With the NFL season quickly approaching its end, fantasy football managers are faced with tougher and tougher lineup decisions. These decisions would have major ramifications on their playoff aspirations. This week, more than a few big names have become marquee big fish to watch. Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence has come on strong in the last few weeks and is locked in right now. At the same time, players such as Mike Evans, Jakobi Meyers, and others are making waves for their expected impact.
Trevor Lawrence’s Rising Stock
Trevor Lawrence has treated fantasy managers like gold in recent weeks. He’s been remarkably clutch, posting 17 or more fantasy points in three straight contested affairs. In fact, he’s thrown four or more touchdown passes in each of those games. This explosion of performance cements him as a top-12 fantasy quarterback for his matchup with the New York Jets this week.
Beyond his passing production, Lawrence has had an impact with his legs as well. He’s taken the ball at least three times in each of his past three contests. This increases his fantasy value even more. The Jets’ defense has been inconsistent this year. For managers struggling with injury and form issues, Lawrence has to be a tempting start this week with his excellent current form and favorable matchup.
Midweek Decisions on Key Receivers
As fantasy managers across the globe begin finalizing their rosters, the status of a few WRs are up in the air. Perhaps most importantly, star receiver Mike Evans should be back in the fold after missing time with injury. Assuming Evans is cleared to play, he would provide a massive addition to any fantasy roster. His prior efforts this season only add to that value.
Jalen McMillan’s expected return would add more experience to deepen fantasy lineups. We miss him dearly. His availability might tempt some contenders as they try to improve their receiving depth.
Another player to consider is Jakobi Meyers. Ever since his trade to Jacksonville, Meyers has been a little bit under the radar, but slowly he’s worked his way back onto the fantasy radar. He caught 10 passes on 11 targets in Week 14 vs. Indianapolis Colts to highlight how impressive and expanded his role has been in the Jaguar’s offense. Worth noting, Meyers has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games. He’s drawn six or more targets in each of those contests. Combined with his recent track record, he makes for an intriguing play to managers looking for dependably safe production.
Emerging Stars and Impactful Rookies
Powerhouse incumbents— like Lawrence and Meyers — are driving the national narrative. At the same time, potential fantasy superstars are breaking into the league and showing that they should be in lineups every week. Emeka Egbuka has been the breakout star of this trio, averaging over eight targets a game over his last four contests. He has scored 16 or more fantasy points in three of his first five matchups, showcasing his explosive potential.
Egbuka has scored in at least four of his last five games. That robust performance puts him among the top of the list of players who could be wise selections by teams looking to unlock the hidden gems. His knack for getting in the end zone on a regular basis makes him even more attractive as a possible starter this week.
Plus, continuing to flip the pages back, we can’t discount the Week 14 performance from Devin Neal. He had 20 touches in the lead role during the New Orleans Saints’ upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The improving workload indicates that he’ll continue to be a big part of the gameplan as the season progresses. Fantasy managers can’t afford to sleep on him as an addition to bolster their lineups.
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