NFL Player News

Jacksonville was seeking an inside linebacker, and was believed to be heavily interested in Rolando McClain before Oakland surprised the world with a sensible pick and drafted him eighth overall. Morrison, 28, isn’t a true thumper, but is annually among the most productive linebackers in the league and has proven incredibly durable. He should remain a top-10 IDP LB behind Terrance Knighton and rookie Tyson Alualu in Jacksonville.

Patrick’s touchdown grabs came from three and one yards out. Both the catches and targets were easily new season highs for the former Bronco, who also doubled his 2024 scoring total. Although tonight was his biggest night, Patrick has cleared 40 yards in three straight appearances. With Kalif Raymond (foot) sidelined, Patrick is currently unchallenged for No. 3 status in this elite offense. That could change for Week 15 against the Bills with Raymond having 10 more days to get healthy. Patrick still isn’t producing enough to command WR4 fliers.

Williams’ eight targets were his most since Week 2, and continue the upward trajectory he’s been on since returning from suspension four weeks ago. He actually led the Lions in looks this evening, drawing two more pass attempts than Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams has only one truly big play in five games since returning, but you can feel it coming. Bills/Lions could turn into a domed shootout next Sunday in Detroit.

Both LaPorta’s five grabs and 54 yards were his second most of the season, which tells you all you need to know about how his fantasy campaign has been going. This evening he was out-targeted by both Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick. For whatever reason — perhaps injury considering how many ailments LaPorta has been listed with since last January — it just isn’t happening for the second-year pro. He’ll slot somewhere into the TE10-14 range for Week 15 against a Bills defense that is best attacked on the ground.

With Jaire Alexander still sidelined for the Packers and Jared Goff attempting 42 passes, 5/43 was a disappointing statline in a game where the Lions scored 34 points. The yardage output was ARSB’s fourth worst of the season, though, as always, he saved a little PPR face with his five grabs. Scoreless in three straight games and held below 100 yards in 6-of-7, St. Brown is not on the warpath the same way he was in 2023, but he’s undoubtedly saved up a spiked week or two for the fantasy playoffs. The Bills’ run-funnel defense does await for Week 15, probably making ARSB more of a mid-range WR1.

Wicks also took a wicked shot to the head and had trouble getting to his feet, but he was never evaluated for a concussion as far as we can tell. With Romeo Doubs battling a concussion of his own, Wicks has caught four passes in back-to-back games after totaling one reception in Weeks 9-12 (three appearances). With Doubs likely to be back for Week 15 against the Seahawks, Wicks is going to find himself out of the top 48/second FLEX range at wide receiver.

The touchdown was Kraft’s second in three weeks while the 41 yards were his fifth most of the season. Kraft has seen an uptick in usage over the past two weeks with Romeo Doubs (concussion) sidelined, but he’s still barely doing enough to stay in the TE1 mix. He will most likely find himself outside the top 12 for Week 15 against the Seahawks with bye weeks over and all 32 clubs active.

Oh dear. Reed’s latest fantasy rug pull was by far his most painful, as the Packers scored 31 points against a struggling pass defense. Jordan Love did play an awful first half, but he came alive after the break, mostly by targeting Christian Watson. Reed drew a 14-yard DPI that doesn’t show up in the box score, but the brutal truth continues to be that he is not commanding looks. He’s drawn more than six targets one time all season, and been held to three-or-fewer three of the past four weeks. Ouch. With all 32 teams active for Week 15, Reed will be a shaky WR3 against the Seahawks.

The 100-yard outing was Watson’s second in four weeks. This one was difficult to see coming at halftime, as Watson was sitting on just one catch for 20 yards, one where he went airborne and lost a fumble. Watson smoothed things over by hooking up with Jordan Love for a pair of second half highlights, including a 59-yard catch on the second play of the third quarter. Not that it was all roses, as Watson also got a Josh Jacobs receiving score called back on an admittedly dubious OPI call. Watson is as volatile as ever, but it’s been nice to see him finally mix some spiked weeks back in. Romeo Doubs’ (concussion) health will be a Week 15 variable against the Seahawks.

The rushing output was actually Gibbs’ lowest total since Week 1, though the six receptions were his second most of 2024. The Lions were struggling in short-yardage situations all evening, but Gibbs got home for a first quarter score by running a perfect angle route. On the lowlight reel, the Lions called a super risky fourth down run from their own 31 in the third quarter and Gibbs got stood up on the edge. On to Week 15, where the Lions will be facing the Bills’ vulnerable run defense. Even with bye weeks over, Gibbs will remain safely inside the top 12 for the first week of the fantasy playoffs.

That kind of statline is just what the PPR doctor ordered, though aside from his three-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Montgomery was having a rough night in short yardage until the Lions’ final drive. That’s when D-Mont took a daring 4th-and-1 handoff with 0:43 remaining and gained seven yards to essentially ice the game. In between, Montgomery got stood up on several goal-line carries. He has nevertheless now scored in 11-of-13 2024 appearances. Bonkers. Montgomery has 10 days to rest up for a Week 15 home date with the Bills’ leaky run defense.