NFL Player News

Valdes-Scantling had another long score against Cleveland after going off last week for 109 yards and two touchdowns. MVS caught an underneath path and took it the distance (71 yards) against a seemingly uninterested Browns secondary. Running a pass route on 26 of the team’s 29 drop backs, MVS operated as the Saints WR1 with Chris Olave (concussion) sidelined. While Valdes-Scantling is unlikely to keep scoring long touchdowns in the conservative New Orleans offense, he should be rostered in most 12-team leagues and will profile as top-40 option in Week 12 against the Rams.

Freiermuth continues to disappoint fantasy managers. He’s been held below 20 yards in four of his last five games and was out-targeted by Darnell Washington in Sunday’s win over the Ravens. Freiermuth is averaging 2.6 targets per game and shouldn’t be trusted in Week 12 against the Browns.

Washington did little this week and was not targeted in Week 10. He would not normally be on the fantasy radar, but Gabe Davis left this game with a non-contact knee injury and did not return. With Christian Kirk already done for the year, Washington may be forced into the No. 2 receiver role following Jacksonville’s Week 12 bye. Fantasy managers with deep benched could do worse on the waiver wire this week, though expectations remain low for all Jacksonville players until Trevor Lawrence returns.

Warren continues to out-produce Najee Harris on a per-touch basis but saw 13 opportunities to Harris’ 23 in Sunday’s win over the Ravens. From a fantasy perspective, Warren did exactly what his fantasy managers hoped for, but he can’t be viewed as anything more than an RB3 at this time. He has a short turnaround to prepare for Thursday night’s game against the Browns.

BTJ did nearly all of his damage in the second half, catching four balls for 80 yards after the break. The Jags were playing from at least a 22-point deficit for the entire second half, ratcheting up their passing volume while also seeing some lax coverage looks from the Lions. Thomas nearly had a 33-yard, top-tapping reception late in the game, but Detroit challenged the meaningless grab and had it overturned. Thomas didn’t have full possession of the ball as he went to the ground, though the fact that there was enough evidence to overturn the catch was surprising to say the least. If Mac Jones makes another start coming out of the Jags’ Week 12 bye, BTJ will remain anchored to the WR3 ranks versus the Texans.

Chubb did not see a target on 46 Cleveland pass attempts. Coming off his 2023 knee injury, Chubb does not appear to be his pre-injury self, lacking any burst or tackle breaking ability. His lack of pass game involvement will continue making Chubb a game script-sensitive, touchdown-reliant fantasy option. He now has 139 rush yards in three games this season. Chubb won’t be fantasy viable in Week 12 against the Steelers.

Corum’s six touches were tied for his second most of the season. Corum is more regularly mixing in for change-of-pace/breather back usage over the past few weeks, but nowhere close to the level that would produce standalone fantasy value. He’s a high-end insurance back who becomes a flimsier hold with each passing week between now and the fantasy playoffs. You have to play for today, not tomorrow, if you’re fighting for a spot.

Gibson now has five or fewer touches in five straight games. Even with Drake Maye enhancing the Patriots’ overall offensive outlook, contingency back Gibson isn’t coming close to standalone value behind workhorse starter Rhamondre Stevenson, and is even splitting some of the change-of-pace work with JaMycal Hasty. He’s waiver wire fodder.

Engram led the Jags with eight targets last week and tied Brian Thomas Jr. for a team-high in targets this time around. It was all for naught in both contests as he went for 40 scoreless yards in Week 10 and did even less this time around. Even though Mac Jones has leaned on Engram as an outlet option in two starts, the offense is in no state to support a TE1. Engram will reclaim his TE1 ranking if Trevor Lawrence is back after the Jags’ Week 12 bye but will be stuck just outside the top 12 if he can’t suit up.

It was a dreadful day for the entire Jags offense and Etienne was no exception. The Lions defense didn’t have to devote many resources to stopping Mac Jones and easily kept Etienne in check, holding him to 2.3 yards per carry. The volume, on the other hand, was solid. With Tank Bigsby out because of an ankle issue, Etienne accounted for 15-of-17 backfield touches this week. It was his first game over 12 touches since Week 4. With the Jags on bye next week, Etienne will be stuck in the RB3 ranks if Bigsby is able to return after the week off.

Stevenson’s 24 touches were his most since Week 1, though he has breezed by 20 three of the past four weeks. The Pats’ play volume has skyrocketed with Drake Maye under center, but it’s still a mediocre overall offense with limited touchdown opportunities. That’s why Stevenson is scoreless in 3-of-5 appearances. He’s still scoring enough, while the workloads make him a clear-cut RB2. That will include for Week 12 vs. the Dolphins in what could admittedly be a low-scoring affair.