Devonta Freeman Emerges from Crowded Backfield
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By: Brad Drotar
Happy Thanksgiving Ravens flock! Football and a Thanksgiving meal is a combo as elite as Joe Flacco. Speaking of elite, The Ravens pulled out yet another stress-inducing victory. Even with Lamar Jackson being a game-time inactive, Tyler Huntley came up CLUTCH for us. In a week where the Ravens absolutely had to pull out a win because of the tight division race and a tough end of season schedule, Huntley was Baltimore’s hero. You need something to be thankful for today? I’d say Tyler Huntley is a good one!
Just like my stomach later today, we were RED HOT on our streamer picks last week! (Yes, the five pounds of turkey and stuffing ain’t gonna sit well). Our best picks last week were streaming Cam Newton and Elijah Moore, who both had monster weeks! The games start at noon today, so don’t forget to set your lineups and without further ado, let’s get into it!
Ravens vs. Browns
Start Em’
Devonta Freeman
Freeman took advantage of Latavius Murray’s absence and seems to have a solid grip on the lead RB in this crowded backfield rotation. If you are in a pinch due to a bye week or an injury, you could do worse than Freeman. Over the last three weeks, Freeman was given no fewer than 14 opportunities. Last week, Freeman rushed the ball 16 times and was targeted six times. That kind of volume is what we want in fantasy. The Browns defense’s weak spot is the ground game, where they rank 25th against the run and are in the back half of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing Running Backs (Rank 21st). It wont feel good, but Freeman is a fine option if you need a last minute RB option.
Austin Hooper
As of now, we really have no clue who will be on the field for the Browns. Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, even Baker Mayfield may not play. Regardless, Hooper will need to be a focal point of the Browns offense. While the Browns may end up being short on top-end players this week, Hooper will be out there and he has a nice matchup to expose. The Ravens struggle often against TE’s and this week shouldn’t be any different, as long as Baker plays.
Streamin’ Around the League
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod seemed to get somewhat back on track last week, putting up 19 fantasy points against a hot Titans team. This week, Tyrod and the Texans take on the Jets, who are really, really not good at football. The Jets rank dead last in defense and they give up the 23rd most points to fantasy QBs. It doesn’t sound like an attractive option, but it will pay its dividends.
Running Back
Tony Jones (If Mark Ingram is inactive)
Tony Jones isn’t exactly a household name, but he may have the entire Saints backfield to himself this week. Tony Jones is the 3rd string RB for the Saints. With Alvin Kamara already declared out and Ingram not looking likely to play, Jones is someone you should check your waiver wire for right now. The matchup with the Bills’ 2nd ranked rush defense in the league isn’t ideal. But with the crazy volume Jones would get, I’m not worried about it.
Wide Receiver
Kendrick Bourne
Bourne has been sensational thus far, and will continue to showcase his talent against the Titans this week. The Titans rank 7th in pass defense, but somehow give up the most fantasy points to WRs in the league! Bourne has received at least four targets every game since Week 6. The Patriots have a 25 implied point total. Someone is going to score those points and I believe that will be Bourne. The Mac Jones – Kendrick Bourne connection is alive and well.
Tight End
Dan Arnold
Legendary TE Dan Arnold will be facing the Falcons, who rank 29th in pass defense. The Falcons are middle of the pack when it comes to TEs, but Dan Arnold is still steady as they come. From Week 5 on, Arnold received no fewer than five targets every game from rookie QB Trevor Lawrence. There is no reason why Arnold wont score you at least six or seven points this week. I know that doesn’t sound too enticing, but it’s a streaming TE. That guaranteed six points is not something you will find with another TE on your waivers.
Fire & Ice
Fire Squad
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Ezekiel Elliott
WR: D.K. Metcalf
TE: Rob Gronkowski
Ice Squad
QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: A.J. Brown
TE: Mike Gesicki
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Originally posted on Russell Street Report