Throughout the NFL regular season, we'll meet here on Thursdays to break down the film from a fantasy football perspective. I'm looking for trends and tendencies on both sides of the ball to give fantasy managers a jump when they set their weekly lineups. Schemes matter. So does offensive deployment in weekly matchups. And remember, the game tape always tells us a story.
With fantasy championships on the line for managers in 17-week leagues and the first week of the two-week championship series in ESPN standard leagues, let's hit the quarterback position first. I'm looking at a veteran signal-caller here, one playing at a high level within the structure of the offense and reading it out with speed from the pocket. Plus, we'll discuss two pass-catchers to upgrade, along with three players about whom I have questions heading into this weekend's games.
All references to fantasy scoring are for PPR leagues unless otherwise noted.
Three players to upgrade in Week 17
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield should be a starter again this week in 10-12 team leagues given his tape and production over his past three games. Mayfield has scored at least 19 points, with multiple touchdown throws, in three straight starts, and he has completed over 74% of his throws in back-to-back weeks. He's really dialed-in, throwing the ball decisively and reading it out with speed from the pocket. That has allowed Mayfield to work all three levels of the route tree, while playing within the Bucs' offensive structure. Keep him in the lineup for this Sunday's NFC South matchup versus the Saints.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
I really like how the Eagles deployed Goedert last week in the win over the Giants, as he caught seven of nine targets for 71 yards. That was good for 14.1 points. There's formation flexibility here with Goedert working the underneath areas of the field on screens and stick routes, plus the leveled concepts and the RPO packages. The Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts will see more zone coverage from the Cardinals' defense this weekend. So I expect Goedert to see the ball on schemed throws that attack open voids, including middle-of-the-field targets. He's a fringe TE1 for me in this matchup.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
After two straight games with at least 25 points, Kupp finished with just 10.9 in the Week 16 win over the Saints. However, Kupp saw 12 targets and he had multiple red zone opportunities. So he's getting the looks from Matthew Stafford in a passing offense that is as good as any in the league right now. Kupp has caught a touchdown in three of his past four games, and I like the perimeter matchups here versus the Giants' single-high coverages. Working opposite of Puka Nacua, I see Kupp as an upside WR2 against the New York defense.
Three players I have questions about in Week 17
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
You still play Pollard if you've made it this far in the fantasy playoffs, but let's be realistic about his lack of production and the Week 17 matchup versus the Lions. Pollard has logged fewer than 10 fantasy points in each of his past two games, with a total of three receptions during that stretch. Plus, he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 13. You'll need Pollard to create some explosive plays this week, and find the end zone against a Detroit defense that has allowed the fewest points to running backs this season. I moved Pollard down in my ranks as a midtier RB2 for the Saturday night matchup in Dallas.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will have opportunities to scheme against the Bears split-safety coverages, which should open up intermediate windows for London to work the seams and the deep in-breakers. However, with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback for the Falcons last week, London caught just three of four targets for 39 yards, and he has failed to record more than 10 fantasy points in each of his past two games. You can always play the upside and breakout potential of London here because of his traits and physical tools, but I see him as only a deeper league WR3 versus the Bears on Sunday.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
Ford scored a touchdown Sunday in the win over the Texans, his first since coming back in Week 11, but he has failed to score more than 10 fantasy points in his past two starts, and the rushing efficiency in Cleveland right now is very poor. Ford averaged just 1.7 yards per carry last week, after rushing for only 2.5 per carry in the Week 15 win over the Bears. Plus, Ford will continue to split backfield touches with Kareem Hunt, which includes low red zone and goal line work. He'll be a touchdown-dependent flex play for me this week versus the Jets' defense.
Three players to monitor in dynasty formats
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
McLaughlin totaled 10.7 points last week versus the Patriots, his first game with double-digit fantasy production since Week 5. He has the dual-threat traits to produce as a receiver, and I see dynamic ability here when he gets into the open field. He's a rapid accelerator.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Tolbert caught both of his targets, for 51 yards, in Dallas' Week 16 loss to Miami. He has the route running tools to uncover, along with the ball skills to win on contested catches. He's a developing player in only his second pro season. There's upside here.
Emari Demercado, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Demercado posted a season-high seven receptions in Week 16 versus the Bears. Given his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, plus his pass-blocking skills, Demercado has the traits to play a productive role as a third-down back.