Dynasty Insider
Running Backs
JK Dobbins/BAL: Despite his obvious talent, Dobbins is only averaging 7 carries and 8.9 touches per game. Because of this, you might be able to steal him away from a frustrated fantasy owner. Dobbins will almost certainly be their main RB next year, so go get him now.
UPDATE 12/20: As you've probably noticed lately, he finally has a clearly defined role and veteran RB Mark Ingram is a non-factor.
Cam Akers/LAR: Unfortunately, it has been a struggle for him this season and he has been mired in a RBBC.
However, let's keep in mind Akers was drafted to be a 3-down RB and that should happen next season. He badly needs a full off-season of work (OTAs, training camp, pre-season).
UPDATE 12/13: Well, don't say I didn't warn you. He finally had his breakout game against the Patriots, so it's going to be tough to trade for him now. But if the price is reasonable, go get him.
12/27: With Akers (high ankle) unlikely to play in Week 17, now is the time to trade for him for next season.
Zack Moss/BUF: He dealt with a lingering toe injury for several weeks, so Moss got off to a slow start, but at least he's evened himself up with 2nd-year RB Devin Singletary.
Moss is a better fit for their running game than Singletary, so look for him to take over the starting job next year.
Rashaad Penny/SEA: ADDED 12/13: He has been mostly an underachiever and is coming off a multi ligament knee injury, but could factor in a big way next season. And you might recall he started to look really good before his injury last season.
UPDATED 12/20: He was activated from reserve/PUP, so he'll get some playing time the rest of the way.
Jeff Wilson/SF: ADDED 12/27: Veteran RB Raheem Mostert has proven to be unreliable due to his injury history and Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon's contracts are set to expire in March, leaving Wilson as the logical choice as the starter.
Wilson has shown to be a decisive, power runner with good vision and instincts. And he is underrated as a pass catcher.
Myles Gaskin/MIA: ADDED 12/27: He doesn't have a 100-yard rushing game yet, but the 2nd-year pro has clearly established himself as their starter and has really good versatility (9 games, 37 receptions).
Damien Harris/NE: ADDED 12/20: He'll have a shot to be their primary early down back next year.
Ke'Shawn Vaughn/TB: ADDED 12/27: With Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy unlikely to return next season, Vaughn could be their starter of the future.
LaMical Perine/NYJ: He's on IR and wasn't used enough before he got hurt, but with better coaching next season, the team will be able to take advantage of Perine's versatility.
Benny Snell/PIT: If James Conner isn't re-signed, Snell would likely be the next man up.
A.J. Dillon/GB: His rookie season has been a washout, but Dillon could factor heavily next season and beyond if the team does not re-sign RBs Aaron Jones or Jamaal Williams.
Wide Receivers
Michael Pittman/IND: He got off to a very slow start and then had leg surgery, which helped to curtail the first half of his rookie season. However, since returning from his surgery, Pittman has shown that he's going to be a factor as their "X" WR for now and the future. Because his numbers have been up and down in the 2nd half, you might be able to steal him away for a decent price.
Gabriel Davis/BUF: The team loves him and while he hasn't put up big numbers, Davis has already shown he can handle a variety of roles (X, Z) in their passing game. He has a good chance to be their starting "X" WR next season over veteran John Brown.
Michael Gallup/DAL: ADDED 12/13: Don't blame him for the low numbers. He's really talented and will be really good next season with a healthy Dak Prescott.
Bryan Edwards/LVR: He was dealing with a high ankle sprain for several weeks, so he has been trying to make up for lost time. Edwards was drafted to be their "X" WR and that will happen beginning next year. You might as well go get him now when he should be cheap to acquire.
Jalen Reagor/PHI: It has been a struggle for him as Reagor has battled 2 different injuries which have contributed to a disappointing season. And it doesn't help that his QB has been struggling mightily. He'll benefit from better coaching and a lot more work with Carson Wentz starting in next year's OTAs. Reagor will eventually be one of the better "Z" WRs, but it's going to take some time.
UPDATE 12/27: Their starting QB for 2021 is unclear, but what's clear to us is how explosive Reagor is. He looked great on tape against the Cardinals (QB Jalen Hurts missed him for a sure TD on a post route where Reagor ran by CB Patrick Peterson).
Mecole Hardman/KC: ADDED 12/13: He should take over as the starter for veteran WR Sammy Watkins, whose contract will expire in March. I want any starting WR for the Chiefs who runs well in my fantasy lineups and Hardman does just that.
Darnell Mooney/CHI: ADDED 12/13: He's already their starting "Z" WR and was impressive beginning during the first week of training camp. He's a good QB and OL away from being an every week fantasy starter in the future.
Laviska Shenault/JAX: ADDED 12/20: The current staff has yet to figure out how to use him, but the rookie should be a bigger factor next year and beyond under a new staff.
Denzel Mims/NYJ: He missed just about all of training camp injuries to both hamstrings, but Mims has shown to be a big-play WR (16.7 yards per catch).
Henry Ruggs/LVR: He has been surprisingly quiet this season and he has dealt with some minor injuries along the way. However, Ruggs will be a big factor in the future as the team figures out a better way to get the ball in his hands.
Darius Slayton/NYG: He has only had a small handful of good games this season, but that's because the timing has been off between him and QB Daniel Jones. They'll get that fixed in the next off-season.
K.J. Hamler/DEN: As one of the top speed threats for this year's NFL Draft, Hamler is incredibly explosive. He just has to show that he can stay healthy and he'll also benefit from a full off-season of work.
Andy Isabella/ARI: He'll take over their slot position as early as next season and he's a vertical threat from that area.
Josh Reynolds/LAR: He likely will be starting for another team next season and Reynolds has intriguing size and speed for the position.
Quintez Cephus/DET: He could start as early as next season if the team does not re-sign veteran WR Marvin Jones. Cephus was one of the smartest rookie WRs for this year's NFL Draft.
Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway/NO: One of them will start eventually for veteran WR Emmanuel Sanders.
Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert/PHI: The Eagles drafted him to eventually replace veteran TE Zach Ertz and that should happen next season. Goedert's talent is obvious and he could easily be a top-5 to top-7 TE if the coaches do a better job of getting him the ball.
Noah Fant/DEN: He does get hurt a lot and QB Drew Lock is inconsistent, but Fant is a mismatch for defenses. He'll easily be a top-10 TE for the future if relatively healthy.
UPDATE 12/20: Once again, he proved to be a mismatch during this week's game against the visiting Bills (8-68-1 TD-11 targets)
Cole Kmet/CHI: He's taking over the starting job now over veteran Jimmy Graham and the team is very high on him for the future.
Adam Trautman/NO: He's the future at the position and with Sean Payton calling the plays, Troutman could be a big piece of the passing game starting as early as next season.
Dawson Knox/BUF: He's dealt with a bunch of injuries this season, but the 2nd-year pro is a vertical threat at the position and they remain very high on him.
UPDATE 12/20: He has scored in 3 out of his last 4 games and is becoming a bigger factor in their passing game.
Week 16 Injury Notes
The Following Players have no injury designation (questionable, doubtful, or out), but are still dealing with an injury. However, these players are considered probable to play.
Quarterbacks
QB Josh Allen/BUF (knee, ankle)
QB Philip Rivers/IND (toe): They continue to give him Wednesday's off in order to keep him off that bad toe and that has certainly worked.
Running Backs
RB James Conner/PIT (quadriceps)
RB Chris Carson/SEA (mid-foot sprain): Same injury he has dealt with for nearly 2 months, but he has not been impacted by it in recent weeks and is practicing quite a bit.
RB Aaron Jones/GB (toe)
RB Carlos Hyde/SEA (toe): Lingering injury for the veteran RB, but he's able to play.
Wide Receivers
WR Jamison Crowder/NYJ (calf, thigh)
**WR Calvin Ridley/ATL (mid-foot sprain): He is not listed on the injury report this week for the first time since Week 8.
WR Jalen Reagor/PHI (ankle)
WR Stefon Diggs/BUF (foot)
WR A.J. Brown/TEN (ankle): He has given the team a scare a few times in games, so they give him one day off from practice each week to get him ready to play.
WR Michael Gallup/DAL (hip)
WR Keke Coutee/HOU (foot): Took in full practices on Thursday, Friday.
WR Curtis Samuel/CAR (hamstring)
WR Allen Lazard/GB (core muscle surgery, wrist)
Tight Ends
TE Eric Ebron/PIT (back)
TE Evan Engram/NYG (calf)
TE Jonnu Smith/TEN (knee)
Selected Game Notes
CLE-NYJ
Browns: While the matchup looked great for QB Baker Mayfield, he'll be without at least his top-4 WRs this game (Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, KhaDarel Hodge, Rashard Higgins), who were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Browns use the 3rd most 2-TE (12 personnel)+3-TE sets in the NFL, so they'll have some options in the passing game, but they'll have just 3 WRs active for this game (2 added from the practice squad, Marvin Hall).
IND-PIT
Colts: The Colts will be without both starting OTs for this game: LT Anthony Castonzo (knee, ankle), RT Braden Smith (reserve/COVID-19), which is especially concerning since the team does not have quality backup OTs on the roster. So their passing game could be impacted today. We should see a lot of "12" personnel (2 TEs, 2 WRs) to help alleviate this issue.
PHI-DAL
Eagles: The Eagles activated WR DeSean Jackson (broken ankle) for today's game, so he'll get some snaps, but that's not expected to impact rookie WR Jalen Reagor's role for this game.
WR Travis Fulgham had his role reduced due to very inconsistent practice performances, so veteran WR Alshon Jeffery wound up taking back the starting "X" role a few weeks after he returned off the reserve/PUP list.
Cowboys: The Eagles will be without 2 out of their top-3 DEs and are down to just 3 CBs for this game, which is good news for the Cowboy passing game, especially their WRs and TE Dalton Schultz.
