The Fantasy Football Volume Report Week 16 2018

Running Back

Kalen Balage/Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins, Stock Up/Stock Down

Frank Gore was forced out of Miami’s game against the Vikings which left a large number of carries to be picked up. One would assume the second of the committee in Miami, Drake, would be the player to take on that role, but that assumption was incorrect. It was Balage, the rookie who ended the game with 12 carries and 123 rushing yards. At 7-7, Miami’s season is coming to a close and they may want to get a look at the youngest back on their roster. Drake was also dealing with some injuries before and during the game but we was still active. The Dolphins just chose to not play him.

Neither are viable plays in the championship week of the fantasy football season. Depending on their split of the touches in their Week 16 matchup, it’s possible that one of them emerges as a worthwhile sleeper in the final slate of the season.

Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts, Stock Up

Mack popped off to the tune of 27 carries for 139 yards and two scores in Week 15. Mack has played 10 games this season and he has hit 15 combined targets and carries in six of them. The Colts have been willing to feed Mack if he’s healthy and this week he faces the Giants.

The Giants give up the fourth-most points to opposing backs. Mack is also just $5,500 on Draftkings this week. He’s a locked-in play.

Wide Receiver

DaSean Hamilton, Denver Broncos, Stock Up

The Broncos have played two games without Emmanuel Sanders, who was put on IR with an Achilles injury. In those two games, Hamilton leads the team with 20 targets and 13 receptions. Tim Patrick is second on the team with 18 targets and 12 receptions. Courtland Sutton is fourth behind Phillip Lindsay as well. Hamilton hasn’t been efficient, producing just 75 yards on his 20 targets but we’re chasing volume. When Monday night rolls around and the Broncos get to play the Raiders porous defense, Patrick and Hamilton are both viable plays while Sutton is a desperation-only option.
 

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stock Up

Over the past four weeks, JuJu leads Pittsburgh in targets (48), receptions (31), and receiving yards (408). Throughout the season, the biggest thing keeping Antonio Brown ahead of JuJu as the better fantasy option in Pittsburgh was touchdowns. Through Week 11, Brown was winning this battle 11 to 3. In the past four games, JuJu had four to Brown’s two.

The Steelers are using JuJu like the team’s primary receiving and it's now undeniable in his fantasy scoring. Fantasy players need to start viewing JuJu like Pittsburgh does and pay up for him in DFS this week.
 

Tight End

Evan Engram, New York Giants, Stock Up

With Odell Beckham Jr. out for a second straight week, it was Engram who stepped up. Against the Titans, he was targeted 12 times, caught eight balls, and recorded 75 receiving yards. This was enough to lead all tight ends in scoring for the week.

In a position where Zach Ertz and Rob Gronkowski can combine for less than 10 points on any given week, Engram’s volume is a ray of hope.

If Beckham doesn’ suit up again, Engram is as close to a high-floor play as a tight end can get. Even if Beckham is active, Engram still makes a worthwhile dart throw for tight end-needy teams.