Fantasy Faceoff Recap: Week 13

Welcome to The FF Faceoff’s weekly report, a first take at the biggest fantasy football takeaways from this weekend’s action. Each week we will provide an overall gut check from the week and nominate our risers, fallers, dynasty stashes, and more. Let’s get right into it with Fantasy Faceoff Recap: Week 13.

Risers

George Kittle

(TE1, 9 receptions, 181 yards, 2 TDs, 1 carry, 5 yards, 39.6 PPR points)

This is the game we have been waiting for all season from George Kittle, as the star tight end has struggled with injuries and has often underproduced in a San Francisco offense that has gotten rolling over the past several weeks. Kittle entered the week outside the top five tight ends, which is quite significant given that he entered the season in the consensus top three. But after scoring nearly 40 points off his 12 targets, Kittle is now tied for third on a points per game basis at tight end.

Antonio Gibson

(RB6, 23 carries, 88 yards, 5 receptions, 23 yards, 1 TD, 22.1 PPR points)

After a slow start to the season, Antonio Gibson is finally getting rolling, finishing in the top ten in three of the past four weeks. Over that span, he has averaged nearly 24 carries and 3.5 receptions, demonstrating his caliber as the number one running back in Washington. While J.D. McKissic wasn’t around to vulture touchdowns this week, Gibson nonetheless got it done in week 12 against the Seahawks, suggesting he is back to a reliable starting running back moving forward.

Kyler Murray

(QB1, 11-15, 123 yards, 2 TDs, 10 carries, 59 yards, 2 TDs, 30.82 points)

It’s honestly unfair that Kyler Murray is included in the risers portion of this column, as he is currently the second best quarterback on a points per game basis. And yet, it feels appropriate to highlight this performance, because the narrative around Murray, and frankly the Arizona Cardinals, has been pretty low in recent weeks. But Murray demonstrated this week why he is a top five quarterback, scoring two rushing touchdowns. Add those rushing touchdowns to his 59 rushing yards and Murray would have finished RB13 on his rushing numbers alone.

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Fallers

Terry McLaurin

(WR56, 3 receptions, 22 yards, 5.2 PPR points)

While the Washington Football Team has seen overall improvements, their offense has still been hit or miss, particularly in the passing game, which has translated to some sub-par performances from Terry McLaurin. Despite a strong start to the season, McLaurin has been more volatile in recent weeks, and has seen an overall decline in his targets, with his last game of more than 10 targets coming in week seven against the Packers. He’s still likely a flex-play with upside, but his status largely depends on your situation and need.

Mark Ingram

(RB41, 10 carries, 28 yards, 1 reception, -2 yards, 3.6 PPR points)

There was a moment where Mark Ingram looked like he would be a solid replacement for the injured Alvin Kamara, but instead, the entire New Orleans offense has significantly struggled in recent weeks, largely due to several injuries. Ingram had three consecutive double-digit performances entering week 12, but this week failed to hit even five points, in a game where Taysom Hill managed to rush for 100 yards. Until Kamara returns, I am avoiding the Saints’ offense if possible. Taysom Hill is the only potential exception to that until further notice.

Chase Claypool

(WR46, 2 receptions, 52 yards, 1 carry, 2 yards, 7.4 PPR points)

Anyone who played fantasy football in 2020 remembers Chase Claypool’s breakout performance, where he scored four touchdowns and hit 40 fantasy points. After that game, Claypool became a solid flex play and was a downfield threat, leading the Steelers in air yards per target.

Him being the deep threat translates to more volatile performances, as his fantasy success depends on him and Ben Roethlisberger connecting on lower percentage throws. But also, Claypool is on track to match his 2020 total targets, which seems promising on its face, but this is coming in a season with an extra game and where he has been a clear starter since week one.

Combine that with a decline in catch percentage and average depth of target and you have an underwhelming fantasy season from Claypool. That said, I think he’s still worth rostering in dynasty leagues. Once he gets a better quarterback, we should see his fantasy relevance return.

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Dynasty Stashes

Amon-Ra St. Brown

(WR6, 10 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD, 1 carry, 2 yards, 24.8 PPR points)

The rookie receiver out of USC will be known for a few weeks as the receiver who helped the Detroit Lions secure their first win in 364 days, but Amon-Ra St. Brown has been quietly consistent in an offense that is unfavorable to receivers.

While the fantasy numbers have not quite been there, St. Brown has played well, catching over 75% of the passes coming his direction. That’s seventh amongst all wide receivers. There’s certainly plenty of context and conditions surrounding that trend, but St. Brown’s catch rate combined with his average of nine yards per reception gives him a promising future with increased usage.

I wouldn’t give up a lot to trade for St. Brown, but he is worth being rostered in dynasty leagues.

Kenneth Gainwell

(RB10, 12 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 33 yards, 19.7 PPR points)

This is at least the second time Kenneth Gainwell has made this portion of the column this season and I think it’s well deserved. As it stands, Gainwell is unlikely to be usable week-to-week unless you’re in an incredibly deep league, but he has shown plenty of flashes of RB2 potential, particularly with his pass game usage. The question to me is if Gainwell will ever be given work horse status with a team. My guess is probably not, but even if Gainwell finds himself in a fifty-fifty split, I think he becomes a serviceable fantasy running back.

Notable Targets

Tee Higgins, 14 targets: This is the second time this season Tee Higgins has seen at least 14 targets, and this week it translated to a top five fantasy performance as Higgins ended with 28.8 PPR points. And while Ja’Marr Chase has been the number one fantasy receiver in Cincinnati, Higgins is averaging more targets than Chase in games where Higgins starts. Chase is still the higher ceiling play (and has a solid floor as well), but Higgins has the consistent target share to translate to stable fantasy performances week over week.

Josh Jacobs, 9 targets: With Kenyan Drake leaving early for injury, Josh Jacobs took over the passing game load for the Las Vegas backfield, which translated to a season high nine targets, launching Jacobs to a top five fantasy performance. If Drake remains out, and with Jalen Richard on the Covid-19 list, Jacobs could have fantasy promise outside of non-PPR leagues, particularly in a beat up Raiders offense.

Marvin Jones Jr., 3 targets: After a strong start to the season, Marvin Jones has slowly tapered off, having now gone six weeks with eight or fewer targets, less than 60 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns. While this week came against a tough Los Angeles Rams defense, it is nonetheless disappointing to see the lack of targets for Jones, who is borderline droppable in typical 10-team leagues.

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