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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 16

Falcons expected to cut Kirk Cousins before $10M bonus due

Sat Dec 21 1:39pm ET
Field Level Media

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release Kirk Cousins before the March 17 due date for the currently demoted quarterback's $10 million roster bonus, ESPN reported Saturday.

The Falcons announced Tuesday that Cousins was benched and Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, would be their starting quarterback "moving forward."

Cousins, 36, had one touchdown pass Monday to snap a four-game losing streak at Las Vegas. He leads the NFL with 18 turnovers, 16 interceptions.

Cousins was signed as a free agent in March to a four-year, $140 million contract that includes a no-trade clause. On March 17 he's due a $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season.

Sources told ESPN it's unlikely that either side would want a trade, with Cousins unlikely to want to do the Falcons any favors given his benching, and the Falcons unlikely to want to absorb any further costs for a player they've already paid $90 million for 14 games.

For his part, Cousins appears to be putting up a good front in the wake of his benching.

Cousins said he called Penix after talking to Falcons coach Raheem Morris to let him know he is "in his corner," and would help him any way he can.

"It's pro football and there's a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me that, unfortunately, I wasn't playing up to that standard consistently enough. And so, it is what it is, and you roll with it and now you still get ready -- one play away kind of a thing," Cousins said Wednesday. "And support Mike and just try to help our team be able to find a way to win these last three to get in the playoffs, and that's what it's all about."

Morris credited Cousins for taking the demotion as a professional.

"Any time you take a step down, and demotion, whatever the case may be, it's not going to be met with great appreciation," Morris said. "But Kirk was a professional. He's a pro, he's a man, he's great human, great father, he's a great football player. He's done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He's an absolute professional. I can't say enough good things about who the man is. Obviously, it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job."

Atlanta (7-7) trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South race. The Falcons play the Washington Commanders (9-5) on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 17 and playoff position could be on the line if the Falcons beat the Giants and the NFC-East leading Eagles beat the Commanders this week.

Cousins played for Washington (2012-17) and Minnesota (2018-23) before joining the Falcons.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins is 83-74-2 over 159 career starts. He has thrown for 42,979 yards with 288 touchdowns and 126 interceptions.

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Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 16

Player Notes
Ja'Tavion Sanders Dec 21 1:50pm CT
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders should be viewed as a risky TE2 in Week 16 when he faces the Arizona Cardinals. Over his previous two contests, Sanders has seen just two total targets and has been unable to bring in any of them. However, during Weeks 5 through 12, Sanders saw solid 4.1 targets per game and averaged 8.2 PPR points per game during this span. He tallied at least 40+ receiving yards in four of these seven games. However, as of late, Sanders as not been very involved in the Carolina passing attack. Dynasty managers should continue to hold onto him as he has shown upside at times throughout his rookie campaign. For now, he should remain out of all lineups given his unreliable target share and tough matchup as the Cardinals have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points to the tight end position.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Dec 21 1:40pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell should not be started in any formats this weekend when he faces the Washington Commanders. Throughout the season, Gainwell has continued to be deployed as the clear No.2 option behind Saquon Barkley. However, with Saquon Barkley operating in a workhorse role, Gainwell has averaged just 4.5 attempts per game over the past eight weeks. While he has had limited opportunities he has posted a solid 4.7 yards per carry during this span and found the back of the end zone once. While Barkley will dominate the touches throughout the game, if the Eagles begin have a significant lead, they may opt to let Gainwell close out the afternoon to protect Barkley for the postseason. Given his minimal role on the offense, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a pure handcuff that holds very little standalone value.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Dec 21 1:40pm CT
Xavier Worthy

According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle) is questionable to return. The rookie wideout sustained this injury when running a route in a non-contact capacity. Before exiting, Worthy caught four of his five targets for 26 yards. At the time, those five targets led the team. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown, and Travis Kelce to see most of the passing work. Marquise Brown was the leading receiver after the first half tallying 38 yards on three receptions in his 2024 season debut.

From RotoBaller

Ben Sinnott Dec 21 1:30pm CT
Ben Sinnott

Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott could be in line to see a season-high in snaps on Sunday when he faces the Philadelphia Eagles. Starting tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) is listed as questionable and was unable to practice all week which puts him in an uphill battle to turn the corner in time for kickoff. As a result, fantasy managers should expect John Bates to operate as the No.1 option, but the rookie could find himself in a significant role. Last weekend, when Ertz left the game early due to a concussion, Sinnott logged an impressive 40 offensive snaps which was almost double than his previous high. In this game he caught his lone target for seven yards. This was only his fifth reception of the campaign. While he should not be trusted in any formats this weekend he is worth paying attention to, especially in dynasty formats as he will likely be the future TE1 in the DMV in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Brayden Narveson Dec 21 1:20pm CT
Brayden Narveson

According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Tennessee Titans are signing kicker Brayden Narveson to the active roster. The Titans also added another year to his contract to keep him under team control through the 2025 season. This is also worth monitoring as No.1 kicker Nick Folk (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Folk opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade to a limited participant which may open the door for him to suit up. Narveson operated as the starting kicker in Green Bay over the first six games and held an underwhelming 70.6% conversion rate and was 16-for-16 on extra points. However, with Mason Rudolph getting the starting nod, both kickers should remain on the waiver wire and out of your starting lineup this weekend as the Titans may have trouble getting points on the board.

From RotoBaller

Rashod Bateman Dec 21 1:10pm CT
Rashod Bateman

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, there is some optimism around Rashod Bateman's (foot) availability for Saturday afternoon's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rapoport noted that despite his current foot injury that kept him sidelined for most of practice this week, if he is able to turn in a successful pregame warmup, "he should be out there." Bateman popped up on the injury report on Wednesday as a limited participant and was downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday. Last weekend, Bateman brought in three of his five targets for 80 yards and two scores. Through 14 games this season, Bateman has tallied seven touchdowns while averaging 46.7 yards per game. If he is able to suit up, he should be viewed as a decent flex option in deeper 14+ team formats.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Dec 21 12:00pm CT
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas does have a career-high five touchdowns in 2024 and resides in one of the best passing offenses in the NFL, but he's still not a viable flex play for fantasy managers looking to advance to championship matchups in Week 16. We would recommend ignoring him in starting fantasy lineups for a divisional tilt on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. In the first meeting with Cleveland on Oct. 20, Iosivas put up a donut (he did so the following week as well). The 25-year-old just isn't seeing enough volume (51 targets on the year) behind target hogs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. When you factor in tight end Mike Gesicki, Iosivas is quarterback Joe Burrow's No. 4 target, at best. In the last five weeks, Iosivas has been outside the top-50 wideouts with 11 catches, 127 yards and one touchdown on 16 targets. There's minimal upside here and a scary-low floor.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Dec 21 11:50am CT
Demarcus Robinson

Even though Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (shoulder) has scored a career-high seven touchdowns in 14 games for the Rams this year, he cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups in Week 16 on the road against the New York Jets on Sunday. It's pretty impressive that Robinson has seven touchdowns while working behind target hogs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. The 30-year-old has been battling through a shoulder injury of late, which could be part of the reason he's gone without a catch on just two targets in the last two games against the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills. In the two previous games, he had four catches on six targets for 64 yards and a touchdown. Robinson should get more involved this weekend in New York, but against a Jets defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest half-PPR points per game to the position, we'd stay away from Robinson this week.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aubrey Dec 21 11:40am CT
Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who has one of the strongest kicking legs in all of football, needs to be in all fantasy lineups in Week 16 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. Aubrey enters Week 16 action as the No. 4 kicker in overall fantasy points on the season thanks to 32 made field goals (third-most in the league) on 38 attempts (third-most in the league). He's also made all 26 of his extra-point tries in 14 games played. He was busy in last week's win over the Carolina Panthers, too, making three of his four field-goal attempts and all three of his extra points. Aubrey's 8.7 fantasy points per week rank him as the No. 6 fantasy kicker on the year. The Buccaneers defense is leaky enough and should give the Cowboys plenty of kicking opportunities. They've allowed 23.3 points per game. Kicking at home indoors again this week, Aubrey needs to be in all starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Tim Patrick Dec 21 11:40am CT
Tim Patrick

Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick will be looking to keep his two-game touchdown streak going in a Week 16 divisional clash versus the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday. Patrick has seen a bigger role in the last two weeks against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, catching 10 of his 15 targets for 73 yards and three touchdowns. Prior to Week 14, though, Patrick hadn't seen more than four targets in a game. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher has 19 catches for 202 yards and the three TDs on 26 targets in his last five games, which has made him the WR29 in that span. With the elevated role of late, Patrick has settled in as Detroit's No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in a high-volume passing offense. However, he's still more of a touchdown-dependent WR4/5 in fantasy that will be taking on a Bears defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to wideouts in the last five weeks.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Dec 21 11:30am CT
Brandin Cooks

Despite the fact that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks has scored a touchdown in two of the last three games, he remains a very volatile flex option for fantasy managers in Week 16 heading into a Sunday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since returning in Week 13 from a knee injury that required surgery, Cooks has seven receptions on 15 targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. In the four games he played with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) before his knee injury, Cooks had only nine catches (19 targets) for 91 yards and one touchdown. It's safe to say the 31-year-old veteran is showing serious signs of decline as a deep threat in the NFL, and he's highly dependent on getting into the end zone. The Bucs defense has been a plus matchup for receivers this year, although they've stiffened up in recent weeks. Cooks' limited volume makes him one to avoid.

From RotoBaller

Desmond Ridder Dec 21 11:20am CT
Desmond Ridder

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit is worth considering for Week 16. The Jaguars face the Las Vegas Raiders this week, who allowed the Falcons D/ST to have a fantastic fantasy outing last week. While Aidan O'Connell is expected to start instead of Desmond Ridder, that shouldn't change much in the eyes of fantasy managers. The Jaguars defense has been one of the worst in the league this season, but the Raiders offense has been one of the worst in the league in their own right. That combination leads to a mix of risk and upside for a defense more likely than not available in free agency. While their unit has been difficult to trust all season, the Jaguars D/ST has a chance to succeed in fantasy in Week 16 against the Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Dec 21 11:20am CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson heads into Sunday night's matchup against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 still searching for his first touchdown of 2024. Although the matchup is a good one against a Buccaneers defense that has allowed 12.1 half-PPR points per game to the TE position this year (sixth-most in the NFL), Ferguson just hasn't shown any real signs of breaking out with quarterback Cooper Rush under center. The 25-year-old has just five catches on 10 targets for 55 yards after returning from a two-game absence due to injury. But even before that, Ferguson was struggling to make a weekly impact for his fantasy managers. The good news is the Bucs have allowed the second-most receiving yards (974) to tight ends this year, so even if Ferguson stays out of the end zone, he could rack up some decent yardage to make him a top-12 TE in the fantasy semifinals in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

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