As the fantasy football playoffs open, you still might be scrambling for starting options due to injuries or existing roster holes. With this weekly rundown of players who are potentially available in free agency (after the initial waiver run and Thursday night’s game), you can identify guys to add and stream. And if you roster any of these players already, you can consider starting them in a pinch.
The analysis is based on PPR scoring. Players are listed in order of preference for pickup and lineup usage. Rostered percentages are from CBSSports.com.
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Keon Coleman, WR, BUF (64 percent rostered): The Bills rookie was cut in some leagues after going down with a wrist injury. Check your league’s free-agent list to see if he is available because you want any fantasy involvement possible in a Buffalo Bills-Detroit Lions game with an over/under of 54.5 points. Coleman was starting to show signs of breaking out in Weeks 7 and 8 (195 yards and a touchdown in two games) before he went down. Detroit ranks 28th in fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to wide receivers.
Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC (32 percent): Palmer caught six passes on nine targets for 78 yards last week. If Ladd McConkey (knee) is out again or limited this week, Palmer will be a quality play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 30th-ranked pass defense.
Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, ATL (11 percent): In case you haven’t noticed, McCloud has registered double-digit PPR points in each of the last three weeks. He finished with 95-plus yards in each of the previous two games and caught a career-high eight passes on 11 targets in Week 14. The Las Vegas Raiders rank 28th in FPPG allowed to WRs over the last four weeks.
Sean Tucker, RB, TB (18 percent): If Bucky Irving (back/hip) is out or limited this week, there is a good chance you may see more of Tucker against the Los Angeles Chargers. He ripped off a 34-yard run last week, and we cannot forget the 192-yard, two-TD performance from scrimmage in Week 6. The Chargers rank 21st in FPPG allowed to RBs over the past four weeks.
Jalen McMillan, WR, TB (26 percent): When pressed into more action for the Bucs last week, McMillan finally made an impact. He has played over 76 percent of the snaps in three of the last four games, per Footballguys, and he caught four of seven targets for 59 yards and two TDs in Week 14. You can’t necessarily chase the last game, and the matchup isn’t great against the Chargers, but McMillan should continue to see more playing time and a decent amount of targets.
Gus Edwards, RB, LAC (64 percent): Edwards rushed for a TD last week but finished with just 36 yards on 10 carries. Rookie Kimani Vidal may overtake him for yardage production at any point, yet Edwards should still function as a goal-line finisher for the Chargers. Los Angeles should move the ball effectively against Tampa Bay, setting up Edwards for one and possibly two TD runs. The Chargers have a top-10 offensive line run-blocking matchup grade on Pro Football Focus for Week 15.
Isaiah Davis, RB, NYJ (30 percent): If Breece Hall is out again for Week 15, Braelon Allen may lead the New York Jets in carries, but there should be room for both him and Davis to produce somewhat respectable fantasy totals. Davis posted two scrimmage TDs in his last two games and caught three passes in each outing. The Jacksonville Jaguars field one of the worst overall defenses in the NFL.
Michael Wilson, WR, ARI (27 percent): Wilson has been flashing as a downfield threat recently. He caught a 41-yard TD in Week 14, had a 22-yard reception in Week 13, and his 30-yard TD reception in Week 12 set up a score. The Arizona Cardinals need a win to stay in a tight NFC West race, and the New England Patriots rank 25th in FPPG allowed to WRs over the last four weeks.
Devaughn Vele, WR, DEN (13 percent): Vele delivered a one-reception dud before the Denver Broncos’ bye week, but he had three consecutive games with double-digit PPR points before that quiet outing. Vele was targeted nine times in Week 12 and should get back into the offensive flow against the Indianapolis Colts this week. The Colts rank 21st in receptions allowed to WRs this season.
Stone Smartt, TE, LAC (2 percent): Will Dissly is out, and Smartt caught three passes for 54 yards last week. He had a long reception of 24 yards and caught a 31-yarder in Week 7. Smartt appears set for a more significant role in the Chargers offense — which will have a nice passing matchup versus Tampa Bay.
Kendre Miller, RB, NO (19 percent): A desperation play at the running back position, Miller may have a good week. Alvin Kamara is dealing with an illness that has caused him to miss multiple practices this week, and with no Derek Carr at QB, the New Orleans Saints might be looking at extended garbage time against the Washington Commanders. Miller could see a decent amount of playing time in such a game script. He did get 10 carries and rushed for his first NFL TD last week.
(Photo of Keon Coleman: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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