On Tuesday morning, we learned that the Browns were benching Jameis Winston to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Fantasy managers everywhere are devastated. Not only do we lose Winston as a starting Fantasy QB, but this is devastating for the Browns' pass catchers as well.
Winston averaged 291 yards per game as a starting QB. He threw 12 touchdown passes in seven starts. In three career starts, Thompson-Robinson has averaged 140 passing yards per game. He's thrown one touchdown and four interceptions in those three games. For his career, Thompson-Robinson is averaging 3.7 yards per pass attempt. Winston is averaging 7.2 yards per attempt this season.
The pie may literally be getting chopped in half in Cleveland. That means Jerry Jeudy is no longer a must-start wide receiver, and Elijah Moore is close to a must-sit. If Cedric Tillman returns, I'll have all three of the Browns wide receivers outside of my top 30, despite a spectacular matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The one distinction I would make is that while I would like to sit Jeudy, there aren't any waiver wire options I would start ahead of him. The same is not true for Moore; I'll give you multiple guys below you can start over Moore.
Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker should dominate targets if Legette is out.
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Numbers to Know
13 -- Jerry Jeudy has 13 receiving yards on six targets from Thompson-Robinson this season.
83.7 -- Mike Evans needs to average 83.7 yards per game in his final three games to reach 1,000 yards for the 11th straight season.
19.7 -- Davante Adams is not WR6 at 19.7 FPPG since joining the Jets.
1.77 -- Tyreek Hill's 1.77 yards per route run is a career low. He has never finished a season below 2.12.
40.5% -- Amari Cooper's 40.5% route participation in Week 15 was tied with Ty Johnson for sixth highest on the team. Cooper did not earn a target during the game.
8.9 -- Marvin Harrison Jr. has scored 8.9 PPR Fantasy points in three of his last four games and seven of his last 10.
87% -- Jalen Coker played 87% of the offensive snaps in his return. He's a full-time player again.
I don't have a waiver wire receiver in my top 40 at the position this week. So unless you suffered an injury or have been starting Elijah Moore, I would be hesitant to sit your Week 15 starter for a waiver wire addition. If you have to, Romeo Doubs is my favorite option. The Packers' receiving corps is frustrating as ever, but Doubs had two touchdowns in his Week 15 return and has three games this season with at least 17 PPR Fantasy points.
Coker has been Bryce Young's most efficient wide receiver, and I am expecting Young and the Panthers to feature the rookie down the stretch. Coker has averaged more than 12 Fantasy points per game when he's played more than 60% of the offensive snaps, and he played nearly 90% last week. If he hits again this week, he may rank as a top 30 wide receiver in Week 17.
McCloud was a dud in Week 14, but he had double-digit PPR Fantasy points in three straight games before that. He's a deep PPR league add for teams that can start three wide receivers and a flex.
Coker is THE wide receiver add if you're looking for Week 17 upside. He just scored 21 Fantasy points in his first game back, and he has Tampa Bay in Week 17. You'll need a good game in Week 16 to feel good about starting him in Week 17, but he's worth the stash while you wait and see.
Chase has nine or more targets in seven straight games. He has three games this season with at least 40 PPR Fantasy points. He's the perfect combination of floor and upside. Find somewhere else to save money in cash games.
I know, the definition of insanity is playing Marvin Harrison week after week and expecting different results. Except sometimes you have to get a little crazy to win a GPP. Harrison has had some of his biggest games against bad defenses so as a contrarian play only I am running him back out there.
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Heath's Projections
My full set of Week 16 Fantasy football projections for every position are now available on SportsLine. Find out which of my favorite plays are projected to score higher than consensus rankings and which don't live up to their draft hype, at least in Week 16. Projected stats for all starting wide receivers are available, so be sure to find my projections for every position over at SportsLine.
