Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett, IND – There’s not a lot to love among the free agent QBs this week – at least the ones available in over 50 percent of leagues – but I’ve got my eye on the Colts’ Week 16 matchup with the Panthers. We’ll update after the MNF game, but for now, he’s looking like a possible QB2.

UPDATE: Brissett completed just 18-of-34 passes for 165-0-0 in the blowout loss to the Saints Monday night, and the Colts offense looked anemic. I’m having reservations about starting him even in two-QB leagues in Week 16.

Gardner Minshew, JAC – Okay, he has my attention again. Minshew threw for 201-2-0 on Sunday in the win over Oakland, and he’s firmly regained the starting job. His receivers are healthy, and he could pass muster as a QB2 in Atlanta in Week 16.

David Blough, DET – He had it rough on Sunday but gets a big part of the offense back this week in Kerryon Johnson (more on him later) and seems to have found a nice security blanket in Danny Amendola (we’ll get to him too). I think he’ll improve dramatically from the numbers against TB in a Week 16 trip to Denver.

Other QBs to consider: Mitchell Trubisky, Dwayne Haskins, Sam Darnold

Updates:

Jimmy Garoppolo, SF – Garoppolo had a bad day, completing 22-of-34 passes for 200-1-0 in the 49ers’ Week 15 loss to the Falcons – a loss that dropped them down to the fifth seed in the NFC. He’s a risky play against the Rams in Week 16.

Ryan Tannehill, TEN – Tannehill has thrived since taking over as the Titans starter in Week 7. On Sunday he completed 21-of-27 passes for 391-3-1 in the win over the Raiders, and he’s on the low-end QB1 radar facing the Saints in Week 16.

Jared Goff, LAR – Goff completed 33-of-51 passes for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in Los Angeles' Week 15 loss to the Cowboys.

Running Backs

Kerryon Johnson, DET – Johnson returns from IR and could have an immediate impact in fantasy. He’s practiced over the past two weeks, avoiding any setbacks in his recovery and could be activated right away. He’s obviously not a lock to play this week or next, but he’s worth a look if you’re trying to hit a home run, because he could have a leading role for the Lions with “Boring” Bo Scarbrough dealing with a rib injury.

Carlos Hyde, HOU – Hyde totaled 104 rushing yards and a TD on 26 carries this week, and while the formula may be a little different in the Week 16 game plan against a much tougher Bucs run defense, that type of volume shows the Texans are committed to running the ball more.

UPDATE: Hyde (ankle) was just a limited participant in practice Tuesday, but it’s likely maintenance. Stay tuned.

Boston Scott, PHI – He’s probably only a viable option in PPR leagues, but he’s the type of scatback who could be used a lot against the Cowboys in Week 16. He had 7-39-0 receiving to go along with six carries for 26 yards facing Washington on Sunday.

Tarik Cohen, CHI – Cohen rushed eight times for 28 yards and caught 7-of-10 targets for 57 yards in the Bears’ Week 15 loss to the Packers – a performance that was solid for a PPR flex. He offers a similar floor and plenty of upside next week against the Chiefs.

Other RBs to consider: Patrick Laird, Chris Thompson, Rex Burkhead, Mike Boone

Updates:

DeAndre Washington, OAK – Josh Jacobs was active for the Raiders, so Washington played just 11 offensive snaps in the Week 15 loss to Jacksonville, totaling 16 yards on six carries while also chipping in with 2-6-0 receiving on three targets.

Dion Lewis, TEN – Like Washington, Lewis took a back seat as the starter (in this case, Derrick Henry) ended up playing. The Albany, NY native totaled just 10 yards on three carries but did haul in a TD grab on an 11-yard reception – so he wasn’t a complete bust.

Adrian Peterson, WAS – Peterson rushed 16 times for 66 yards and a big TD in Week 15 against the Eagles, adding three catches for 25 receiving yards. He’s on the RB2 radar for Week 16 facing the Giants.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

Terry McLaurin, WAS – McLaurin (about 65-70 percent owned in ESPN leagues) caught all five of his targets for 130 yards and a score in Week 15 against the Eagles. McLaurin’s 75-yard touchdown was the longest play of the season for the Redskins, and he offers similar big-play upside and decent volume in the Week 16 matchup with the Giants.

Breshad Perriman, TB – Still under 10 percent ownership in ESPN leagues, Perriman went nuts in Week 15, hauling in five of six targets for 113 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Lions. He'll be on the WR1 radar pending injury news when he faces the Texans in Week 16.

TE Tyler Higbee, LAR – UPDATE: I have been operating under the assumption that Higbee had been added in most formats since his big Week 13, but he remains under 40 percent owned in ESPN leagues after three straight 100-yard performances, his last being a 12-111-0 effort on Sunday against Dallas. He’s a solid TE1 moving forward now that the Rams are only using Cooper Kupp on about one quarter of their snaps.

TE Jonnu Smith, TEN – Smith caught all five targets for 60 yards in the Titans’ Week 15 loss to the Texans, adding a 57-yard rush – and he looked impressive doing so. Smith’s speed is something the Titans would be smart to use as they match up with the Saints in Week 16.

Danny Amendola, DET – Amendola led the team with 13 targets, his third straight with at least eight, hauling in 8-102-0 in the loss to Tampa Bay. He’s on the WR3/4/flex radar for Week 16.

UPDATE: The Broncos are a tough matchup but it’s looking like top corner Chris Harris will be shadowing Kenny Golladay, making Amendola’s exploits in the slot a favorable spot for the veteran receiver.

Albert Wilson, MIA – Wilson (5-10 percent owned) got back in the swing of things Sunday and caught 5-of-8 targets for 59 yards in the Dolphins’ Week 15 loss to the Giants. He’s worth a look with the Dolphins hosting the Bengals in a favorable week 16 matchup.

Steven Sims, WAS – Sims is the other Washington receiver who’s spiking some interest heading into a favorable Week 16 matchup. He caught 5-45-1 in Week 15 against the Eagles on a team-high 11 targets, and he looks like the team’s WR2 going forward.

Other WRs/TEs to consider: Sterling Shepard, TE Kaden Smith, Hunter Renfrow, TE Jesper Horsted, Damiere Byrd

Updates:

Diontae Johnson, PIT – Johnson will be on the FLEX radar for a Week 16 matchup with the Jets, and he had a decent game on Sunday night vs. the Bills – hauling in 5-of-7 targets for 62 yards in Week 15.

UPDATE: JuJu is questionable for Week 16, so Johnson could be looking at a boatload of targets.

Justin Watson, TB – Watson went for just 2-17-0 on Sunday, but could be on the WR4/flex radar for Week 16 against the Texans in a possible shootout.

UPDATE: Bucs WR Scotty Miller just hit the IR as well, so Watson and the backs could get a few extra targets.

A.J. Brown, TEN – Brown exploded for a 8-114-1 game (13 targets in the Titans' Week 15 loss to the Texans. He’s a lock-n-load WR2 even in a tough matchup vs. the Saints for his monster upside.

Anthony Miller, CHI – Miller caught 9-118-1 on a season-high 15 targets in the Bears' 21-13, Week 15 loss to the Packers. The Bears are passing a lot and Miller is a WR2/3 with plenty of upside right now.

Robby Anderson, NYJ – The Jets had a rough matchup but Anderson ended up having a decent day, getting into double digits in full PPR. He caught 4-of-6 targets for 66 yards in the TNF loss to the Ravens and faces another tough matchup in Week 16 against the Steelers.

Allen Hurns, MIA – Hurns got hurt during the week (knee, ankle) and caught his lone target for 9 yards on Sunday – mainly because Wilson and DeVante Parker were both active. I’m moving on.

TE Ian Thomas, CAR – Thomas caught two of four targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Seahawks. Greg Olsen has cleared the concussion protocol, which makes Thomas expendable in fantasy moving forward.

TE Noah Fant, DEN – Fant caught two of three targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 23-3 loss in Kansas City, but he injured his right shoulder during the game. Keep an eye on the injury report this week.