With many fantasy football managers preparing for playoffs in Week 14, three players in particular have been most critical to their success. Dalton Schultz, the Dallas Cowboys tight end, emerged as an unexpected hero last Sunday. He scored 12.5 points and has now scored in double figures in six of his past eight games. While his receiving skills have helped him score points, he’s only reached the end zone once this season, thus limiting his overall impact. Amon-Ra St. Brown could miss multiple games due to an ankle injury. This might make owners justifiably question managers who need to pivot and explore options such as Isaac TeSlaa, particularly in deeper leagues.
In Week 14, it’s easy to overlook that some of the best WRs are on bye. Sprites of players such as Stefon Diggs, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jauan Jennings, and Tetairoa McMillan, though. With these fantasy stars now off the radar, owners will have to dip into the waiver wire more than ever this season. Chuba Hubbard could be a good depth add for those looking to go that route, particularly with Christian McCaffrey out this week. They’ll likely get Dalton Kincaid back, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. He has an advantageous matchup next week against the Cincinnati Bengals!
Dalton Schultz’s Performance Analysis
Dalton Schultz was the TE1 last Sunday, scoring 12.5 fantasy points for his managers. This is a big deal though, given Schultz’s history. His production has followed suit, having scored double-digit points in six of his last eight games! This consistency has made him a dependable choice for fantasy owners searching for stability at their tight end slot.
In addition to his recent hot-streak, Schultz is under scrutiny for his lack of scoring this season. He has just one touchdown to show for those efforts. That might leave some fantasy managers questioning whether he can maintain his level of production or if he’s a boring pick with minimal upside for big returns. As this season grows to a close, playoff consequences are more pressing. Schultz needs to convert those chances into six points to help his Cowboys as well as his fantasy managers.
The tight end landscape is just as competitive. Schultz’s performance highlights the need to find defenders who can go off on a regular basis and are capable of big scoring outbursts. Managers lucky enough to have him on their roster should reassess his role in the next round of matchups. So get ready to strategize for the weeks and months ahead!
Impact of Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s recent ankle injury raises serious concerns for fantasy managers counting on his strong scoring potential. One of the most productive wide receivers for the Detroit Lions this year could be out for at least a week. So, many owners are racing to figure out substitutes for their fleets. St. Brown has proven to be one of the leading performers all season and his stuffed absence is being felt all across fantasy leagues.
With St. Brown’s status up in the air, Isaac TeSlaa could be an intriguing add for those playing in deeper formats. He won’t come close to St. Brown’s level of production, but he does have the upside to step into a larger role. This is already bearing out in the Lions’ offense now that the season has reached an important games stage. Fantasy managers would be wise to keep an eye on TeSlaa’s matchup and his recent performances when deciding between available options.
With key players sidelined due to injuries or bye weeks, fantasy managers must stay vigilant and monitor injury reports closely. With the unpredictability of this season, being flexible and reactive should be a key part of any lineup decision.
Key Bye Week Players and Potential Pickups
Week 14 brings significant bye weeks for several high-profile wide receivers including Stefon Diggs, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jauan Jennings, and Tetairoa McMillan. Their absence has created a void that can be seen in every league’s lineups this season. Fantasy owners would do well to start thinking about their roster depth. They should look to identify possible replacement pickups to mitigate any bye-week-related weaknesses.
Chuba Hubbard is an interesting buy-low target for teams trying to improve their rosters. And star running back Christian McCaffrey is still out this week. This bodes well for Hubbard to handle more work than initially expected, giving him some flex appeal or a reliable RB fill-in. His production will likely change drastically based on how the Carolina Panthers decide to use him now that McCaffrey is out for the season though.
So stay tuned for Dalton Kincaid to be featured! He’s set for a potential return from his hamstring injury, and that would obviously change the game for fantasy owners. Kincaid’s encouraging matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals should provide an appealing floor/ceiling combo as soon as he’s cleared to play. His expected impact once he returns would have a massive effect on how teams would approach the Magic going forward.
Defensive Standouts and Quarterback Performances
The Dolphins D/ST had perhaps its best performance of the season last Sunday, scoring 13 fantasy points. It’s the combination of their ability to generate turnovers and pressure opposing quarterbacks that makes them a sexy pick in any fantasy lineup. Defenses are the beating hearts of their teams. From here, owners need to trust their own research and judgment to find the best possible matchups when setting their lineups.
Jacoby Brissett keeps deservedly taking center stage each week by leading a surprising top-10 fantasy finish. With high-level production both consistent and available, he’s a quarterback I can trust. That’s even more true for squads looking to play it safe during the dog days of summer. As more teams face bye weeks and injuries mount, Brissett’s contributions could provide essential points for fantasy managers navigating challenging lineups.
Injuries and bye weeks can make you rethink all of that. With the season approaching its height, knowing who’s hot, who’s not, who’s worth your waiver claim has never been more important.
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