Welcome to week 16!

Custom gold-mining charts (that are specific to your league settings) are now available in our app. They are calculated slightly differently -using the top and bottom deciles for the error bars instead of the pseudomedian confidence interval. Visit our app and set up an account to input your league settings.

The graphs below summarize the projections from a variety of sources. This week’s summary includes projections from: CBS: CBS Average, NFL, NumberFire, FantasyPros, FantasyData, FleaFlicker and ESPN. The data for this article was collected on 12/19/17. For more details on WR gold mining and how to interpret the graphs above, see Chad’s post explaining gold mining .

Projection Table

Projection Graphs Standard Leagues

RB

Standard Scoring League Running Backs

From the graph below notice that:

  • Kenyan Drake, Kerwynn Williams, Joe Mixon, LeGarrette Blount and Mike Gillislee are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Frank Gore, Orleans Darkwa, LeGarrette Blount, Aaron Jones and T.J. Yeldon are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, LeVeon Bell, Jay Ajayi, Joe Mixon, Tevin Coleman and Mike Gillislee are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Standard Scoring League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

  • DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Alshon Jeffery, Brandin Cooks and Stefon Diggs are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Demaryius Thomas, Sammy Watkins, T.Y. Hilton, Will Fuller and Kendall Wright are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Adam Thielen, Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs and Chris Hogan are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

QB

Standard Scoring League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Drew Stanton are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Alex Smith, Blake Bortles, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Jimmy Garoppolo are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Tom Brady, Jared Goff, T.J. Yates, Brett Hundley and Brock Osweiler are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Standard Scoring League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

  • Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas, Vance McDonald and Adam Shaheen are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Evan Engram, Jason Witten, Jack Doyle, Ricky Seals-Jones and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Greg Olsen, Cameron Brate, Hunter Henry, O.J. Howard and Adam Shaheen are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Point-per-Reception Leagues

RB

Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

  • Joe Mixon, Marshawn Lynch, Giovani Bernard, Tevin Coleman and Tion Green are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Isaiah Crowell, Frank Gore, Derrick Henry, Javorius Allen and Matt Breida are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, LeVeon Bell, Jay Ajayi, Joe Mixon, Tevin Coleman and Kapri Bibbs are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Point-per-Reception League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

  • DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Davante Adams, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Marvin Jones, T.Y. Hilton, Sammy Watkins, Kendall Wright and Tyrell Williams are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, DeSean Jackson and Chris Hogan are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

QB

Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Drew Stanton are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Alex Smith, Blake Bortles, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Jimmy Garoppolo are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Tom Brady, Jared Goff, T.J. Yates, Brett Hundley and Brock Osweiler are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Point-per-Reception League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

  • Julius Thomas, Hunter Henry, O.J. Howard, Vance McDonald and Trey Burton are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Evan Engram, Jason Witten, Josh Hill, Jermaine Gresham and Luke Willson are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Jimmy Graham, Cameron Brate, Hunter Henry, O.J. Howard and Niles Paul are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Half-Point-per-Reception Leagues

RB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

  • Joe Mixon, Marshawn Lynch, Giovani Bernard, Tevin Coleman and Tion Green are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Isaiah Crowell, Frank Gore, Derrick Henry, Javorius Allen and Matt Breida are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, LeVeon Bell, Jay Ajayi, Joe Mixon, Tevin Coleman and Kapri Bibbs are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Half-Point-per-Reception League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

  • DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Davante Adams, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Marvin Jones, T.Y. Hilton, Sammy Watkins, Kendall Wright and Tyrell Williams are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, DeSean Jackson and Chris Hogan are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

QB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Drew Stanton are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Alex Smith, Blake Bortles, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Jimmy Garoppolo are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Tom Brady, Jared Goff, T.J. Yates, Brett Hundley and Brock Osweiler are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Half-Point-per-Reception League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

  • Julius Thomas, Hunter Henry, O.J. Howard, Vance McDonald and Trey Burton are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Evan Engram, Jason Witten, Josh Hill, Jermaine Gresham and Luke Willson are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Jimmy Graham, Cameron Brate, Hunter Henry, O.J. Howard and Niles Paul are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Defense/Special Teams and Kickers

DST

Standard Scoring DST

From the graph below notice that:

  • Giants, Lions, Broncos, Browns and Cowboys are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Bengals, Saints, Bills, Dolphins and 49ers are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Panthers, Rams, Giants, Lions and Raiders are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

K

Standard Scoring K

From the graph below notice that:

  • Nick Rose, Phil Dawson, Kaimi Fairbairn, Dustin Hopkins and Chandler Catanzaro are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
  • Jake Elliott, Chris Boswell, Wil Lutz, Robbie Gould and Dan Bailey are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
  • On the other hand, Nick Rose, Kaimi Fairbairn, Dustin Hopkins, Mason Crosby and Cody Parkey are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.