Fantasy Football: Brissett as QB Replacement? – ESPN

The eleventh Sunday of the NFL schedule commenced with the concluding international contest of the year, as the Miami Dolphins bested the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, and concluded with the Philadelphia Eagles edging out the Detroit Lions amidst blustery conditions in South Philly.

Considerable action transpired between these events, encompassing Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen’s contribution of six touchdowns, Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett establishing a new NFL benchmark with 47 successful passes, and the inaugural appearance of the Cleveland Browns’ controversial rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. The latter did not unfold favorably.

Sanders was among a contingent of substitute quarterbacks summoned into action due to injuries sustained by the regular starters. Among those afflicted on Sunday was Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Aaron Rodgers (wrist). We await enhanced clarity regarding the quarterbacks’ availability for Week 12. Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs (knee) also exited his game prematurely, and Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (leg) is ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Every Monday, prior to the conclusion of the current NFL weekend, we will pinpoint players accessible in a minimum of 50% of ESPN standard leagues worthy of consideration, spanning standard formats to more extensive alternatives. The NFL is a week-to-week league, and player assessments and responsibilities seldom remain fixed. The means by which you secure players for your fantasy rosters is immaterial, only the act of acquiring them matters!

Quarterback

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (73.6% rostered in ESPN leagues): Granted, Burrow might be accounted for in your exceptional league, stashed away in the IR slot, but he is scarcely rostered in each ESPN league. Hence, we are compelled to spotlight Burrow, notwithstanding his presence on over 50% of rosters. Burrow (toe), whose return to active service was anticipated by many to occur during the fantasy playoffs, might resurface on Thanksgiving Day (Week 13) to confront the Baltimore Ravens. Examine your league’s waiver wire to ascertain whether Burrow (who accumulated 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns last year) is available, for his capabilities are that noteworthy.

Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (23.7%): Few individuals have equated Brissett to Burrow, but unusual dynamics are in play here. Brissett amassed 21.88 points in Sunday’s decisive defeat while shattering the league record for completions in a single game, accumulating 452 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals trailed for the game’s duration, thereby necessitating frequent pass attempts. We might presume the completions, attempts, and passing yardage to be anomalous, but Brissett — a 32-year-old journeyman with his sixth franchise in an equivalent number of seasons — has initiated the past five contests and consistently ranked among the top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. He aspires to extend this streak to six in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This scenario might possess validity.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• Injuries compelled premature departures for several passers who were not widely utilized in many leagues on Sunday, thereby necessitating appearances for substitutes Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins, Steelers veteran Mason Rudolph, and, as previously mentioned, Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders. As of Monday morning, we do not foresee starter Michael Penix Jr.’s return (knee) this season, but uncertainty persists regarding Rodgers (non-throwing wrist) and Dillon Gabriel (head) for Week 12. None of these backups are recommended when fantasy managers, at least in ESPN leagues, still have the option of adding Trevor Lawrence (24.5%), J.J. McCarthy (49.1%), Sam Darnold (48%), C.J. Stroud (44.6%), and a multitude of others.

• Carolina Panthers starter Bryce Young (7.5%) accumulated a career-high 448 passing yards and three touchdowns in the triumph over the Falcons. How commendable! The predicament is that Young, even with this productive Week 11 showing, has attained 200 passing yards in merely two games this season. It is challenging to rely on him in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. Again, superior alternatives exist.

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Running back

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28.6%): Fantasy managers have expressed aspirations to witness more of Tucker’s capabilities since Week 6 of the preceding season, when he dismantled the New Orleans Saints with 192 scrimmage yards. On Sunday, with Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) still sidelined and Rachaad White exhibiting another lackluster performance, Tucker bombarded the Bills for 140 combined yards and three touchdowns — culminating in a commendable 34 fantasy points. He was actively deployed in only 16.2% of ESPN standard leagues. What will transpire in Week 12? Irving might potentially return to challenge the formidable Los Angeles Rams, perhaps relegating Tucker to a reduced workload, but this seems improbable given his recent showing.

Emanuel Wilson, Packers (5.9%): Wilson substituted for an injured Josh Jacobs in the narrow victory over the New York Giants and accumulated 13.9 points, converting 12 touches into 49 yards and a touchdown. If Jacobs (knee) is unable to participate in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, then Wilson — an undrafted free agent in his third season — would secure his first career start. Recall that he registered rushing touchdowns in each of the final three games of the previous season, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Even if Jacobs is deemed fit, Wilson might carve out a more substantial role moving forward.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (42.2%): Gainwell accumulated 29.5 points in Sunday’s emphatic triumph over the rival Bengals, largely attributable to seven receptions and a pair of TD catches secured after starter Jaylen Warren (knee) exited the contest. However, it appears Warren will be available for Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Gainwell has attained double-digit points in only two games this season, but we should anticipate increased production should Warren’s health be compromised.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• The Giants have articulated their intended distribution of touches with rookie Cam Skattebo (knee) sidelined for the season. Devin Singletary (32.6%) assumes the role of touchdown scorer, and he discovered the end zone twice in Sunday’s defeat to the Packers. Tyrone Tracy Jr. still surpassed him in scoring with 17.9 points. Adding Singletary is a reasonable decision, but he’d better record a touchdown, as his contributions otherwise might be limited.

• Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten (18.4%) earned a season-high 15 carries in the comfortable victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, many of which occurred early in the game, not with the outcome in doubt. Tuten, who departed early due to an ankle injury, registered his second touchdown in three weeks. Travis Etienne Jr. remains the starter, and he delivered the more impressive performance, but the Jaguars undeniably conveyed an intention to distribute the touches on Sunday.

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Wide receiver

Michael Wilson, Cardinals (15.2%): Wilson was anticipated to be the primary recipient of the Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) circumstance, and, indeed, this proved accurate in Sunday’s defeat to the 49ers. Wilson secured 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards, accumulating a WR-best 33.5 points. It marked Wilson’s inaugural instance of attaining double-digit fantasy points this season. Harrison’s return for Week 12 against the Jaguars seems improbable, and his absence might extend further.

Wilson has exhibited intriguing fantasy moments throughout his initial NFL seasons, but this might signify his breakout, attributable to Harrison’s absence and Arizona’s propensity to trail in games, thereby compelling Brissett to execute frequent pass attempts. Diminutive colleague Greg Dortch (3.5%) amassed 18.6 points and, contingent on Harrison’s status, might merit addition as well. Prioritize Wilson.

Christian Watson, Packers (26.2%): Watson converted half of his four receptions on Sunday into highlight-reel worthy TD catches, accruing 20.6 points. As previously indicated in this forum, it is challenging to rely on any Packers wideout, as this offense prioritizes the run. Furthermore, it features several youthful options and distributes targets broadly. No Packer commenced Sunday with 500 receiving yards. Perhaps you anticipate changes with TE Tucker Kraft (knee) sidelined for the season and Jacobs compromised, but Watson has never been a high-volume alternative. If you believe he will sustain his touchdown-scoring trend, acquire him, but anticipate ordinary reception and yardage statistics. Teammate Romeo Doubs represents a safer choice.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (40.6%): Pierce and his associates observed a Week 11 bye, but let us not disregard that Pierce amassed 35.9 points in his preceding two contests. The deep threat might not sustain his success in the ensuing two games against the formidable Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, but two additional games against the Jaguars remain.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• Someone must secure passes for the Titans. Van Jefferson (0.2%), a 29-year-old journeyman with his fourth franchise in three seasons, might emerge as the frontrunner for targets in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks. The matchup is unfavorable, and rookie QB Cam Ward exhibits scant promise of reliability, but three Titans pass catchers exited Sunday’s defeat to the Texans prematurely. Calvin Ridley (leg) is sidelined for the season, and uncertainty shrouds Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) and Chimere Dike (chest). In essence, it is preferable to abstain from relying on Titans — irrespective of position.

• Bills deep reserve Tyrell Shavers (0.1%) was thrust into action on Sunday as the franchise benched top WR Keon Coleman (58.3%), who remained active in 8.5% of ESPN leagues. Shavers amassed 19 fantasy points. One might presume a motivated Coleman’s return to active service in Week 12 against the formidable Texans, but Shavers might have forcibly integrated himself into the team’s rotation as well.

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Tight end

Dalton Schultz, Texans (53%): Examine your league’s waiver wire to ascertain whether Schultz remains accessible. Schultz secured six of nine targets for 51 yards on Sunday, and he has amassed double-digit fantasy points in five of six games. The target volume should persist in Week 12 against the Bills.

Juwan Johnson, Saints (35%): The Saints emerge from their bye week and possess an enticing schedule for the remainder of the season, commencing with the Falcons in Week 12. Johnson accumulated 19.2 points in Week 10, and he has attained double-digit scoring in four consecutive games. He appears to be a top-10 TE.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

• Seahawks starter AJ Barner (9.5%) caught not a single pass in Week 10 and, having not scored a touchdown since Week 5, fantasy managers had largely moved on. They might reconsider after Barner secured 10 of 11 targets for 70 yards on Sunday. The lowly Titans are next on the agenda.

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Bye weeks: To drop or not to drop?

• Four additional teams observe their bye in Week 12 (alas, bye weeks persist), spearheaded by the Dolphins and Commanders returning from Madrid, and encompassing the Denver Broncos and Chargers.

• Only two Dolphins are rostered in over 27% of leagues. Retain RB De’Von Achane and WR Jaylen Waddle.

• Five Commanders are rostered in most leagues, but QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin are unlikely to feature imminently. Nevertheless, retain them if feasible, along with WR Deebo Samuel. RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and TE Zach Ertz are not proving beneficial to numerous fantasy managers presently, so you can proceed forward. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (6.7%) would be included in our pick-up segment if the Commanders were scheduled to play this week. They are slated to face the Broncos in Week 13.

• Seven Broncos are rostered in over 30% of leagues, but RB J.K. Dobbins (foot) is ruled out for the season, while TE Evan Engram can be relinquished. Retain QB Bo Nix, WR Courtland Sutton, WR Troy Franklin, and RB RJ Harvey. Endeavor to retain the Broncos D/ST, as it ranks among the highest-scoring units in the league and the team is scheduled to face the Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders following the bye.

• An impressive nine Chargers are rostered in over 70% of leagues, encompassing the D/ST unit, which performed poorly in Week 11. Feel free to proceed forward. Retain QB Justin Herbert, WRs Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, and RB Kimani Vidal. TE Oronde Gadsden II also warrants retention. WR Quentin Johnston, shut out on Sunday, does not merit it. RB Omarion Hampton is on IR. Relinquish all kickers on bye, inclusive of the exalted Cameron Dicker.

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Defense

• This is a truncated week for the Bills D/ST (45.4%), visiting the Texans on Thursday. Houston has encountered offensive challenges, irrespective of the quarterback deployed. The Bills D/ST averages only 5.6 points, but they possess a promising schedule in December.

• Similarly, the 49ers D/ST (16.5%) ranks among the lower-scoring units for the season, but the team hosts the Panthers on “Monday Night Football.”

• The Falcons D/ST (42.8%) are set to play the Saints, presenting an appealing streaming scenario.

• Additionally, feel at liberty to leverage either faction of the momentous Browns (40.8%)-Raiders (5.8%) encounter. If compelled to select, we would prioritize the dominant Myles Garrett and the Browns initially.