Week 13 of the NFL season introduced some thrilling developments that had fantasy football players on the move. Amazing performances and difficult match-ups made for a rollercoaster ride! Adonai Mitchell was electric in the New York Jets’ win over the Atlanta Falcons, putting up his career-high stats. At the same time, some of their big name acquisitions like Justin Jefferson had rough games. As managers prepare for the fantasy playoffs, they must navigate through these performances and assess their rosters carefully.
In perhaps the most exciting game of the weekend, Adonai Mitchell was the hero for New Jersey. …he was at 8/12 targets for 102y & the TD. His stellar performance resulted in 24.8 fantasy points, a career high that will likely make a big difference in fantasy lineups as the season continues. Mitchell’s blazing 4.32 40-yard dash time shows how explosive and shifty he can be, making him a sneakily exciting option.
That’s a surprising number considering Mitchell is still available in over 75% of ESPN leagues. This all amounts to an enticing opportunity for fantasy managers looking to bolster their lineups ahead of the playoff push. With favorable matchups in the weeks to come, he’s primed to break out. In Weeks 15 and 16, he plays the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints.
Struggles for Justin Jefferson
We know it was a disappointing Week 13 for Justin Jefferson. He only scored 2.4 points in the Minnesota Vikings’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks, his worst game of the season. The lack of a consistent quarterback — with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer under center — has contributed to Jefferson’s unimpressive production. From Weeks 9 to 12, Corum averaged just 11.1 fantasy points per game with J.J. McCarthy under center.
Jefferson is still a fringe top-20 fantasy wide receiver. In 10-team leagues, Jefferson is a borderline WR2/Flex guy. As we get closer to Week 8, this change makes things tougher for managers that have trusted him all season long.
With fantasy playoffs looming, Jefferson’s status is going to be key for managers—especially those who need to start adjusting their strategies as early as now. That uncertainty on his individual performance might pose difficult decisions in drafting or re-drafting starting rosters and making mid-season trades.
Saquon Barkley’s Inconsistent Performance
Saquon Barkley penalizes fantasy managers with erratic results. In the past month, he’s putting up a modest 12.5 points per game. He found the end zone in each of those two games, including two touchdowns in his first start against Mater Dei. After a brutal matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14, he fell to RB27 on the week.
Barkley has his issues in the red zone. This year, that’s left him 19th in the league with only 17 carries inside the ten yard line. This is a positive statistic that tells us, while he has some good opportunities, he’s not making the most of them. Waste managers need to balance these considerations. They’ll have to decide how to use Barkley as they set their lineups, moving into important stretch run and playoff weeks.
Rising Star: Isaiah Monangai
Isaiah Monangai is taking the fantasy world by storm! He’s passed and rushed for a touchdown in four straight games now. Every one of these touchdowns was on a carry from inside the ten-yard line, demonstrating his short-yardage prowess. Further, Monangai has shown a nice baseline of consistency with a dozen-plus carries in three of his past four big trending numbers on the field.
This makes it imperative for fantasy managers to dig deep to find helpful options when the fantasy playoffs arrive. Monangai would be a wonderful fit for either of their rosters! His ability to find the end zone in critical moments makes him an intriguing prospect worth considering as matchups unfold.
Emerging Talent: Romeo Higgins
During Week 13, Romeo Higgins put a big stamp on his team’s victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He retained 11.5 points for himself by converting all five of his targets into receptions while accumulating 65 yards. This performance confirms Higgins’ value-heavy star potential and makes him a must-round investment for fantasy teams facing fiercer competition here.
Now Higgins is available in more than 60% of ESPN leagues. He’d make a great addition for fantasy owners looking to strengthen their receiving corps as they enter the postseason. His play within the past week suggests you can start to look at him as a dependable option moving forward.
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