NFL Player News

Perhaps no player improved their NFL Draft profile in the postseason evaluation process than Mapu (6’3/221). A six-year player and Sacramento State program legend, Mapu was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team FCS All-American. He was invited to the NFLPA Bowl and proceeded to blow away his peers, intercepting multiple passes and providing all-encompassing sticky coverage all week in practice sessions. The Senior Bowl noticed and gave him a secondary invitation which earned him significant exposure since players don’t end up at the Senior Bowl by accident, though he suffered a chest injury that knocked him out of Combine testing. Mapu held his own at the Senior Bowl by displaying the perfect, Tetris-esque fits he deployed during his days as a linebacker. He has an advanced feel for space in zone and the kind of banger demeanor the NFL looks for in a modern enforcer. Mapu will be an instant special teams contributor with backup box-safety value and the ability to play off ball linebacker in a pinch.

Smith practiced in full on Friday, his first such practice of the week, before being removed from the injury report. Smith will be needed to slow the Eagles’ ferocious rushing offense. Fellow starting LB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring/neck) is unfortunately listed as doubtful though.

Fant will play for the first time since Week 8. With zero teams on bye, Fant sits in the TE1/2 range though the Seahawks’ passing-game efficiency keeps a mid-to-high positional finish in his range of outcomes.

Bigsby practiced in full throughout the week and shouldn’t have any limitations versus the Texans. He has been far more explosive on the ground compared to Travis Etienne this year, but the latter plays on passing downs. With the Jags entering the weekend as considerable underdogs to Houston, that role is crucial for maintaining a fantasy floor. Without it, Bigsby is a high-risk RB3 for Week 13.

Lockett is now firmly operating as the Seahawks’ No. 3 WR and offers fantasy managers very little week-to-week reliability. He is WR5/6 for the occasion, though an explosive gain or two is within his range of outcomes given the Jets’ defensive struggles.

Lawrence practiced in some capacity throughout the week and head coach Doug Pederson told reporters earlier today he is expected to play. Barring a setback, Lawrence is going to give it a go versus the Texans. His return puts Brian Thomas Jr. back on the WR2 menu and keeps Evan Engram well within the TE1 ranks for Week 13. Lawrence himself is in the streaming QB2 mix versus the Texans.

Metcalf was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday but practiced in full on Friday, suggesting the Seahawks were just playing things safely with their No. 1 perimeter WR. The Jets’ talented yet discombobulated defense will struggle to contain the high-end, fantasy football WR2.

Slay didn’t practice on Friday before being ruled out, meaning he remains in the early stages of the league’s concussion protocol. Isaiah Rodgers is in line to start in Slay’s place this week. Rodgers has two pass breakups and one forced fumble this season.

Spears sat out Wednesday but practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. His questionable status suggests he may still need to clear the concussion protocol’s fifth and final phase. Spears is an RB5, if active. Starter Tony Pollard will likely continue hoarding touches on early downs.

Smith was held out of Wednesday’s practice but returned for two limited sessions before being listed as questionable. He told reports on Friday that he still didn’t know if he would be able to suit up this week, making him a true game-time call heading into Sunday. If active, Smith will be a high-ceiling WR2 for a potential shootout with the Ravens.

Ridley rested on Wednesday before practicing in full on Thursday and Friday. The Titans’ No. 1 WR has efficiently averaged 2.59 yards per route run and a 24.7 percent target rate since DeAndre Hopkins became a Chief. Fantasy managers can count on Ridley as a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in a potential Week 13 shootout.