Fantasy Football Player Notes
Week 13 Rankings
1.
Taysom Hill
NO (vs . LAR)
Since Week 8, Hill has been the TE2 in fantasy points per game behind only George Kittle. Yes, his Week 11 performance is skewing that figure some, but Hill also posted 16 PPR points in Week 9, so let's not act like that one game is hopelessly leading people astray. Since Week 10, Hill has had a 57.9% route share while leading the team with a 22.2% target share with 2.61 YPRR and a team-leading 23.7% first-read share. Hill has been not only a rushing threat with five carries and 47.8 rushing yards per game since Week 8, but he has also been operating as New Orleans' WR1 without Chris Olave. Since Week 8, the Rams have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game. Los Angeles has also allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Regardless of how you approach Hill's role, he has a wonderful matchup this week.
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2.
Travis Kelce
KC (vs . LV)
Travis Kelce had six catches for 62 yards last week in Kansas City's win in Carolina. Kelce has reached each of those thresholds in six of his last eight games. He gets a fantastic Week 13 matchup when the Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders. Las Vegas has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Kelce scored 20 fantasy points in the Week 8 meeting in Vegas and is poised to have another big day this time around.
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3.
Brock Bowers
LV (at KC)
Raiders' rookie tight end Brock Bowers had a rare dud last week in the team's 10-point loss to the Denver Broncos. Bowers only caught four of 10 targets for 38 scoreless yards. Bowers had entered last week's contest averaging 7.93 yards per target, so expect him to get back on track this week. The matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs is not ideal, but the volume should be enough to boost Brock Bowers back into top-five territory this week.
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4.
Trey McBride
ARI (at MIN)
Trey McBride set career-highs in receptions (12), targets (15), and receiving yards (133) in last week's loss in Seattle. Fantasy managers have to love that type of volume, especially at the tight end position. However, it sure would be nice if McBride could catch a touchdown pass every once in a while. The third-year tight end still has not caught one this season. Could this be the week that changes? The odds say no. McBride faces the Minnesota Vikings this week. Minnesota has only given up two receiving touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year. McBride should continue to earn enough volume for him to remain a top-five option this week, but his touchdown upside is lower than most of his peers atop the tight end rankings.
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5.
George Kittle
SF (at BUF)
No Brock Purdy, no problem for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle last week. Kittle caught all six targets from Brandon Allen for 82 yards and San Francisco's lone touchdown in their blowout loss last week in Green Bay. Of course, Kittle would be best served going forward (as would San Francisco's other skill players) if Purdy could return from his shoulder injury. Purdy's status is in question for Sunday night's Week 13 matchup in Buffalo. Fantasy managers should continue to start Kittle in all formats this week, but his upside would take a hit if Allen were forced into action again.
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6.
T.J. Hockenson
MIN (vs . ARI)
Hockenson is the TE9 in fantasy points per game this season and has seen two red zone targets in his four games played. He has a 17.1% target share, 2.33 YPRR, and a 16.9% first-read share. He played a season-high 68% of the snaps last week and had a 76.3% route share. Hockenson will remain a TE1 but don't expect a smash game from him in Week 13. Arizona has held tight ends to the 11th-fewest receiving yards per game, the eighth-lowest yards per reception, and the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game.
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7.
Jonnu Smith
MIA (at GB)
Since Week 8, Smith has been the TE7 in fantasy points per game, with two games with at least 23.7 PPR points. Across his last five games, he has led the team with a 20% target share, 2.45 YPRR, and a 23.1% first-read share. He has four red zone targets in his last four games. Since Week 6, Green Bay has utilized two high at the tenth-highest rate (52.8%). Across his last five games, against two high, Smith has seen his target share rise to 22.9% with 2.46 YPRR and a 27.5% first-read share. Smith should smash again. Green Bay has allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game and the 11th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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8.
Cade Otton
TB (at CAR)
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9.
David Njoku
CLE (at DEN)
With Winston under center, Njoku has been the TE8 in fantasy points per game. He has had a 16.8% target share, 1.25 YPRR, and a 15.1% first-read share. He has only two red zone targets across his last four games. I'd be looking for a streaming option this week instead of playing Njoku. Denver has allowed the tenth-fewest receiving yards per game and the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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10.
Evan Engram
JAC (vs . HOU)
In Weeks 1-9 with Lawrence under center, Engram was the TE8 in fantasy points per game and saw three red zone targets in his five games played. He had a 24.3% target share, 1.89 YPRR, and a 25.9% first-read share. In the Jags Week 4 meeting with Houston, the Texans utilized single high on 68.6% of their defensive snaps. In Weeks 1-9, against single high, Engram had a 26% target share, 2.39 YPRR, and a 27.4% first-read share. Engram should have a nice day if Lawrence is back. Houston has allowed the tenth-highest yards per reception and the ninth-most receiving touchdowns per game to tight ends.
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11.
Dallas Goedert
PHI (at BAL)
Goedert is the TE8 in fantasy points per game, with two red zone targets in his last three games. Last week, he didn't take advantage of a glorious matchup as Philly just fed Saquon Barkley all day in lieu of throwing the ball. Hopefully, Baltimore's awesome run defense and the Ravens' explosive offense will force Philly's hand and make them take to the air this week. Goedert has an 18.3% target share, 2.21 YPRR, and a 22.5% first-read share. He faces a Baltimore pass defense that has given up the third-most receiving yards per game and the 12th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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12.
Sam LaPorta
DET (vs . CHI)
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13.
Hunter Henry
NE (vs . IND)
In his six full games with Maye, Henry has finished as a TE1 four times and seen eight red zone targets. He has a 17.8% target share, 1.63 YPRR, and a 22% first-read share while averaging 51.7 receiving yards per game. Henry should flirt with TE1 production again this week against a pass defense that has allowed the 14th-most receiving yards per game and the ninth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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14.
Will Dissly
LAC (at ATL)
Dissly is the TE19 in fantasy points per game with two TE1 weeks across his last six games. Since Week 6, Atlanta has had the fifth-highest rate of two high (55.6%). Against two high, he leads the team with a 29% TPRR and 2.29 YPRR while also ranking second in first-read share (20.7%). Atlanta has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points per game and ranked 17th in yards per reception allowed to tight ends.Â
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15.
Kyle Pitts
ATL (vs . LAC)
Pitts will likely struggle this week. The Bolts have been electric at defending tight ends and Pitts has disappeared against two high coverage. Los Angeles has allowed the sixth-lowest yards per reception and the eighth-lowest fantasy points per game to tight ends. The Chargers have the second-highest rate of two high in the NFL (60.8%). Against two high, Pitts has had a 13.8% target share, 1.07 YPRR, and an 11.5% first-read share. Sit Pitts this week and stream a tight end.
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16.
Mark Andrews
BAL (vs . PHI)
Since Week 5, Andrews has been the TE8 in fantasy points per game, soaking up a 58.6% route share with a 14.9% target share, 2.23 YPRR, and a 16.2% first-read share. Andrews overcame a tough matchup last week against a Bolts secondary that hadn't allowed a receiving touchdown to tight ends all year, so I won't discount that he could do it again this week. Philly has allowed the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game and only one receiving touchdown to tight ends this season.
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17.
Tucker Kraft
GB (vs . MIA)
Since Jordan Love's return in Week 4, Kraft has been the TE9 in fantasy with a 12% target share, 1.52 YPRR, a 12.7% first-read share, and six red zone targets. Since Week 7, Miami has utilized two high with 51% of their defensive snaps. Since Week 4, against two high, Kraft has seen his target share rise to 15.2% with 1.86 YPRR and a 14.8% first-read share. Kraft is a fringe TE1 this week against a pass defense that has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game while also ranking 17th in fantasy points per game given up to tight ends.
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18.
Zach Ertz
WAS (vs . TEN)
Ertz is the TE10 in fantasy points per game, ranking fifth in red zone targets among tight ends. He has been heavily involved inside the red zone, with five red zone targets across his last three games. Since Week 10, Tennessee has utilized two high coverage at the fourth-highest rate (64%). Against two high, Ertz has led the team with a 21.7% target share and ranked second with 2.05 YPRR and a 24.5% first-read share. Ertz has run 57.2% of his routes from the slot this season. Since Week 7, Tennessee has held slot receivers to the 11th-lowest PPR points per target. It's a tough matchup for the veteran, but he might get enough volume that it doesn't matter.
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19.
Cole Kmet
CHI (at DET)
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20.
Dalton Schultz
HOU (at JAC)
Schultz is the TE25 in fantasy points per game with only one TE1 game this season. He has a 13.6% target share, 1.11 YPRR, and a 13.4% first-read share. He has seen his red zone usage creep up in the last two games with two red zone targets. If you need a streamer this week, Schultz could fit the bill. Jacksonville has allowed the 11th-most receiving yards per game and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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21.
Pat Freiermuth
PIT (at CIN)
Freiermuth has had a rough season as the TE20 in fantasy points per game. He has surpassed 50 receiving yards only twice in his last seven games. His red zone usage has ticked up recently, with three red zone targets in his last three games. This week's matchup against Cincy does offer some hope for Freiermuth as he reenters the streaming list. Since Week 10, Cincy has moved more to two high coverage with the 12th-highest rate (55.1%). Against two high, Freiermuth is second on the team with a 12.3% target share while producing 1.47 YPRR and seeing a 14.7% first-read share (third on the team). Cincy has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards per game and the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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22.
Dawson Knox
BUF (vs . SF)
In Week 11, Kincaid missed the game, and Knox was the full-time starter for Buffalo. Knox had a 75.6% route share, a 15% target share, 1.18 YPRR, and a 17.6% first-read share. He finished with four receptions and 40 receiving yards as the TE17 for the week. He's headed for another TE2 finish this week. San Francisco has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game and the fewest yards per reception to tight ends.
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23.
Luke Schoonmaker
DAL (vs . NYG)
With Jake Ferguson out this week (concussion), Schoonmaker will be the primary receiving tight end for Dallas again this week. Schoonmaker has finished as the TE9 in fantasy in each of the last two weeks. Since Week 11, he has had a 50% route share, a 14.8% target share, 2.31 YPRR (55 receiving yards per game), and an 18.6% first-read share. He hasn't seen a red zone target in either game. This isn't a good matchup for Schoonmaker. New York has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game and the third-fewest receiving yards per game to tight ends.
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24.
Noah Gray
KC (vs . LV)
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25.
Mike Gesicki
CIN (vs . PIT)
With Tee Higgins healthy, Gesicki is droppable. In the six games Higgins has been active, Gesicki's production has evaporated with only a 5.2% target share, 0.55 YPRR, and 11.8 receiving yards per game. If Higgins misses any more time this season, head back to the waiver wire immediately to pick up Gesicki, but his fantasy value is gone with HIggins in the lineup.
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26.
Isaiah Likely
BAL (vs . PHI)
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27.
Juwan Johnson
NO (vs . LAR)
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28.
Tyler Conklin
NYJ (vs . SEA)
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29.
Theo Johnson
NYG (at DAL)
Last week, Johnson had an 18.8% target share (six targets), a 21.7% first-read share, and a 60% route share. He finished with three receptions and 39 receiving yards in a fantastic matchup for tight ends. You know where I'm going with this. Dallas is a nice matchup for Johnson this week, but this offense hinders every skill player. Johnson is a low-end streaming option only. He has only one red zone target this season (Week 3). Dallas has allowed the fourth-highest yards per reception and the fourth-most receiving touchdowns per game to tight ends.
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30.
Chig Okonkwo
TEN (at WAS)
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31.
Noah Fant
SEA (at NYJ)
Fant will be back this week (groin). He has practiced in full all week and doesn't have an injury designation this week. Fant has a 10% target share, 1.32 YPRR, and a 12% first-read share. He's the TE24 in fantasy points per game and has seen only one red zone target this season. Fant is a TE2 better left on the waiver wire this week. The Jets have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends this season.
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32.
Austin Hooper
NE (vs . IND)
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33.
Darnell Washington
PIT (at CIN)
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34.
Tommy Tremble
CAR (vs . TB)
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35.
Foster Moreau
NO (vs . LAR)
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36.
AJ Barner
SEA (at NYJ)
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37.
Cade Stover
HOU (at JAC)
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38.
Davis Allen
LAR (at NO)
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39.
Jordan Akins
CLE (at DEN)
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40.
Kylen Granson
IND (at NE)
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41.
Brenton Strange
JAC (vs . HOU)
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42.
Michael Mayer
LV (at KC)
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43.
Adam Trautman
DEN (vs . CLE)
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44.
Colby Parkinson
LAR (at NO)
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45.
Tanner Hudson
CIN (vs . PIT)
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46.
Elijah Higgins
ARI (at MIN)
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47.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
DAL (vs . NYG)
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48.
Josh Whyle
TEN (at WAS)
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49.
Lucas Krull
DEN (vs . CLE)
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50.
Jeremy Ruckert
NYJ (vs . SEA)
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51.
Johnny Mundt
MIN (vs . ARI)
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52.
Brock Wright
DET (vs . CHI)
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53.
Drew Sample
CIN (vs . PIT)
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54.
Grant Calcaterra
PHI (at BAL)
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55.
Mo Alie-Cox
IND (at NE)
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56.
Drew Ogletree
IND (at NE)
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57.
Tucker Fisk
LAC (at ATL)
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58.
Julian Hill
MIA (at GB)
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59.
Nick Vannett
TEN (at WAS)
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60.
Quintin Morris
BUF (vs . SF)
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61.
Luke Farrell
JAC (vs . HOU)
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62.
Nate Adkins
DEN (vs . CLE)
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63.
MyCole Pruitt
PIT (at CIN)
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64.
John Bates
WAS (vs . TEN)
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65.
Durham Smythe
MIA (at GB)
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66.
Pharaoh Brown
SEA (at NYJ)
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67.
Hunter Long
LAR (at NO)
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68.
Stone Smartt
LAC (at ATL)
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69.
Ben Sims
GB (vs . MIA)
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70.
Kenny Yeboah
NYJ (vs . SEA)
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71.
Payne Durham
TB (at CAR)
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72.
Ben Sinnott
WAS (vs . TEN)
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73.
Daniel Bellinger
NYG (at DAL)
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74.
Eric Saubert
SF (at BUF)
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75.
Ross Dwelley
ATL (vs . LAC)
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76.
Tip Reiman
ARI (at MIN)
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77.
John FitzPatrick
GB (vs . MIA)
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78.
Blake Whiteheart
CLE (at DEN)
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79.
Jordan Matthews
CAR (vs . TB)
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80.
Dallin Holker
NO (vs . LAR)
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81.
Zach Davidson
BUF (vs . SF)
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82.
Jordan Franks
FA (BYE)
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83.
Jaheim Bell
NE (vs . IND)
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84.
Charlie Woerner
ATL (vs . LAC)
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85.
Connor Heyward
PIT (at CIN)
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86.
Stephen Sullivan
CAR (vs . TB)
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87.
Shane Zylstra
DET (vs . CHI)
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88.
Ko Kieft
TB (at CAR)
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89.
Gerald Everett
CHI (at DET)
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90.
Chris Manhertz
NYG (at DAL)
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91.
Will Mallory
IND (at NE)
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92.
Nick Muse
MIN (vs . ARI)
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93.
Anthony Firkser
KC (vs . LV)
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94.
Cam Grandy
CIN (vs . PIT)
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95.
Marcedes Lewis
CHI (at DET)
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96.
Peyton Hendershot
KC (vs . LV)
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97.
Irv Smith Jr.
HOU (at JAC)
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98.
Princeton Fant
DAL (vs . NYG)
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99.
Zaire Mitchell-Paden
BAL (vs . PHI)
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100.
Jake Tonges
SF (at BUF)
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101.
Charlie Kolar
BAL (vs . PHI)
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102.
C.J. Uzomah
PHI (at BAL)
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103.
Robert Tonyan
FA (BYE)
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104.
Brady Russell
SEA (at NYJ)
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105.
Jack Westover
NE (vs . IND)
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106.
Josiah Deguara
JAC (vs . HOU)
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107.
Tanner Conner
MIA (at GB)
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108.
Tyler Mabry
SEA (at NYJ)
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109.
Andrew Beck
HOU (at JAC)
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110.
Tommy Sweeney
CHI (at DET)
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111.
Jared Wiley
KC (vs . LV)
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112.
Brenden Bates
NYJ (vs . SEA)
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113.
John Samuel Shenker
LV (at KC)
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114.
Parker Hesse
FA (BYE)
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115.
Brayden Willis
SF (at BUF)
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116.
Luke Musgrave
GB (vs . MIA)
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117.
James Mitchell
DET (vs . CHI)
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118.
Thomas Odukoya
TEN (at WAS)
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119.
Daniel Hardy
FA (BYE)
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120.
Mitchell Wilcox
NE (vs . IND)
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