Kenny “Small Hands” Pickett is starting at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in week 15. Pickett was selected in the 1st round of the 2022 NFL Draft as a replacement for the retired Ben Roethlisberger. He played for 2 seasons as starter for the Steelers and was traded to the Eagles after the 2023 season. After the 2024 season he was traded to the Browns then he was traded to the Raiders before the 2025 season started.

It is hard to believe Pickett will fare much better than Smith behind this offensive line. The only player who may be remotely startable is tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers is the only elite player on the entire offense, Pickett just needs to get the ball in his direction. Pickett is only worth starting in superflex leagues that are desperate for a starter.

Author: Jesse Baldwin @J_Baldwin51 

For the second time this season, a concussion will prevent Tee Higgins from taking the field for the Bengals against division-rival Baltimore.

Higgins missed the first game in Baltimore—a Cincinnati victory on Thanksgiving—because he was unable to clear concussion protocol from the previous week’s game against the Patriots. He returned after missing the turkey day victory, thanks in part to Cincinnati’s extra three days’ rest. Once cleared, the wide receiver joined the team for their game in Buffalo and returned to the lineup. From a production standpoint, he seemed no worse for wear, putting up a gaudy six catch, 92-yard performance, and found the end zone twice in the loss.

What’s not shown in the box score was Higgins’ repeated acrobatic contested catches against a helpless Buffalo coverage. However, not once or twice, but multiple times, fans watched as the wideout’s helmet banged hard on the turf— seemingly after every catch.

Higgins visited the blue tent twice after separate impacts and was allowed to return to play on each occasion. However, after the game was over, No. 5 self-notified trainers of symptoms suggesting a second concussion. Bells and sirens went off at league offices, but interviews and a short investigation turned up no wrongdoing by the team doctors, trainers, or specialists.

This week, Higgins has been ruled out against Baltimore (again) in a division where there is no upper hand amongst the three teams vying. It’s fair to assume that Higgins has to hit more measureables for his second concussion before he is cleared. The two are so close together, all parties will want to be sure that there is no chance for a third.

Fantasy Lowdown: This does virtually nothing to Joe Burrow’s projections, but it will make Ja’Marr Chase’s job a little harder with extra attention being paid. Slight bumps will go back to the hyper-athletic Mitchell Tinsley and red zone threat Andre Iosivas. However, the big fantasy bump is to tight end Mike Gesicki. The rapport he has with Burrow is undeniable, and when Higgins has missed time in the past, Gesicki often lines up as a wide receiver from the slot. He’s worth a look as a flex streamer while Higgins is out in Week 15 or possibly longer.

Author: Samwise (@BuyAndSellYou)

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to have both wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson for their Sunday Night Football matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Lamb has completed the concussion protocol and is cleared to play, Ferguson is dealing with a calf issue but it isn’t expected to force him to miss the game.

The Cowboys still have a chance to make the playoffs and will rely on Lamb and Ferguson to help keep those chances alive. Lamb remains a wide receiver one and should stay in fantasy lineups, Ferguson is a solid if unspectacular tight end and as long as he’s suiting up fantasy managers should start him.

Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)

Kyle Pitts had a massive game for the Atlanta Falcons as they topped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Pitts put up 166 yards and three touchdowns on 11 receptions.

The Falcons offense as a whole performed well, Bijan Robinson took 19 carries for 93 yards and score while adding eight catches for 82 yards. Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, as he continued his dominance over the Bucs.

Pitts has been a boom bust tight end for most of his career but he showed his ceiling in this game, Robinson remains an elite running back and should continue to deliver for fantasy managers for the rest of the fantasy playoffs.

Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)

Mike Evans entered the starting lineup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being on injured reserve with a broken collarbone and immediately made an impact. Evans led the Bucs with 136 receiving yards on six receptions.

Rookie Emeka Egbuka was second on the team in receiving, converting seven targets into four receptions and 64 yards. Baker Mayfield threw for 277 yards and spread the ball around, eight Tampa Bay players had at least one target. Bucky Irving led the backfield with 16 carries but lost a shortage yardage touchdown to Sean Tucker.

Evans asserted himself as the top passing option in the Bucs offense, Irving remains the lead back but they continue to give Tucker a goal line role and despite the loss the Tampa Bay offense will continue to deliver for fantasy managers.

Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)

Mike Evans has been out since he broke his collarbone in week seven against the Detroit Lions. Evans record streak of consecutive 1000 yard season is likely over, he needs 860 yards with five games to go.

Evans return tonight against the Atlanta Falcons is much needed, their offense has struggled as of late but is getting healthy at the right time. Running back Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin have both returned in recent weeks.

Baker Mayfield has shown he can support multiple playmakers and orchestrate a high scoring offense when he has his full complement of weapons. The Tampa Bay offense looks like it has gotten back close to full strength just in time for the fantasy playoffs.

Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)