Fantasy Football Player Notes

After all the shade thrown Etienne's way in the draft season, he has been one of the best RBs in fantasy. Sitting as the RB7, he has had over 12 fantasy points in all but four games this season. With Baysul Tuten recovering from a hand injury, Etienne will continue to dominate touches. This week, they face the Colts, whose defense was embarrassed by the 49ers last Monday Night. The Jaguars are rolling and should be able to have their way in this matchup. Etienne remains a RB1 to close out the season.

Jakobi Meyers had a quiet Week 16 against Denver, but he didn't see the Patrick Surtain shadow. That honor fell to Brian Thomas Jr. Meyers still secured only four of his eight targets for 45 scoreless yards. Since Week 11, Meyers has been the WR20 in fantasy points per game with a 22.5% target share, 59.8 receiving yards per game, 2.08 yards per route run, and a 28.6% first-read share. He has been their clear WR1 since becoming a full-time player. In his last six games, Meyers has had seven red zone targets and two deep targets. Meyers should have a wonderful bounce-back game this week. Since Week 12, Indy has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Since Week 13, Brian Thomas Jr. has been the WR42 in fantasy points per game with two top 24 weekly finishes (WR23, WR15). The last time he faced this secondary, he secured three of his six targets for 87 scoreless receiving yards as the WR23 for the week. Since Week 13, Thomas has had a 14.3% target share with 49.8 receiving yards per game, a 19.7 aDOT, 1.66 yards per route run, and a 22% first-read share. Thomas Jr. has been their field stretcher since returning with 44.4% of his target volume coming via downfield looks. Thomas Jr. could hit big this week against a secondary that, since Week 10, has allowed the seventh-highest deep completion rate and sixth-most deep passing yards per game. This secondary has also struggled to defend perimeter wide receivers. Since Week 12, Indy has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Since Week 12, Brenton Strange has been the TE12 in fantasy points per game with a 16% target share, 46 receiving yards per game, 1.89 yards per route run, and a 15.4% first-read share. In those five games, Strange has had eight red zone targets, two scores, and four deep targets. Strange could have a quieter game this week. Since Week 10, Indy has held tight ends to the 12th-fewest yards per target and the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game.

Last week, Parker Washington exploded with a huge game, but I don't want to point chase. In his two previous games, with Jakobi Meyers on the team and Brian Thomas Jr. back, he had only a 45.6% route share, a 10.2% target share, and 39.5 receiving yards per game. Washington's big game, I believe, was more of a result of Trevor Lawrence feeding him the ball and staying away from Denver's talented outside corners. Since Kenny Moore's return in Week 7, Indy has allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points per target and the eighth-lowest passer rating when targeted to slot receivers. Sit Washington.