NFL Player News

Hill was the centerpiece of the New Orleans offense in Week 11, leading the team with ten targets and cutting into Alvin Kamara’s rushing workload (Kamara had 16 carries). Hill had two first half touchdowns before a 70-yard touchdown run around the left end in the fourth quarter. The wily Swiss army knife veteran was unstoppable from start to finish in this one, regularly shedding tacklers and somehow outrunning Cleveland defenders. Hill’s day included an interception on a downfield shot and a lost fumble. Asked at halftime whether the Saints were using Hill too much on offense, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said no, and that Hill is “one of the best players” in the NFL. If Hill has anything close to this kind of usage for the Rizzi-led Saints, he should be considered a must-play weekly fantasy option.

Adams displayed increased efficiency after a disastrous 6-of-13 for 31 yards effort in Week 10, but the entire Jets offensive operation ultimately remained limited and un-explosive. That included zero first downs until inside the two-minute warning in the first half. Adams will probably spike some weeks when the Jets return from their Week 12 bye for a soft stretch-run schedule, but any WR1 hope can be abandoned, while his WR2 value is now floor-based instead of ceiling-focused.

Achane easily led the backfield in touches, ceding a total of nine looks to Jaylen Wright and Raheem Moster combined. He was his usual, explosive self versus the Raiders, logging a 30-yard carry plus a 17-yard reception en route to just over 100 yards from scrimmage. Week 11 was his fifth game in triple digits out of six Tua Tagovailoa starts. With plenty of distance between himself and the rest of the Miami running backs, Achane is a solidified RB1 heading into Week 12 versus the Patriots.

The disastrous statline comes as opposing defenses continue to close in on an immobile Aaron Rodgers. Wilson posted a new season low for yardage by 15. Wilson initially seemed to be benefitting from Davante Adams coming in and commanding defensive attention, but now it’s just Adams vacuuming up short-area looks while Rodgers struggles to generate anything down the field. There is hope when the Jets return from their Week 12 bye to face a string of soft opponents, but Wilson is beginning to look like a low-end WR2 in a deteriorating offense.

Robinson kept his No. 3 role over a returning Jordan Whittington, but it didn’t amount to much behind target dominators Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. The Rams’ coaching staff loves Robinson’s veteran savvy, while he should continue to pop up for the occasional interesting statline. The problem there is the “occasional.” It isn’t worth trying to predict when Robinson might go off ahead of a tough Week 12 date with the Eagles.

In the revenge game that was not to be, Johnson ran just six routes in his first game since head coach John Harbaugh said the team plans to “ramp up” his usage. On the bright side, Johnson saw two targets and was just missed on a long pass from Lamar Jackson, which would have had a chance to result in a score. Given his talent, Johnson is a tough player to drop in fantasy; but the usage just isn’t there at this time. We’ll see if things change in Week 12 against the Chargers, but he can’t be started in any capacity.

Waddle has fallen behind both De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith in the pecking order for targets. Smith tied Tyreek Hill with eight targets this week while Achane beat Waddle by one look in the passing game. Waddle is averaging just under three receptions for 34 yards since Tua Tagovailoa returned to the lineup a month ago. After another dud performance, Waddle is barely clinging to WR4 life heading into Week 12 versus the Patriots.

Kupp’s second 100-yard game since returning three weeks ago also doubled his season touchdown total. Naturally, he was once again out-produced by Puka Nacua, but this was the best Kupp has looked post-injury. His 10 targets did lead the team. Nacua also picked up some sort of mid-section injury, though he played through it. Nacua has a higher weekly ceiling, but Kupp isn’t exactly lacking upside, while his floor remains quite high. He’ll find himself on the WR1/2 borderline for a tough Week 12 matchup with the Eagles.

It was Nacua’s best overall game since returning three weeks ago, while the touchdown was his first of 2024. It nearly cost him, as Nacua landed hard on the ball and was badly staggered. He eventually made his way to the blue tent. That was late in the second quarter. He was spotted infrequently early to begin the second half but eventually got back in the swing of things. It still wouldn’t be surprising if Nacua required some imaging, or at least some missed practice reps. The fact that he finished the game is the most important data point, however. The Eagles are a tough Week 12 matchup, but Nacua has re-proven his every-week WR1 value.

It was another quiet outing for the superstar receiver, though he did find the end zone for the second week in a row. Still, Hill hasn’t topped 80 yards since Week 1. The emergence of De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith as featured pass-catchers has also tanked Hill’s target totals. Hill is averaging a measly 6.5 targets per game since Tua Tagovailoa returned to the lineup. He gets a favorable matchup with the Patriots in Week 12 but has fallen out of the WR1 ranks until something changes in his usage.

Mooney pulled up with the hamstring injury in the third quarter and was seen sitting on the bench later in the quarter. With the Falcons down big against Denver, Mooney will likely remain out. An absence for Mooney would open up targets for Ray-Ray McCloud and Drake London.