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 now initially be released on Sunday night with analysis of all teams other than those yet to play that week. The clubs playing on 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
Larry Fitzgerald caught a touchdown on one of his four targets against the Eagles on Sunday. Believe it or not, it was the 37-year-old's first touchdown of the 2020 season. Fitzgerald has still yet to reach 63 yards in a game this season and has cleared seven targets only twice (both against Seattle). Fitzgerald played 67% of the snaps on Sunday and remains third in line at wide receiver behind DeAndre Hopkins (96%) and Christian Kirk (85%). Fitzgerald entered the week 85th at wide receiver in fantasy points without a single top-25 fantasy week. Don't let the touchdown fool you. He's nowhere close to a flex option moving forward.
Atlanta Falcons
Todd Gurley II and Brian Hill both ran for negative yardage during Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. You read that correctly. Gurley lost 1 yard on his lone carry, whereas Hill lost 2 yards on five carries. Ito Smith, meanwhile, totaled 24 yards on six carries. The three backs combined for 33 yards on seven targets in a game in which Matt Ryan attempted 49 passes. Smith led the backfield in snaps and his total of 31 nearly doubled the combined usage of Gurley (16) and Hill (15). Smith has now paced the backfield in snaps in three consecutive games, but hasn't managed a top-40 fantasy week. Gurley, who clearly still isn't healthy, managed his last top-45 week way back in Week 9. None of these backs belong anywhere close to lineups and can be dropped.
Baltimore Ravens
Considering how poor he's been in fantasy most of this season, there was reason to be skeptical of Marquise Brown after his recent string of good games. However, we've now reached the point in which we have to take the second-year receiver seriously after he ripped off four straight games with either 98 yards or one touchdown. After going without a catch in Week 11, Brown ripped off three-straight top-32 fantasy weeks prior to Sunday's six-catch, 98-yard effort against the Jaguars. The matchup will be tougher against the zone-heavy Giants in Week 16, but with the Lamar Jackson-to-Brown connection seemingly fixed, Brown is a viable WR3/flex option.
Buffalo Bills
Zack Moss ran for 81 yards on 13 carries against the Broncos on Saturday night. The rookie is now up to 416 yards on 93 carries (4.3 YPC) this season, but simply hasn't been able to find the fantasy radar. There are several reasons for that, including Buffalo's pass-heavy offense, Josh Allen's rushing contributions, a backfield timeshare with Devin Singletary and a minimal passing-game role. Moss has out-snapped Singletary in five of Buffalo's past seven games, but didn't against Denver (35 to 30 edge for Singletary). Moss was targeted four times and caught a touchdown in Week 1, but has a total of 12 targets and no scores in 10 games since. Moss' future may be bright, but considering he has two weekly finishes better than 29th this season, he's not a good flex option.
Carolina Panthers
Robby Anderson matched season-low marks in both targets (five) and receiving yards (21) against the Packers on Saturday night. Anderson was out-shined by DJ Moore (6-131-0) in the loss, but actually paced the Carolina wide receiver room in snaps (58 of a possible 65). Anderson's dud came at an inopportune time, but those who advance to the next round of their playoffs shouldn't panic. Anderson entered the week off a 12-target, 84-yard effort against Denver and he's been targeted at least seven times in 10 games this season. Anderson has delivered double-digit fantasy points in all but two games this season and remains a fine WR2 option at Washington in Week 16.
Chicago Bears
David Montgomery did it again. The second-year back's breakout season continued with a 32-146-2 rushing line and 16 additional yards on two targets against the Vikings on Sunday. Montgomery has now finished as a top-six fantasy back in all four games he has played since returning from injury in Week 12. He has 25-plus fantasy points in each of those games. Montgomery played a career-high 88% (56 of 64) of the snaps and has played 80% since Tarik Cohen went down for the season in Week 4. We told you many moons ago that Montgomery had an incredibly-attractive fantasy playoff schedule and that continues with the Jaguars on deck in Week 16. Consider the workhorse a solid RB1 play.
Cincinnati Bengals
One week after being benched for an early-game fumble, Giovani Bernard returned to feature back duties against the Steelers on Monday Night Football. Bernard played 68% of the snaps, which aligned with the 67% he played with Joe Mixon sidelined during Weeks 7 to 13. Bernard turned the heavy usage into a 25-83-1 rushing line and added a 14-yard score on his lone target. Bernard's 38 snaps put him well ahead of both Samaje Perine (12 snaps) and Trayveon Williams (seven), who combined for 22 yards on six carries in the game. Granted the schedule was tough, but Bernard had gone five straight games without a weekly finish better than 28th prior to Monday's strong showing. That obviously makes him a risky fantasy proposition, but he's set up with an outstanding Week 16 matchup against a Texans' defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season, over the past two months and over the past month. Consider him a flex option, assuming Joe Mixon doesn't make a surprising return.
Cleveland Browns
Khadarel Hodge returned to the lineup against the Giants on Sunday night following a two-game absence. Hodge had been running ahead of Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones earlier this season, but that was not the case on Sunday. Hodge played only eight snaps, compared to 47 for Higgins, 45 for Jarvis Landry and 35 for Peoples-Jones. Landry (7-61-1 receiving line on eight targets) and Higgins (4-76-0 on five targets) came through with decent performances, whereas the rookie Peoples-Jones was limited to 55 yards on three targets and Hodge wasn't targeted. There's not a ton of actionable info here, but the fact that Hodge didn't immediately step back into the starting lineup is good news for those of you that have been counting on Higgins. Moving forward, Landry remains a good WR3, Higgins is an underwhelming flex option in 12-team leagues and Peoples-Jones is a fine dynasty stash.
Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott was out due to injury in Week 15 and the Cowboys' backfield production did not miss a beat. Tony Pollard stepped in with a 12-69-2 rushing line and added 63 yards on nine targets against a 49ers' defense that had been pretty good against running backs. Pollard played the role of workhorse, seeing the field on 52 (90%) of a possible 58 snaps. Rico Dowdle, meanwhile, carried the ball four times for 11 yards on eight snaps. Elliott was a surprise inactive on Sunday, so we should expect him back this week, but if he remains out, Pollard would resume feature back duties against the Eagles. That would be enough to position the second-year back as a borderline RB1.
Denver Broncos
Noah Fant caught eight of 11 targets for 68 yards and one touchdown against the Bills on Saturday night. Fant came through with the big game despite an ugly offensive performance from Denver in which they totaled 132 passing yards. The second-year tight end's touchdown was his first since Week 2 (seriously), while the target and catch totals were both career-high marks. In fact, Fant's strong showing allowed his first weekly finish better than 15th since Week 8 and his first better than eighth since Week 1. Fant remains a risky TE1 start against the Chargers in Week 16.
Detroit Lions
D'Andre Swift appeared to be limited a bit in his return from injury in Week 14, but that changed against the Titans on Sunday. The rookie played 42 (66%) of 64 snaps, compared to 15 snaps for Adrian Peterson and seven for Kerryon Johnson. Swift delivered on the usage with a strong 15-67-2 rushing line and 15 yards on five targets. The big day gives him his seventh finish of 17th or better among backs in fantasy points in his past eight outings. Swift looks like the real deal and his usage is enough to keep him in the weekly RB1 mix. That's the case even in a tough matchup against the Buccaneers in Week 16.
Green Bay Packers
Jamaal Williams went down with an injury on his fourth snap against the Panthers on Saturday night. In his absence, Aaron Jones played a career-high 90.2% (55 of 61) of the Packers' offensive snaps. He was both busy and productive, posting a 20-145-1 rushing line while adding 13 yards on four targets. Rookie AJ Dillon played five snaps and ran for 18 yards on his only touch. Jones entered Week 15 having "only" played 59% of the offensive snaps while sharing the backfield with Williams, but was nonetheless extremely productive, sitting fourth at running back in fantasy points during his 11 active weeks. Should Williams miss next week's showdown with the Titans, Jones would see more work than usual and would be nothing short of an elite play in a great matchup.
Houston Texans
David Johnson was back and Duke Johnson was out against the Colts on Sunday. That led to the former playing 79% (53 of 67) of the snaps. He didn't do much on the ground (8-27-0), but managed a solid fantasy day by catching all 11 of his targets for 106 yards. Buddy Howell (10 snaps) and Scottie Phillips (four), meanwhile, were limited to 38 yards on eight change-of-pace touches. David Johnson has settled in as a low-ceiling, high-floor RB2, as he's finished no lower than 26th among running backs in fantasy points in eight of the nine games he's played in full. David Johnson had been playing near 80% of the snaps even with a healthy Duke Johnson, so even if Duke is back, he'll be a fine RB2 option against the Bengals in Week 16.
Indianapolis Colts
Zach Pascal caught five of his six targets for 79 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans on Sunday. Pascal paced Indianapolis wide receivers in snaps (47 of a possible 53), playing just ahead of Michael Pittman Jr. (44) and T.Y. Hilton (34). Granted it was a great matchup, but Pascal's big game came out of nowhere, as he hadn't scored a touchdown or cleared 55 yards in each of his past seven games. In fact, Pascal hadn't cleared 58 yards in a game and had a total of two touchdowns during the first 14 weeks of the season. If it isn't already obvious, Pascal will not be a viable fantasy starter moving forward and that's especially the case at Pittsburgh in Week 16.
Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson was held to 35 yards on 16 carries while playing 64% of the snaps against the Ravens on Sunday. The rookie bailed out fantasy investors with a touchdown catch on one of his three targets, but was otherwise quiet in the tough matchup. The rushing yardage total was Robinson's lowest since Week 6 and the 64% snap share aligns with where he was last week (57%), which is well below his prior workhorse usage (83% during Weeks 7-to-13). Robinson remains the feature back in Jacksonville, but his touches are down a bit, the Jaguars' offense continues to struggle and the schedule remains tough with Chicago on deck in Week 16. Expectations need to be lowered, but Robinson is still a fringe RB1.
Kansas City Chiefs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire went down with what appeared to be a serious leg injury during Sunday's game against the Saints. The rookie had been playing roughly half of the snaps (41 total) and had 83 yards on 15 touches prior to the injury. Le'Veon Bell (30 snaps in the game) was the next man up and showed well with 62 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, as well as 14 yards on his lone target. Darrel Williams (21 snaps) added 5 yards on three carries and wasn't targeted. You may recall that Edwards-Helaire was sidelined against Denver in Week 13. In that game, Bell played 32 snaps to Williams' 30 and, though neither back had much success, Bell out-touched Williams 13 to 7. If Edwards-Helaire misses time, Bell will be in the RB2 discussion against a good Falcons' run defense in Week 16. Williams should be added to benches, but will be a risky flex in the Chiefs' pass-heavy offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Marcus Mariota stepped in for an injured Derek Carr and completed 17-of-28 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while adding 88 yards and one score on nine carries against the Chargers on Thursday. It was a strong fantasy showing for a player making his first appearance in the 2020 season, though the rushing production was hardly surprising. Mariota ranked no lower than 10th among quarterbacks in rushing yards and touchdowns during each of his first four NFL seasons (all with Tennessee) despite missing eight games during the span. Carr is expected to miss at least this week's game, so Mariota's rushing prowess, willingness to throw the ball down field (top-12 in aDOT during his first three NFL seasons) and strong showing on Thursday suggest he's a streaming option against Miami in 12-team leagues.
Los Angeles Chargers
With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both limited by injuries during Thursday's win against the Raiders, the Chargers' wide receiver snap distribution was as follows: Jalen Guyton - 50 (81%), Tyron Johnson - 36, Williams - 27, Allen - 23 and KJ Hill - 15. Allen and Williams combined for only 39 yards on five targets in a game in which Justin Herbert threw for 314 yards on 32 attempts. Guyton (4-91-0 on six targets) and Johnson (3-61-1 on five targets) both came through with solid fantasy days, with Hill adding 39 yards on three targets. It's possible Allen and Williams will be a full go by the time Week 15 rolls around, but if not, Guyton will be your first target on waivers with Johnson just behind against a Denver defense severely shorthanded at cornerback. If Allen and Williams aren't limited, Guyton and Johnson aren't worth rostering in most formats.
Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp was limited to 33 yards on four targets during Sunday's upset loss to the Jets. Kupp has now fallen short of six targets and 42 yards in three of his past four games and has one touchdown during his past 10 games. Kupp has hit for a trio of top-10 fantasy weeks this season, but he's also finished outside the top-55 four times, including twice during his past four games. Especially after the Rams' alarmingly-poor showing against the Jets, Kupp has dropped to WR3 territory, though he sees just enough volume to remain in the WR3 mix against Seattle in Week 16.
Miami Dolphins
DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant and de facto wide receiver Mike Gesicki were out for Miami on Sunday, which led to a much different looking core of wideouts. Mack Hollins paced the group in snaps (67 of 70), with Lynn Bowden (63), Isaiah Ford (51) and Malcolm Perry (nine) also involved. Bowden was most "productive" from a fantasy perspective with 37 yards on seven targets and 9 yards on his only carry. Hollins (18 yards on three targets), Ford (18 yards on three targets) and Perry (one carry for 4 yards) were all but non factors, with TE Durham Smythe pacing the team in receiving with 40 yards. Parker and Grant both appeared to be on the right side of questionable entering Sunday, so it seems likely both will be back against the Raiders in Week 16. In that scenario, only Parker will be a strong fantasy start, with Bowden more of a deep league, low-ceiling PPR flex. If Parker remains out, only Bowden should be considered for your flex slot.
Minnesota Vikings
Irv Smith Jr. was held to 37 yards on four targets despite playing 82% (54 of 66) of the snaps against the Bears on Sunday. This comes one week after Smith posted a 4-63-1 receiving line against the Buccaneers. The two games are notable as Kyle Rudolph was sidelined for both, but even considering the strong game against Tampa Bay, it's concerning that Smith was limited to only four targets in both games. In fact, Smith hasn't cleared five targets in a single game this season. Even if Rudolph misses another game, Smith will be no more than a back-end TE2 against the Saints in Week 16.
New England Patriots
With Damien Harris sidelined against Miami on Sunday, it was James White who paced the Patriots' backfield in snaps (26 of 52). The passing-down specialist was limited to 3 yards on two carries, but added 52 yards on four targets. Sony Michel (23 snaps) delivered 74 yards on 10 carries and 8 yards on his only target. J.J. Taylor carried the ball on one of his three snaps. Harris will return to the flex conversation if he's back against Buffalo in Week 16, but if he remains out, White and Michel will be flex options in PPR and non-PPR, respectively.
New Orleans Saints
With Michael Thomas on injured reserve, the Saints' wide receiver usage was as follows against the Chiefs on Sunday: Juwan Johnson (39 snaps, four targets), Emmanuel Sanders (38, 5), Lil'Jordan Humphrey (27, 4), Tre'Quan Smith (24, 2) and Tommylee Lewis (6, 1). Sanders' target number was disappointing, but he turned it into a decent 76 yards. Humphrey was the only Saints' wideout who scored a touchdown, but Sanders was the only one from the group to clear 30 yards. Sanders racked up 31 targets in four games when Thomas was out during Weeks 2-to-5 and was fantasy's No. 21-scoring wide receiver those weeks, so there's reason to believe he'll be a viable fantasy starter moving forward. Sanders should be considered a WR3 against Minnesota in Week 16. No other Saints' wideouts belong in lineups.
New York Giants
Regression to the mean comes for everyone and those that have been starting Wayne Gallman in recent weeks know that all too well. Gallman scored at least one touchdown in five consecutive games (five total) during Weeks 7 to 12, but has failed to find paydirt in each of his past three games. Gallman had finished as a top-18 fantasy back in six straight games prior to a pair of finishes outside the top 25 over the past two weeks. That includes a Sunday night showing in which he managed 29 yards on nine carries and wasn't targeted. Gallman played 43% of the snaps in the loss, which is his lowest rate since Week 6. He essentially led a three-man committee, with Dion Lewis (34%) and Alfred Morris (23%) plenty busy as well. Gallman is still the top back here, but he's no more than a flex option against Baltimore in Week 16.
New York Jets
Denzel Mims was limited to 18 yards on four targets against the Rams' elite pass defense on Sunday. The second-round rookie opened his NFL career with seven or more targets in four of his first five NFL games, but has now seen four or fewer in three consecutive outings. Mims has cleared 42 receiving yards in only three of his eight games and has yet to score a touchdown. Mims doesn't need to be rostered in season-long leagues, as Jamison Crowder is the only Jets' wide receiver considering for your flex slot against Cleveland in Week 16.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts has two NFL starts. Jalen Hurts has two top-10 fantasy weeks. The second-round rookie torched Arizona for 338 yards and three touchdowns on 44 pass attempts while adding 63 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries on Sunday. This after he threw for 167 yards and ran for 106 more against a terrific Saints' defense in his first NFL start. Hurts' rushing prowess is already enough to give him a respectable fantasy floor, but the Eagles haven't been afraid to throw the ball with the rookie under center, which supplies him with a massive ceiling. Yes, it's risky with your championship on the line, but Hurts is already solidified as a QB1 and is a viable start against Dallas' shaky defense in Week 16.
Pittsburgh Steelers
James Conner (quad) was sidelined against the Bengals on Monday Night Football, which opened the door for backup Benny Snell Jr. to play 77% (48 of 62) of the offensive snaps. Snell was extremely busy, racking up 84 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries and 23 yards on four targets. Despite Pittsburgh trailing throughout most of the game, receiving-specialist Jaylen Samuels was limited to two touches on seven snaps. Rookie Anthony McFarland Jr. also had two touches on six snaps. Snell has filled in for Conner in three games this season and has a pair of top-20 fantasy weeks and one massive dud to show for it. If Conner misses more time, Snell will be in the RB2 mix in Week 16 against a Colts' run defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs over the past month.
San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Reed caught a touchdown on one of his two catches against the Cowboys on Sunday. Reed has now scored in two of his past three games, but he hasn't been targeted more than five times in a game since Week 12 and hasn't cleared 32 yards in a game since Week 10. Reed played 48% of the snaps against Dallas and has yet to play more than half of the offensive snaps in a game this season. Reed's role as a situational player who will see a handful of targets each week is enough to keep him in the TE2 mix, but if you fire him up, you're relying heavily on a touchdown. Reed has a tough Week 16 matchup against an Arizona defense that has been good against tight ends this season, and could be completely rendered useless in fantasy if George Kittle is able to return.
Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett was limited to 34 yards on seven targets against Washington on Sunday. Lockett has now been held below 68 yards in eight consecutive games. Incredibly, he has one touchdown and one top-30 fantasy week (two top-40) during the span. The good news is that Lockett has seen seven of more targets in five of his past seven games, but it simply hasn't led to much fantasy production in Seattle's slumping offense. Lockett's every-down role keeps him in the WR3/flex discussion, but another dud is very much on the table against an elite Rams' pass defense in Week 16.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Leonard Fournette was the main man in the Tampa Bay backfield with Ronald Jones sidelined on Sunday. The former Jaguars' back played 43 (65%) of 66 snaps in the comeback win. That put him well ahead of both LeSean McCoy (12 snaps), Ke'Shawn Vaughn (10) and Kenjon Barner (one). Fournette's heavy usage led to a big fantasy day, as he ran for 49 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, while adding 16 yards on five targets. Vaughn totaled 4 yards on two carries and McCoy, who didn't have a carry, caught all three of his targets for 32 yards. Jones is expected back next week, which would return Fournette to fantasy irrelevance. However, if Jones remains out, Fournette would be a good RB2 play in an elite matchup against Detroit.
Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis' breakout season continued on Sunday with a 4-110-1 receiving line on six targets in a great matchup against Detroit. He was on the field for 77% of the offensive snaps, which trailed AJ Brown (83%), but was way ahead of any other Titans' wideout (Cameron Batson was next at 32%). Davis has had the occasional major dud, but he's now reached 12 fantasy points in nine of his 12 games this season. In fact, Davis entered Week 15 as the No. 13-scoring wide receiver in fantasy during his 11 active weeks. The high-scoring Titans figure to be throwing the ball more than usual at the Packers in Week 16, which locks Davis in as a borderline WR2.
Washington Football Team
Dwayne Haskins Jr. stepped in for an injured Alex Smith and attempted 55 passes against Seattle on Sunday. Of those 55 passes, 15 were directed at Logan Thomas. The veteran tight end's red-hot second half continues, as he hit new career-high marks in targets, receptions (13) and receiving yards (101) in the game. Thomas now has 31 targets during his past three games and has caught 32 of the past 35 balls thrown his direction. Thomas has been a top-five fantasy tight end since Week 6 and just keeps getting better. Regardless of who is under center, Thomas will be a solid TE1 option in a great matchup against Carolina in Week 16.