Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)

by Optimus Staff

Published On: December 5th, 2025

All rise! The Fantasy Court of Week 14 is officially in session, and this is no routine hearing. This is the final week before the fantasy playoffs, the do-or-die moment when every ranking dispute feels like a federal case and every lineup decision could send you to the promised land or straight into offseason purgatory.

This week, our writers march to the bench armed with exhibits, evidence, and just a touch of desperation as they make their cases for being higher or lower than the census on key players. Expect bold claims, aggressive cross-examinations, suspicious alibies (“he’s due!!”), and at least one player whose projection should honestly be considered fantasy malpractice.

Some verdicts will save your season. Others may lead to immediate appeals or emotional damages. Order in the court, order in your lineup, and maybe order a stress snack while you’re at it. Let’s begin the proceedings.

Don’t forget to check out our special bonus section at the end of this week’s article. It’s a court battle you won’t want to miss.

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 14

Players We Are Higher On:

Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Jets

Consensus Rank: QB18

Lou’s Rank: QB7 (+11)

Tyrod “TyGod” Taylor has returned. Those of us who fondly recall his days as a Buffalo Bills QB can only smile. Especially when we saw him turn in a QB5 performance in Week 13, now, if you’re a Grinch and nonbeliever, I can understand that. After all, he’s a 36-year-old journeyman QB at this point, taking way too many big hits.

But you know what he does do really well? He gets the ball in the hands of his playmakers. Now, admittedly, there are very few of those on the Jets in 2025. But just like his time with the Giants, Tyrod finds a way to get the ball to his guys. Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie may not be household names, but that’s kinda the point. When you can turn Mitchell into the WR6 the week after Metchie was WR11? That speaks to the QB making a difference. 

The cherry on top is that he can still scoot a little bit! He doesn’t run like he used to, but in the five games where he’s played more than a handful of snaps, he’s averaged over 28 yards/game. It helps keep that floor nice and high. And if you’re worried about Tyrod playing against opponents NOT named the Falcons, who allow the 4th most points to QBs over the last month, Miami is still among the top 10 friendliest. Welcome back, TyGod. We’ve missed you.

Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: RB27

Nate’s Rank: RB20 (+7)

It was supposed to be Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merrit, but alas, here we are. Washington Commanders third-year RB Chris Rodriguez has emerged as the de facto RB1 for the Commanders. In his last four games, Rodriguez has notched three TDs, has three games with 10 or more carries, and two games with 60 or more rushing yards. Also of note, Rodriguez is averaging 4.51 yards per carry through 10 total games this season. 

Heading into Week 14, the Commanders are getting QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow) back behind center. The return of Daniels instantly makes the Washington offense more explosive, and Rodriguez a more enticing option in fantasy down the stretch. 

This week against Minnesota is especially intriguing for Rodriguez. The Vikings were shut out last weekend, and the return of QB J.J. McCarthy isn’t good news for the offense. This game could get out of hand quickly, and we could see Rodriguez get north of 20 carries for the first time in his career. Given the potential volume, the third-year ball carrier could even outdo my rank of RB20 this week, and is definitely worth putting in your lineups for the final push to the fantasy football playoffs. 

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Consensus Rank: RB35

Nate’s Rank: RB29 (+6)

It seems, while no one is looking, Rams second-year RB Blake Corum has gone from a must-have handcuff to a viable situational play in your Flex roster spots. 

Since Week 10, Corum has seen his role grow, exceeding a 30 percent snap share in those games. Last week, in a loss to Carolina, he had his best game as a pro, logging seven carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Granted, Kyren Williams missed a few snaps due to an ankle injury, and the Panthers’ defense isn’t good against the run – they’ve allowed the seventh most points to fantasy RBs this season (22.2).

Last week won’t happen every week for Corum, but this week is a good week to see a repeat. The Rams, coming off an inexplicable Week 13 loss to Carolina, are looking for redemption. Their opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, are 3-9 and haven’t won since Week 8 against the Cowboys. I fully expect Corum to see north of 10 carries and some goalline work. With his efficiency (4.74 yards per carry this season) and the TD upside, he should easily surpass his rank of RB35 this week, and could sneak even higher than my predicted RB29 if the game gets out of hand fast.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Consensus Rank: RB12

Cam’s Rank: RB9 (+3)

Quinshon Judkins heads into Week 14 with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Kevin Stefanski does not want to throw the ball. In the past two weeks, the Browns have had more rush attempts than pass attempts, and they have been deploying him in the wildcat formation in the red zone.

In a matchup against a weak Titans offense, I would expect the Browns to have the ball often, win the time of possession battle, and the game. Draft Kings has Judkins -125 any time TD this week. Look for Judkins to see upwards of 20 total touches in this one and fall into the endzone.

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Consensus Rank: RB34

Cam’s Rank: RB18 (+16)

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I know it’s risky to start an aging RB coming off a shoulder and hamstring injury, but the situation is too juicy for me to agree with the consensus rankings. Aaron Jones is tied with Justin Jefferson as the most likely player to score an anytime TD in the game against the Commanders per DraftKings odds, which are set at +150. The Vikings are going to get back on track against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, which has given up the 6th most rushing yards on the year. In the last four games, the Commanders have allowed 142.5 rushing yards per game. Jones is a three-down running back who’s averaging five targets and 3.25 catches per game in his last four games. 

Jones is also getting his starting QB back under center, which will help the offense sustain drives and allow Jones to see more opportunities to score fantasy points. The trends are in Jones’ favor for a plus-fantasy week, and I have him as a safe RB2.

Players We Are Lower On:

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Consensus Rank: QB8

Lou’s Rank: QB17 (-9)

Remember back when Lamar Jackson was turning in consecutive top 5 QB finishes every week? Yeah, I remember that, too.

That was two and a half months ago now. Yeah, that long. Injuries are clearly taking their toll on him this year, and he’s battling through them. Instead of his patented escapability, he’s collapsing like cardboard in a rainstorm. 

Unfortunately, that creates a double-whammy for Lamar. Maybe even more. We think of his rushing ability in this regard, since the lowest rushing output of his career was his rookie year (697), and he’s on pace for 381 this year. It also impacts the Ravens’ passing game, since they rely on Jackson’s scrambling to extend plays and use his gravity to draw defenders away from targets. Well, if he can’t run, that element is gone. We even have a third layer (a triple-whammy?), his lack of rushing gravity even impacts the running game, since defenders don’t need to respect his “gravity.”

You put it all together, and you have an offense that can’t sustain drives or score points, further limiting everyone’s potential output. There it is, the dreaded quadruple-whammy!

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Consensus Rank: WR19

Lou’s Rank: WR32 (-13)

How?! Why?!

These are the questions that come to mind for me when I see people rank Zay Flowers in their top 20 WRs. Out of curiosity, do you know how many top 20 HPPR finishes Flowers has this year? Fun fact – the number of his top 20 finishes matches his WR rank that week, AND the Week number. In all three cases, it’s one. That’s right, his ONLY top 20 WR finish was back in Week 1 when he finished as the WR1. That’s it.

My ranking isn’t even so much about him; it’s about Lamar Jackson. As I talked about above, he hasn’t been right for weeks. It’s very difficult to produce when you can only average a little more than four yards per target over the last two games against defensive stalwarts. Checks notes – wait, this can’t be right – New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals?! Oh, Zay, what are we doing here?

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Consensus Rank: QB14

Nate’s Rank: QB19 (-5)

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It was fun while it lasted, but Colts QB Daniel Jones has turned back into a pumpkin, so it seems. Since Week 9, Jones is the overall QB15 in fantasy, which isn’t horrible, but it certainly isn’t the same QB play we saw that had him as the overall QB6 through eight weeks of the season. 

This week, the Colts have a must-win game against Jacksonville, which is tied with Indianapolis for the division lead at 8-4. While the team will need a big performance somewhere in the offense, it’s hard to imagine it comes from Jones, who, on top of coming back down to earth the last few weeks, is also playing with a partially fractured fibula in his plant (left) foot. 

Reason would dictate the Colts will employ a run-heavy scheme that won’t involve Jones as much as it will lean on RB Jonathan Taylor. When Jones does throw, it will be with more short, quick passes and routes to get the ball out of his hands faster. Jones can still be a backend QB2 in superflex, but he isn’t worth the risk in 1QB leagues as we approach the fantasy playoffs.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Consensus Rank: RB17

Nate’s Rank: RB25 (-8)

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The Seattle backfield is a mystery, folks, and not one you want to try to solve ahead of your final push for the fantasy football playoffs. While Kenneth Walker is officially listed as the team’s RB1, anyone who has watched this Seattle offense knows that isn’t exactly true. 

While Walker leads the Seahawks in carries (160), RB snaps (182) and yards (733), third-year back Zach Charbonnet leads the team in TDs (8) to Walker’s four. Furthermore, Charbonnet leads the team in red zone attempts (34) and percentage (50).

It doesn’t seem that Walker’s role has changed drastically; it’s just leveled out. He’s had 24 carries over the last two, netting 127 yards and no touchdowns. In that span, Charbonnet has 20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns, with three over the last four games. The difference is red zone opportunities, which Charbonnet is getting and Walker is not. 

While this game might be a blowout and turn run-heavy for Seattle early, that’s exactly what happened in Week 10, and the two Seahawks RBs both had 14 carries, with the separator being a lone TD for Charbonnet. Could Walker end up a mid-range RB2 this week? Sure. Anything is possible. But my bet is on Charbonnet continuing to see equal volume to Walker and getting the red-zone work against Atlanta. With the fantasy playoffs in the balance, you can flex Walker if you need to, but limit your expectations and look for boom potential elsewhere in your lineups.

RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

Consensus Rank: RB15

Cam’s Rank: RB22 (-7)

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Sean Payton is unpredictable with his RB usage. In the past, he’s rolled out a 50/30/20 split between his top three RBs. J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 10, helping move RJ from the 30% snap share into the 50% snap share range. Since then, the Broncos have played the Chiefs, had a bye week, and then played the Commanders. Coming out of the Broncos’ bye week, Harvey took 47% of the snaps against the Commanders, keeping with Payton’s RB usage breakouts and finishing as RB4 in HPPR. I’m not a fan of doing this, but if you remove Harvey’s two TDs against the Commanders, who allow the 6th most rushing yards on the year, Harvey would’ve had 13 carries for 35 yards and three catches for 27 yards. Harvey should’ve run all over the Commanders, and the fact that he didn’t is worrisome. 

The Broncos should shellac the Raiders this week, but I’m not confident Harvey will be the one to ice the game. I’m trying to take the high-floor plays over the high-ceiling plays when I have to decide between the two, and I can’t rely on Payton to give Harvey the high-value touches that would vault him to the consensus RB14 ranking. If he’s all you’ve got at RB at this point in the season, you have to fire him up, but I’ve got Devin Neal 1 spot ahead of Harvey because he has broken the 70% snap rate in back-to-back weeks with Kamara out. While usage is predictable, TD scoring is not, and I don’t want to miss the playoffs because Sean Payton let Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin get the red zone snaps. 

Fantasy Court: The People vs. Justin Jefferson

Our writers couldn’t agree, so we sent them to court! One argues that Justin Jefferson should be ranked higher, while the other argues he should be ranked lower. The lineup jury is out, and it’s up to you to weigh the evidence and make the final call.

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Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Consensus Rank: WR14

The Case For:

Cam’s Rank: WR6 (+8)

Justin Jefferson has slipped in consensus rankings after two tough matchups, but the drop is an overreaction to short-term noise. Green Bay and Seattle are two of the league’s most stout opponents, and Jefferson’s QB suffered a concussion against the Packers and then was forced to catch balls from an undrafted rookie against the Seahawks.

Consensus rankings are overreacting to two weeks of noise rather than Justin Jefferson’s historic track record. He’s finished in the top five among WRs, aside from one injury-plagued campaign in which he finished WR28 despite missing 7 games. Jefferson is WR23 on the year, and he will look to light it up this week to regain some of the ground. Just 1.7 more points per game, and Jefferson would be a top-10 WR this season. That’s the margin of variance we’re talking about.

This isn’t just a “get right” game — it’s the perfect storm: elite talent, returning QB chemistry, a bottom-tier defense, and regression working in Jefferson’s favor. He gets J.J. McCarthy back under center and faces the Washington Commanders, who give up the second-most receiving yards in the league to pass catchers and 9.5 yards per target to WRs. Jefferson is averaging 8.1 targets per game with McCarthy under center and is tied with Aaron Jones as the most likely player to score a TD anytime during the game at +150 odds. 

Jefferson’s usage guarantees that his production will rebound — it’s not a matter of if, but when. If you believe in Kevin O’Connell as a play caller and offensive mind, you won’t want to continue betting against Jefferson in a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the league. Kevin O’Connell consistently designs high-volume passing scripts for Jefferson, especially in favorable matchups. The volume will stabilize Jefferson’s floor as a WR2, and his ceiling is the No. 1 WR in Week 14.

Benching Jefferson in Week 14 isn’t just ignoring the data — it’s ignoring the kind of upside that wins fantasy championships. After this matchup, look for Jefferson to keep the train rolling as his remaining games are against teams in the top five for points given up to WRs on the year.  

The Case Against:

Lou’s Rank: WR36 (-22)

Well, congratulations, Justin Jefferson, you made it into my top 36 WRs because both Marvin Harrison and Rome Odunze were ruled out. I really wanted to make the case that “under no circumstances should you start Jefferson in Week 14,” but I came up just short. I suppose there are certain cases in which you should start him. But if your fantasy playoff hopes lie in the balance, I genuinely hope you do not. 

The sad part is, as we all know, it’s not even about him. It’s about JMaxJ McBrosmerCarthy. When your historical companions are, well, no. We don’t have plurals here. It’s just one Mr. JaMarcus Russell. That’s it. 

J.J. McCarthy now ranks 851 out of 852 in EPA per Dropback among qualified passers since 2000, per Tru Media. The only player below McCarthy is JaMarcus Russell.

— Danny Heifetz (@dannyheifetz.bsky.social) November 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM

The sad part is – it doesn’t matter which QB it is. When you have a WR standing still, wide open, and you still miss them by 5 yards, that’s downright malpractice. In case you think a 54.1% completion percentage isn’t bad enough – it is, that’s terrible – McCarthy is only completing 39.7% of his passes over 10 yards. TEN YARDS. Have you heard the expression “He couldn’t hit water falling out of a boat”? Well, that’s McCarthy.

Jefferson may always be open, but he can’t be everywhere the way the ocean can. Even then, McCarthy would probably miss him.

For more advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

All rise! The Fantasy Court of Week 14 is officially in session, and this is no routine hearing. This is the final week before the fantasy playoffs, the do-or-die moment when every ranking dispute feels like a federal case and every lineup decision could send you to the promised land or straight into offseason purgatory.

This week, our writers march to the bench armed with exhibits, evidence, and just a touch of desperation as they make their cases for being higher or lower than the census on key players. Expect bold claims, aggressive cross-examinations, suspicious alibies (“he’s due!!”), and at least one player whose projection should honestly be considered fantasy malpractice.

Some verdicts will save your season. Others may lead to immediate appeals or emotional damages. Order in the court, order in your lineup, and maybe order a stress snack while you’re at it. Let’s begin the proceedings.

Don’t forget to check out our special bonus section at the end of this week’s article. It’s a court battle you won’t want to miss.

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 14

Players We Are Higher On:

Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Jets

Consensus Rank: QB18

Lou’s Rank: QB7 (+11)

Tyrod “TyGod” Taylor has returned. Those of us who fondly recall his days as a Buffalo Bills QB can only smile. Especially when we saw him turn in a QB5 performance in Week 13, now, if you’re a Grinch and nonbeliever, I can understand that. After all, he’s a 36-year-old journeyman QB at this point, taking way too many big hits.

But you know what he does do really well? He gets the ball in the hands of his playmakers. Now, admittedly, there are very few of those on the Jets in 2025. But just like his time with the Giants, Tyrod finds a way to get the ball to his guys. Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie may not be household names, but that’s kinda the point. When you can turn Mitchell into the WR6 the week after Metchie was WR11? That speaks to the QB making a difference. 

The cherry on top is that he can still scoot a little bit! He doesn’t run like he used to, but in the five games where he’s played more than a handful of snaps, he’s averaged over 28 yards/game. It helps keep that floor nice and high. And if you’re worried about Tyrod playing against opponents NOT named the Falcons, who allow the 4th most points to QBs over the last month, Miami is still among the top 10 friendliest. Welcome back, TyGod. We’ve missed you.

Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: RB27

Nate’s Rank: RB20 (+7)

It was supposed to be Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merrit, but alas, here we are. Washington Commanders third-year RB Chris Rodriguez has emerged as the de facto RB1 for the Commanders. In his last four games, Rodriguez has notched three TDs, has three games with 10 or more carries, and two games with 60 or more rushing yards. Also of note, Rodriguez is averaging 4.51 yards per carry through 10 total games this season. 

Heading into Week 14, the Commanders are getting QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow) back behind center. The return of Daniels instantly makes the Washington offense more explosive, and Rodriguez a more enticing option in fantasy down the stretch. 

This week against Minnesota is especially intriguing for Rodriguez. The Vikings were shut out last weekend, and the return of QB J.J. McCarthy isn’t good news for the offense. This game could get out of hand quickly, and we could see Rodriguez get north of 20 carries for the first time in his career. Given the potential volume, the third-year ball carrier could even outdo my rank of RB20 this week, and is definitely worth putting in your lineups for the final push to the fantasy football playoffs. 

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Consensus Rank: RB35

Nate’s Rank: RB29 (+6)

It seems, while no one is looking, Rams second-year RB Blake Corum has gone from a must-have handcuff to a viable situational play in your Flex roster spots. 

Since Week 10, Corum has seen his role grow, exceeding a 30 percent snap share in those games. Last week, in a loss to Carolina, he had his best game as a pro, logging seven carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Granted, Kyren Williams missed a few snaps due to an ankle injury, and the Panthers’ defense isn’t good against the run – they’ve allowed the seventh most points to fantasy RBs this season (22.2).

Last week won’t happen every week for Corum, but this week is a good week to see a repeat. The Rams, coming off an inexplicable Week 13 loss to Carolina, are looking for redemption. Their opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, are 3-9 and haven’t won since Week 8 against the Cowboys. I fully expect Corum to see north of 10 carries and some goalline work. With his efficiency (4.74 yards per carry this season) and the TD upside, he should easily surpass his rank of RB35 this week, and could sneak even higher than my predicted RB29 if the game gets out of hand fast.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Consensus Rank: RB12

Cam’s Rank: RB9 (+3)

Quinshon Judkins heads into Week 14 with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Kevin Stefanski does not want to throw the ball. In the past two weeks, the Browns have had more rush attempts than pass attempts, and they have been deploying him in the wildcat formation in the red zone.

In a matchup against a weak Titans offense, I would expect the Browns to have the ball often, win the time of possession battle, and the game. Draft Kings has Judkins -125 any time TD this week. Look for Judkins to see upwards of 20 total touches in this one and fall into the endzone.

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Consensus Rank: RB34

Cam’s Rank: RB18 (+16)

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I know it’s risky to start an aging RB coming off a shoulder and hamstring injury, but the situation is too juicy for me to agree with the consensus rankings. Aaron Jones is tied with Justin Jefferson as the most likely player to score an anytime TD in the game against the Commanders per DraftKings odds, which are set at +150. The Vikings are going to get back on track against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, which has given up the 6th most rushing yards on the year. In the last four games, the Commanders have allowed 142.5 rushing yards per game. Jones is a three-down running back who’s averaging five targets and 3.25 catches per game in his last four games. 

Jones is also getting his starting QB back under center, which will help the offense sustain drives and allow Jones to see more opportunities to score fantasy points. The trends are in Jones’ favor for a plus-fantasy week, and I have him as a safe RB2.

Players We Are Lower On:

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Consensus Rank: QB8

Lou’s Rank: QB17 (-9)

Remember back when Lamar Jackson was turning in consecutive top 5 QB finishes every week? Yeah, I remember that, too.

That was two and a half months ago now. Yeah, that long. Injuries are clearly taking their toll on him this year, and he’s battling through them. Instead of his patented escapability, he’s collapsing like cardboard in a rainstorm. 

Unfortunately, that creates a double-whammy for Lamar. Maybe even more. We think of his rushing ability in this regard, since the lowest rushing output of his career was his rookie year (697), and he’s on pace for 381 this year. It also impacts the Ravens’ passing game, since they rely on Jackson’s scrambling to extend plays and use his gravity to draw defenders away from targets. Well, if he can’t run, that element is gone. We even have a third layer (a triple-whammy?), his lack of rushing gravity even impacts the running game, since defenders don’t need to respect his “gravity.”

You put it all together, and you have an offense that can’t sustain drives or score points, further limiting everyone’s potential output. There it is, the dreaded quadruple-whammy!

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Consensus Rank: WR19

Lou’s Rank: WR32 (-13)

How?! Why?!

These are the questions that come to mind for me when I see people rank Zay Flowers in their top 20 WRs. Out of curiosity, do you know how many top 20 HPPR finishes Flowers has this year? Fun fact – the number of his top 20 finishes matches his WR rank that week, AND the Week number. In all three cases, it’s one. That’s right, his ONLY top 20 WR finish was back in Week 1 when he finished as the WR1. That’s it.

My ranking isn’t even so much about him; it’s about Lamar Jackson. As I talked about above, he hasn’t been right for weeks. It’s very difficult to produce when you can only average a little more than four yards per target over the last two games against defensive stalwarts. Checks notes – wait, this can’t be right – New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals?! Oh, Zay, what are we doing here?

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Consensus Rank: QB14

Nate’s Rank: QB19 (-5)

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It was fun while it lasted, but Colts QB Daniel Jones has turned back into a pumpkin, so it seems. Since Week 9, Jones is the overall QB15 in fantasy, which isn’t horrible, but it certainly isn’t the same QB play we saw that had him as the overall QB6 through eight weeks of the season. 

This week, the Colts have a must-win game against Jacksonville, which is tied with Indianapolis for the division lead at 8-4. While the team will need a big performance somewhere in the offense, it’s hard to imagine it comes from Jones, who, on top of coming back down to earth the last few weeks, is also playing with a partially fractured fibula in his plant (left) foot. 

Reason would dictate the Colts will employ a run-heavy scheme that won’t involve Jones as much as it will lean on RB Jonathan Taylor. When Jones does throw, it will be with more short, quick passes and routes to get the ball out of his hands faster. Jones can still be a backend QB2 in superflex, but he isn’t worth the risk in 1QB leagues as we approach the fantasy playoffs.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Consensus Rank: RB17

Nate’s Rank: RB25 (-8)

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The Seattle backfield is a mystery, folks, and not one you want to try to solve ahead of your final push for the fantasy football playoffs. While Kenneth Walker is officially listed as the team’s RB1, anyone who has watched this Seattle offense knows that isn’t exactly true. 

While Walker leads the Seahawks in carries (160), RB snaps (182) and yards (733), third-year back Zach Charbonnet leads the team in TDs (8) to Walker’s four. Furthermore, Charbonnet leads the team in red zone attempts (34) and percentage (50).

It doesn’t seem that Walker’s role has changed drastically; it’s just leveled out. He’s had 24 carries over the last two, netting 127 yards and no touchdowns. In that span, Charbonnet has 20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns, with three over the last four games. The difference is red zone opportunities, which Charbonnet is getting and Walker is not. 

While this game might be a blowout and turn run-heavy for Seattle early, that’s exactly what happened in Week 10, and the two Seahawks RBs both had 14 carries, with the separator being a lone TD for Charbonnet. Could Walker end up a mid-range RB2 this week? Sure. Anything is possible. But my bet is on Charbonnet continuing to see equal volume to Walker and getting the red-zone work against Atlanta. With the fantasy playoffs in the balance, you can flex Walker if you need to, but limit your expectations and look for boom potential elsewhere in your lineups.

RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

Consensus Rank: RB15

Cam’s Rank: RB22 (-7)

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Sean Payton is unpredictable with his RB usage. In the past, he’s rolled out a 50/30/20 split between his top three RBs. J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 10, helping move RJ from the 30% snap share into the 50% snap share range. Since then, the Broncos have played the Chiefs, had a bye week, and then played the Commanders. Coming out of the Broncos’ bye week, Harvey took 47% of the snaps against the Commanders, keeping with Payton’s RB usage breakouts and finishing as RB4 in HPPR. I’m not a fan of doing this, but if you remove Harvey’s two TDs against the Commanders, who allow the 6th most rushing yards on the year, Harvey would’ve had 13 carries for 35 yards and three catches for 27 yards. Harvey should’ve run all over the Commanders, and the fact that he didn’t is worrisome. 

The Broncos should shellac the Raiders this week, but I’m not confident Harvey will be the one to ice the game. I’m trying to take the high-floor plays over the high-ceiling plays when I have to decide between the two, and I can’t rely on Payton to give Harvey the high-value touches that would vault him to the consensus RB14 ranking. If he’s all you’ve got at RB at this point in the season, you have to fire him up, but I’ve got Devin Neal 1 spot ahead of Harvey because he has broken the 70% snap rate in back-to-back weeks with Kamara out. While usage is predictable, TD scoring is not, and I don’t want to miss the playoffs because Sean Payton let Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin get the red zone snaps. 

Fantasy Court: The People vs. Justin Jefferson

Our writers couldn’t agree, so we sent them to court! One argues that Justin Jefferson should be ranked higher, while the other argues he should be ranked lower. The lineup jury is out, and it’s up to you to weigh the evidence and make the final call.

Embed from Getty Images

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Consensus Rank: WR14

The Case For:

Cam’s Rank: WR6 (+8)

Justin Jefferson has slipped in consensus rankings after two tough matchups, but the drop is an overreaction to short-term noise. Green Bay and Seattle are two of the league’s most stout opponents, and Jefferson’s QB suffered a concussion against the Packers and then was forced to catch balls from an undrafted rookie against the Seahawks.

Consensus rankings are overreacting to two weeks of noise rather than Justin Jefferson’s historic track record. He’s finished in the top five among WRs, aside from one injury-plagued campaign in which he finished WR28 despite missing 7 games. Jefferson is WR23 on the year, and he will look to light it up this week to regain some of the ground. Just 1.7 more points per game, and Jefferson would be a top-10 WR this season. That’s the margin of variance we’re talking about.

This isn’t just a “get right” game — it’s the perfect storm: elite talent, returning QB chemistry, a bottom-tier defense, and regression working in Jefferson’s favor. He gets J.J. McCarthy back under center and faces the Washington Commanders, who give up the second-most receiving yards in the league to pass catchers and 9.5 yards per target to WRs. Jefferson is averaging 8.1 targets per game with McCarthy under center and is tied with Aaron Jones as the most likely player to score a TD anytime during the game at +150 odds. 

Jefferson’s usage guarantees that his production will rebound — it’s not a matter of if, but when. If you believe in Kevin O’Connell as a play caller and offensive mind, you won’t want to continue betting against Jefferson in a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the league. Kevin O’Connell consistently designs high-volume passing scripts for Jefferson, especially in favorable matchups. The volume will stabilize Jefferson’s floor as a WR2, and his ceiling is the No. 1 WR in Week 14.

Benching Jefferson in Week 14 isn’t just ignoring the data — it’s ignoring the kind of upside that wins fantasy championships. After this matchup, look for Jefferson to keep the train rolling as his remaining games are against teams in the top five for points given up to WRs on the year.  

The Case Against:

Lou’s Rank: WR36 (-22)

Well, congratulations, Justin Jefferson, you made it into my top 36 WRs because both Marvin Harrison and Rome Odunze were ruled out. I really wanted to make the case that “under no circumstances should you start Jefferson in Week 14,” but I came up just short. I suppose there are certain cases in which you should start him. But if your fantasy playoff hopes lie in the balance, I genuinely hope you do not. 

The sad part is, as we all know, it’s not even about him. It’s about JMaxJ McBrosmerCarthy. When your historical companions are, well, no. We don’t have plurals here. It’s just one Mr. JaMarcus Russell. That’s it. 

J.J. McCarthy now ranks 851 out of 852 in EPA per Dropback among qualified passers since 2000, per Tru Media. The only player below McCarthy is JaMarcus Russell.

— Danny Heifetz (@dannyheifetz.bsky.social) November 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM

The sad part is – it doesn’t matter which QB it is. When you have a WR standing still, wide open, and you still miss them by 5 yards, that’s downright malpractice. In case you think a 54.1% completion percentage isn’t bad enough – it is, that’s terrible – McCarthy is only completing 39.7% of his passes over 10 yards. TEN YARDS. Have you heard the expression “He couldn’t hit water falling out of a boat”? Well, that’s McCarthy.

Jefferson may always be open, but he can’t be everywhere the way the ocean can. Even then, McCarthy would probably miss him.

For more advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

All rise! The Fantasy Court of Week 14 is officially in session, and this is no routine hearing. This is the final week before the fantasy playoffs, the do-or-die moment when every ranking dispute feels like a federal case and every lineup decision could send you to the promised land or straight into offseason purgatory.

This week, our writers march to the bench armed with exhibits, evidence, and just a touch of desperation as they make their cases for being higher or lower than the census on key players. Expect bold claims, aggressive cross-examinations, suspicious alibies (“he’s due!!”), and at least one player whose projection should honestly be considered fantasy malpractice.

Some verdicts will save your season. Others may lead to immediate appeals or emotional damages. Order in the court, order in your lineup, and maybe order a stress snack while you’re at it. Let’s begin the proceedings.

Don’t forget to check out our special bonus section at the end of this week’s article. It’s a court battle you won’t want to miss.

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 14

Players We Are Higher On:

Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Jets

Consensus Rank: QB18

Lou’s Rank: QB7 (+11)

Tyrod “TyGod” Taylor has returned. Those of us who fondly recall his days as a Buffalo Bills QB can only smile. Especially when we saw him turn in a QB5 performance in Week 13, now, if you’re a Grinch and nonbeliever, I can understand that. After all, he’s a 36-year-old journeyman QB at this point, taking way too many big hits.

But you know what he does do really well? He gets the ball in the hands of his playmakers. Now, admittedly, there are very few of those on the Jets in 2025. But just like his time with the Giants, Tyrod finds a way to get the ball to his guys. Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie may not be household names, but that’s kinda the point. When you can turn Mitchell into the WR6 the week after Metchie was WR11? That speaks to the QB making a difference. 

The cherry on top is that he can still scoot a little bit! He doesn’t run like he used to, but in the five games where he’s played more than a handful of snaps, he’s averaged over 28 yards/game. It helps keep that floor nice and high. And if you’re worried about Tyrod playing against opponents NOT named the Falcons, who allow the 4th most points to QBs over the last month, Miami is still among the top 10 friendliest. Welcome back, TyGod. We’ve missed you.

Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: RB27

Nate’s Rank: RB20 (+7)

It was supposed to be Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merrit, but alas, here we are. Washington Commanders third-year RB Chris Rodriguez has emerged as the de facto RB1 for the Commanders. In his last four games, Rodriguez has notched three TDs, has three games with 10 or more carries, and two games with 60 or more rushing yards. Also of note, Rodriguez is averaging 4.51 yards per carry through 10 total games this season. 

Heading into Week 14, the Commanders are getting QB Jayden Daniels (left elbow) back behind center. The return of Daniels instantly makes the Washington offense more explosive, and Rodriguez a more enticing option in fantasy down the stretch. 

This week against Minnesota is especially intriguing for Rodriguez. The Vikings were shut out last weekend, and the return of QB J.J. McCarthy isn’t good news for the offense. This game could get out of hand quickly, and we could see Rodriguez get north of 20 carries for the first time in his career. Given the potential volume, the third-year ball carrier could even outdo my rank of RB20 this week, and is definitely worth putting in your lineups for the final push to the fantasy football playoffs. 

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Consensus Rank: RB35

Nate’s Rank: RB29 (+6)

It seems, while no one is looking, Rams second-year RB Blake Corum has gone from a must-have handcuff to a viable situational play in your Flex roster spots. 

Since Week 10, Corum has seen his role grow, exceeding a 30 percent snap share in those games. Last week, in a loss to Carolina, he had his best game as a pro, logging seven carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Granted, Kyren Williams missed a few snaps due to an ankle injury, and the Panthers’ defense isn’t good against the run – they’ve allowed the seventh most points to fantasy RBs this season (22.2).

Last week won’t happen every week for Corum, but this week is a good week to see a repeat. The Rams, coming off an inexplicable Week 13 loss to Carolina, are looking for redemption. Their opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, are 3-9 and haven’t won since Week 8 against the Cowboys. I fully expect Corum to see north of 10 carries and some goalline work. With his efficiency (4.74 yards per carry this season) and the TD upside, he should easily surpass his rank of RB35 this week, and could sneak even higher than my predicted RB29 if the game gets out of hand fast.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Consensus Rank: RB12

Cam’s Rank: RB9 (+3)

Quinshon Judkins heads into Week 14 with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Kevin Stefanski does not want to throw the ball. In the past two weeks, the Browns have had more rush attempts than pass attempts, and they have been deploying him in the wildcat formation in the red zone.

In a matchup against a weak Titans offense, I would expect the Browns to have the ball often, win the time of possession battle, and the game. Draft Kings has Judkins -125 any time TD this week. Look for Judkins to see upwards of 20 total touches in this one and fall into the endzone.

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Consensus Rank: RB34

Cam’s Rank: RB18 (+16)

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I know it’s risky to start an aging RB coming off a shoulder and hamstring injury, but the situation is too juicy for me to agree with the consensus rankings. Aaron Jones is tied with Justin Jefferson as the most likely player to score an anytime TD in the game against the Commanders per DraftKings odds, which are set at +150. The Vikings are going to get back on track against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, which has given up the 6th most rushing yards on the year. In the last four games, the Commanders have allowed 142.5 rushing yards per game. Jones is a three-down running back who’s averaging five targets and 3.25 catches per game in his last four games. 

Jones is also getting his starting QB back under center, which will help the offense sustain drives and allow Jones to see more opportunities to score fantasy points. The trends are in Jones’ favor for a plus-fantasy week, and I have him as a safe RB2.

Players We Are Lower On:

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Consensus Rank: QB8

Lou’s Rank: QB17 (-9)

Remember back when Lamar Jackson was turning in consecutive top 5 QB finishes every week? Yeah, I remember that, too.

That was two and a half months ago now. Yeah, that long. Injuries are clearly taking their toll on him this year, and he’s battling through them. Instead of his patented escapability, he’s collapsing like cardboard in a rainstorm. 

Unfortunately, that creates a double-whammy for Lamar. Maybe even more. We think of his rushing ability in this regard, since the lowest rushing output of his career was his rookie year (697), and he’s on pace for 381 this year. It also impacts the Ravens’ passing game, since they rely on Jackson’s scrambling to extend plays and use his gravity to draw defenders away from targets. Well, if he can’t run, that element is gone. We even have a third layer (a triple-whammy?), his lack of rushing gravity even impacts the running game, since defenders don’t need to respect his “gravity.”

You put it all together, and you have an offense that can’t sustain drives or score points, further limiting everyone’s potential output. There it is, the dreaded quadruple-whammy!

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Consensus Rank: WR19

Lou’s Rank: WR32 (-13)

How?! Why?!

These are the questions that come to mind for me when I see people rank Zay Flowers in their top 20 WRs. Out of curiosity, do you know how many top 20 HPPR finishes Flowers has this year? Fun fact – the number of his top 20 finishes matches his WR rank that week, AND the Week number. In all three cases, it’s one. That’s right, his ONLY top 20 WR finish was back in Week 1 when he finished as the WR1. That’s it.

My ranking isn’t even so much about him; it’s about Lamar Jackson. As I talked about above, he hasn’t been right for weeks. It’s very difficult to produce when you can only average a little more than four yards per target over the last two games against defensive stalwarts. Checks notes – wait, this can’t be right – New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals?! Oh, Zay, what are we doing here?

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Consensus Rank: QB14

Nate’s Rank: QB19 (-5)

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It was fun while it lasted, but Colts QB Daniel Jones has turned back into a pumpkin, so it seems. Since Week 9, Jones is the overall QB15 in fantasy, which isn’t horrible, but it certainly isn’t the same QB play we saw that had him as the overall QB6 through eight weeks of the season. 

This week, the Colts have a must-win game against Jacksonville, which is tied with Indianapolis for the division lead at 8-4. While the team will need a big performance somewhere in the offense, it’s hard to imagine it comes from Jones, who, on top of coming back down to earth the last few weeks, is also playing with a partially fractured fibula in his plant (left) foot. 

Reason would dictate the Colts will employ a run-heavy scheme that won’t involve Jones as much as it will lean on RB Jonathan Taylor. When Jones does throw, it will be with more short, quick passes and routes to get the ball out of his hands faster. Jones can still be a backend QB2 in superflex, but he isn’t worth the risk in 1QB leagues as we approach the fantasy playoffs.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Consensus Rank: RB17

Nate’s Rank: RB25 (-8)

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The Seattle backfield is a mystery, folks, and not one you want to try to solve ahead of your final push for the fantasy football playoffs. While Kenneth Walker is officially listed as the team’s RB1, anyone who has watched this Seattle offense knows that isn’t exactly true. 

While Walker leads the Seahawks in carries (160), RB snaps (182) and yards (733), third-year back Zach Charbonnet leads the team in TDs (8) to Walker’s four. Furthermore, Charbonnet leads the team in red zone attempts (34) and percentage (50).

It doesn’t seem that Walker’s role has changed drastically; it’s just leveled out. He’s had 24 carries over the last two, netting 127 yards and no touchdowns. In that span, Charbonnet has 20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns, with three over the last four games. The difference is red zone opportunities, which Charbonnet is getting and Walker is not. 

While this game might be a blowout and turn run-heavy for Seattle early, that’s exactly what happened in Week 10, and the two Seahawks RBs both had 14 carries, with the separator being a lone TD for Charbonnet. Could Walker end up a mid-range RB2 this week? Sure. Anything is possible. But my bet is on Charbonnet continuing to see equal volume to Walker and getting the red-zone work against Atlanta. With the fantasy playoffs in the balance, you can flex Walker if you need to, but limit your expectations and look for boom potential elsewhere in your lineups.

RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

Consensus Rank: RB15

Cam’s Rank: RB22 (-7)

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Sean Payton is unpredictable with his RB usage. In the past, he’s rolled out a 50/30/20 split between his top three RBs. J.K. Dobbins went down in Week 10, helping move RJ from the 30% snap share into the 50% snap share range. Since then, the Broncos have played the Chiefs, had a bye week, and then played the Commanders. Coming out of the Broncos’ bye week, Harvey took 47% of the snaps against the Commanders, keeping with Payton’s RB usage breakouts and finishing as RB4 in HPPR. I’m not a fan of doing this, but if you remove Harvey’s two TDs against the Commanders, who allow the 6th most rushing yards on the year, Harvey would’ve had 13 carries for 35 yards and three catches for 27 yards. Harvey should’ve run all over the Commanders, and the fact that he didn’t is worrisome. 

The Broncos should shellac the Raiders this week, but I’m not confident Harvey will be the one to ice the game. I’m trying to take the high-floor plays over the high-ceiling plays when I have to decide between the two, and I can’t rely on Payton to give Harvey the high-value touches that would vault him to the consensus RB14 ranking. If he’s all you’ve got at RB at this point in the season, you have to fire him up, but I’ve got Devin Neal 1 spot ahead of Harvey because he has broken the 70% snap rate in back-to-back weeks with Kamara out. While usage is predictable, TD scoring is not, and I don’t want to miss the playoffs because Sean Payton let Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin get the red zone snaps. 

Fantasy Court: The People vs. Justin Jefferson

Our writers couldn’t agree, so we sent them to court! One argues that Justin Jefferson should be ranked higher, while the other argues he should be ranked lower. The lineup jury is out, and it’s up to you to weigh the evidence and make the final call.

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Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Consensus Rank: WR14

The Case For:

Cam’s Rank: WR6 (+8)

Justin Jefferson has slipped in consensus rankings after two tough matchups, but the drop is an overreaction to short-term noise. Green Bay and Seattle are two of the league’s most stout opponents, and Jefferson’s QB suffered a concussion against the Packers and then was forced to catch balls from an undrafted rookie against the Seahawks.

Consensus rankings are overreacting to two weeks of noise rather than Justin Jefferson’s historic track record. He’s finished in the top five among WRs, aside from one injury-plagued campaign in which he finished WR28 despite missing 7 games. Jefferson is WR23 on the year, and he will look to light it up this week to regain some of the ground. Just 1.7 more points per game, and Jefferson would be a top-10 WR this season. That’s the margin of variance we’re talking about.

This isn’t just a “get right” game — it’s the perfect storm: elite talent, returning QB chemistry, a bottom-tier defense, and regression working in Jefferson’s favor. He gets J.J. McCarthy back under center and faces the Washington Commanders, who give up the second-most receiving yards in the league to pass catchers and 9.5 yards per target to WRs. Jefferson is averaging 8.1 targets per game with McCarthy under center and is tied with Aaron Jones as the most likely player to score a TD anytime during the game at +150 odds. 

Jefferson’s usage guarantees that his production will rebound — it’s not a matter of if, but when. If you believe in Kevin O’Connell as a play caller and offensive mind, you won’t want to continue betting against Jefferson in a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the league. Kevin O’Connell consistently designs high-volume passing scripts for Jefferson, especially in favorable matchups. The volume will stabilize Jefferson’s floor as a WR2, and his ceiling is the No. 1 WR in Week 14.

Benching Jefferson in Week 14 isn’t just ignoring the data — it’s ignoring the kind of upside that wins fantasy championships. After this matchup, look for Jefferson to keep the train rolling as his remaining games are against teams in the top five for points given up to WRs on the year.  

The Case Against:

Lou’s Rank: WR36 (-22)

Well, congratulations, Justin Jefferson, you made it into my top 36 WRs because both Marvin Harrison and Rome Odunze were ruled out. I really wanted to make the case that “under no circumstances should you start Jefferson in Week 14,” but I came up just short. I suppose there are certain cases in which you should start him. But if your fantasy playoff hopes lie in the balance, I genuinely hope you do not. 

The sad part is, as we all know, it’s not even about him. It’s about JMaxJ McBrosmerCarthy. When your historical companions are, well, no. We don’t have plurals here. It’s just one Mr. JaMarcus Russell. That’s it. 

J.J. McCarthy now ranks 851 out of 852 in EPA per Dropback among qualified passers since 2000, per Tru Media. The only player below McCarthy is JaMarcus Russell.

— Danny Heifetz (@dannyheifetz.bsky.social) November 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM

The sad part is – it doesn’t matter which QB it is. When you have a WR standing still, wide open, and you still miss them by 5 yards, that’s downright malpractice. In case you think a 54.1% completion percentage isn’t bad enough – it is, that’s terrible – McCarthy is only completing 39.7% of his passes over 10 yards. TEN YARDS. Have you heard the expression “He couldn’t hit water falling out of a boat”? Well, that’s McCarthy.

Jefferson may always be open, but he can’t be everywhere the way the ocean can. Even then, McCarthy would probably miss him.

For more advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

By Published On: December 5th, 2025

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