I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving with loved ones, delicious food, and three captivating games. Like the holidays, the football season ends far too quickly; and in two weeks, the fantasy football regular season will be over, and playoffs will have arrived.
It feels like just yesterday that we were debating preseason predictions and rankings. It truly is a fantastic time of year; as millions of managers make important decisions at the trade deadlines across countless leagues, as every decision has increased pressure attached to it. So, will this player put you over the top and win that league? I have listed three players at each position available in over 50% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren Rostered in 8.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (15% FAAB)
In front of a national audience, we saw Najee Harris was once again the worst running back to dawn a Steelers uniform. Jaylen Warren has been the better back, and if Harris misses significant time, Warren will step into an essential role in the offense. Atlanta’s defense is #notgood at much of anything and will be unable to slow down Warren.
Kyren Williams Rostered in 19.4% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (10% FAAB)
Williams has made a remarkable comeback from the player that no one wanted after a horrendous NFL combine performance. Cam Akers has handed the job to Williams due to his horrific play (dead last in RYOE for rushers with at least 76 carries) and attitude this season. Williams out-snapped and out-touched Akers and will not be giving the job back. It’s Williams’s job to run with after Los Angeles released Darrell Henderson last week.
Darrell Henderson Rostered in 36.9% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
Mr. Henderson landed in a perfect situation on a team needing a backup running back. With Travis Etienne suffering a foot injury and missing almost the entire game, Henderson is worth a stash in case the injury is worse than anticipated. We saw how backup Jamychal Hasty performed when given an opportunity. Jacksonville has a plan for Henderson in the offense. If Etienne does miss time, Henderson would be stepping into a much-improved situation from the one in Los Angeles.
Wide Receiver
Treylon Burks Rostered in 37.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (15% FAAB)
The Treylon Burks train is leaving the station. Here’s your last chance to get a ticket before the journey to league-winning wide receiver is reached. Remember, it was Week 13 when ARSB took off last year; and I’m not saying Burks will reproduce those stats. But Burks can be a top 20 WR each week, if not be an even greater impact on your team.
Zay Jones Rostered in 31.4% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (8% FAAB)
Another stat stuffing week for Zay Jones, as he looked special on Sunday. Jones dominated the targets (37% Target Share!) and has shown he is a focal point of the offense in Jacksonville. With Lawerence coming along each week, Jones has been a significant benefactor and will continue to produce; especially with matchups against Detroit and Tennessee over the next two weeks.
Darius Slayton Rostered in 37.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)
I still need to understand why people do not want the Giants’ WR1. Again he led the team in snaps and targets, and it’s as if no one cared. Slayton is someone who is a flex play with weekly WR2 upside. He may not be the shiny new toy such as Burks, but he can help you win weeks, which is essential.
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson Rostered in 43.1% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (10% FAAB)
We are getting a hyper-accurate (most accurate quarterback in NFL history at 67.8%) Konami QB in a matchup versus the Houston Texans. That’s a significant win. Pick up Watson and march to the playoffs with an elite addition. Something that is almost impossible to find except in shallow leagues.
Jared Goff Rostered in 29.2% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
We are getting the ideal fantasy matchup of two good offenses against suspect defenses. The over/under is the second-highest of the weekend at 51.5. Expect a shootout from both sides, and Goff should be a beneficiary. Have confidence in starting Goff this weekend.
Mike White Rostered in 2.9% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (1% FAAB)
If Aaron Rodgers does indeed miss time, Jodan Love would be another good candidate to stream. Mike White has revitalized the Jets offense; which went from horrific to respectable with the quarterback upgrade (you heard me right). This week the Jets have a matchup against the Vikings, who are bottom five in fantasy points allowed to the position. We just saw Mac Jones light up the Vikings for 382 yards on Thanksgiving night. Mike White should not have trouble putting up good numbers in this matchup.
Tight End
Foster Moreau Rostered in 35.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (7% FAAB)
Moreau is not coming off of the field. He is a legit every down player for the Raiders, and that’s what we love to see at the tight end position. The Raiders face the Chargers, who give up over 14 yards per reception to tight ends. So you get a tight end not leaving the field against a defense that tight ends have gashed. Sign me up.
Evan Engram Rostered in 36.1% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
How does the saying go? Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me 100 times, shame on me? Whatever the expression is, I am signing up for another round on the Evan Engram experience. Engram is seeing a very healthy amount of routes run each week. In the right matchup, he can turn in a top-12 performance. Detroit awaits in Week 13.
Greg Dulcich Rostered in 46.2% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)
Dulcich had a quiet Week 12 performance thanks partly to a touchdown that was called back. If it weren’t for that, it would have been his fourth top-12 performance in six games this season. Dulcich is doing stuff that is not common for any rookie tight end, let alone one that was on almost no one’s radar (except Jakob Sanderson) in August. A bet on Dulcich is a bet on talent, which I am happy to make. The Ravens are middle of a pack matchup against tight ends. Dulcich is a solid streaming choice in Week 13.
Jesse Moeller
Jesse Moeller is a fascinating character. By day, he's a restaurant manager, but during his free time, he transforms into a fantasy football analyst. He's been playing fantasy football since 1999, which means he's been around the block a few times. But his passion for the game has never waned. Jesse is a devoted husband to his wife Andrea, whom he's been married to for five years. They have a lovely daughter Cecilia, who is now four years old. Jesse's journey into content creation began with The League Winners in 2021, and he hasn't looked back since. Dynasty is his passion, and his love for the game is infectious. Jesse is a true degenerate who loves the fantasy football and the community that supports it.