As the fantasy football season approaches its final stretch, many players remain uncertain assets—those who have shown potential but possess varying degrees of volatility. After addressing numerous inquiries on The Athletic“s Discord server, I have compiled predictions for several of fantasy football”s more puzzling players.
Jameson Williams, WR, DET: With head coach Dan Campbell assuming play-calling duties for the Lions, Williams enjoyed a breakout week, accumulating a season-high 23.9 PPR points. This marks the second consecutive week of strong performance for Williams. While he is typically recognized for his deep-threat ability, only a fraction of his points came from vertical passes in Week 10. Instead, a substantial portion of his points came from short throws, indicating a shift in utilization. Given this trend and Campbell”s intent to involve Williams more in the short-pass game, he should be a fixture in starting lineups unless future performance suggests otherwise.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO: Historically, only a limited number of players have surpassed 2,000 scrimmage plays, with a notable attrition rate as they approach 2,500 plays. This year may be signaling a downturn for Kamara, who currently ranks last in points per scrimmage play among running backs with significant carries. Although one might consider the struggles of the Saints” offense as a contributing factor, backup players like Kendre Miller and Devin Neal have outperformed Kamara in this metric. Typically, players hitting the so-called “age wall” do not return to peak form. Thus far, Kamara has functioned as a low-ceiling RB3 or flex option, with some potential for improved performance in favorable matchups during Weeks 13, 16, and 17.
Jaxson Dart, QB, NYG: A frequently asked question this week involved whether to bench a mid-tier QB1 for Dart, who has consistently scored over 19 points in five consecutive games, primarily due to rushing touchdowns. Dart is among a select group of quarterbacks who have achieved this feat consecutively. However, the upcoming matchups against tougher rushing defenses and his current placement in the NFL”s concussion protocol raise concerns about his continued success. Despite these challenges, Dart”s rushing ability provides a solid floor, making him a viable low-end QB1 option.
Xavier Worthy, WR, KC: Known for his short-pass and red zone contributions, Worthy has seen a decline in production since Rashee Rice”s return. Despite only scoring 24.1 points in recent weeks, Worthy remains integral to the Chiefs” short-pass offense, ranking high in routes, targets, and receptions. His role has diminished somewhat with the increased usage of Rice, but the cyclical nature of receiver utilization in an Andy Reid offense suggests Worthy could rebound. Following Kansas City”s Week 10 bye, he may elevate his fantasy output.
Woody Marks, RB, HOU: After an impressive 27.9-point performance in Week 4, Marks has struggled to maintain that level of production. However, he is still one of a select group of running backs to score at least 12.5 points in multiple games since Week 7. His disappointing outing against a strong Denver defense impacted his overall perception. With favorable matchups on the horizon in Weeks 11 and 12, Marks should be inserted into lineups, particularly as a flex option. However, his prospects may dim in Weeks 13 and 14 due to tougher matchups.
Colston Loveland, TE, CHI: Loveland showcased his receiving prowess in Week 9 against Cincinnati, where he scored 29.8 PPR points. However, this performance was aided by the Bengals” notorious struggles against tight ends. The Bengals have allowed a high average of points and touchdowns to tight ends, which inflated Loveland”s numbers. Following this game, he returned to a more average showing in Week 10. With only one favorable tight end matchup left this season, Loveland is likely to hover around the borderline TE1/TE2 range.
