Fantasy Football Player Notes

With the lack of depth on the Dolphins roster, Laird played 59-of-72 snaps in Week 14, totaling 86 yards on 19 touches. He didn't score or have much efficiency, but that was enough to finish as the RB20 in PPR formats last week. That was against the Jets, who are a much tougher matchup than most realize, allowing the fifth-fewest total yards per game to running backs. The Giants aren't a great matchup either, but they're still allowing a much more reliable 145.7 total yards per game to running backs. Based on pure opportunity, the Jets and Giants are right next to each other (8th and 9th), allowing just 0.76 and 0.77 PPR points per opportunity. The Giants have allowed just 266 yards on 93 carries (2.86 yards per carry) and two rushing touchdowns over the last four games. However, if Parker and Wilson are forced to miss this game, that opportunity isn't going to shrink for Laird. He ran 27 pass routes last week, which was the eighth-most among running backs, and something that will provide him with a stable floor. The Giants are one of just two teams who've still yet to allow a receiving touchdown to a running back, though the 6.53 yards per target is above the league average. Laird should be considered a mid-level RB3 for this game who provides a solid floor, and that's even if Parker/Wilson play. If they sit, Laird gets another slight bump.

What in the world happened to Gesicki last week? The Jets were without Jamal Adams, their best safety, while the Dolphins lost both Parker and Wilson to concussions, yet he wound-up with just one catch for six yards, his worst game since Week 4. He also saw five targets, which is still decent, but he'd had a five-game stretch where he saw at least six targets without those injuries. We'll chalk it up to a bad game, as he's been one of the more predictable tight ends over the last month and a half. The Giants placed Jabril Peppers on injured reserve prior to their Week 14 contest with the Eagles, and though that was a tough matchup for any defense, they allowed the tight ends to combine for 17 receptions, 169 yards, and two touchdowns. Rookie Julian Love is the one they're trusting in coverage now, and he's allowed 6-of-9 passing for 49 yards, one touchdown, and one interception over the last two weeks in a full-time role. If Parker and Wilson miss this game, Gesicki's absolute target floor should be six targets, which is hard to find. Knowing what the Giants just allowed, combined with his targets, he should be in the low-end TE1 conversation.

Even prior to Parker's concussion, Hurns was seeing solid targets in the Dolphins offense. He's totaled 25 of them over the last four weeks, which ranks 30th among receivers in that time. With Parker leaving after 18 snaps last week, Hurns saw a season-high eight targets. He also finished with season-highs in receptions (5) and yardage (68). Granted, it was against the Jets, but this week is against the Giants, a team that's allowed more fantasy points per target (2.07) than any other team in football. On the year, they're allowing a 66.5 percent catch-rate, 9.73 yards per target, and a touchdown every 13.8 targets. By comparison, Tyler Lockett has averaged 10.05 yards per target and a touchdown every 14.5 targets. The Giants shifted around their secondary last week and had Janoris Jenkins in the slot, leaving DeAndre Baker and Sam Beal on the perimeter. Hurns moves all over the formation, so there's not just one cornerback he'll see, but he did play 50 percent of the slot snaps last week with Wilson out. Knowing how bad the Giants have been overall, he's certainly in the low-end WR3/high-end WR4 conversation and should come with a stable floor if Parker is out. If Parker plays, Hurns is still someone on the low-end WR4 radar.

He played 55-of-72 snaps last week and saw a team-high nine targets that resulted in six receptions for 92 yards. That'll happen when Parker and Wilson go into the concussion protocol, and you have both Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams on injured reserve. If Parker and Wilson are out this week, Ford is a realistic emergency option available in nearly every league. He just needs one of Parker/Wilson out to get into the starting lineup, but Parker is the big one to monitor, as he accounts for a 20 percent target share. Hurns moved into the slot, which means he could match up with Janoris Jenkins, leaving Ford with DeAndre Baker and Sam Beal. That's good news for him, as that duo has combined to allow 43-of-73 passing for 719 yards and seven touchdowns in their coverage. If Parker and Wilson are out, Ford can be considered as a WR4 for this game. If just one of them is out, he falls into the WR5 territory.