Mick Ciallela
Fantrax
Twitter: @themick23
Website: https://www.fantraxhq.com/
Player Note on Sam LaPorta (TE - DET)
Sam LaPorta has recently picked up the pace from a volume and production standpoint, and just in time for fantasy managers. LaPorta had six or fewer targets in his first 11 games to start the year. But he has earned at least seven targets in his last three games, averaging eight per outing. He also has six touchdowns across his previous 10 contests. LaPorta is back to being a weekly TE1, including this week, despite a tough matchup versus San Francisco. Sam LaPorta may not get the volume that players like Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. However, fantasy managers should continue to treat him as a TE1 based on elite efficiency.
Player Note on Jonnu Smith (TE - MIA)
Jonnu Smith continues to be one of the season's best surprises at what has often been a frustrating tight end position. Smith overcame a tough matchup versus San Francisco, catching all six of his targets for 62 yards. It was Smith's sixth straight top-10 fantasy performance among tight ends. Smith has a more favorable draw in Week 17 when the Miami Dolphins face the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year. Smith has averaged 7.2 receptions over his last six games. As long as he gets that many touches, he will remain a top-10 fantasy tight end in all formats.
Player Note on Trey McBride (TE - ARI)
Last week, it felt like Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were trolling fantasy managers with their usage (or lack thereof) of Trey McBride. Facing a Carolina team that had allowed the most touchdowns to opposing tight ends, Murray publicly promised McBride would score his first receiving touchdown of the season "soon." Well, as it turns out, "soon" was definitely not last week. McBride matched season lows with three catches and four targets while posting a season-worst 20 receiving yards. We can only hope that usage was an anomaly. McBride has been an elite tight end all year, even without the touchdowns, so keep treating him as a high-end TE1.
Player Note on Brock Bowers (TE - LV)
After two relatively quiet outings, Brock Bowers bounced back in a big way last week. In a rare Raiders victory, the rookie tight end caught 11 of 13 targets for 99 yards as Las Vegas held off the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Raiders have another solid matchup when they face the New Orleans Saints this week. Specifically, this is a matchup that Bowers can exploit. The Saints rank 28th in the NFL in DVOA versus opposing tight ends. Bowers should continue to be the top target in the passing game, making him an ideal TE1 in all leagues.
Player Note on George Kittle (TE - SF)
George Kittle has been one of the bright spots in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers. Kittle posted his second top-three fantasy finish in three weeks last week despite not catching any touchdowns over that stretch. Kittle closes the fantasy football season with a Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions. Detroit ranks second in the NFL in DVOA versus opposing tight ends. However, injuries have racked the Lions' defense, and Kittle is a different animal. Kittle should continue to battle Brock Bowers down the stretch for the top spot among tight ends in total fantasy points.
Player Note on CeeDee Lamb (WR - DAL)
Despite the chaos surrounding the Dallas Cowboys for much of the 2024 season, CeeDee Lamb continues to produce at an incredible clip. Lamb is the overall WR4 in Half-PPR scoring as we enter Week 17. He has finished as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver in five of his last six games, all with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Dallas faces a tough Philadelphia defense this week. However, the Eagles gave up five touchdown passes to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels just last week, so they are not impenetrable. Continue to treat Lamb as a WR1, even in a tough matchup.
Player Note on Terry McLaurin (WR - WAS)
Terry McLaurin enters Week 17 with a dozen touchdown receptions this season. That number is second in the NFL behind Bengals superstar Ja'Marr Chase. McLaurin ranks just 26th in the NFL in total targets but has made the most of his opportunities. McLaurin should have solid touchdown equity again this week when Washington faces the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has allowed 20 touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers this year. That is tied for the highest mark in the league. McLaurin is a touchdown-dependent WR1, but one with a good chance of paying off in this matchup.
Player Note on Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - JAC)
After a brief midseason lull, Jacksonville rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been one of the most productive fantasy wideouts in the entire NFL. Thomas Jr. has at least 76 receiving yards in five straight games, including an eight-catch, 86-yard outing when Jacksonville last faced the Tennessee Titans. Thomas Jr. has been a target magnet since Mac Jones took over the team's quarterback duties from the injured Trevor Lawrence. The rookie has been targeted 49 times in his last four games. As a byproduct of that volume, Thomas Jr. has scored the fourth-most fantasy points among wide receivers since Week 13. He should continue to be a steady source of fantasy production in Week 17.
Player Note on Mike Evans (WR - TB)
Mike Evans has at least 68 receiving yards in all five games since returning from his hamstring injury. However, his weekly fantasy results have been up and down. Evans has twice finished as a top-four overall wideout but has finished outside the top 25 in his other three games. He has a solid Week 17 matchup versus the Carolina Panthers. Evans had 118 yards a score when these teams squared off earlier this month. The veteran should be heavily targeted as he tries to keep his streak of 1,000-plus yard seasons intact. Evans is a solid WR1 in this matchup.
Player Note on Tee Higgins (WR - CIN)
There is no shame in playing Robin to Ja'Marr Chase's Batman, and Tee Higgins has been playing that role quite nicely. Higgins scored for the fifth time in his last six games last week. He has finished as a top-20 fantasy wideout in all five of those games, averaging 78 receiving yards per game. The Bengals figure to keep featuring their dynamic duo in Saturday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. Higgins excelled last week in a similar matchup against a man-coverage-heavy Cleveland Browns team. Expect more of the same this week, making Higgins a solid WR1 candidate.
Player Note on Sam LaPorta (TE - DET)
Sam LaPorta has recently picked up the pace from a volume and production standpoint, and just in time for fantasy managers. LaPorta had six or fewer targets in his first 11 games to start the year. But he has earned at least seven targets in his last three games, averaging eight per outing. He also has six touchdowns across his previous 10 contests. LaPorta is back to being a weekly TE1, including this week, despite a tough matchup versus San Francisco. Sam LaPorta may not get the volume that players like Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. However, fantasy managers should continue to treat him as a TE1 based on elite efficiency.
Player Note on Jonnu Smith (TE - MIA)
Jonnu Smith continues to be one of the season's best surprises at what has often been a frustrating tight end position. Smith overcame a tough matchup versus San Francisco, catching all six of his targets for 62 yards. It was Smith's sixth straight top-10 fantasy performance among tight ends. Smith has a more favorable draw in Week 17 when the Miami Dolphins face the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year. Smith has averaged 7.2 receptions over his last six games. As long as he gets that many touches, he will remain a top-10 fantasy tight end in all formats.
Player Note on Trey McBride (TE - ARI)
Last week, it felt like Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were trolling fantasy managers with their usage (or lack thereof) of Trey McBride. Facing a Carolina team that had allowed the most touchdowns to opposing tight ends, Murray publicly promised McBride would score his first receiving touchdown of the season "soon." Well, as it turns out, "soon" was definitely not last week. McBride matched season lows with three catches and four targets while posting a season-worst 20 receiving yards. We can only hope that usage was an anomaly. McBride has been an elite tight end all year, even without the touchdowns, so keep treating him as a high-end TE1.
Player Note on Brock Bowers (TE - LV)
After two relatively quiet outings, Brock Bowers bounced back in a big way last week. In a rare Raiders victory, the rookie tight end caught 11 of 13 targets for 99 yards as Las Vegas held off the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Raiders have another solid matchup when they face the New Orleans Saints this week. Specifically, this is a matchup that Bowers can exploit. The Saints rank 28th in the NFL in DVOA versus opposing tight ends. Bowers should continue to be the top target in the passing game, making him an ideal TE1 in all leagues.
Player Note on George Kittle (TE - SF)
George Kittle has been one of the bright spots in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers. Kittle posted his second top-three fantasy finish in three weeks last week despite not catching any touchdowns over that stretch. Kittle closes the fantasy football season with a Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions. Detroit ranks second in the NFL in DVOA versus opposing tight ends. However, injuries have racked the Lions' defense, and Kittle is a different animal. Kittle should continue to battle Brock Bowers down the stretch for the top spot among tight ends in total fantasy points.
Player Note on CeeDee Lamb (WR - DAL)
Despite the chaos surrounding the Dallas Cowboys for much of the 2024 season, CeeDee Lamb continues to produce at an incredible clip. Lamb is the overall WR4 in Half-PPR scoring as we enter Week 17. He has finished as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver in five of his last six games, all with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Dallas faces a tough Philadelphia defense this week. However, the Eagles gave up five touchdown passes to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels just last week, so they are not impenetrable. Continue to treat Lamb as a WR1, even in a tough matchup.
Player Note on Terry McLaurin (WR - WAS)
Terry McLaurin enters Week 17 with a dozen touchdown receptions this season. That number is second in the NFL behind Bengals superstar Ja'Marr Chase. McLaurin ranks just 26th in the NFL in total targets but has made the most of his opportunities. McLaurin should have solid touchdown equity again this week when Washington faces the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has allowed 20 touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers this year. That is tied for the highest mark in the league. McLaurin is a touchdown-dependent WR1, but one with a good chance of paying off in this matchup.
Player Note on Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - JAC)
After a brief midseason lull, Jacksonville rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been one of the most productive fantasy wideouts in the entire NFL. Thomas Jr. has at least 76 receiving yards in five straight games, including an eight-catch, 86-yard outing when Jacksonville last faced the Tennessee Titans. Thomas Jr. has been a target magnet since Mac Jones took over the team's quarterback duties from the injured Trevor Lawrence. The rookie has been targeted 49 times in his last four games. As a byproduct of that volume, Thomas Jr. has scored the fourth-most fantasy points among wide receivers since Week 13. He should continue to be a steady source of fantasy production in Week 17.
Player Note on Mike Evans (WR - TB)
Mike Evans has at least 68 receiving yards in all five games since returning from his hamstring injury. However, his weekly fantasy results have been up and down. Evans has twice finished as a top-four overall wideout but has finished outside the top 25 in his other three games. He has a solid Week 17 matchup versus the Carolina Panthers. Evans had 118 yards a score when these teams squared off earlier this month. The veteran should be heavily targeted as he tries to keep his streak of 1,000-plus yard seasons intact. Evans is a solid WR1 in this matchup.
Player Note on Tee Higgins (WR - CIN)
There is no shame in playing Robin to Ja'Marr Chase's Batman, and Tee Higgins has been playing that role quite nicely. Higgins scored for the fifth time in his last six games last week. He has finished as a top-20 fantasy wideout in all five of those games, averaging 78 receiving yards per game. The Bengals figure to keep featuring their dynamic duo in Saturday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. Higgins excelled last week in a similar matchup against a man-coverage-heavy Cleveland Browns team. Expect more of the same this week, making Higgins a solid WR1 candidate.
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