New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is a touchdown-dependent option in a Week 18 game against the Washington Commanders. Cooks has had some touchdown luck lately, scoring in three of his past five games, but not piling up much yardage outside of those touchdown catches. He's been a boom-or-bust play most of the season with the booms not getting too high, making him a WR3 for this regular season finale, albeit with some more upside than most in that rank.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday due to a sprained ankle he suffered in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even in a must-win game this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, Kamara isn't a lock to play if he cannot get back onto the practice field on Friday. Not having Kamara in the fold would be a big blow for the Saints offense in an important game. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday for the 28-year-old's final Week 18 status. If he's active Sunday, he's a must-start for those still competing for a fantasy championship in season-long leagues. If Kamara cannot go, Jamaal Williams and quarterback/tight end hybrid Taysom Hill would likely split the backfield duties.

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Kendre Miller (ankle) was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Miller has been making progress in recent weeks from a sprained ankle that has kept him sidelined since Week 9, but the 21-year-old is still up in the air to play in a must-win game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. He was impressive earlier in the year as a pass-catcher in the Saints' backfield, but even if he returns and Alvin Kamara (ankle) is unable to play (which is unlikely), Miller won't be a recommended option for fantasy managers in championship matchups or DFS tournaments. If Kamara is out or limited this weekend after missing Wednesday's practice, Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill would likely see most of the rushing attempts for the Saints.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle) continues to manage an ankle injury and was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice session. Olave sat out in Week 15 because of his ankle injury, but he returned in Week 16 to post nine catches on 13 targets for a season-high 123 yards and a two-point conversion. In last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though, he wasn't needed as much and caught three passes for 26 yards on six targets. The 23-year-old second-year wideout will be looking for a bounce-back performance in a must-win game for the Saints in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. There should be nothing from stopping Olave from playing this weekend, where he'll be a low-end WR1 for fantasy managers. In the Week 12 loss to the Falcons, Olave had a strong game, going for seven catches on nine targets for 114 yards.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (shoulder) was not seen on the practice field with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Apparently Johnson picked up a shoulder injury in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Aside from his injury, the 27-year-old had his best performance of the year, catching eight of his 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. Although Johnson has been an inconsistent, touchdown-dependent fantasy streamer at the tight end position this year, he's on the rise after finding the end zone in each of the last three games for the Saints. Johnson's status for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Atlanta Falcons is in question, but if he can return to practice this week and play on Sunday, he'll be in play as a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE1 for fantasy managers.