Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
November is here, and that means we’ve officially entered the third quarter of the fantasy season. Just like an NFL game, there are a lot of changes from one quarter to the next. It’s vitally important to be aware of these changes and to anticipate the direction things are moving in the NFL.
Players will emerge over the next two months. They always do. The key is to be proactive as you manage your roster. Cut loose players with limited fantasy ceiling. Look to add players who have a chance of emerging over the season half of the season. And for the love of all that is good and holy, don’t waste your bench spots on defenses or kickers.
Just like we have in the NFL this week, fantasy trade deadlines are approaching in many leagues. So that’s another opportunity to bolster your roster for the stretch run. The best piece of advice I’ve ever received regarding trades is surprisingly simple: trade to make your team better.
However, be careful that you don’t shoot yourself in the foot by trading away depth. That’s especially true at wide receiver and running back. Sure, you won’t be able to start every player every week, but you have the depth to sustain any calamities that may happen down the stretch. Better yet, those players can’t be used against you if you don’t trade them away.
Each week in The Report, I’m going to go through every game and give you the information you need to make the most informed decisions possible for your fantasy football rosters. I’ll provide some key about matchups, trends and anything else we need to know about each contest.
Note: The Report will be updated as I finish writing up each game, so be sure to check back throughout the end of the week. Games will be periodically added until Friday afternoons.
Houston @ NY Jets
C.J. Stroud and the Texans were dealt yet another blow on the injury front last week with Stefon Diggs suffering a season-ending torn ACL. With Diggs out, look for Tank Dell to shoulder lead pass-catching duties with Dalton Schultz likely serving as the No. 2 option. Some fantasy managers have looked to Xavier Hutchinson as a possible fantasy add, but he was left out of our Waiver Wire Tool for a reason. Despite having an opportunity for a full-time role with Nico Collins out, here are Hutchinson’s fantasy finishes over the last three weeks: WR103, WR89 and WR91. John Metchie III could potentially step up, but he isn’t a fantasy option in this one.
Joe Mixon delivered another impressive rushing performance last week, carrying the ball 25 times for 102 yards and adding a touchdown. So far this season, Mixon has accumulated 503 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his first five games with the Texans. He also shares the league lead in 100-yard rushing games with four of them in the five games he’s played. He’s an elite option until further notice.
Aaron Rodgers has now gone 30 consecutive games without surpassing 300 passing yards. He has also not thrown for three touchdowns in any of his last 17 games. In theory, things should improve for Rodgers and company, but in practice, it’s difficult to consider him anything more than a superflex play.
Davante Adams likes the spotlight. He enters tonight second in receiving touchdowns in prime-time games since 2000, with 32. Only Randy Moss has more (33). Of course, things haven’t been smooth sailing for Adams since joining the Jets. He’s averaging 3.5 receptions and 42 yards per game, compared to 6.0 receptions and 69.7 yards per game during his time with the Raiders. Still, he figures to be more integrated this week and is a fringe WR1 play.
Garrett Wilson hasn’t seen any decrease in his volume with Adams in the mix. He’s topped 100 receiving yards in three of his last four games. Over these last four games, Wilson has averaged 7.8 receptions, 95.5 yards and scored two touchdowns, a significant improvement from his first four games, where he averaged 5.0 receptions, 47.8 yards, and only one touchdown. He’s also in the fringe WR1 conversation.
Breece Hall has proven to be one of the league’s best weapons out of the backfield, ranking second among all running backs with 33 catches this season. Hall has top 10 fantasy finishes in two of his last three games and figures to be very busy yet again in this one. He’s locked in as an RB1 option.
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