Travdogg's positional rankings from week 12 onward (3 Viewers)

[travdogg]

Sorry about the delays this week, was pretty sick Tuesday/Wednesday, better late than never, right?

QB
Tier 1:
1. Josh Allen (1)
2. Lamar Jackson (3)
3. Drake Maye (5)
4. Jalen Hurts (4)
5. Patrick Mahomes (2), isn't running like he was earlier in the season, schedule isn't great (especially Denver again in Championship week) is enough to push him to the bottom of the tier.

Tier 2:
6. Daniel Jones (12), QB7 PPG, the Colts are quietly the 2nd most pass heavy team in the NFL. Jones resumed running again, after a few weeks of mostly just kneel downs. Neutral schedule going forward.
7. Jaxson Dart (10)
8. Matthew Stafford (6)

Tier 3:
9. Jared Goff (14), only QB16 PPG. Lions are 2nd most pass heavy team in small sample size since Campbell took over playcalling. Nice schedule, with 0 outdoor games going forward.
10. Bo Nix (13)
11. Dak Prescott (8)

Tier 4:
12. Brock Purdy (NR), QB11 PPG in his 3 starts. Week 14 bye sucks, but this is an offense that is on the rise as it returns to health. No more Kendrick Bourne/Jake Tonges reliance.
13. Justin Herbert (7), perhaps an overreaction, as he's QB9 in PPG, but the OL is worse than ever, and the schedule is rough other than week 16 Dallas, and its possible Dallas isn't the pushover they were before the trade deadline.
14. Jordan Love (NR), QB17 PPG, has a schedule that could be high in potential shootouts. Watson's return has helped, and Jayden Reed seems close.
15. Jayden Daniels (NR), QB13 in PPG, seems likely to be back in a week or 2, based on no IR. Has NYG, Dal in weeks 15 and 17.

Dropped off: Baker Mayfield (9), QB14 in PPG, rushing is down (despite last week) and schedule is much more run friendly. Last omission. Caleb Williams (11), QB10 in PPG, schedule is brutal (Pit, Phi, GB, Cle, GB) next 5, and full of weather concerns. Sam Darnold (15), QB23 in PPG, been a turnover machine of late. Great for JSN, but not a guy to be trusted.

 

[travdogg]

RB
Tier 1:
1. Jonathan Taylor (1)
2. Christian McCaffrey (2)
3. De'Von Achane (4)
4. Bijan Robinson (6), saw best workload of the season last week, and I'm not sure Penix injury hurts, or makes them more dependent on Bijan. Mostly nice schedule other than Rams in Championship week.

Tier 2:
5. Jahmyr Gibbs (3), Lions are more pass heavy since Campbell took over playcalling, maybe some of that goes to Gibbs (it did last week) but I'm not confident about that being more than a matchup-based thing against Philly. Most teams won't cover the WRs as well as the Eagles did.
6. James Cook (5)
7. Josh Jacobs (7)

Tier 3:
8. Kyren Williams (9)
9. Javonte Williams (8)
10. Bucky Irving (14), he's back practicing, and TB has amazing schedule after Rams this week. I hear some concern about his workload not being what it was pre-injury, and that seems iffy to me. Bucs are fighting for a playoff spot, after losing 3 of their last 4, and can't afford to take it easy in my opinion.

Tier 4:
11. Saquon Barkley (11)
12. Rico Dowdle (10), hasn't been the most efficient the last 2 weeks, but workload is elite. Week 14 bye hurts a bit, as does Seahawks in Championship week, but lots to like. He's still the centerpiece in Carolina.
13. Derrick Henry (15)

Tier 5:
14. Ashton Jeanty (16)
15. Travis Etienne (22), 20+ chances in 3 straight, as Jags have increased run game reliance with no Thomas/Hunter. Its been a mostly winning formula during that stretch.
16. D'Andre Swift (20)

Tier 6:
17. Chase Brown (13)
18. Omarion Hampton (21)
19. Breece Hall (12), I don't think switching to Taylor is good news. Fields helps the run game by teams having to account for his rushing ability. That was true of Tyrod once upon a time, but I don't think so in 2025.
20. Quinshon Judkins (17)

Tier 7:
21. TreVeyon Henderson (19)
22. Jaylen Warren (18)
23. Kenneth Walker (29), starting to eke into main position, and isn't getting pulled at the GL. Was that just due to feeling the need to use the better player more when trailing, or the start of something is the question.
24. David Montgomery (26)

Tier 8:
25. Aaron Jones (24)
26. Alvin Kamara (NR), had 25 touches last game, schedule is as good as it gets, just don't trust that he's got much left.
27. Rhamondre Stevenson (NR), he's gonna be involved, possibly as much as 50-50, that said, schedule is beautiful, and NE could score 30 weekly. There's room for both he and Henderson.
28. Woody Marks (25)
29. RJ Harvey (23), Payton is committed to his RBBC, and playoff schedule isn't great.
30. Kimani Vidal (NR), I expect him to be pretty involved upon Hampton's return, I think he's earned that, and he's a top-15 guy if Hampton gets hurt again, or isn't back in week 13. One of the higher ceilinged #2 guys. Don't think his thigh injury is something to worry about through the bye.

Dropped off: Kyle Monangai (27), last omission, basically similar to what I see with Vidal, but Bears have harder schedule. Zach Charbonnet (28), Walker is starting to create distance for #1 role, and a 3rd RB has become involved. Trending back to handcuff territory. Kareem Hunt (30), low-end RB2 whenever Pacheco is out, but Pacheco returned to practice.

 

[travdogg]

WR
Tier 1:
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2)
2. Puka Nacua (3)
3. Rashee Rice (1), isn't quite the volume hog the others in the tier are, though maybe has higher TD odds than either. Its tight at the top, but the other 2 haven't busted like Rice did last week.

Tier 2:
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown (4)
5. Ja'Marr Chase (5)
6. Drake London (7), doesn't sound like his injury will be more than 1 missed game, and I don't view Cousins as worse than Penix, just because of a 1 game sample size.

Tier 3:
7. George Pickens (12), while Lamb has outproduced him since returning, a lot of that was a 70-yard TD on a blown coverage. In full-PPR maybe I'd prefer Lamb, but in .5 and non, I like Pickens higher TD potential and more downfield usage more.
8. Davante Adams (8)
9. Emeka Egbuka (9)

Tier 4:
10. CeeDee Lamb (6), not that I'm particularly down on Lamb, but I also wonder if he's the same player post-ankle injury. Just doesn't seem as elusive in the open field, or as quick at snapping off his routes, which are arguably his 2 biggest strengths.
11. Justin Jefferson (11)
12. Nico Collins (10)
13. Jaylen Waddle (15)

Tier 5:
14. Michael Pittman (27), WR15 PPG, and Colts look likely to be in some shootouts going forward. With a bye week to think about it, I think I was overreacting to the Falcons game.
15. Tee Higgins (14)
16. Ladd McConkey (17)
17. Rome Odunze (13)
18. Tetairoa McMillan (24)

Tier 6:
19. DeVonta Smith (16)
20. Chris Olave (20)
21. Stefon Diggs (25)
22. Jordan Addison (29), WR24 PPG, he gets lots of high value targets (deep shots, endzone targets) but doesn't get the easier targets to make him consistent.
23. Marvin Harrison (22)
24. DK Metcalf (28)
25. Deebo Samuel (30)
26. Garrett Wilson (19), out until week 15, though it sounds likely he'll be ready to go then. Has high-end WR2 upside during the fantasy playoffs, and Jags/Saints/Patriots is a nice schedule. More valuable for playoff locks than teams still fighting. This is a hedge on that.

Tier 7:
27. AJ Brown (18), season high in targets last week, but didn't really matter. He's just a boom/bust WR3 at this point. Has a great schedule, but does that even matter? His best games were against good defenses in Rams and Vikings. Fantasy playoffs all have weather concerns too.
28. Zay Flowers (23)
29. Courtland Sutton (21), its 1A/1B with Franklin at this point, and I'm probably being slightly stubborn keeping Sutton as the "A" part of that.
30. Jameson Williams (32)

Tier 8:
31. Troy Franklin (35)
32. Quentin Johnston (26), down to WR27 PPG, has become a bit TD or bust. Followed up 10 target game with a zero-point week doesn't make me want to trust him.
33. Brian Thomas (39)
34. Wan'Dale Robinson (36)
35. Alec Pierce (31)

Tier 9:
36. Terry McLaurin (38)
37. Khalil Shakir (37)
38. Ricky Pearsall (34)
39. Keenan Allen (NR), not seeing the volume he saw earlier in the year, but want to highlight him as a guy who could see more work out of the bye, if the Chargers feel the need to smash that easy button to protect Herbert. Also has contingent upside if injuries happen to any of 3 other guys.
40. Romeo Doubs (33)

Dropped off: DJ Moore (40), WR48 PPG, falling down the pecking order on an increasingly run 1st team. I wouldn't call him a cut, but I'd have zero confidence starting him.

 

[travdogg]

TE
Tier 1:
1. Trey McBride (1)
2. George Kittle (7), welcome back Brock Purdy. I got this one wrong, thinking he'd be used more as a blocker in an effort to keep Purdy healthy. Instead, he instantly went back to being the clear #1 in the pass game. Schedule is wonderful beyond week 14 bye.
3. Brock Bowers (2)

Tier 2:
4. Tyler Warren (3)
5. Jake Ferguson (4)
6. Mark Andrews (12), 6 games with Lamar, 6 TDs. Its one of those stats that looks fluky on paper, but watching the Ravens, he's the one they are calling plays for in the redzone, even more than Henry. Not a single bad matchup left.
7. Travis Kelce (5)
8. Dallas Goedert (8)

Tier 3:
9. Dalton Kincaid (9)
10. Darren Waller (NR), I can totally understand if people just wouldn't bother with Waller. But, he's eligible to come back whenever, has a great schedule, and a clear path to being Miami's #2 pass catcher. I'd say risk/reward, but really not a lot of risk, as he's likely on waivers in the large majority of leagues. Has a top-5 ceiling is things break right.
11. Oronde Gadsden (10)

Tier 4:
12. Kyle Pitts (NR), TE22 PPG, but had season high 9 catches in Cousins 1 start, maybe that's just noise and means nothing, but at this point, don't need much to go on at TE.
13. Juwan Johnson (11)
14. Colston Loveland (NR), in a pretty even split with Kmet, but clearly the better receiver. There is certainly a scenario where he's the #2 pass catcher from here on in, as Moore is falling off. More of flier type, but its clear he's got big play ability.
15. Harold Fannin (NR), TE20 on the season, will be better with Gabriel than Sanders (as likely everyone would) but other than week 14 (Ten) I expect the Browns to be trailing in every game going forward.

Dropped off: Sam LaPorta (6), on IR with a back injury, doesn't give me the best vibes he'll be ready in week 15 either. Backs are tricky. Hunter Henry (13), 3 games over 50 yards all season. TD or bust, and Boutte is expected back. Theo Johnson (14), 7-75 game against Bears feels like the outlier. Zach Ertz (15), good bet for 4-40, but does that move the needle? Will Daniels/McLaurin be back after the bye?

 

[VikingFrog]

I’m downgrading @travdogg from number 1 football guys player list maker to number 2, clearly bumping him down into tier 2 due to his lack of rushing upside and being sick.

Just kidding old fella. Always love these.

Feel better.

 

[eighsse2]

17. Chris Brown (13)

He got into football now?

 

[VikingFrog]

WR
Tier 1:
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2)
2. Puka Nacua (3)
3. Rashee Rice (1), isn't quite the volume hog the others in the tier are, though maybe has higher TD odds than either. Its tight at the top, but the other 2 haven't busted like Rice did last week.

Tier 2:
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown (4)
5. Ja'Marr Chase (5)
6. Drake London (7), doesn't sound like his injury will be more than 1 missed game, and I don't view Cousins as worse than Penix, just because of a 1 game sample size.

Tier 3:
7. George Pickens (12), while Lamb has outproduced him since returning, a lot of that was a 70-yard TD on a blown coverage. In full-PPR maybe I'd prefer Lamb, but in .5 and non, I like Pickens higher TD potential and more downfield usage more.
8. Davante Adams (8)
9. Emeka Egbuka (9)

Tier 4:
10. CeeDee Lamb (6), not that I'm particularly down on Lamb, but I also wonder if he's the same player post-ankle injury. Just doesn't seem as elusive in the open field, or as quick at snapping off his routes, which are arguably his 2 biggest strengths.
11. Justin Jefferson (11)
12. Nico Collins (10)
13. Jaylen Waddle (15)

Tier 5:
14. Michael Pittman (27), WR15 PPG, and Colts look likely to be in some shootouts going forward. With a bye week to think about it, I think I was overreacting to the Falcons game.
15. Tee Higgins (14)
16. Ladd McConkey (17)
17. Rome Odunze (13)
18. Tetairoa McMillan (24)

Tier 6:
19. DeVonta Smith (16)
20. Chris Olave (20)
21. Stefon Diggs (25)
22. Jordan Addison (29), WR24 PPG, he gets lots of high value targets (deep shots, endzone targets) but doesn't get the easier targets to make him consistent.
23. Marvin Harrison (22)
24. DK Metcalf (28)
25. Deebo Samuel (30)
26. Garrett Wilson (19), out until week 15, though it sounds likely he'll be ready to go then. Has high-end WR2 upside during the fantasy playoffs, and Jags/Saints/Patriots is a nice schedule. More valuable for playoff locks than teams still fighting. This is a hedge on that.

Tier 7:
27. AJ Brown (18), season high in targets last week, but didn't really matter. He's just a boom/bust WR3 at this point. Has a great schedule, but does that even matter? His best games were against good defenses in Rams and Vikings. Fantasy playoffs all have weather concerns too.
28. Zay Flowers (23)
29. Courtland Sutton (21), its 1A/1B with Franklin at this point, and I'm probably being slightly stubborn keeping Sutton as the "A" part of that.
30. Jameson Williams (32)

Tier 8:
31. Troy Franklin (35)
32. Quentin Johnston (26), down to WR27 PPG, has become a bit TD or bust. Followed up 10 target game with a zero-point week doesn't make me want to trust him.
33. Brian Thomas (39)
34. Wan'Dale Robinson (36)
35. Alec Pierce (31)

Tier 9:
36. Terry McLaurin (38)
37. Khalil Shakir (37)
38. Ricky Pearsall (34)
39. Keenan Allen (NR), not seeing the volume he saw earlier in the year, but want to highlight him as a guy who could see more work out of the bye, if the Chargers feel the need to smash that easy button to protect Herbert. Also has contingent upside if injuries happen to any of 3 other guys.
40. Romeo Doubs (33)

Dropped off: DJ Moore (40), WR48 PPG, falling down the pecking order on an increasingly run 1st team. I wouldn't call him a cut, but I'd have zero confidence starting him.

Terry McClaurin just hanging around on your list doing nothing. Just like he’s hanging around on my bench doing nothing.

 

[VikingFrog]

6. Mark Andrews (12), 6 games with Lamar, 6 TDs. It’s one of those stats that looks fluky on paper, but watching the Ravens, he's the one they are calling plays for in the redzone, even more than Henry. Not a single bad matchup left.

He’s got rushing upside now too taking one in from 35 yards out!

Bump him up a tier you coward!

 

[travdogg]

17. Chris Brown (13)

He got into football now?

Chase Brown, good catch, though a Chris Brown did have a 1000-yard rushing season for the Titans in the later Steve McNair years.

 

[kyoun1e]

Javonte ahead of Barkley. Interesting. Was interested in trading Javante for Barkley due to PHI's schedule.

 

[FarFromHome]

Javonte ahead of Barkley. Interesting. Was interested in trading Javante for Barkley due to PHI's schedule.

Your post triggered me to offer Javante for Barkley in my leagues.

 

[kyoun1e]

Javonte ahead of Barkley. Interesting. Was interested in trading Javante for Barkley due to PHI's schedule.

Your post triggered me to offer Javante for Barkley in my leagues.

Let me know if it's accepted.

I was thinking I'd need to throw in a little something extra.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Indiana Jones should be moving down, not up. cake walk is over.

 

[travdogg]

Javonte ahead of Barkley. Interesting. Was interested in trading Javante for Barkley due to PHI's schedule.

I'd agree Barkley has a nicer schedule, but I think he's in a worse offense, with a worse role. I mean, Williams has outscored Barkley in 7 of 10 weeks, and Barkley's monster game against the Giants is really the only thing keeping their season stats close.

Maybe I'll be wrong on this, but with Lane Johnson out for a while, Cam Jurgens being banged up, and the pass game not scaring defenses, I'm not sure how much an easier schedule helps. Will Philly outscore Dallas going forward? That feels unlikely to me. Williams gets more GL work than Barkley, and neither do much in the pass game. Barkley needs the big plays to be better.

So to me, the bet is will Barkley hit enough big plays, to make up for the worse role and overall offense? Barkley has had 4 games against run defenses ranked 25th or lower this season and he has:

18-60-1 4-24 Dallas week 1
19-43-1 4-31 Tampa week 4
12-58 2-9 NYG week 6
14-150-1 4-24-1 NYG week 8

I kind of wonder if Javonte not scoring a TD in either of his last 2 games, makes him look worse than he is? He has 15-83, and 22-93 in those games, but a TD would have been nice.

 

[travdogg]

Indiana Jones should be moving down, not up. cake walk is over.

What cake walk? His remaining schedule is easier than what he already played. They have KC/Hou the next 2 weeks, then its easy street, including SF/Jac the last 2 weeks (both at home)

Jones faced 4 top-8 pass defenses this season, and other than the Rams played great against all of them. Including Denver with Surtain, who was #1 until he went down (and are still #2)

As long as this calf thing is nothing major, and they are acting like it isn't, I think he's one of the highest floor players there is.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Indiana Jones should be moving down, not up. cake walk is over.

What cake walk? His remaining schedule is easier than what he already played. They have KC/Hou the next 2 weeks, then its easy street, including SF/Jac the last 2 weeks (both at home)

Jones faced 4 top-8 pass defenses this season, and other than the Rams played great against all of them. Including Denver with Surtain, who was #1 until he went down (and are still #2)

As long as this calf thing is nothing major, and they are acting like it isn't, I think he's one of the highest floor players there is.

Jax is neutral. And you left out @seattle. There’s no way his remaining schedule is easier than who they’ve played.

Plus 7 TOs and 12 sacks in the last two games. He’s turned into the inevitable pumpkin.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Indiana Jones should be moving down, not up. cake walk is over.

What cake walk? His remaining schedule is easier than what he already played. They have KC/Hou the next 2 weeks, then its easy street, including SF/Jac the last 2 weeks (both at home)

Jones faced 4 top-8 pass defenses this season, and other than the Rams played great against all of them. Including Denver with Surtain, who was #1 until he went down (and are still #2)

As long as this calf thing is nothing major, and they are acting like it isn't, I think he's one of the highest floor players there is.

Jax is neutral. And you left out @seattle. There’s no way his remaining schedule is easier than who they’ve played.

Plus 7 TOs and 12 sacks in the last two games. He’s turned into the inevitable pumpkin.

I agree with Black Crowes’ arguments here.

Strength of Schedule is not a static thing. Teams’ performances can change on both sides of the ball during the course of the year due to injuries, their schemes being figured out, or whatever. I think at this point in the season, recent performance means more than season-long performance. And Jones has been pretty bad recently. If this is because DCs have figured him and the Colts’ passing game out, it’s a bad sign.

I have him, Hurts and Purdy in a Superflex league and plan to play Hurts and Purdy going forward except during Purdy’s bye week.