With the bye weeks over, we’re officially in the home stretch of the season when more teams get eliminated from playoff contention and turn their focus to 2025. While the NFL is quick to point out that teams don’t tank, draft stock routinely changes when a team with a woeful record puts together a couple late wins.
However, for veterans with injuries, we’re getting to the time where “business decisions” start being made. Great players play hurt – it’s why they’re remembered – but the money people in the organization have an investment beyond a lost season. Those are the teams to keep an eye on if you have any of their banged up key players on your roster. Their seasons aren’t over, but they’re starting to make plans for the second week in January.
Fantasy football risers
Las Vegas Raiders RB Sincere McCormick – Without Josh Jacobs, the Raiders’ running game has been a disappointment all season. McCormick didn’t have career rushing attempt until three weeks ago, but injuries have pushed him to the front of the line over the last two games. He has rushed 27 times for 142 yards and caught four passes for 12 yards. If you have the ability to carry over players, he could be someone to watch.
Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen – After missing seven weeks due to injury, Thielen has come back in a big way to help Bryce Young salvage his young career. Over the last two games, Thielen has caught 17 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown – weekly totals of 23.9 and 19.2. For those heading to the fantasy playoffs, you’ll take those numbers with Thielen earning his way into lineups.
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold – If you don’t have a must-play QB on your roster, Darnold makes sense. He has the weapons, the Vikings boast a potent offense, and Darnold has been consistent with two or more TD passes in six of his last seven games. He logged 11 touchdowns vs. no picks in his last four. After an ugly start to his career, Darnold is finally looking like the lottery pick he was coming out of college.
Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud – He isn’t a top option in the passing game, but McCloud and Kirk Cousins have built a rapport. In the last two games, McCloud has caught 12 passes for 193 yards, hitting 95 and 98 receiving yards, respectively. There are bigger names in the Falcons offense, but you have to appreciate guys who get the job done, and McCloud is becoming a fixture in the aerial game.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams – Like Darnold, what desperate fantasy teams need from a plug-in player is consistency. When asked Williams can do damage with his legs, but his arm is his bread and butter. Over the last three games (against the Vikings, Lions and 49ers), Williams has thrown seven touchdown passes and hasn’t thrown a pick in his last seven games (just one in his last 10). The learning curve is speeding up.
Fantasy football fallers
Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor – Over his last three games, Taylor has rushed 60 times for just 188 yards, caught two passes for 10 yards, and scored one touchdown. For a first-round fantasy pick, those numbers are brutal. Anthony Richardson doesn’t drop off checkdown passes to running backs. If he’s under pressure, he takes off. You have to appreciate his run volume, but he needs TDs to be effective for fantasy owners.
Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – It’s not that St. Brown has been awful, but he was drafted to be a WR1. In his last three games, he has point totals of 12.2, 12.3, and 10.3. Those don’t kill you, but they don’t help. The Lions are spreading the ball around. Over last three games, six players have 11 or more targets and St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta have 20-22-19 targets, respectively. The 10-catch games don’t seem to be in the cards anymore.
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert – The Jim Harbaugh Chargers aren’t looking to be the Don Coryell Chargers. Herbert was fantasy drafted to be a starter. Not happening. His last three-TD passing game was before Harbaugh showed up. Over his last three games, Herbert has thrown for 578 yards with one TD pass and one TD run. If you have other options, consider them.
Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf – Metcalf was a priority WR2 to be a weekly staple. His last TD came on Oct. 20. Over his three games, Metcalf’s weekly point totals have been 9.9, 10.6, and 8.9. Those are numbers that help lose a week. With the playoffs underway, if benching Metcalf hasn’t already happened, it should be seriously considered.
Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud – The Texans are coming off their bye week. The bottom line is he has five total touchdowns over the last seven weeks. Stroud hasn’t been a starter for some time. If he’s still on your roster, it’s time cut bait and lose him for someone who has a chance to inspire some sort of confidence.
