Ravens OC Greg Roman believes RB J.K. Dobbins can be a "viable weapon in the passing game ... That's something we're working on diligently every day -- a threat out of the backfield." We don't doubt that Dobbins can be an asset as a pass-catcher. He tallied 71 receptions over 3 seasons at Ohio State. The question is whether the Ravens will actually get him more action in that department. Dobbins saw just 24 targets last year -- and Ravens RBs combined for just 50. That number checked in at 51 back in 2019, QB Lamar Jackson's first full season as starter. For perspective, 17 RBs topped 51 targets by themselves last year. So file this under "believe it when we see it." If Dobbins truly did take on a significant passing-game role this season, though, he'd be a strong bet for a RB1 finish.
New Chargers OC Joe Lombardi wasn't shy when asked about WR Mike Williams' outlook in his offense. “I see a big role for him," Lombardi said. "If I were a betting man, I’d bet on nice numbers coming from him on the stat sheet, that’s for sure.” Lombardi spent 12 seasons -- including the last 5 -- working under Sean Payton in New Orleans. Williams will be playing the same 'X' receiver spot for the Chargers that Michael Thomas plays for the Saints. “As much as this offense will resemble New Orleans, he plays the ‘X’ and the ball has always kind of found the ‘X’ receiver in this offense,” Lombardi explained. “I think that there will be some natural production that comes his way because of the nature of the offense.” Don't expect anything close to Thomas-level production from Williams this season. But he looks like a nice value at his current WR50 ADP in FFPC best balls.
Washington HC Ron Rivera told insider JP Finlay that he's expecting a "big jump" from RB Antonio Gibson this season. Gibson exceeded expectations as a runner last year, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and scoring 11 times on 170 attempts. He added a 36-247-0 receiving line but should have more to offer there after playing both RB and WR in his final season at Memphis. Gibson has feature-back and RB1 potential in 2021.
The Chargers grabbed Georgia TE Tre McKitty in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The 6'4, 246-pounder caught 50 balls across 3 seasons at Florida State before transferring to Georgia last year and totaling just 6 grabs. McKitty tested as an above-average athlete at his Pro Day, including a 4.71-second 40 time. He joins Jared Cook and cult hero Donald Parham in the Chargers' TE room.
The Vikings have promoted Klint Kubiak to OC. He's the son of Gary Kubiak, who just retired after spending the past 2 seasons in Minnesota. Klint has no NFL play-calling experience. We suspect his job will be to keep as much of his father's offense in place as possible.
Joe Lombardi has been named Chargers OC. The 49-year-old and grandson of Vince Lombardi has had 2 stints with the Saints under Sean Payton, including the past 5 seasons as QB coach. In between, Lombardi spent 2 seasons as Lions OC in 2014 and 2015. Those teams both ranked in the bottom half of the league in total yards and points. The running games were anemic, headed by Ameer Abdullah, Joique Bell and Reggie Bush. But QB Matthew Stafford topped 4,200 yards both years with 54 total TDs. This seems like a solid hire for QB Justin Herbert and the Chargers passing game.
Bills RB Zack Moss left Saturday's win over the Colts with an ankle injury and is expected to miss some time, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It remains to be seen just how long, as we await an official diagnosis. Obviously, it'll also depend some on how far the Bills advance. We'll watch for updates. In the meantime, Devin Singletary gains fantasy upside.
Ravens WR Willie Snead (ankle) is listed as questionable for this weekend's Wild Card game vs. the Titans after getting in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. We'll get his game status around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.
Steelers TE Eric Ebron has been activated from the COVID list. So he'll be back for Sunday night's Wild Card game vs. Cleveland's 31st-ranked TE defense.
Browns LG Joel Bitonio and WR KhaDarel Hodge have tested positive for COVID and are out for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Steelers. Bitonio, one of the best Gs in the league, is the big loss. Hodge's absence locks Donovan Peoples-Jones in as Cleveland's #3 WR for this one. HC Kevin Stefanski also has COVID and won't be available for the Steelers game. The Browns offense is in an extremely tough spot.
Browns CB Denzel Ward landed on the COVID list this week, and Cleveland.com reports that he tested positive. That means Ward will not only miss Sunday's game against the Steelers but might also not be back in time for a playoff opener next weekend. We'll see about his status for that contest next week.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed on Monday that "key starters" won't play in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Chargers. Kansas City has the AFC's #1 seed locked up. Don't expect to see QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Tyreek Hill or TE Travis Kelce on the field at all. WR Sammy Watkins and RB Le'Veon Bell also figure to be limited or sit out entirely. QB Chad Henne will draw the start for Kansas City. We'll look for clues on who the RB and WR snaps will go to.
As expected, Jaguars RB James Robinson (ankle) is inactive for today's game against the Bears. His absence leaves Jacksonville's backfield to Devine Ozigbo and Dare Ogunbowale. Neither is a bankable fantasy play.
The forecast for tonight's Titans-Packers game calls for temperatures in the low 30s with snow and winds of 10-15 mph with gusts of 25-30 mph. Those are less-than-ideal conditions for the passing games, but we're still expecting plenty of points in this one. The game still has a big 53.5-point over/under. We'd stick with all the regulars from these teams in fantasy lineups.
Browns WRs Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge have been placed on the COVID list as high-risk close contacts and are out for Sunday's game against the Jets. Those are Cleveland's top 4 WRs. Marvin Hall is the only other WR on the active roster. Ja'Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies are on the practice squad. We wouldn't mess with that situation in Week 16 fantasy lineups. TEs Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku should be busy tomorrow. Baker Mayfield, meanwhile, goes from a solid QB1 play to a shaky QB2. Expect a run-heavy game plan from Cleveland.
Update: Bradley and Willies have been promoted from the practice squad.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys after a limited week of practice. We're expecting the rookie to play. But between the hammy and Cincinnati's QB play, Higgins isn't a recommended Week 14 fantasy starter.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is expected to be activated from the COVID list and start Tuesday's game against the Cowboys, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Jackson carries elevated risk in Week 13 fantasy lineups coming off the illness -- but the matchup is sweet vs. Dallas' 22nd-ranked QB defense.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is expected to see "increased playing time" at QB against the Seahawks on Monday night, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. QB Carson Wentz reportedly won't be on the field for at least some of those snaps, so it sounds like Hurts will be in a more traditional QB role than he's played so far this season. "It's unlikely that Hurts, the second-round Heisman finalist from Oklahoma and Alabama, will get to take an entire series," Rapoport writes. "More likely, it will be two or three plays at a time. But, based on the game plan and the week of practice, he should see his most significant snaps yet." We don't know exactly how much Hurts will end up playing, but this is obviously a knock against Wentz's Week 12 fantasy value. Despite the dream matchup vs. Seattle, we'd look elsewhere in 1-QB leagues.
Seahawks TE Greg Olsen ruptured the plantar fascia in his left foot in Thursday night's win over the Cardinals, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Olsen is expected to miss about 2 months. That means he's done for at least the regular season and can be dropped from all fantasy rosters. Olsen's absence leaves Seattle with TEs Jacob Hollister and Will Dissly. Hollister out-targeted Dissly 3 to 1 on Thursday night and 16 to 9 over the last 5 games. Neither guy figures to emerge as a reliable fantasy play.
Panthers HC Matt Rhule said Friday he expects to activate RB Christian McCaffrey over the weekend and have him available for Sunday's game at Kansas City, according to multiple reports. That goes along with the general feeling during the week. Expect to get McCaffrey back into starting fantasy football lineups. That means Mike Davis should no longer be in there, but we'd try not to drop him if you can help it. Davis has proved his value as a handcuff, and McCaffrey has been out since Week 2 because of a high-ankle sprain.
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