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Rest-of-season rankings: Sam Darnold, Josh Jacobs, Chase Brown on the rise

Sam Darnold moves back into QB1 territory after tossing five TD passes against the Falcons. Matt Krohn/Imagn Images

Each week, Eric Karabell ranks players by position based on their fantasy football value for the rest of the 2024 season. Use the information to optimize the players on your bench for their future potential or to gauge their value in trade. Eric's top 100 can be found below the positions in this column.

Quarterback

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Rankings changes: It has been quite a few weeks for Bills star Josh Allen. In Week 13, he was credited with his own receiving touchdown, aiding him to 28.42 PPR points. In Week 14, Allen became the first to throw and run for three touchdowns -- in a loss! -- and broke the record for most fantasy points in a game by any quarterback. The Ravens' Lamar Jackson was on bye, but, sorry Lamar, Allen moves to No. 1 in our final end-of-season rankings of the 2024 season (thank you for reading!). We can compare remaining schedules for Allen and Jackson -- four weeks left! -- but does it matter? These fellows warrant their own tier.

Otherwise, Vikings surprise Sam Darnold moves back toward QB1 status after tossing five TD passes against the Vikings and their prior QB (Kirk Cousins) keeps dropping, while the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa boasts four consecutive games with 23 or more PPR points, which he hadn't achieved before. He moves up. After the top 14 or so QBs, there are questions. We say farewell to the Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) and perhaps soon to the Saints' Derek Carr (hand) and Raiders' Aidan O'Connell (knee), as we await further clarity. Their fill-in options do not come recommended.

Running back

Rankings changes: Packers star Josh Jacobs has surpassed 20 PPR points in four consecutive games, scoring eight touchdowns in that span, and he has done so versus several strong defenses. He rises to the No. 4 spot. Bengals surprise Chase Brown keeps thriving, and he joins the top 10. Meanwhile, the Saints' Alvin Kamara hasn't reached 16 PPR points in any of his past four games and slides out of the top 10. The Panthers' Chuba Hubbard and 49ers rookie Isaac Guerendo force their way into RB2 status.

Meanwhile, injured Jet Breece Hall (knee), Buccaneer Bucky Irving (back) and Seahawk Kenneth Walker III slide in the rankings. Irving remains a solid RB2, for now, but there is more worry about Hall and Walker. Seahawks fill-in Zach Charbonnet delivered the best RB performance of Week 14 with 38.3 PPR points and awaits RB2 status if Walker misses more time. The Raiders' Sincere McCormick, Jaguars' Tank Bigsby and Saints' Kendre Miller may be sleeper fantasy playoff options this month.

Wide receiver

Rankings changes: There isn't much major movement at WR. The Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb is back in the top 10. Jets duo Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson move up a bit. The Dolphins' Tyreek Hill is back in WR2 territory, joined for the first time by the 49ers' Jauan Jennings and the Vikings' Jordan Addison. The Panthers' Adam Thielen and Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle look like flex options again.

Nobody is benching the Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown, but he does leave the top five after three ordinary fantasy games. The Falcons' Drake London has been inconsistent because his QB has played poorly. The Packers' Jayden Reed scored nary a fantasy point in Week 14, and inconsistency hurts more in the fantasy playoffs. The Steelers' George Pickens (hamstring) and Chargers' Ladd McConkey knee) may have to miss more time.

Tight end

Rankings changes: Raiders rookie Brock Bowers had a quiet Sunday, but he remains in the top spot. The Browns' David Njoku passes Dolphin Jonnu Smith, who caught nary a pass until overtime Sunday. The Saints' Juwan Johnson (15 PPR points) is the big mover into the top 20, but he is not a reliable fantasy choice. We say farewell to the Eagles' Dallas Goedert (knee) and Chargers' Will Dissly (shoulder). Good luck to everyone in the playoffs, and Happy Holidays!