If you are still alive in your fantasy playoffs, there has been plenty of news this week that could affect your matchup. Hopefully your team is completely healthy, but if not, there are some last-minute adds that could save you from disaster. The players below are listed roughly in the order I would seek to add them. Each player is listed along with his ownership percentage in Yahoo! leagues.
Cameron Brate, TE, TB (62%) – With O.J. Howard on IR, Brate is a no-brainer, and he could easily be a better option that whichever tight end got you to the championship game.
Antonio Gates, TE, LAC (19%) – Remember him? I’m not 100 percent sure he has anything left in the tank, but we will find out now that Hunter Henry has been placed on IR. If Brate is owned, Gates is a fine play if you need to replace Henry or if you have been streaming tight ends this season.
Kapri Bibbs, RB, WAS (1%) – I mentioned Bibbs as a poor man’s Chris Thompson on Tuesday, but he has a chance to be much more than that after Samaje Perine was injured in practice Thursday. Denver’s defense hasn’t been elite for some time now, and if Bibbs has the running back job to himself, that is quite intriguing.
Elijhaa Penny, RB, ARI (6%) – Kerwynn Williams has not practiced yet this week, and Penny could get the bulk of the running back touches if Williams is out. The Giants have allowed the 9th most fantasy points to running backs this season, and Penny certainly has the size to be effective near the goal line.
Allen Hurns, WR, JAX (19%) – Hurns has been a limited participant in practice the last two days, and with Marqise Lee ruled out, Hurns has a chance to be the No. 1 receiver for Jacksonville against a 49ers defense that is not scary. That being said, he is far from a sure thing even if he plays, as Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook and even Jaydon Mickens will be involved as well.
Kenny Golladay, WR, DET (9%) – With T.J. Jones on IR, Golladay could see an increase in snaps and targets against a Cincinnati defense that has not looked good the last few weeks. Golladay is averaging 16.8 yards per reception this season, and even a modest increase in targets could prove to be a big deal.
Geronimo Allison, WR, GB (1%) – Allison had eight targets Sunday compared to just six for Jordy Nelson. If you have to replace Davante Adams and Randall Cobb is unavailable, Allison is worth a shot.
Chris Moore, WR, BAL (0%) – Jeremy Maclin is doubtful, which could open the door for Moore to see more targets in a favorable matchup. You could do worse in a deep league.
Sam Ficken, K, LAR (2%) – If you have been relying on Greg Zuerlein to this point, his best fantasy replacement is likely on his own team. Zuerlein has scored the most fantasy points of any kicker this season, and it hasn’t even been particularly close. Even if Ficken isn’t as accurate, he should get plenty of opportunities.
Player News
CBS’ Matt Zenitz reports the Patriots are “targeting” Lions DL coach Terrell Williams for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky writes that Christian Watson (knee) is “not likely” to be fully recovered from his torn ACL before the 2025 season starts.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Buccaneers DL coach/run game coordinator Kacy Rodgers is interviewing with the Packers on Tuesday for their defensive line coaching vacancy.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports Anthony Richardson will work with biometric coach Chris Hess this offseason.
The Athletic’s Dan Pompei believes Bears head coach Ben Johnson will “empower” Caleb Williams in 2025.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp said he intends to play next season but is unsure of his future in Los Angeles.