Running Backs
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Jacquizz Rodgers, TB- Doug Martin suffered a concussion during the Buccaneers Week 12 game and he has yet exit the leagues concussion protocol which makes it unlikely he suits up in Week 13. Jacquizz Rodgers is going to start in his place and handle the majority of the carries which gives him a boost in value this upcoming week. If you find that Rodgers is not availble in your league then Peyton Barber makes for an interesting grab as got some run as the Buccaneers goal line back and scored two touchdowns in Week 12.
Rod Smith, DAL- Smith tied Alfred Morris with nine carries in the Cowboys Week 12 loss to the Chargers and added two catches to the stat line as well. Smith figured to be the change of pace back in Dallas after the Ezekiel Elliott suspension but word quickly spread that he could overtake Alfred Morris for lead role as well. Morris didn't play poorly against the Chargers but if there is going to be an even time share in Dallas then Smith is the man to own given his ability to catch passes as well.
D.J. Foster, ARI- Foster is worth a look in very deep PPR leagues as he has caught five passses for 44 yards over the last two games following the release of Andre Ellington. Foster played receiver at times during his days at Arizona State and was plucked off the Patriots practice squad following the injury to David Johnson earlier this year so the Cardinals are certainly intrugied by his ability.
Wide Receivers
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Josh Gordon, CLE- We finally get the return of Josh Gordon in Week 13 and Browns head coach Hue Jackson said the team plans to play Gordon as much as possible so those who own him should defintely have him in their lineups given just how big of a playmaker this guy can be when his head is on straight. Gordon has something to prove and all eyes will be on him this week.
Cordarrelle Patterson, OAK- The Radiers figure to be without their top two wide receivers in Week 13 with Amari Cooper injured and Michael Crabtree suspended for two games which leads to Seth Roberts and Patterson as the No.1 and No.2 receivers in the Oakland offense. I like Patterson's big play ability and that was on display in Week 12 when he caught three passes for 72 yards with a long of 54 yards.
Keelan Cole, JAC- I never love playing a Jaguars receiver but Cole has been a target monster of late, totaling 21 targets over the last three games. He has only been able to turn eight of those 21 targets into catches because Blake Bortles is a terrible quarterback but with Leonard Fournette seemingly limited for the time being Cole should continue to bring value in PPR leagues purely because of his target numbers.
Tight Ends
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O.J. Howard, TB- Howard has posted nearly identical stat lines over the last two weeks, catching three passes on four targets for 52 yards. In Week 11 he was able to convert one of those catches for a touchdown but nevertheless he is starting to be more involed in the team's passing attack and as well he should given his size and athleticism. Jameis Winston is expected to start in Week 13 so maybe his recent usage will be impacted as he looks to carry over the chemistry he had building with Ryan Fitzpatrick to that with Winston under center.
Player News
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the Cowboys were among the teams interested in acquiring Steelers WR George Pickens.
“But with the draft in the rearview,” Russini said, “expect the trade buzz to cool surrounding Pickens.” The disgruntled wideout will likely stay on the Steelers roster alongside new WR1 DK Metcalf. The Cowboys’ interest in Pickens could indicate that they’d like to bolster the team’s wideout room behind CeeDee Lamb in the coming weeks or months. Pickens, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, has led the Steelers in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and TD receptions since entering the NFL in 2022.
49ers signed TE George Kittle to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension.
The deal includes $40 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. After denying a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that he was aiming to become the game’s highest paid tight end, Kittle signs a monster extension that eclipses Trey McBride’s recent deal. Kittle last year ranked third in tight end receiving yards and led the position in yards per route run. He has been one of the NFL’s most efficient pass catchers for years and will enter his age-32 season as an important part of a San Francisco passing attack that is now without Deebo Samuel.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager reports Aaron Rodgers “has no timetable” to sign for the 2025 season.
Schrager said Rodgers has told teams — including the Giants and Steelers — that they should feel free to move on in their quarterback search if Rodgers’ timetable doesn’t fit theirs. Rodgers, 41, told ESPN’s Pat McAfee this month that he was dealing with personal issues and indicated he was in no hurry to sign with the team for 2025. The Steelers could enter the summer with Mason Rudolph and rookie QB Will Howard atop their quarterback depth chart.
Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on OT Charles Cross.
Cross now remains tied to the organization through the 2026 season. PFF gave the towering 24-year-old tackle exemplary marks in 2024, ranking him 10th of 140 qualified tackles, including 15th in pass protection and 16th in run blocking. The Seahawks extend the negotiating window on one of the key pieces of their offensive front.
Browns signed WR Diontae Johnson to a one-year contract.
The former Steeler wasn’t able to carve out a significant role with the Panthers, Ravens, or Texans in 2024 after seemingly breaking out in Pittsburgh. The Browns apparently saw enough during his visit with the team Monday to sign him to a one-year contract, the details of which have yet to be released. Expect Johnson to start opposite Cedric Tillman on the perimeter while Jerry Jeudy works the slot.
ESPN’s Field Yates reports Browns placed the unrestricted free agent tender on WR Elijah Moore.
Moore visited the Bills on Monday and then saw the Browns place the unrestricted free agent tender on him. Per Field Yates, this means that Moore will count against the compensatory free agent formula should he sign with another team. He’ll play on the tender if he returns to the Browns, which carries a value of $3.428 million for wide receivers in 2025.