In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Underdog:
It took 14 weeks, but the chaos of the NFL season has finally set in.
Today, we’ll be without three star RBs which has vaulted backup RBs into significant roles:
All three of those backups are now must-start RB2s today with RB1 upside.
Here’s what else you need to know before setting your lineup …
Game-time decisions: Both Malik Nabers (groin) and George Pickens (hamstring) will test things out pregame. Of the two, I’m more worried about Nabers. Wan’Dale Robinson is very much on the FLEX radar.
Keon Coleman is a GTD. Amari Cooper and Khalil Shakir are strong starts.
Ladd McConkey is also a GTD tonight. Joshua Palmer is a really strong option if he can’t go.
Not expected to play. Dalton Kincaid (Dawson Knox is a good TE streamer), Alexander Mattison and Zamir White (there’s lots of buzz on Sincere McCormick if you are desperate), and Raheem Mostert (sneaky spot for Jaylen Wright).
Players who should be good to go. DJ Moore and D’Andre Swift, Bucky Irving, Jakobi Meyers, Kendre Miller, CeeDee Lamb, and Jake Ferguson.
What else is in today’s newsletter?
- Stat of the Day: A rookie RB to stash for the playoff run?
- Watercooler: Last-Minute Sleepers
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A Rookie Rising Before The Playoffs
- By Geoff Ulrich
Stat: Kimani Vidal took 24% of the team rush attempts for the Chargers in Week 13
This doesn’t sound like a huge development, but the 24% team carry percentage for Vidal was a season-high, and came in a game where the Chargers RBs only rushed the ball 11 times as a unit. Vidal’s 4 carries (20 yards, 5.0 ypc) was only two carries behind Gus Edwards’ 6.0 carries and far in front of Hassan Haskins one carry, which he fumbled.
This isn’t to say that a Vidal takeover is imminent, but it also might be a little closer than people realize. He’s coming off his most efficient game as a pro vs the Falcons and has a weak lead back in front of him, who hasn’t been able to earn more than nine carries in a game over his last three starts.
Against a tough KC rush defense, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Vidal ends up getting a few more opportunities to spark the Chargers, who also have their number one WR Ladd McConkey listed as questionable for this game.
You can’t start Vidal this week (unless you’re in a deep, deep league) but he’s a great stash and someone who could be relevant for the last two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.
The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:
🤯 Timothee Chalamet knows ball?! What a natural.
⚖️ Still need help setting your lineup? Here are your start-sit recommendations.
🤫 Week 14 sleepers. Claudia has you covered.
📊 Projections for every player in Week 14 … another tool to help with lineup decisions.
📆 Ready to move on to 2025? Freedman has an updated mock draft.
