The Fantasy 32 analyzes the NFL from a fantasy football perspective, with one capsule for each of the league's 32 teams. Although efficiency will be discussed plenty, the column will lean heavily on usage data, as volume is king in fantasy football. Use these tidbits to make the best waiver wire pickups, trade decisions and lineup sit/start choices for the upcoming week and beyond. Be sure to check back each week of the season for a new version of the Fantasy 32.
You might have noticed that starting with Week 10, the Fantasy 32 has undergone a slight format change and -- more importantly -- is available earlier than usual. Because we want to get you snap and usage information as soon as possible, the Fantasy 32 will initially be released on Sunday night, with analysis of all teams other than those yet to play that week. The clubs playing Sunday and Monday night will be added once those games conclude. The OFP leaderboards that usually lead this column aren't calculated until the day after each game, so going forward, be sure to check out the complete OFP and OTD charts, which are updated every Tuesday at ESPN+.
Team-by-team rundowns
Scan through all 32 NFL teams alphabetically, or click here to jump ahead to your team:
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAC | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
Arizona Cardinals
With few exceptions, the tight end position has been a disaster in fantasy this season. That being the case, those of you struggling at the position might be intriguing by Dan Arnold on waivers this week after he caught two touchdowns against the Rams. Do yourself a favor and shut that down right now. Arnold was only targeted three times in the game and played nine snaps in the loss. Arnold entered the week with an 18-225-1 receiving line in 11 games this season and still hasn't been targeted more than four times in a single game. Arnold remains well off the fantasy radar, especially since Arizona turned to heavy four-wide receiver set packages this past week.
Atlanta Falcons
Todd Gurley II returns from injury on Sunday, but the veteran back was limited to only 19 (30%) of 63 offensive snaps. That's compared to 23 snaps for Ito Smith and 11 for Brian Hill. Gurley struggled to the tune of 16 yards on eight carries and 4 yards on one target. Smith (34 yards on seven touches) and Hill (18 yards on five carries) weren't much better. Gurley's struggles continue, as he hasn't finished a game with a yards per carry above 3.3 since Week 5 and he's now fallen short of 10 touches in back-to-back games. Gurley has nine touchdowns in 11 games this season, but is ineffective as a rusher and a non-factor as a receiver. He's a touchdown-dependent flex without much upside.
Baltimore Ravens
After scoring only two touchdowns in his first 10 games of the season, Marquise Brown has found the end zone in each of his past two outings. The 2019 first-round pick posted a 4-85-1 receiving line against Pittsburgh in Week 12 before delivering a 5-39-1 line against Dallas on Tuesday. Brown, who played 82% of the snaps Tuesday, averaged 5.8 targets per game through Week 11 but has seen exactly eight in each of his past two games. He has finished outside the top 50 wide receivers in fantasy points in six weeks this season, so he's obviously a boom/bust play in Baltimore's run-heavy scheme, but the speedy 22-year-old's recent surge makes him a more palatable flex in 12-team leagues.
Buffalo Bills
Zack Moss fumbled near his own goal line during the early stages of Monday's victory over the 49ers. In what was unlikely to have been a coincidence, Moss was limited to a career-low 11 of 67 snaps (16%) in the game. He carried the ball just three times for 9 yards and added 5 yards on his only target. Devin Singletary was, of course, the lead back, playing on 56 snaps (84%), which was his highest snap share since Week 4. The second-year back racked up 61 yards on 18 carries and 22 yards on four targets. Moss had paced the Bills' backfield in snaps in four consecutive games prior to Monday, so while it's possible Singletary has retaken the top spot, it's far from certain. Consider Singletary to be a shaky flex option and keep Moss on your bench against a terrific Steelers defense in Week 14.
Carolina Panthers
DJ Moore's usage has dropped slightly this season compared to his breakout 2019 campaign (targets per game down to 7.5 from 9.0), though he's enjoyed more downfield looks (aDOT up to 13.0 from 11.2) and more work near the goal line (end zone targets up to seven from six all of last season). Moore has struggled with drops (he paces all wide receivers with eight), but his 18.5 YPR is second highest and his 6.0 RAC is seventh highest. As you might have imagined, that has led to inconsistent fantasy production, as he's posted four top-16 weeks, but also six outside the top 40. Of course, three of the duds came early on in the season and Moore was actually fantasy's No. 9-scoring WR during Weeks 5 to 12. Moore (as well as fellow Carolina wide receivers Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel) will face one of the league's hardest remaining schedules, so he should be viewed as a WR3 moving forward.
Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet enjoyed a bit of a breakout game on Sunday with career-high marks in targets (seven) and receptions (five) while scoring his second-career touchdown. The "big" game was a few weeks in the making, as Kmet recently overtook Jimmy Graham as the team's No. 1 tight end. Graham played more snaps than the rookie during each of Chicago's first nine games (410 to 204 edge), but Kmet has been ahead each of the past three games (139 to 84 edge). Graham had been delivering borderline TE1 numbers as the top guy earlier this season, so don't be surprised if Kmet gets rolling during the fantasy playoffs. He's safest as a TE2, but there's upside for more.
Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green failed to catch his only target on Sunday and the veteran wide receiver now has zero catches on four target during his past two games. In fact, Green has now gone without a catch in three of his past four and four of his past eight games. Green's dud on Sunday came despite playing 88% of the offensive snaps and he's been on the field for at least 78% of the plays in seven consecutive games. Green gave his investors some hope with 41 yards and his only touchdown of the season on nine targets against Washington three weeks ago, but his good games have been few and far between. Especially with Joe Burrow out for the season, Green doesn't belong on fantasy rosters.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns' offense exploded for 41 points against the Titans on Sunday, but it was yet another disappointing performance by Kareem Hunt. Hunt was held to 33 yards on 14 carries and 24 yards on three targets. Believe it or not, Hunt has finished 30th or worse among running backs in fantasy points during five of his past seven games. He's seen four or fewer targets in 11 consecutive games and has managed only two touchdowns in his past eight games. Hunt (34 snaps) split backfield duties with Nick Chubb (35) as usual on Sunday, but his counterpart has been much more productive. Hunt is no longer a must-start and best-viewed as a flex option against the Ravens in Week 14.
Dallas Cowboys
Michael Gallup posted a 7-86-1 receiving line on 11 targets against the Ravens on Tuesday. It was the third-year receiver's first touchdown and first top-30 fantasy showing since Week 3. Gallup, who played a wide-receiver-high 94% of the snaps, had not been especially productive during Dalton's previous starts this season, though he has seen seven or more targets in four of his past five games. The recent boost in volume and strong Week 13 showing suggest that Gallup has a shot to get back into the flex discussion in 12-team leagues, but he's certainly not a must-start in an offense that has scored nine touchdowns in seven games since Dak Prescott's season-ending injury. That said, with Amari Cooper likely to face William Jackson III shadow coverage this week, Gallup is set up with an outstanding matchup against LeShaun Sims. He's on the flex radar ... at least for a week.
Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy was held to one catch for 5 yards on four targets against the Chiefs on Sunday. The Alabama product's underwhelming rookie campaign continues, as he's managed only one top-30 fantasy week. If there's a silver lining here, it's that Jeudy put up 10-plus fantasy points in three consecutive games during Weeks 8-10 against the Chargers, Falcons and Raiders prior to his recent slump against Miami (eighth-fewest fantasy points to perimeter WRs), New Orleans (fewest fantasy points allowed to perimeter WRs + Kendall Hinton game) and Kansas City (fourth-fewest fantasy points allowed to WRs). The first-round pick has a much more attractive matchup this week against a Carolina defense that entered its Week 13 bye having allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers, including the most during its past four games. Jeudy is risky, but he's a bounceback candidate and remains on the flex radar.
Detroit Lions
The combination of a head coaching change, Kenny Golladay remaining out with an injury and the somewhat-surprising release of Marvin Hall seemed to indicate a shakeup in how the Lions would deploy their wide receivers in Week 13. That was the case to some extent, as Marvin Jones Jr. (62 of 66 snaps) remained the main man, but there were a few new faces playing big roles behind him. Mohamed Sanu (39 snaps) was second in line, with Danny Amendola (32), rookie Quintez Cephus (30) and Jamal Agnew (15) also involved. Both Jones (8-116-1 receiving line) and Cephus (2-63-1) delivered solid fantasy days and the other three were held below 10 fantasy points. If Golladay remains out, Jones is the only Lions' wide receiver who should be in lineups. Cephus is worth a look in deep and dynasty leagues.
Green Bay Packers
Marquez Valdes-Scanting failed to catch either of his targets against the Eagles on Sunday. On one hand, the dud is a bit surprising when you consider that he played 46 (75%) of 61 offensive snaps. That trailed only Davante Adams (54) and was more than Allen Lazard (42), Equanimeous St. Brown (11) and Malik Taylor (five). On the other hand, it's not surprising after he also went without a catch on 54 snaps in Week 12. "MVS" had the occasional strong game when Allen Lazard was out or limited around midseason, but he's obviously nowhere near the fantasy radar right now. If you've had him on your bench, he can be dropped.
Houston Texans
Houston entered Sunday's game against the Colts without all of Will Fuller V (suspended for the rest of the season), Randall Cobb (injured) and Kenny Stills (released) for the first time. The result was a team-high 57 snaps (92%) for practice-squad call-up Chad Hansen, 52 snaps for Brandin Cooks, 46 for Keke Coutee and six for Steven Mitchell. Both Coutee (8-141-0 receiving line on nine targets) and Hansen (5-101-0 on seven targets) had big games, with Cooks (5-65-0 on eight targets) not far behind. The production was a bit shocking against a good Colts' defense, but more understandable when you consider that Deshaun Watson is under center. Cooks remains the best fantasy option of the bunch, but Coutee and Hansen are worth an add on waivers. Note that the schedule remains tough for Houston with Chicago and Indianapolis (again) up next.
Indianapolis Colts
Following an extremely underwhelming first half or so of the season, is T.Y. Hilton finally back in the fantasy discussion? He's certainly making a strong case after posting a 4-81-1 receiving line against the Titans in Week 12 and following that up with an 8-110-1 line on a season-high 11 targets against Houston on Sunday. Hilton played 63% of the offensive snaps, which trailed both Michael Pittman Jr. (85%) and Zach Pascal (81%), and has now cleared five targets in three games this season. Hilton's random spikes in targets make him hard to count on in fantasy, but back-to-back good games with the Raiders on tap in Week 14 suggest he should be added back to rosters. Consider him a borderline flex against Las Vegas.
Jacksonville Jaguars
One week after delivering a 4-96-1 receiving line on eight targets against the Browns, fifth-round rookie Collin Johnson delivered a 4-66-0 line on six targets against the Vikings on Sunday. Johnson was not a full-time player (he handled 55% of the snaps), playing less than both DJ Chark Jr. (87%) and Keelan Cole Sr. (68%). Johnson also benefited from a thumb injury suffered by Laviska Shenault Jr., who had racked up 68 yards and one touchdown while playing 35% of the snaps before the injury. Shenault's uncertain status and Johnson's recent hot streak suggest he's worth an add. He'll be a tough flex recommendation in this offense, though he'll be more appealing if Shenault is out and with a Titans' defense that was crushed by Cleveland on tap in Week 14.
Kansas City Chiefs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire was active but didn't play due to injury against Denver on Sunday night. In his place, Le'Veon Bell (33 snaps) and Darrel Williams (30) split 63 offensive snaps almost right down the middle. Bell managed 40 yards on 11 carries and 15 yards on three targets. Williams chipped in with 38 yards on six carries and 5 yards on a pair of targets. Considering that he was active, Edwards-Helaire seems like a good bet to be active in the RB2 mix against Miami in Week 14. Should he sit out, however, Bell would be the preferred flex option from this backfield, with Williams close behind.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders were without Josh Jacobs on Sunday and the backfield snap distribution was as follows: Devontae Booker - 32 (43%), Jalen Richard - 29, Theo Riddick - 13. Booker got the bulk of the carries (16), but managed only 50 yards and didn't find the end zone. He was held to 1 yard on his lone target. Richard managed 17 yards on five touches and Riddick "added" 9 yards on four touches. Should Jacobs remain out in Week 14, Booker will be positioned for another generous share of the carries (and likely a boost in targets), but he'll be a risky RB2 against a strong Colts' run defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert attempted 53 passes against the Patriots on Sunday, but the rookie quarterback was limited to 209 yards, zero touchdowns and a pair of interceptions in a shocking 45-0 loss. The debacle marks the first game of Herbert's career in which he didn't throw at least one touchdown. He also went without a carry for the first time and his 3.9 YPA was easily his worst single-game mark. Herbert has now posted back-to-back underwhelming performances (one total TD against the Bills and Patriots) after he threw at least two touchdowns in seven consecutive games. Despite the slump against a pair of good defenses, Herbert will be a candidate to get back on track at home against the Falcons in Week 14.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have distributed backfield snaps and touches pretty evenly this season, but that was not the case on Sunday against Arizona. With Darrell Henderson missing a little bit of time with an injury, rookie Cam Akers took control and played a career-high 51 snaps (65%). That nearly matched his season total of 107 entering the week and he had not played more than 24 snaps in a single game. The heavy usage led to a 21-72-1 rushing line and he added 22 yards on his only target. Henderson (16 snaps) may have lacked volume, but he was effective with 49 yards and one touchdown on three carries, as well as 25 yards on three targets. Malcolm Brown (12 snaps) put up 27 yards on four touches. Akers has now put up back-to-back strong fantasy performances, but (a) he's been targeted four times this season and (b) it's very possible a different Rams' back is the "hot hand" against New England in Week 14. Akers and Henderson remain risky flex options.
Miami Dolphins
Myles Gaskin returned from injury on Sunday and the second-year back stepped right back into a workhorse role. Gaskin was on the field for 47 (70%) of 67 snaps and delivered the goods with 21 carries for 90 yards and 51 yards on a pair of targets. The two targets were actually a season low, though we should expect that to rise considering he had seen at least four targets in every game prior to his injury. Gaskin has now carried the ball at least 16 times in five of his past six games. He hasn't finished a week with fewer than nine fantasy points and has been RB22 or better in six of eight outings. Perhaps Gaskin will lose a few touches to a healthy Salvon Ahmed or DeAndre Washington, but he'll still be a fine RB2 option against the Chiefs in Week 14.
Minnesota Vikings
Irv Smith Jr. has missed three of Minnesota's past four games. Kyle Rudolph enjoyed a boost in work during those games, though the production has been consistent. The veteran tight end delivered receiving lines of 4-63-0 and 7-68-0 during Smith's first-two absences, but stumbled with a zero-catch showing against the Jaguars on Sunday. Rudolph was targeted only twice and has now seen four or fewer targets in 13 of his past 15 full games. Rudolph will be no more than a TE2 play should Smith remain out against the Buccaneers in Week 14.
New England Patriots
Gunner Olszewski caught a 38-yard touchdown and had two long punt returns -- one resulting in a score -- against the Chargers on Sunday. Despite the big day, Olszewski is not worth your attention on waivers. The second-year wideout/returner was targeted only once and entered the game with two targets and five carries in five games this season. In fact, Olszewski only played six snaps (9%) in the game. That placed him well ahead of Jakobi Meyers (55 snaps), Damiere Byrd (51), N'Keal Harry (33) and Donte Moncrief (15). Meyers is the only New England wide receiver who should be considered for lineups in deeper leagues and even that isn't ideal considering Cam Newton has thrown five touchdowns this season.
New Orleans Saints
Since Taysom Hill took over as the Saints' starter, Michael Thomas has posted receiving lines of 9-104-0, 4-50-0 and, most recently, 9-105-0 on a combined 29 targets. Thomas handled a ridiculous 76% of the team air yards during Weeks 11-12 and a generous 40% on Sunday against Atlanta. Thomas only played 60% of the offensive snaps against the Falcons, but it was more than enough to allow his second top-20 fantasy week in three games with Hill. Thomas will again be a borderline WR1 against the Eagles in Week 14.
New York Giants
Alfred Morris scored both of the Giants' touchdowns during the upset victory in Seattle on Sunday. Despite the big game, Morris is not a recommended waiver add this week. The veteran back was limited to eight carries and one target while playing third fiddle to Wayne Gallman and Dion Lewis. Morris was only on the field for 11 snaps (20%), compared to 27 for Gallman and 12 for Lewis. Gallman didn't find the end zone, but had another strong game with 135 yards on 16 carries. Gallman remains in the RB2 discussion, but Morris belongs on waivers.
New York Jets
Frank Gore left Sunday's loss to Las Vegas with an injury after only two snaps, which opened the door for Ty Johnson and Josh Adams to handle nearly the entire backfield workload. Johnson was the main man, playing 37 (62%) of 60 snaps. He turned that usage into a 22-104-1 rushing line, as well as 13 yards on a pair of targets. Adams wasn't targeted on any of his 19 snaps, but was electric on the ground with 74 yards on eight carries. We'll need to keep an eye on Gore's status throughout the week, but Johnson will be a must-add on waivers regardless, as it's very possible he'll lead this backfield moving forward after Sunday's strong showing. Adams is a longshot for consistent fantasy value and only worth adding if Gore is ruled out.
Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Ertz returned from injury on Sunday and played 25 (42%) of 59 offensive snaps against the Packers. The veteran tight end was clearly limited, as that was his lowest snap share since he played 24% in a Week 17 game back in 2017. Ertz worked in a situational role behind Dallas Goedert (51 snaps), who posted a solid 5-66-0 receiving line on seven targets. Ertz, meanwhile, managed 31 yards on four targets. It's reasonable to expect Ertz's usage to increase, but Goedert isn't going to disappear and there's added uncertainty with Jalen Hurts a candidate to start against a very good Saints' defense in Week 14. Ertz is fine for your bench, but isn't a must-hold. Goedert remains in the TE1 mix.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Claypool was limited to just two catches for 38 yards on four targets against Washington on Monday. It was easily the rookie's worst showing since he was held to minus-2 yards on his only target against the Titans in Week 7. If it seemed like Claypool wasn't playing much, that's because he wasn't. He was on the field for only 42% of the snaps (28 of 67), which marks his smallest workload since Week 2. He played less than JuJu Smith-Schuster (85%), Diontae Johnson (81%) and James Washington (54%). Claypool's dip in playing time is a concern, but he did enter Week 13 having seen nine-plus targets in five consecutive games. Life won't be much easier against Buffalo this week, so while Claypool still has massive upside, he's now more of a flex than he is a WR2.
San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk were both active for Monday night's loss to Buffalo, which marks the first game in which the 49ers' top duo of wide receivers were on the field together since Week 7. Aiyuk posted a healthy 5-95-1 receiving line on nine targets while playing on 87% of the snaps. Samuel started slowly but ended up with a 6-73-0 receiving line on nine targets (and 3 yards on one carry) while playing on 95% of the snaps. Aiyuk now has 75-plus yards in three straight games and three touchdowns during his past four outings. Samuel has produced five-plus catches and 65-plus receiving yards in four straight games, although he's found the end zone in only one out of six games this season. Both young wide receivers are seeing enough volume to warrant weekly WR3 consideration.
Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson appeared to be limited in his return from injury back in Week 12, but he was back to a full go against the Giants on Sunday. Carson played 41 (59%) of 70 offensive snaps, compared to 17 for Carlos Hyde and 12 for DeeJay Dallas. Carson handled 13 of the 15 rushing attempts by Seattle running backs and showed well with 65 yards. He also added 45 yards and one touchdown on six targets. Carson was fantasy's No. 5 scoring RB when healthy during Weeks 1-5 and Week 13 solidified him as back in the weekly RB1 mix. Carson figures to be very busy against the Jets in Week 14.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When we last saw Rob Gronkowski back in Week 12, the veteran tight end posted his third-best fantasy performance of the season with a 6-106-0 receiving line on seven targets against the Chiefs. Gronkowski has now handled six or more targets in seven of his past 10 games and has 13-plus fantasy points during five of his past seven outings. Gronkowski ranked 11th among tight ends in fantasy points during Antonio Brown's four games with the team and that is despite two duds (2 yards against the Saints, 25 yards against the Rams), though he was targeted exactly six times in both of those games. Considering the nauseating state of tight end in fantasy right now, Gronkowski remains a back-end TE1 option.
Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis exploded for an 11-182-1 receiving line on 12 targets against the Browns on Sunday. The 35.2 fantasy points are a new career-high for Davis and also mark his first top-20 fantasy showing since Week 8. Davis showed his high ceiling on Sunday and has delivered a high floor all season long with 10-plus fantasy points in nine of his past 10 games. Davis certainly took advantage of Tennessee's huge early-game deficit against a Browns' defense missing top corners Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, but he's set up with yet another great matchup with the injury-riddled Jaguars on deck in Week 14. Davis, who is essentially "this year's DeVante Parker," will be a borderline WR3 option moving forward.
Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson left Monday's game against Pittsburgh after only four snaps because of a toe injury. In his place, J.D. McKissic ended up played on 51 of 70 snaps (73%) and Peyton Barber was on the field for 23 plays. Barber handled most of the carries but was limited to a shaky 14-23-1 rushing line and wasn't targeted. McKissic added 8 yards on five carries and was his usual busy self in passing situations with a 10-70-0 receiving line on 10 targets. Should Gibson miss this week's game in San Francisco, we should expect a similar distribution of backfield touches. That would put McKissic in the RB2 picture in PPR formats and would make Barber a desperation flex play, with more value in non-PPR formats.