Good Morning! The majority of fantasy leagues out there determined their champion yesterday. But I do know there are some wildcards out there that like to give owners an extra reason to be upset going into the final week of the season. In today’s report I cover 12 players, their replacements, and the fantasy value of those replacements.
QBs: Joe Burrow, Drew Lock
RBs: Damien Harris, Kareem Hunt, Michael Carter, Ronald Jones, Deejay Dallas, Qadree Ollison
WR: Michael Gallup
TEs: Kyle Pitts, Ricky Seals-Jones, Will Dissly
Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts (TE)/Qadree Ollison (RB) - The star rookie tight end was injured during the first half of the game against the Bills on Sunday. He suffered a hamstring issue and he could not make a go in the second half. If he cannot play in the final week of the season, Hayden Hurst will be thrust into action as TE1. Although he didn’t play due to COVID, Hurst could be ready by then. Hayden is on pace for 35/275 this season. Ollison made his debut back where it all began for him, and was efficient in his three rushes for 19 yards. He suffered an injury during the game and did not return. Mike Davis will see an increased role as RB2 behind Cordarrelle Patterson. Davis has averaged only 3.6 ypc this season, struggling to be effective.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow (QB) - After putting up a second great performance in consecutive weeks, Burrow did not finish the tilt against the Chiefs with an injury. He was banged up and left the field. After the game he looked fine as Cincinnati celebrated their division championship. If they need to utilize a different signal caller in the final week of the season, Brandon Allen will be the guy. Allen has been the backup this season and he has thrown four passes all year long. He is 2-6 in his opportunities over his career, putting up a 9:7 TD:TO ratio and a 57% completion percentage.
Cleveland Browns: Kareem Hunt (RB) - The rusher has been dealing with COVID and an ankle injury over the last several weeks. He is questionable for tonight’s game against the Steelers and there is nothing to play for now. If Hunt cannot go, or is truly 50/50, I expect D’Ernest Johnson to backup Nick Chubb. Johnson has averaged a healthy 5.7 ypc throughout the season in his touches. That sort of rate is impossible to ignore.
Dallas Cowboys: Michael Gallup (WR) - The wideout has been banged up for the majority of this season and is done for the year with a torn ACL. He had scored a touchdown on three receptions prior to his exit. Cedrick Wilson will return to the WR3 role he held earlier in the season when Gallup was out previously. Wilson is on a 45/550 pace this season.
Denver Broncos: Drew Lock (QB) - During the game yesterday against the Chargers, Lock left for a short time with a shoulder injury. The Broncos are at their wits end as far as the QB position is concerned. Teddy Bridgewater is already out with a concussion, and if Lock is banged up, they won’t much left. Brett Rypien made two passes attempts yesterday to no avail. Rypien won his only start last season and has completed 64% of his passes in his small number of opportunities. He however lacks the ability to not force turnovers, going 2:4 in the TD:INT ratio.
New England Patriots: Damien Harris (RB) - Although Harris did not complete the game against the Jaguars on Sunday, it can be assumed he is fine to go for Week 18. His hamstring is being managed at the moment and the blowout win was not a time to push his limits. Rhamondre Stevenson is the back I expect to see an increase in touches if necessary, going forward. Stevenson has been solid when Harris has been on the mend, putting up a 4.4 ypc and a 1075 total yard pace (if active in all contests).
New York Jets: Michael Carter (RB) - The rookie rusher was taken from the game against the Buc’s due to a concussion. He has been solid as of late, and this forced the Jets hand. Tevin Coleman has already been ruled out due to injury, thrusting both Ty Johnson and Austin Walter into the lineup. Johnson is a threat out of the backfield more so than Walter, whereas Walter is a rusher. Johnson scored in place of Carter, totaling 82 yards on eight touches. Walter has only averaged 3.9 ypc this season.
Seattle Seahawks: Deejay Dallas (RB)/Will Dissly (TE) - Both depth players were injured during the game against the Lions on Sunday. Without Dallas, Travis Homer will be the clear RB2 behind Rashaad Penny. Homer is more of a pass catcher, although he had only six rushes yesterday. Homer rushed for 8.7 ypc this season on 35 total touches. Gerald Everett is the TE1 ahead of Will Dissly. Everett has put up a 60/550 pace this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronald Jones (RB) - Since Leonard Fournette has been injured, the Buc’s have struggled to rush efficiently with Jones. He only hit the hole at a 2.6 ypc pace yesterday and left with an ankle injury. This frees up more carries for Keshawn Vaughn down the stretch. Vaughn totaled 45 yards on ten carries yesterday. LeVeon Bell is also in the mix for touches, making three receptions and putting up 35 yards on six touches.
Washington Football Team: Ricky Seals-Jones (TE) - The starting tight end made one reception against the Eagles prior to leaving with a neck injury. John Bates will see an increase in opportunities for the final week of the season. The rookie made three receptions yesterday, the fourth time he’s accomplished this feat in 2021.