Fantasy Football Player Notes
Week 14 Rankings
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1.
Trey McBride
ARI (vs . LAR)
This stretch of fantasy performances for Trey McBride is incredibly good. His consistency in yards and receptions is reminiscent of Tyler Higbee's five-game stretch to close out 2019. If you don't remember that, I'll remind you that he had 56 targets, 43 receptions, 522 yards, and two scores over five games. Outside of that little blast from the past, there isn't much else to say other than McBride is a fantasy star with Brissett under center. He has seven touchdowns in his last seven games, has only finished lower than the TE3 once in the last seven games (he was TE6), and has eight or more receptions in six of seven games. This week, they face the Rams, who bolster a tough pass rush. The Rams are allowing the 13th fewest fantasy points to the position, but that is only a red flag for TEs not named McBride.
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2.
Brock Bowers
LV (vs . DEN)
Despite his second-lowest target total of the season, Bowers had his second-best fantasy performance of the season. Catching all four targets for 63 yards and two scores, we were all reminded why Bowers is one of the league's best at the position. It's hard to trust the Raiders offense, however, Bowers sees enough targets each week to guarantee a solid fantasy floor. This week, the Raiders face the Broncos for the second time in five weeks. Last time, the Broncos held Bowers to one reception on three targets. Although the weather was not great in that game, the Broncos are one of the league's best defenses. This week, Bowers should outproduce their last meeting; however, we are once again betting on Geno Smith against the Broncos' defense.
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3.
Tyler Warren
IND (at JAC)
Despite a very strong rookie season, Warren has slowed down a little for fantasy. This may be a result of Daniel Jones playing with a broken leg, or the fact that they have played three of the top six defenses against the position over their last three games. Either way, the road ahead couldn't get much better. This stretch starts with the Jaguars, who are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position. Warren has been the most consistent target on this offense all season. With the Jaguars allowing the fourth most yards and second touchdowns to opposing TEs on the season, Warren should be right back as a top end option for fantasy.
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4.
Kyle Pitts Sr.
ATL (vs . SEA)
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5.
Travis Kelce
KC (vs . HOU)
Kelce's resurgent season has been shockingly consistent. Even with the return of Rashee Rice, Kelce has finished in the top 10 at the position in six of his last eight games. Over his last five games, he has scored at least 10 points in all but one game. He has done this through a steady mix of yards and touchdowns, scoring only three times in his last seven games. It may not be the fantasy-breaking performances of old, but Kelce is back to a locked-in TE1 each week. This week, they face the Texans, who allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position. This game has massive playoff implications for both teams. With their backs against the wall, we know Mahomes looks to his trusty TE in these situations. As a result, Kelce remains a steady TE play behind only Trey Mcbride, Brock Bowers, and Tyler Warren this week.
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6.
Brenton Strange
JAC (vs . IND)
Since his return, Strange has been the TE4 and TE7 in weekly scoring. Since Week 12, he has had a 15.8% target share with 69 receiving yards per game, 2.94 yards per route run, and a 15.4% first-read share. In those two games, he had one red zone target and four deep targets. His usage is increasing at the perfect time for a boom game this week. Indy has bled out production to tight ends all season, allowing the second-most receiving yards per game and fantasy points per game to the position.
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7.
Jake Ferguson
DAL (at DET)
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8.
Mark Andrews
BAL (vs . PIT)
Mark Andrews has fallen off a cliff this season as the TE19 in fantasy points per game. He has four TE1 outings this season. In the other weeks, he has been unplayable. Last week was the first time all season that he had more than 40 receiving yards in a game, and most of that came in garbage time. Andrews has a 16.1% target share with 27.7 receiving yards per game, 1.40 yards per route run, and a 21.3% first-read share. He leads the team with ten red zone targets while seeing only one deep target this season. This week, he faces a Pittsburgh pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate (59.8%). Against single high, Andrews has seen his target share increase to 16.7% with 1.84 yards per route run and a 19.5% first-read share. It's a dice roll, but Andrews could finish as a TE1 this week. The Steelers have allowed the seventh-most receiving yards per game and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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9.
Zach Ertz
WAS (at MIN)
Zach Ertz is the TE13 in fantasy points per game with three TE1 outings this season (TE2, TE5, TE3). Among tight ends, he ranks third in deep targets and 15th in red zone targets. Minnesota has utilized two high at the highest rate in the NFL (66.4%). Against two high, Ertz has a 22.1% target share with 1.82 yards per route run and a 25% first-read share. Ertz is a strong streaming option this week. Minnesota ranks 16th in receiving yards per game and has given up the 13th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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10.
Juwan Johnson
NO (at TB)
Since Week 10, with Tyler Shough under center, Johnson has had a 17.1% target share with 59 receiving yards per game, 1.88 yards per route run, and a 20.3% first-read share as the TE5 in fantasy points per game. In those three games, he has only one red zone target and one deep target. Johnson is a solid TE1 again this week. Tampa Bay has allowed the 13th-fewest receiving yards per game to tight ends, but they have given up the seventh-most receiving touchdowns per game to the position.
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11.
Harold Fannin Jr.
CLE (vs . TEN)
With Shedeur Sanders under center, Harold Fannin Jr. has finished as the TE15 and TE12 in weekly scoring. He has led the team in those two games with a 23.9% target share, 41.5 receiving yards per game, 2.02 yards per route run, and ranked second with a 19.2% first-read share. Fannin is a low-end streaming option this week at tight end. Tennessee has held tight ends to the 11th-fewest receiving yards per game and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game.
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12.
Dalton Kincaid
BUF (vs . CIN)
Dalton Kincaid has been dealing with a knee issue and a hamstring injury. He has practiced on a limited basis all week and has been listed as questionable. Kincaid is the TE8 in fantasy points per game with a 14.8% target share, five red zone targets, four deep targets, and a 17.4% first-read share. Kincaid has been mashing on a per-route basis with 3.37 yards per route run, but the issue is that he has only a 47% route share. I'd love to tell you that I LOVE HIM this week versus the Bengals, who have bled out production to tight ends all year and are easily the best matchup in the NFL for the position, but I have my worries. Kincaid has been a limited snap player all season, and in Weeks 8-9, he had only 32% and 46.7% route shares. In those two games, he had only three and six targets. It's tough to expect him to be ridiculously efficient and produce on limited volume when he is clearly not 100%. Could he pay off for fantasy this week? Sure. Are there a ton of concerns around his playing, efficiency, and the Bills' game plan this week? Oh, hell yes. If Buffalo wants to just lean on their run game, they can against Cincy. That would crush the Bills' passing volume and Kincaid's involvement. Playing him is a risk this week. Cincy has allowed the most receiving yards per game, the highest yards per reception, and the most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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13.
Dalton Schultz
HOU (at KC)
Since Week 3, Dalton Schultz has been the TE12 in fantasy points per game with an 18.6% target share, 1.62 yards per route run, 49.5 receiving yards per game, and a 19.3% first-read share. In those ten games, he has had seven red zone targets and five deep targets. Since Week 11, the Chiefs have utilized two high at the second-highest rate (61.9%). Since Week 3, against two high, Schultz has had a 20.3% target share, 1.81 yards per route run, and a 22% first-read share. Schultz is a solid TE1 again this week. The Chiefs have faced the sixth-fewest tight end targets per game, but they have ranked 17th in yards per reception allowed. Kansas City is a neutral matchup for Schultz.
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14.
Oronde Gadsden II
LAC (vs . PHI)
Since Week 6, Gadsden has been the TE9 in fantasy points per game with a 17.2% target share, 65.4 receiving yards per game, 2.30 yards per route run, and a 21.3% first-read share. In those seven games, he has had ten red zone targets and six deep targets. Since Week 7, Philly has utilized two high at the fourth-highest rate (56.3%). Since Week 6, against two high, Gadsden has had an 18.6% target share with 2.37 yards per route run and a 20.6% first-read share. He'll face an uphill climb this week against a defense that has shut down tight ends. Philly has allowed the second-fewest receiving yards per game and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. We also have effectiveness and passing volume worries this week with Justin Herbert under center.
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15.
Darren Waller
MIA (at NYJ)
Last week, Darren Waller returned to the lineup with a 65.5% route share, a 13% target share, 47 receiving yards, 2.47 yards per route run, and an 18.8% first-read share. He had one red zone target and two deep targets. Overall, Waller has a 17% target per route run rate with 1.86 yards per route run and a 12.9% first-read share. In his five games played, he has five red zone targets and three deep targets. Waller is a streaming option this week, but don't expect a massive stat line from him. The Jets have allowed the tenth-fewest receiving yards per game and the seventh-fewest yards per reception to tight ends.
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16.
Colston Loveland
CHI (at GB)
Since Week 10, Loveland has had one TE1 weekly finish (TE3). During his last four games, Loveland has had a 54.8% route share with a 13.7% target share, 43 receiving yards per game, 2.02 yards per route run, and a 14.9% first-read share. In those four games, he has had two red zone targets and zero deep targets. Green Bay has held tight ends to the seventh-fewest receiving yards per game and the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game. Loveland is a streaming option best left on the bench this week.
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17.
Dallas Goedert
PHI (at LAC)
Dallas Goedert is the TE10 in fantasy points per game, but he hasn't finished as a TE1 in weekly scoring since Week 8. Goedert has a 17.2% target share with 36.6 receiving yards per game, 1.33 yards per route run, and an 18.8% first-read share. He is tied for second on the team with seven red zone targets while kicking in six deep targets. Since Week 6, the Bolts have had a second-highest two high rate (62.7%). Against two high, Goedert has seen his numbers climb with an 18.6% target share, 1.62 yards per route run, and a 21.1% first-read share. The Chargers have held tight ends to the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game, but that is more related to them facing the fourth-fewest targets per game to the position. Los Angeles has also given up the 12th-highest yards per reception and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns per game to tight ends. This is a plus matchup for Goedert.
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18.
Isaiah Likely
BAL (vs . PIT)
On paper, the matchup for Isaiah Likely puts him on the streaming radar, but I wouldn't plug him into a lineup this week. Yes, the Steelers have allowed the seventh-most receiving yards per game and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, but the coverage matchup doesn't favor Likely. This week, he faces a Pittsburgh pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate (59.8%). Against single high, Likely has only a 9.6% target share with 1.58 yards per route run and a 9% first-read share. That's not usage that I want to depend on the week before many leagues begin the fantasy playoffs. Could it pay off? Sure, it's possible, but there's an equal chance that he burns you and you're left wishing that you didn't stream him for Week 14.
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19.
AJ Barner
SEA (at ATL)
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20.
Cade Otton
TB (vs . NO)
Cade Otton is the TE26 in fantasy points per game and on the fringe of streaming status this week. Otton has a 15.2% target share with 34.3 receiving yards per game, 1.17 yards per route run, and a 14.4% first-read share. He has only three red zone targets and a deep target this season. New Orleans is 15th in yards per reception allowed to tight ends and has given up the 14th-most fantasy points per game to the position. With the Bucs' other receiving weapons getting healthier by the week, Otton is fading into the background. I would look to other streaming options this week, but if you're forced to plug him in a deep league for Week 14, I get it.
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21.
Colby Parkinson
LAR (at ARI)
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22.
Evan Engram
DEN (at LV)
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23.
T.J. Hockenson
MIN (vs . WAS)
In JJ McCarthy's six starts, TJ Hockensen hasn't finished higher than TE19 in weekly scoring. In those six games, he has had a 13.8% target share with 17.3 receiving yards per game, 0.75 yards per route run, and a 13% first-read share with one red zone target. Hockenson is a low-end streaming option this week. Washington has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards per game and the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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24.
Mason Taylor
NYJ (vs . MIA)
Mason Taylor has seen his role in the passing game dwindle in recent weeks. He hasn't managed double-digit fantasy points since Week 8. That was also the last game that he had a red zone target. Mason Taylor is the TE31 in fantasy points per game with three TE1 outings this season. Since Week 11, he has had a 14.8% target share with 24 receiving yards per game, 1.06 yards per route run, and a 14.5% first-read share. Taylor is on the streaming radar this week, though. The matchup is wonderful. The Dolphins have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards per game, the eighth-highest yards per reception, and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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25.
Mike Gesicki
CIN (at BUF)
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26.
Darnell Washington
PIT (at BAL)
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27.
Gunnar Helm
TEN (at CLE)
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28.
Chig Okonkwo
TEN (at CLE)
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29.
Dawson Knox
BUF (vs . CIN)
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30.
Pat Freiermuth
PIT (at BAL)
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31.
Taysom Hill
NO (at TB)
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32.
Jonnu Smith
PIT (at BAL)
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33.
David Njoku
CLE (vs . TEN)
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34.
Cole Kmet
CHI (at GB)
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35.
Elijah Higgins
ARI (vs . LAR)
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36.
Ross Dwelley
DET (vs . DAL)
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37.
Luke Musgrave
GB (vs . CHI)
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38.
Noah Fant
CIN (at BUF)
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39.
Terrance Ferguson
LAR (at ARI)
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40.
Davis Allen
LAR (at ARI)
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41.
Elijah Arroyo
SEA (at ATL)
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42.
Jackson Hawes
BUF (vs . CIN)
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43.
Greg Dulcich
MIA (at NYJ)
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44.
Noah Gray
KC (vs . HOU)
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45.
Adam Trautman
DEN (at LV)
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46.
Josh Whyle
GB (vs . CHI)
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47.
Ian Thomas
LV (vs . DEN)
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48.
Foster Moreau
NO (at TB)
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49.
Cade Stover
HOU (at KC)
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50.
Charlie Kolar
BAL (vs . PIT)
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51.
Jeremy Ruckert
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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52.
Anthony Firkser
DET (vs . DAL)
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53.
Tanner Hudson
CIN (at BUF)
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54.
Josh Oliver
MIN (vs . WAS)
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55.
John FitzPatrick
GB (vs . CHI)
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56.
John Bates
WAS (at MIN)
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57.
Drew Sample
CIN (at BUF)
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58.
Charlie Woerner
ATL (vs . SEA)
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59.
Julian Hill
MIA (at NYJ)
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60.
Luke Schoonmaker
DAL (at DET)
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61.
Mo Alie-Cox
IND (at JAC)
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62.
Drew Ogletree
IND (at JAC)
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63.
Grant Calcaterra
PHI (at LAC)
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64.
Hunter Long
JAC (vs . IND)
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65.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
DAL (at DET)
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66.
Quintin Morris
JAC (vs . IND)
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67.
Ben Sinnott
WAS (at MIN)
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68.
Payne Durham
TB (vs . NO)
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69.
Teagan Quitoriano
ATL (vs . SEA)
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70.
Tyler Conklin
LAC (vs . PHI)
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71.
Kylen Granson
PHI (at LAC)
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72.
Durham Smythe
CHI (at GB)
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73.
Pharaoh Brown
ARI (vs . LAR)
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74.
Jack Stoll
NO (at TB)
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75.
Will Dissly
LAC (vs . PHI)
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76.
Josiah Deguara
ARI (vs . LAR)
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77.
Connor Heyward
PIT (at BAL)
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78.
Devin Culp
TB (vs . NO)
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79.
Robert Tonyan
KC (vs . HOU)
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80.
David Martin-Robinson
TEN (at CLE)
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81.
Nick Kallerup
SEA (at ATL)
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82.
Jared Wiley
KC (vs . HOU)
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83.
Blake Whiteheart
CLE (vs . TEN)
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84.
Robbie Ouzts
SEA (at ATL)
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85.
Jordan Franks
FA (BYE)
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86.
Carter Runyon
LV (vs . DEN)
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87.
Andrew Beck
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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88.
Stone Smartt
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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89.
Ben Sims
MIN (vs . WAS)
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90.
Marcedes Lewis
DEN (at LV)
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91.
Nick Vannett
LAR (at ARI)
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92.
Tucker Fisk
LAC (vs . PHI)
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93.
Cameron Latu
PHI (at LAC)
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94.
Keleki Latu
BUF (vs . CIN)
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95.
Colson Yankoff
WAS (at MIN)
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96.
Brady Russell
SEA (at ATL)
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