Welcome to The Heat Index!

For those unfamiliar with the column, every Monday during the NFL season, we dig into the players whose performances through Sunday jumped out to us the most. Along with their stats (half-point PPR scoring) and positional rank for the week, we’ll rank their rest-of-season prospects on a scale of 🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Week 11 provided a good mix of superstars producing alongside a few upstarts, the most intriguing of which are detailed below. 

Quarterback

Daniel Jones (QB – NYG)

• Stat-line:  27 of 44 passing for 341 yards with a TD and two INTs; 50 yards rushing with a TD
• QB Rank:  3

Analysis:  Jacoby Brissett outscored Daniel Jones; however, his time as a starter is nearing an end, as Deshaun Watson is set to make his Cleveland debut in a few weeks. Jones put up big numbers in Week 11, largely because the Giants played from behind for most of the game. He set season-highs in passing attempts, completions and yards against the Lions but also threw two interceptions, doubling his season total. One thing Jones has done well all year is run. Coming into Week 11, Jones’ ranked fourth in rushing yards among QBs, ahead of notable runners Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts. His legs keep his fantasy floor relatively high every week, but New York doesn’t want him throwing the ball too often, which caps his ceiling. Jones is a decent fill-in option if you are desperate and are looking for a safe option, but probably not a player who will shine for you.

Heat Index:  🔥🔥

Wide Receiver

Joshua Palmer (WR – LAC)

• Stat-line:  Nine catches off nine targets for 128 yards
• WR Rank:  6

Analysis:  Mike Williams and Keenan Allen returned this week, but it was Joshua Palmer who had the big game. Williams didn’t make it past half before his ankle injury flared up, and Allen was on a pitch count (although that didn’t stop him from having a nice game), but Palmer had his best game of the season, nevertheless. If Williams misses time, Palmer is a solid flex play. If Williams returns, it would be hard to start him outside deep leagues, where he still may see enough targets to have value.

Heat Index:  🔥🔥🔥

Demarcus Robinson (WR – BAL)

• Stat-line:  Nine catches off nine targets for 128 yards
• WR Rank:  7

Analysis:  Demarcus Robinson was a bright spot for the Ravens in a low-scoring game. He dominated the targets among Baltimore’s wideouts, as Devin Duvernay and James Proche II combined for only three. With Rashod Bateman out for the year, there are targets to be had in the Ravens’ offense, and they have a very friendly rest-of-season schedule for wide receivers. On the other hand, Bateman has already missed a ton of time this year, and this is the first time Robinson has scored in double-digits, making it hard to trust him. His opportunity makes him a target in deep leagues, but it’s hard to expect him to be fantasy relevant week in and week out.

Heat Index:  🔥🔥

Running Back

Samaje Perine (RB – CIN)

• Stat-line:  11 carries for 30 yards; four catches off four targets for 52 yards with three TDs
• RB Rank:  2

Analysis:  Samaje Perine got the bulk of the Steelers’ carries on Sunday after Joe Mixon exited with a concussion. He wasn’t very successful running the ball, averaging only 2.7 ypc. However, he turned four catches into three TDs. If Mixon misses Week 12, Perine will be a viable fantasy starter due to volume, but you may want to temper your expectations as the Bengals face a brutal Titans run defense. He’s worth picking up as you never know how long Mixon will be out but don’t expect him to lead you to the fantasy playoffs.

Heat Index:  🔥

Najee Harris (RB – PIT)

• Stat-line:  20 carries for 90 yards with two TDs; four receptions off six targets for 26 yards
• RB Rank:  4

Analysis:  As soon as Mike Tomlin indicated that Najee Harris’ workload might be cut, he started to look like the 2021 version of himself. Last week, he rushed for nearly 100 yards against the Saints, and on Sunday, he produced again and showed some life in the passing game. An injury to Jaylen Warren early helped keep him on the field, but to Harris’ credit, he looked good in the loss. The question for fantasy managers is whether Harris can keep it going. If Warren misses time, it will undoubtedly help. The schedule isn’t very favorable, but the Steelers’ offense seems to be coming around. Harris should be a solid RB2 down the stretch, but we haven’t seen enough to imagine he’s got many more top-10 finishes in his future this season.

Heat Index:  🔥🔥🔥

Tight End

Austin Hooper (TE – TEN)

• Stat-line:  Four receptions off four targets for 36 yards with two TDs
• TE Rank:  1

Analysis:  Austin Hooper’s two touchdowns last Thursday were his first of the season. The veteran plays fewer snaps than Geoff Swaim but is far more involved in the passing game. The Titans prefer to run the ball behind Derrick Henry. However, if teams start loading the box, the Titans proved they can move the ball through the air against the Packers. Stopping Henry is easier said than done, so while Hooper may have another fantasy-worthy game or two down the stretch, it’s hard to predict when they will come.

Heat Index:  🔥🔥