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FFL: Playoff Week 1 | NFL: Week 16

Dolphins WRs Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill ailing for 49ers' clash

Fri Dec 20 7:02pm ET
Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are both ailing as the team prepares for Sunday's home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Waddle (knee) was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report after missing all three practices this week. He was injured in the second quarter of last weekend's 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans.

Hill is listed as questionable with a wrist injury that has bothered him all season. Hill has said he will consider getting the wrist surgically repaired after the season.

Hill has 67 receptions for a team-best 805 yards in 14 games this season. He has caught five touchdown passes.

Waddle has 54 catches this season for 700 yards and two touchdowns.

Miami ruled out long snapper Blake Ferguson (non-football illness) and listed receiver D'Wayne Eskridge (knee) as doubtful.

Also listed questionable were left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), right tackle Kendall Lamm (back) and linebackers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Cameron Goode (knee).

San Francisco will be without left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and running back Isaac Guerendo (foot/hamstring). Questionable for the contest are defensive end Nick Bosa (hip/oblique), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee) and defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (ankle).

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The Paur Report

Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Week 16

Player Notes
Tre Tucker Dec 21 2:20am CT
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker hasn't made much of an impact this season, but he has a chance to have a solid day against one of the NFL's worst pass defenses. Vegas will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, who allow a ludicrous 7.9 yards per pass attempt to opposing teams this season. For context, the gap between JAX and the second-worst team, the Dallas Cowboys, is 0.6 yards. That's the same as the gap between the Cowboys and the 17th ranked pass defense. So the Jags are not only the worst in the league at stopping passers, they're worse by a long shot. With QB1 Aidan O'Connell (knee) expected to return, we could see a few plays where Tucker beats the soft defense deep and AOC chucks it to him downfield. That's worth taking a shot on in very deep fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

Malcolm Koonce Dec 21 2:20am CT
Malcolm Koonce

The Las Vegas Raiders will clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. Though the Jags are missing their starting quarterback, one of their best receivers, and their top TE, it's still tough to trust the Raiders defense to do anything fantasy-wise. With star defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle), fellow DE Malcolm Koonce (knee), and another stellar defender in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot) all on injured reserve, an already weak defense is plenty banged-up. This D simply does not produce enough turnovers, hold opponents to low scoring totals, or rack up enough sacks to make a difference. They rank near the bottom of the league in every major defensive category, including points allowed, sacks, and takeaways. Don't consider starting them in fantasy football this week.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Dec 21 2:10am CT
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jakobi Meyers will face what is easily his softest matchup of the season in Week 16, when the Raiders face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The opposing team has a patented Swiss-cheese secondary, without much cheese and with mostly holes. They're the worst team at defending against wide receivers in the league, and with quarterback Aidan O'Connell returning from an injury, it's a smash spot for Meyers. He's one of the more underrated WRs in the league, probably because he's been on bad offenses his whole career outside of his rookie season. His upside in PPR fantasy football leagues is massive this week, and he should be started in all of them. He was cleared from the injury report, so he's healthy and ready to go. Don't leave him on your benches.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Carlson Dec 21 2:10am CT
Daniel Carlson

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson has mostly done a solid job making field goals, and his offense will face one of the worst defenses in the league when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. His accuracy on FGs under 50 yards has been impressive, though he's faltered numerous times on the long-range shots. He's made 83.6% of his field goal tries this season, though if you remove those attempts over 50 yards, he's nailed over 95% of the others. He's 95% on extra point tries as well. This week should finally see him getting more opportunities, at least in a way we can predict, so he's a decent option at kicker in deep fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Dec 21 2:00am CT
Alexander Mattison

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (neck) is expected to play in Week 16, when his team will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. We're just a few games away from finally wrapping up the rollercoaster of misery that has been the Raiders backfield in 2024. With RB Zamir White (quad) still on injured reserve and Sincere McCormick (ankle) out for the season, it looks like Mattison will split touches with fellow RB Ameer Abdullah. It's hard to say which one will out-snap the other, but having watched the Raiders this season, it will probably be some kind of committee. We don't expect Mattison to have a ton of fantasy value, as it appears Abdullah is the better pass-catcher, and neither will have a ton of TD upside. The former Minnesota Viking should probably be left on the bench.

From RotoBaller

Alexander Mattison Dec 21 2:00am CT
Alexander Mattison

The Las Vegas Raiders will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 in what is an easy matchup for running backs in fantasy. Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah will probably split volume with RB Alexander Mattison (neck), and Abdullah presents the more interesting option in fantasy football, since he seems to have more pass-catching upside. The 31-year old rushed three times for just eight yards in Week 15, but caught all seven of his targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. JAX has one of the league's most porous defenses. These factors make the 10th-year pro an intriguing option in deeper PPR leagues as an RB3/FLEX, but starting anyone from this backfield in fantasy football carries plenty of risk.

From RotoBaller

Brock Bowers Dec 21 2:00am CT
Brock Bowers

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. They have one of the worst pass defenses in the last 25 years in terms of passing Expected Points Added per play allowed. That statistic attempts to measure how impactful each play is for the opposing offense. JAX thus allows a ton of big and crucial plays, and does that often. With the team's QB1, Aidan O'Connell (knee) set to return from injury, Bowers will have his preferred signal-caller back in the lineup, and should be fed a healthy dose of targets. This will be another chance for the stellar rookie to shine, and fantasy managers should not leave him out of their lineups in any leagues with tight end slots in starting lineups. He should be started in all leagues this week, as he's primed for a monster game.

From RotoBaller

Graham Gano Dec 21 12:50am CT
Graham Gano

New York Giants kicker Graham Gano looks to get going in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons after a quiet showing in Week 15, where he had no field goal attempts but made both PATs in a 35-14 loss to the Ravens. On the season, Gano has converted 6 of 8 field goals (75%) with a long of 50 yards. The Falcons' defense allows 24.4 points per game, ranking 25th in the league, which could create scoring opportunities if the Giants' offense can sustain drives.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Bellinger Dec 21 12:40am CT
Daniel Bellinger

New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger heads into Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons looking to build on steady production as the team's lone starting tight end since Theo Johnson's season-ending injury. Over the past two games, Bellinger has tallied eight receptions on 10 targets for 80 yards, averaging 10 yards per catch but has yet to find the end zone. The Falcons' defense has been tough on tight ends recently, ranking 4th in fewest fantasy points allowed to the position over the past four weeks. However, Atlanta's overall struggles against the pass (225.9 yards allowed per game, 27 passing touchdowns surrendered) leave a glimmer of upside for Bellinger, giving the Giants hope in favorable game scripts.

From RotoBaller

Nick Bosa Dec 21 12:30am CT
Nick Bosa

The San Francisco 49ers defense/special teams unit will face the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. Last week, San Francisco's D did well to keep the Los Angeles Rams to 12 points, allowing four field goals but no touchdowns. However, they did not force any turnovers and recorded no sacks. Miami's offense is ranked in the bottom half of the league by yardage, although Miami suffered through four games of sub-par quarterback play while starter Tua Tagavailoa was recovering from a concussion. The Dolphins have some health questions on offense, as receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) and two starting offensive linemen are questionable, while receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee) is doubtful. The 49ers are relatively healthy on defense, with two big exceptions: DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee). San Francisco's D/ST is RotoBaller's 17th-ranked unit in Week 16, with boosts or downgrades depending on the health of Miami's O-line, Hill, Waddle, Bosa, and Greenlaw.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Dec 21 12:30am CT
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson enters Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons looking to improve on a rocky performance in last week's loss to the Ravens, where he posted four receptions on nine targets for 38 yards. Robinson has been a reliable short-yardage option this season with 71 receptions on 111 targets but averages just 7.4 yards per catch. The Falcons' defense, ranked 27th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers over the past four weeks, presents an opportunity for Robinson to exploit, particularly in PPR formats. While his lack of big-play ability caps his ceiling, Robinson's volume and the Falcons' struggles on defense (24.4 points allowed per game) might give him an opportunity for a decent game.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Dec 21 12:20am CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary could be in line for an expanded role in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons with starter Tyrone Tracy Jr. questionable due to an ankle injury. Singletary has been a steady, if unspectacular, contributor this season with 382 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and a 3.9 YPC average, earning 6.93 fantasy points per game. While the Falcons' run defense ranks 13th in yards allowed (116.7 per game) and has given up only seven rushing TDs all season, they've tightened up lately, ranking 6th in fewest RB fantasy points allowed over the past four weeks. Singletary's volume could make him a viable flex play, but his lack of explosiveness and Atlanta's improving defense temper expectations.

From RotoBaller

Drew Lock Dec 21 12:10am CT
Drew Lock

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock returns to the starting role for Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons after missing Week 15 with a heel injury. Lock has been underwhelming in limited action this season, with 405 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions over two starts, averaging just 5.1 yards per attempt. However, the Falcons present an enticing matchup, as their defense ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks over the past four weeks (18.9 FPPG). Atlanta also struggles overall, allowing 24.4 points per game, the fifth-most in the NFL. While Lock's inconsistency and eight sacks taken are concerning, his rushing ability (116 yards, 1 TD) gives him a sneaky floor, but he should remain on the bench for the playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Taylor Dec 21 12:10am CT
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has 21 or more carries in four of the last five contests with virtually no competition for touches from the other running backs on the team. That is, except for Anthony Richardson who has scored four times on the ground over the last four weeks while Taylor hasn't scored via the rush since Week 8. The 25-year-old nearly had one last week but dropped the ball in celebration before crossing the goal line, resulting in a lost fumble instead. Expect the former second-round draft pick to get a healthy dose of touches again in Week 16 against Tennessee, especially given how good the Titans' pass defense has been, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers compared to a rush defense yielding the 13th-most points to opposing backs. The fifth-year pro falls to a high-end RB2 in this week's matchup, who should get plenty of work and comes with RB1 upside if he's able to find the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Austin Hooper Dec 21 12:00am CT
Austin Hooper

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has been productive over his last five games, totaling 18 catches, 238 yards, and two touchdowns during that span. Even as the Patriots' No. 2 tight end, Hooper has managed to make a name for himself, ranking as the overall TE14 in fantasy points since Week 10. That actually ranks five whole spots higher than fellow Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, despite the fact that Henry has played more snaps than Hooper and has more fantasy points over the whole season. Hooper's rapport with Drake Maye does put him on the fantasy radar this week, but he's still in the mid-to-low TE2 tier. That's especially true as he prepares to take on a Bills defense allowing the ninth-fewest catches, sixth-fewest receptions, and sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Dec 20 11:50pm CT
Jake Moody

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody will kick off to the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday for a Week 16 interconference matchup. In last Thursday's offensive snooze-fest in Santa Clara against the Los Angeles Rams, Moody nailed both of his field goal attempts, the first from 53 yards and the second from 47. He didn't get an extra point opportunity. The Dolphins' defense has been good, ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed per game. They are sixth in red zone defense -- oddly enough tied with the Rams -- at a 50% touchdown rate, which bodes well for Moody's chances at stacking a few field goal attempts. Still, the 49ers' ability to move the ball has been erratic in recent weeks and will again be without left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and they're extremely beat up in the backfield, turning to fifth option Patrick Taylor Jr. The weather in Miami is expected to be mild with no precipitation but with 8-10 mph winds. Moody is RotoBaller's 12th-ranked kicker in its Week 16 rankings.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Dec 20 11:40pm CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs returned from a one-game absence after the Colts' bye week in Week 15, only to produce three catches for 32 yards. While the eight looks the 23-year-old drew were encouraging, Anthony Richardson's sub-50% completion rate continues to limit Indy's receivers. On top of that, the second-year quarterback has four rushing touchdowns on the ground over the last four weeks compared to just three through the air (along with four INTs), further capping their upside. In addition, the Colts take on the Titans in Week 16, a defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers on the season. Michael Pittman Jr. has been more productive over the last four weeks, but Alec Pierce will be out on Sunday as he recovers from a concussion, so Downs could benefit from a few extra looks. The former third-round pick is shaping up to be a WR4 this week in a contest that features one of the lower expected totals on the board.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Dec 20 11:20pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is in Miami this week for an interconference matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday. Last week at home versus the Rams on Thursday Night Football the 49ers offense was anemic overall, but Kittle pulled in four of seven targets for a team-leading 61 yards. While Miami's pass defense has been very stingy to fantasy quarterbacks and receivers, it has allowed its fair share of tight end points, representing the median of the league. As the fantasy season winds down, Kittle managers playing for a shot at the championship this week owe him his props as he leads the NFL in half-PPR points per game at the tight end spot (13.7), and is just 3.1 behind leader Brock Bowers in total points. Kittle is a must-start top-3 option in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Kendrick Bourne Dec 20 11:20pm CT
Kendrick Bourne

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has emerged as a potential fantasy option lately, and he remains on the radar heading into Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. Over his last four games, Bourne has totaled 14 catches, 183 yards, and one touchdown, cementing himself as one of Drake Maye's favorite targets. This week, Bourne gets a favorable matchup against the Bills, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers who play out wide this year. Increased volume and a favorable matchup against the Bills put Bourne back on the radar as a low-end WR3/FLEX option in leagues with 14 or more teams.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Dec 20 11:20pm CT
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is coming off his worst fantasy performance since Week 10 and is looking to bounce back this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Henry tallied just 25 yards in that Week 15 showing, but he still ranks as the overall TE11 this year and has formed a very strong rapport with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Unfortunately for Henry, the Bills' defense has been solid against opposing tight ends, allowing the ninth-fewest catches, sixth-fewest receptions, and sixth-fewest fantasy tight ends to the position in 2024. With that in mind, Henry will drop to the high-end TE2 tier this Sunday.

From RotoBaller