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The 2024 NFL season has forced fantasy football managers to endure our fair share of injuries, and we’ve even escaped weeks when top players have been shut out completely.
But now we are being tasked with navigating through five new quarterbacks taking snaps for their teams this week, and wide receivers we assumed would be guiding us to the finals are now question marks on our rosters.
Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy was supposed to be this season’s fantasy savior, a real league-winner.
With Jameis Winston under center over the past seven games, Jeudy averaged seven catches for 112.3 receiving yards on 10 targets per game.
He had three 100-yard efforts (one for 235 yards) and found the end zone three times. His lowest output during that span was 12.9 PPR points, and three times he surpassed the 20-point threshold.
3 Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) tackles Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Now, during the fantasy semifinals here in Week 16, the Browns are facing the Bengals, arguably one of the worst pass defenses in the league.
Huge, right?
League-winner you say? Not so fast.
Winston is known for his “huck-it, chuck-it” style, and interceptions are all part of his game.
Everyone knows that. Even the Browns.
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But this week, they’ve decided they can no longer stomach the turnovers and have replaced Winston with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a backup who is no friend to fantasy.
So how are we expected to value Jeudy this week?
Can Thompson-Robinson be trusted, and can we afford to even consider it during the fantasy playoffs?
With other receivers such as Keenan Allen, Jalen McMillan and Adam Thielen all rising in value, who are you trusting in your lineup?
3 Jalen McMillan (15) catches a pass and runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half at against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
With these three, we know there are consistent, quality targets.
Caleb Williams and Bryce Young are leaning heavily on their veterans, and McMillan seems to have finally filled the No. 2 receiver vacancy for Baker Mayfield left by Chris Godwin.
Given Thompson-Robinson’s track record and lack of practice time with Jeudy, all three seem to be better options, each with a higher floor.
And the Browns are only the tip of the iceberg.
The Falcons benched Kirk Cousins for Michael Penix Jr.
The Titans are staying with Mason Rudolph.
3 Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) stands in the pocket against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Saints are rolling out Spencer Rattler, and the Giants are going back to Drew Lock.
Players such as Drake London and Calvin Ridley are joining Jeudy in the pool of receivers we don’t know if we can trust.
Following the targets and siding with more reliable quarterbacks might be the only way to advance to your fantasy Super Bowl.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.