Fantasy Faceoff Recap: Week 14

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 14.

Risers

Hunter Renfrow

(WR2, 13 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD, 28.7 PPR points)

Despite a dismal effort by the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense against Kansas City, Hunter Renfrow shown through in his best fantasy performance of the season. This near 30-point day has been a long time coming, with Renfrow being one of the more consistent receivers this season, ranking 17^th in our consistency scores.

Renfrow only has two games under 10 fantasy points this season and is currently ranked in the top 12 fantasy receivers in PPR formats. He saw an increase in targets over the past three weeks, marking a season-high 14 targets against Kansas City.

This recent surge has coincided with the absence of Darren Waller from the lineup, so there may be some regression once Waller returns, but Renfrow has solidified his role in the offense and should continue to be a target for Derek Carr.

Taysom Hill

(QB4, 15-21, 175 yards, 11 carries, 73 yards, 2 TDs, 26.3 points)

Imagine if I told you I could guarantee your running back would touch the ball on every single offensive snap, would you take that offer? Well, that’s essentially what you get with Taysom Hill, who finished as QB4 on the week, primarily due to his rushing abilities.

All I needed to be sold on Taysom Hill this week was “New York Jets.” Obviously, the matchup for Hill wasn’t concerning this week, but nonetheless, Hill continues to be a fabulous fantasy starter, ending the day with just over 19 points as a rusher alone. That would have been enough to finish as a top 10 running back on his rushing alone. Hill is a must-start until further notice, particularly as New Orleans continues to get healthier.

Robby Anderson

(WR6, 7 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD, 21.4 PPR points)

Typically, I would ignore any blip in the radar when it comes to fantasy performances but seeing a change out of a bye week is a sign of encouragement. Robby Anderson finished Sunday with 12 targets, his highest mark on the season, which translated to his first top ten fantasy performance on the season. While I’m not convinced it will remain, my hope is this is a sign of more to come.

Sign up for PrizePicks with the promo code FACEOFF for a 100% match up to $100!

Fallers

D.K. Metcalf

(WR49, 4 receptions, 43 yards, 8.3 PPR points)

This is one of the most surprising trends in fantasy football. Before this season, I would have said Tyler Lockett is the risky Seattle receiver, and that D.K. Metcalf is basically a sure thing. But the troubles in Seattle have been real, as the offense has not lived up to their talent.

Metcalf is currently on a string of five consecutive games with no more than 11 points, four of which were single-digit performances. I don’t know how you possibly bench Metcalf, and maybe with Russell Wilson connecting better with Lockett, we’ll see this offense get back on track. In the meantime, I think there are some circumstances where you could bench Metcalf until he’s back to fantasy form, but likely you’re rolling him out and praying he turns it around in the playoffs.

Courtland Sutton

(WR83, 1 reception, 9 yards, 1.9 PPR points)

There are few players whose offensive usage is as disparate from their contracts as Courtland Sutton. Sutton was recently given a $60 million contract extension yet since week eight, has seen no more than two receptions in a single game. Two receptions. Maximum. No more. I simply do not understand. And yet, that’s probably why I write about fantasy football and not managing a football team.

Some of this may simply be because the Broncos have two star running backs that can get the job done week in and week out, making the passing game a moot point. It could also be that Sutton and Teddy Bridgewater simply have not developed a connection yet. Whatever it is, Sutton is past being droppable in redraft leagues. I still believe in the talent, so I might buy low or stash in dynasty, but if so, I’m betting on usage that hasn’t been there.

James Robinson

(RB63, 6 carries, 4 yards, 0.4 points)

This is one of the most baffling stories in football right now. If you haven’t already, just go to Twitter and type in Urban Meyer and enjoy the show. James Robinson should be a top ten running back, top twenty minimum. But he is simply not getting the usage and the Jacksonville Jaguars organization is dysfunctional right now. Hold onto Robinson in dynasty, but there is no explanation for what is happening right now, other than incompetent coaching.

Dynasty Stashes

K.J. Osburn

(WR16, 3 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD, 17.3 PPR points)

While K.J. Osburn finished with a good day, his three receptions only tell some of the story, as Osburn was targeted on nine occasions, providing him significant opportunities with Adam Thielen out. While this is somewhat of a circumstance where an injury provided extra opportunities for a player lower in the depth chart, Osburn has already demonstrated his talent throughout the season, and made this portion of the column once already this season. If you haven’t stashed him already, it may be too late. But now may also be a time to trade him away if you’re looking for draft capital.

Derrick Gore

(RB11, 9 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 23 yards, 16.9 PPR points)

This is the second time Derrick Gore has made an impression on fantasy managers this season, and while this performance was lifted by a long touchdown run, Gore has continued to show flashes when given the opportunity. My concern with Gore is that he is clearly the third running back in Kansas City, so he may need some roster moves or trade to become a weekly fantasy threat, but I like the talent and think he is worth the stash.

Notable Targets

Deebo Samuel, 1 target: We noted this several weeks ago when Deebo Samuel first saw a significant increase in carries and mused about whether it would be a continued trend or if it was simply a blip on the radar. But Samuel now has three consecutive starts with multiple carries and only one reception.

This is the opposite of what we want for Samuel, as receptions are significantly more valuable than carries in PPR leagues. This trend is better for Samuel in non-PPR leagues, but nonetheless, I’d like to see Samuel get more targets. Perhaps the return of Elijah Mitchell will return the tides.

Gabriel Davis, 8 targets: Gabe Davis has seen an increased role in the Buffalo Bills offense, scoring a touchdown in two consecutive games, both of which came in redzone situations. Seeing the increased targets further solidifies his fantasy upside, as he is becoming less of a touchdown-dependent play. Davis could be an interesting player in fantasy playoffs. I’ll be monitoring his usage down the stretch.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, 12 targets: Early in the season I gave up looking for a number one receiver in the Detroit Lions offense. It appeared quickly that it was really T.J. Hockenson or D’Andre Swift. But suddenly, Amon-Ra St. Brown has taken over the receiving duties. Now, that has come at a time when both Swift and Hockenson are out, but with Swift potentially out for the season, the Lions need to throw the ball to someone, and that could be St. Brown.

We are excited to announce that The FF Faceoff is an official Affiliate of FanDuel!

Sign up at Fanduel.com/FFFaceoff for a 20% match on your first deposit up to $5,000. 

Weekly Fantasy Rankings

DFS Home

Free NFL Picks

Player Prop Bets

Sign up for BetUS today with the promo code FACEOFF and get a 125% match on your first deposit! Join here.

What is the Consistency Score?

Consistency Score Home

Consistency Score: Running Backs

Consistency Score: Wide Receivers

Consistency Score: Tight Ends

Consistency Score: DST

Revenge Game Tracker