NFL Target & Percentage Ownership Report: Week 14

Running Backs

(E=Elite, S=Safe, C=Contrarian, V=Value)

LeSean McCoy - Though McCoy temporarily left the game to undergo concussion protocol, he was able to return and finish with over 100 all-purpose yards for the sixth straight game. A lack of touchdowns on the season is really all that is separating McCoy from an all-pro year and the one he is having now, though Bills fans certainly aren't complaining. McCoy finally reaches over the $6,000 plateau for the first time since week three, but with the top options at running back this week being a bit shaky plays, McCoy tops the list for our safest play. And if you are into narratives, he gets to face his old team in the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday, a team ranked near the bottom in total rush defense.

DeAngelo Williams - There are some Steelers games that you watch where the whole team looks absolutely unstoppable. That was the game that happened Sunday night against the Colts. With the offense clicking Williams carried the ball 26 times for 134 yards, adding 31 yards on five receptions through the air. Williams is still only $6,000 which is an absolutely fair price for his tough weekend matchup against first place Cincinnati. The Steelers are going to need to be firing on all cylinders again if they want to steal a tough road win.

T.J. Yeldon - Since week four T.J. Yeldon has failed to post under double digit fantasy points, even with only scoring three total touchdowns on the season. Yeldon has had a seemingly quiet year, though he has produced in almost all facets of the game for a rookie and has been greatly overshadowed by the play of Todd Gurley. Yeldon is averaging around four yards per carry on the year and 3.5 receptions per game, including back to back games of four receptions and over 45 yards. The price bump to $4,900 is Yeldons first since week nine and has been priced at $4,800 for five straight weeks. With a home matchup against a struggling Colts defense on the horizon, Yeldon is a very strong play for his cheap price.

Shaun Draughn - Draughn finally saw his highest price hike of the season this year, moving his price from $4,000 to $4,800 and strangely, that is the exact reason you should play him. Since taking over starters duties in week nine, Draughn has averaged 14 carries per game for around 51 yards. Most of Draughn's fantasy success has come through the passing game, as he is averaging near six receptions per game over the past four weeks. The inept Niners offense gets the 31st ranked rush defense of the Browns this week in a battle of two of the NFL's worst teams. With Draughn's price raised to a mid-tier level expect his ownership to be extremely low, making him a good contrarian tournament play.

James White - It remains hard to predict the output of the pass catching running back in the Patriots offense but if you guessed James White last week you were paid off with a big ten reception, 115 yard performance. White isn't seeing carries, only averaging two over the past four weeks, but is playing more snaps than counterpart Brandon Bolden. The Patriots offense remains banged up and this last week's performance likely instilled a lot of faith from Tom Brady, so if you want to chase a big performance at a low ownership, White is a boom or bust risk that could pay off greatly in a full PPR format.

Wide Receivers

(E=Elite, S=Safe, C=Contrarian, V=Value)

Antonio Brown - Hopefully you were able to catch Sunday night's game between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, because if you did you got to see an offensive explosion by the Steelers and one of the most dynamic players in the NFL in action. Antonio Brown finished with eight receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns and just for good measure added a 71-yard punt return near the end of the game. With Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, Antonio Brown is a top three option in the passing game weekly and falls into a category of matchup proof. The Steelers are going to need Brown to help take down division leading Cincinnati on Sunday.

Allen Robinson - Gone are the days of the Jaguars being an offensive void and enter the days of a strong young core lead by second year wide receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson caught 10-of-15 targets for 152 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday against Tennessee, marking his season high in receptions and three short of his season high in yardage. Robinson has caught over five passes in eight straight weeks and has 11 total touchdowns on the season. Next up for the Jaguars is a weak Indianapolis team that just was torched by the likes of Ben Roethlisberger.

Mike Evans - Evans is another player where his numbers are hurt a bit by the lack of touchdowns, but his fantasy output is still in line with other top players at his position. Evans hauled in five of seven targets against the Falcons, including the game winner. With the return of Austin Seferian-Jenkins to the Buccaneers offense Evans may lose a few targets, but sub-sequentially add another weapon to the offense to take some pressure off of Evans. Jameis Winston has still looked Evans way more than any other receiver in the Tampa offense and faces a vulnerable New Orleans defense this week. The Bucs at 6-and-6 are in the thick of a playoff race and Evans makes a good tournament play with a pretty high floor.

Danny Amendola - After a one game absence Amendola returned to the field catching 7-of-13 targets for 62 yards and a touchdown. After some blown routes by Brandon LaFell, it was apparent that Amendola was the most trusted receiver in the New England offense. With a price of still $5,200 and double digit targets coming his way, Amendola offers you great value and a high floor in one of the leagues strongest offenses.

Doug Baldwin - I admittedly try to avoid the Seattle receiving core as much as possible as the output changes so heavily, but it would be irresponsible to ignore what Doug Baldwin has done over the past few weeks. Over the past two weeks alone Baldwin has a total of five touchdowns, averaging six receptions and 120 yards in those two games. Going back another two weeks sees Baldwin with six and seven reception performances, one going for over 130 yards. Since Jimmy Graham was placed on IR Baldwin has really stepped up his performance as Wilson's number one target in the passing game. It is possible this output continues this week against a cupcake Baltimore defense, but just note Baldwin's past history of let downs.

Tight End

(E=Elite, S=Safe, C=Contrarian, V=Value)

Greg Olsen - Before I dig too deep into this write up for tight ends I want to stress that this might be the worst slate of tight ends available this season. Between injuries and questionable labels and just bad matchups, there aren't a lot of high upside plays yet this early in the week. Note since this article is published on Tuesday, it leaves a lot of time for value and injury labels to work their way out. But regardless Greg Olsen is the safest and best option week to week at this point. Last week Olsen hauled in 9-of-12 targets for 129 yards marking his eighth straight game going over 50 yards receiving. Olsen remains Cam Newton's top target and the Panthers are now 12-and-0 on the season.

Gary Barnidge - Barnidge did roll his ankle late last week, so make sure to monitor his status, though at the time of typing this most reports say it was minor and that he will play this week against San Francisco. Over the past three weeks Barnidge has averaged six receptions a game for around 70 yards, putting to rest the theory that he could only succeed with Josh McCown at quarterback. Barnidge has had one of the more surprising seasons from a fantasy perspective, averaging 16.1 DraftKings points per game and a total of seven touchdowns so far this season. When it comes to matchups, Barnidge has one of the better ones on paper this week against the Niners.

Benjamin Watson - With Willie Snead missing last week's game, Watson saw a few more looks in the passing game, ending his day with eight targets, though only catching four of them he turned one into a touchdown. Watson is five weeks removed from his 147 yard performance and has seen a sharp decline in production since then, however if Snead misses more time then Watson should continue to get 6-to-8 targets a game. The Saints have abandoned the rush a bit lately, as Drew Brees has thrown the ball over 40 times in his last two games.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins - ASJ took the field for the first time since week two last week, posting a small line of three receptions for 31 yards. The biggest take-away here is his health, as he came out of the game with it intact. ASJ had a big week one debut this season with a 110 yard, two touchdown performance and was supposed to be a big part of the Tampa offense this season. With one healthy week behind him look for Seferian-Jenkins to be worked more into the offense as the Buccaneers chase the last wild card spot in the NFC. At a $2,700 price tag, ASJ offers one of the highest value ceilings on this slate.