The fantasy football landscape shifts each week, bringing fresh opportunities and unexpected challenges that separate the prepared from the pretenders. Savvy managers know that last week’s performance tells only part of the story, and diving deeper into the underlying metrics reveals the accurate picture.
This week presents some intriguing decisions. Here’s insight about key Washington Commanders players heading into their matchup with the Denver Broncos to help you craft a winning lineup.
Jayden Daniels, QB
It’s believed to be a long shot that Jayden Daniels (elbow) suits up this week, but a return to practice does point to a return sooner than later.
We could debate about the rationale that goes into that decision, but at the end of the day, that’s not our job. This season, he has a rush TD or multiple passing scores in four of six games, and while it hasn’t looked the same as his standout rookie season, a healthy version of him is a fantasy asset.
After this week, the Commanders go Vikings-Giants-Eagles-Cowboys to close the fantasy season. We catch a break with the second Philadelphia game coming in Week 18, and the other three opponents over that stretch don’t scare me in a major way.
We can deal with the Eagles matchup in Week 16 (a Saturday kickoff) when/if the time comes, but should he return next week on the fast track in Minnesota, I anticipate having him ranked as a starter in all formats.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB
As it turns out, seventh-round rookies have a hard time sustaining success at the professional level.
Who knew?
That job gets even more difficult when you are the talk of the summer and a role falls into your lap. Those who are feeling let down by the artist known as Bill are victims of unrealistic expectations, not a player who is underachieving.
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Mid-October was the last time he ran for 40 yards in a game, and that’s happened more recently than the last time he caught multiple passes. He might one day turn into a grinding back that we turn to for flex value as part of a committee. Still, in this situation, he’s a bit overmatched, and now that he’s losing work, I’m not comfortable playing him in any capacity.
Washington’s season isn’t playing out how they had hoped, and they are best served to limit the tread on the tires of Jacory Croskey-Merritt at this point. I still think he gets 9-12 touches, and maybe that’s all you need, but with limitations in terms of versatility and scoring equity, he doesn’t project as a usable piece in most situations.
Terry McLaurin, WR
Terry McLaurin (quad) has appeared in just one game since Week 3, but he traveled with the Commanders to Madrid in Week 11 ahead of the bye, and that has all signs pointing to a return to action this week.
Imagine going back to work following a fight with the flu and being told that the staff is running a 5k at lunch as a team-building activity.
That’s how I imagine McLaurin feeling when he looks at the schedule and sees the Broncos as his potential return spot.
What’s his role in this Marcus Mariota offense? How can they move the ball through the air if the ground game doesn’t threaten anyone? Will Denver be on offense for 35+ minutes in this spot?
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For me, there are far more questions than answers in the McLaurin profile, should he return this weekend. I think there’s a decent chance he is the WR1 in this offense moving forward and maybe a viable PPR flex, but I’m waiting past this week and asking him to prove his health before assuming it.
Zach Ertz, TE
Zach Ertz has caught exactly four passes in four straight games, though to get there in Madrid against the Dolphins, it required a season-high eight targets.
At best, the veteran tight end is a low-end floor play in deeper leagues, but in a game like this, where Washington will have to fight to score 20 points, I’m not interested in a middling floor that comes with virtually no upside.
You can do better.
There are a few streaming options I prefer to Ertz playing on Thanksgiving, and if those TEs aren’t available, Theo Johnson plays in the final game of the week and is ranked higher for me this week.