NFL Player News

Hesse, a rookie, had two catches coming into Week 17 but was forced into extended playing time after Kyle Pitts exited the game with a hamstring injury. Hayden Hurst, placed on the COVID-19 list last week, did not suit up against Buffalo. Hesse ran a route on 73.3 percent of Matt Ryan’s drop backs and would be a desperation streaming option if Pitts and Hurst miss Week 18.

Pierce has become a Joe Mixon bystander since Week 6’s blowout win, with just three offensive touches to his name the last two weeks. He’s not a must-roster if you’re in a tough bye week situation, though he would be in line for quite a bit of workload in the event of another Mixon injury.

All was targeted twice in the Bengals’ loss, highlighted by a 28-yard catch in the first half. Mike Gesicki was the lead tight end, though with him running more wide receiver routes, All saw a small increase in opportunity. The rookie is still not fantasy relevant, but is quietly averaging a pair of receptions per game this season.

Dell could conceivably be in line for a workload boost on Thursday night with Stefon Diggs (knee) ruled out and Nico Collins not quite ready to come back off IR yet. Dell took a receiving touchdown right before halftime on a seven-yard catch in the back of the end zone. He also had another 19-yard catch waived off by an illegal formation penalty. Dell has yet to put up a truly impressive game this season, but the anticipated target increase might get him close to the WR2 line in Week 9.

Gesicki was the Bengals’ No. 2 pass-catcher on the day, finishing second in targets and receptions to Ja’Marr Chase with Tee Higgins (quad) out. He led the team in receiving yards, running many wide receiver-like routes and operating as Joe Burrow’s safety valve. If Higgins remains out, Gesicki will be a high-end TE2 against the Raiders in Week 9.

While a 72-yard outing goes down as a quiet outing for Hill, it’s his second-highest total of the year and his best performance since Week 1. Miami also set a season-high in points as a team with 27. It was their first game over 20. Hill led the Dolphins in all receiving categories while logging a 24 percent target share. He was also Tagovailoa’s favorite target on deep shots, one of which he reeled in for a 30-yard game. This should be considered a floor game for him now that Tagovailoa is back under center. He will look to hit a ceiling performance versus the Bills in Week 9.

With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined, Otton functioned as the Bucs’ top pass-catching option and made the most of his opportunity. Otton how has 17 catches for 181 yards and two scores over his past two games and appears to be a top tight end option in the deleted Tampa offense. Baker Mayfield looks to Otton first on critical plays, including near the end zone. He has a chance to be a top three or four option in Week 9 against Kansas City.

Since coming back from his long-term ankle injury, Mixon has put up three-straight 100-yard games on the ground with four rushing scores, to go along with eight catches and a receiving touchdown. That’s about as much as you could ask of a back you likely didn’t have to spend a first-round pick on in fantasy. His angry touchdown through Jaylon Johnson tied up the game in the second quarter. Mixon will be on the RB1 line next week against a Jets defense that has been strong but exploitable on the ground so far this year.

Burton has been rotating in and out of the wide receiver rotation with Trenton Irwin, but both were active this week with Tee Higgins (quad) out. Burton was targeted three times, catching 41-yard long ball along the sideline for his only catch. He notably also had an endzone target that was broken up. Meanwhile, Irwin caught his sole target for four yards. Neither player is fantasy relevant for next week.

He took only two sacks this week, but Stroud remained consistently under pressure when the Texans didn’t have him working with a moving pocket. A late 28-yard, second-and-19 conversion out of structure to John Metchie showed that Stroud still has it, but the ecosystem around him is in rough shape between the offensive line and a sudden rash of receiver injuries. A late Stroud pitch-turned-fumble got stuck on to his ledger for good measure, making what looked like an easy closeout for the Texans a little more stressful than it needed to be. Stroud’s likely just a high-end QB2 for fantasy purposes against the Jets on Thursday night.

Despite Tee Higgins (quad) out, Iosivas did not make an impact on the game. He was targeted three times, failing to catch any of them. Jermaine Burton had a 41-yard catch while Trenton Irwin made a four-yard catch as TE Mike Gesicki was the actual No. 2 pass-catching option without Higgins. Iosivas should remain on fantasy benches moving forward.