NFL Player News
-
DK Metcalf WR | SEA
Seahawks' DK Metcalf: Breaks scoreless streak Sunday
Metcalf had three receptions on seven targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Vikings.
The Seahawks continued to manage Metcalf's lingering shoulder injury during the practice week, but it did not affect his availability for Sunday's contest. The physical wideout finally hit pay dirt with a 25-yard grab in the second quarter after scoring his last touchdown back in Week 7. Metcalf has fallen out of favor to Jaxon Smith-Njigba as Geno Smith's favorite target in the second half of the season, so it was encouraging for fantasy managers to see their guy get back in the mix despite finishing behind JSN in receiving yet again. The 27-year-old Metcalf will attempt to build off this positive performance against the Bears on Thursday Night Football in Week 17.
-
De'Von Achane RB | MIA
Dolphins' De'Von Achane: Explodes for 190 yards Sunday
Achane took 17 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown while corralling six of seven targets for 70 yards in Sunday's 29-17 win over the 49ers.
Achane took full advantage of San Francisco's porous rush defense en route to his first 100-plus yard rushing game of the season. In addition to his gaudy rushing totals, the explosive back also led the Dolphins in receiving yardage Sunday. Achane failed to eclipse the 4.0 yards per carry barometer of success for rushers in each of his last four appearances, but he absolutely crushed that mark with a 7.1 yard average against the 49ers. Backup Raheem Mostert remained involved with 10 touches, but it's Achane that fantasy managers should prefer out of Miami's backfield heading into next Sunday's tilt against Cleveland.
-
Andrei Iosivas WR | CIN
Bengals' Andrei Iosivas: Makes good use of three catches
Iosivas brought in all three targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 24-6 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Iosivas came down with one of Joe Burrow's three touchdown passes, making a six-yard grab just before the midway point of the second quarter to put Cincinnati up by two scores. Iosivas' yardage total was a new career-high figure as well, and he's now posted at least three receptions in four of the last five games. Iosivas will remain a deep-league option in a Week 17 home matchup against the Broncos on Saturday afternoon thanks to Burrow's talent and the Bengals' pass-centric approach.
-
Elijah Moore WR | CLE
Browns' Elijah Moore: Two catches in Week 16 loss
Moore secured two of five targets for 21 yards in the Browns' 24-6 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson's ascension to the starting quarterback job didn't really do any Browns pass catchers any favors with the exception of David Njoku, as is evident in Moore's pedestrian receiving line. The fourth-year pro actually outpaced Jerry Jeudy, who'd been on a torrid pace with Jameis Winston (shoulder) under center, by two targets and one receiving yard Sunday, but that didn't amount to any tangible fantasy value. Moore could be headed to even more unremarkable numbers in Week 17 when the Dolphins come to town, due both to Miami's talented secondary and the fact Cedric Tillman (concussion) may be ready to return to action.
-
Chigoziem Okonkwo TE | TEN
Titans' Chigoziem Okonkwo: Season-best numbers in loss
Okonkwo secured nine of 11 targets for 81 yards in the Titans' 38-30 loss to the Colts on Sunday.
The talented tight end had already recorded six catches in Week 15 against the Bengals after Mason Rudolph entered that game for an ineffective Will Levis, so Sunday's team-high reception, receiving yardage and target totals weren't completely surprising. However, Okonkwo's numbers were still a significant boon for fantasy managers that might have been rolling with him in their playoff matchups with the hopes of an encore performance, and the third-year pro is clearly a viable tight-end option as long as Rudolph is under center.
-
Deebo Samuel WR | SF
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Wakes up in Week 16
Samuel caught seven of nine targets for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 25 rushing yards on five attempts in Sunday's 29-17 loss to Miami.
Samuel finally broke out of the worst slump of his professional career by recording his best fantasy score to date in 2024. The dual-threat receiver also finished with his most rushing yards in a game this year with San Francisco being forced to start a running back (Patrick Taylor) who began the year on the practice squad. It is worth noting that Samuel needed to have his right wrist examined briefly by the medical staff in the second half of Sunday's loss, but he promptly returned to action and finished the contest without issue. With a strong performance under his belt, fantasy managers who may have benched Samuel during his horrid slump can feel better about reinserting the fantasy star into lineups against Detroit next Monday.
-
Adonai Mitchell WR | IND
Colts' Adonai Mitchell: Big gain on one catch Sunday
Mitchell recorded a 36-yard reception on his only target in the Colts' 38-30 win over the Titans on Sunday.
The speedy rookie finished second in receiving yards despite the modest total as he filled the perimeter role normally belonging to the sidelined Alec Pierce (concussion). Mitchell's 36-yard reception in the latter portion of the second quarter helped set up a Matt Gay field goal and gave Mitchell, who hadn't recorded a reception in the previous two games, his fourth catch of 20-plus yards on the campaign. If Pierce is unable to clear concussion protocol in time for a Week 17 road matchup against the Giants, Mitchell will remain a boom-or-bust option against a secondary that's given up some big plays this season.
-
Michael Pittman WR | IND
Colts' Michael Pittman: Two catches in Week 16 win
Pittman brought in two of three targets for 19 yards in the Colts' 38-30 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Pittman's final line was certainly disappointing, but the blame can hardly be blamed at the feet of the talented wideout considering Anthony Richardson threw only 11 times on the afternoon. Pittman's catch and yardage totals were his lowest since Week 9, while his target tally was a new season-low figure. Pittman could have a solid chance of boosting his numbers at least slightly in a favorable Week 17 road battle against the inconsistent Giants defense.
-
Josh Downs WR | IND
Colts' Josh Downs: Productive in high-scoring victory
Downs brought in three of four targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 38-30 win over the Titans on Sunday.
On an afternoon where Anthony Richardson attempted just 11 passes and finished with a modest 131 yards through the air, Downs' reception, receiving yardage and target totals were all team highs. The second-year wideout also recorded his fifth touchdown grab of the season on a nifty 27-yard catch and run late in the second quarter where he successfully tiptoed the right sideline on his way to the end zone. Downs' production, along with that of the rest of Indianapolis' pass catchers, remains hard to trust with Richardson under center, but the talented receiver still carries upside on paper against a vulnerable Giants secondary on the road in Week 17.
-
Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR | SEA
Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Stays hot with 100 yards plus TD
Smith-Njigba had eight receptions on 12 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown while taking his lone carry for five yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to Minnesota.
Smith-Njigba combined his rushing and receiving totals to reach 100 yards from scrimmage in addition to scoring his sixth touchdown of the season. The second-year pro has been a second-half sensation for fantasy managers, averaging 7.0 receptions and 96.3 receiving yards over his last eight contests. Despite the loss, it has become apparent that Seattle wants to build its offense around JSN and a talented group of starting wideouts. Smith-Njigba will look to stay red-hot in Week 17 on Thursday against a Bears defense that sits in the bottom third of the league in terms of yards allowed to opposing passing attacks.