficult one. Their defense is ranked second in fantasy points and second in yards allowed per game to opposing wide receivers. Washington has looked great in special teams and has done whatever is asked of him on the field. He should be viewed as an emergency flex option in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Jonnu Smith Dec 21 9:10am CT
Jonnu Smith

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith has been one of the most consistent players in all fantasy football over the last several weeks. The 29-year-old is ranked as the TE4 and has seen incredible volume down the stretch. He has touchdowns in four of the previous five games and eight or more targets in four of the last five. However, Week 16 presents a difficult matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, who have been stout against tight ends. They rank 2nd in fantasy points allowed to tight ends per game and allow the least yards per game to the position. With linebacker Dre Greenlaw questionable, that could present even more problems for Smith. With the injuries to Tyreek Hill (wrist/personal) and Jaylen Waddle (knee), Smith should command plenty of looks this week. He is still a TE1 and should be started in all formats. He ranks as the TE4 in the Week 16 RotoBaller rankings.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Dec 21 9:00am CT
Josh Allen

The Detroit Lions D/ST had a rough outing last week against quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. The Lions allowed 48 points to the Bills and scored negative fantasy points. Look for that to change in Week 16 at the Chicago Bears. The Lions sacked Bears quarterback Caleb Williams five times in the last matchup between the teams. The Lions' defense has been hit hard by injuries a bit so the D/ST remains a borderline starting option in fantasy. The matchup against the Bears is a pretty good one but other elite defenses can be started ahead of the Lions during fantasy playoff time.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Dec 21 9:00am CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has continued to be a major contributor in fantasy football despite losing his quarterback, Dak Prescott (hamstring), in the middle of the season. Lamb has looked solid in six full games with Cooper Rush under center, as the two have connected for 41 completions, 429 yards, and two touchdowns. He ranks as the overall WR11 during that six-game span, and he has found the end zone in each of his last two contests. In Week 16, Lamb will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose defensive secondary has been suspect at times in 2024. The Buccaneers have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers, as well as the 13th-most fantasy points to receivers who operate out wide. Lamb has played 368 snaps (46.6 percent) from the slot this season, which is the seventh-most in the NFL. Still, he should be able to feast against the Buccaneers, who allowed Los Angeles Chargers slot receiver Ladd McConkey to put up five catches, 58 yards, and one touchdown against them in Week 15. For fantasy purposes, Lamb continues to rank as an intriguing fantasy playmaker in the mid-to-low WR1 range this Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Noah Gray Dec 21 9:00am CT
Noah Gray

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray has continued to have a significant impact despite operating behind future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce. In fact, Gray has outscored Kelce in fantasy football since Week 11, with Gray ranking as the TE4 in fantasy football during that five-game span while Kelce was the TE15. A 25-year-old Duke product, Gray has appeared in all 14 games this season, catching 37 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns, all of which are career-high marks. This week, he takes on the Houston Texans, who have allowed the fifth-fewest catches and fourth-fewest receiving yards to opposing tight ends in the NFL. However, they have been susceptible to touchdowns at the position, letting tight ends find the end zone at the seventh-highest clip. All in all, Gray remains a solid fixture on the fantasy radar, ranking as a mid-to-low TE2 option at home this Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Bass Dec 21 8:50am CT
Tyler Bass

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass is worth starting in most fantasy football leagues ahead of his matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 16. The 27-year-old ranks ninth in fantasy points among kickers this year, going 50-for-54 on extra points and 21-for-26 on field goals. Even amidst some accuracy concerns on field goals, Bass has been able to rack up the scoring with an excessively high number of extra points. He has drilled 17 extra points over his last three games as the Bills continue to find the end zone at a rapid pace. That should continue this week against the New England Patriots. While New England ranks near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to kickers this year, they have surrendered an average of 2.7 touchdowns per game (eighth-most in the NFL), which means that scoring opportunities won't be too hard to come by for Bass. He should be deployed as a top-10 kicker in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Devon Achane Dec 21 8:50am CT
Devon Achane

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane heads into Week 16 with five top 15 running back finishes in a row despite only averaging 36.8 rushing yards per contest. His receiving output and his knack for getting in the endzone have kept him a top-10 fantasy running back. He remains 34 receiving yards behind Alvin Kamara for the league lead by running backs. This week, he gets a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who struggle at allowing fantasy points to running backs. They rank 21st in fantasy points and 30th in rushing touchdowns allowed per game. The 23-year-old should look to see plenty of targets with the injuries Miami is dealing with at the receiver position this week. He is a must-start top 10 play and is the RB8 in the RotoBaller weekly rankings.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Dec 21 8:30am CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has been removed from the injury report after he was a full participant in practice on Friday. The 26-year-old has been cleared to play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon. Tagovailoa has produced a mixed bag of results this season, completing 73.7 percent of his passes for 2,652 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through 10 games. He turned over the football four times last weekend, but he has fared much better at home, which keeps him on the fantasy radar for Week 16. For context, in six games at Hard Rock Stadium this year, Tagovailoa has 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions and all three of those interceptions came in one game (Week 2 versus Buffalo). Losing Jaylen Waddle (knee) this week does make Tagovailoa's job a little more challenging, but he's still worth deploying as a low-end fantasy QB1 versus San Francisco.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Dec 21 8:30am CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is arguably the number one overall tight end play in fantasy football in Week 16 when the Cardinals travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. McBride is having one of the best seasons we've seen from a tight end in recent memory and, statistically, the best in Arizona in a long time. One statistical category that is lacking is touchdown production. McBride just broke the record for most receptions in a season (89) without a touchdown. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been vocal about getting McBride into the end zone, and they will have a good opportunity to do so, as the Panthers are allowing the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. It's hard to find a better option at the tight end position than McBride, and he should be started in all league formats.

From RotoBaller