Welcome to week 17!

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: FantasySharks, CBS: CBS Average, FantasyPros, NFL, NumberFire and FleaFlicker. The data for this article was collected on 12/28/21. 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:

  • Joe Mixon, Damien Harris, Rashaad Penny, Rex Burkhead and Justin Jackson 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.
  • D’Andre Swift, Cordarrelle Patterson, Devonta Freeman, Jamaal Williams and Alex Collins 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, Jonathan Taylor, Sony Michel, Rashaad Penny, Saquon Barkley and Alexander Mattison 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:

  • Davante Adams, Tee Higgins, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Byron Pringle 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.
  • DeVonta Smith, Van Jefferson, Marvin Jones, Robby Anderson and Marquez Stevenson 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, Cooper Kupp, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett and Russell Gage 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:

  • Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Josh Johnson 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.
  • Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Blake Bortles, Davis Mills and Logan Woodside 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, Matthew Stafford, Mac Jones, Taylor Heinicke, Cam Newton and Trey Lance 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:

  • Mark Andrews, Dalton Schultz, Gerald Everett, Evan Engram and Foster Moreau 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.
  • Gerald Everett, Tyler Conklin, Evan Engram, Ricky Seals-Jones and Mo Alie-Cox 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, George Kittle, Darren Waller, Rob Gronkowski, Dallas Goedert and Foster Moreau 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, Chase Edmonds, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead and Justin Jackson 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.
  • D’Andre Swift, Cordarrelle Patterson, Devonta Freeman, Jamaal Williams and Alex Collins 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, Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, Sony Michel, Rashaad Penny and Alexander Mattison 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:

  • Davante Adams, Tee Higgins, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Byron Pringle 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.
  • Tyler Boyd, Van Jefferson, Marvin Jones, Marquez Stevenson and Marquez Callaway 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, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Adam Thielen and Russell Gage 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:

  • Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Josh Johnson 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.
  • Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Blake Bortles, Davis Mills and Logan Woodside 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, Matthew Stafford, Mac Jones, Taylor Heinicke, Cam Newton and Trey Lance 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:

  • Mark Andrews, Dalton Schultz, Gerald Everett, Jimmy Graham and John Bates 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.
  • Cameron Brate, Mo Alie-Cox, Geoff Swaim, Kyle Rudolph and Jordan Akins 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, George Kittle, Darren Waller, Rob Gronkowski, Dallas Goedert and Foster Moreau 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, Chase Edmonds, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead and Justin Jackson 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.
  • D’Andre Swift, Cordarrelle Patterson, Devonta Freeman, Jamaal Williams and Alex Collins 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, Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, Sony Michel, Rashaad Penny and Alexander Mattison 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:

  • Davante Adams, Tee Higgins, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Byron Pringle 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.
  • Tyler Boyd, Van Jefferson, Marvin Jones, Marquez Stevenson and Marquez Callaway 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, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Adam Thielen and Russell Gage 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:

  • Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Josh Johnson 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.
  • Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Blake Bortles, Davis Mills and Logan Woodside 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, Matthew Stafford, Mac Jones, Taylor Heinicke, Cam Newton and Trey Lance 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:

  • Mark Andrews, Dalton Schultz, Gerald Everett, Jimmy Graham and John Bates 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.
  • Cameron Brate, Mo Alie-Cox, Geoff Swaim, Kyle Rudolph and Jordan Akins 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, George Kittle, Darren Waller, Rob Gronkowski, Dallas Goedert and Foster Moreau 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 Kickers

K

Standard Scoring K

From the graph below notice that:

  • Elliott Fry, Matt Gay, Ryan Succop, Greg Joseph and Matthew Wright 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.
  • Tyler Bass, Greg Joseph, Mike Badgley, Mason Crosby and Jason Myers 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 Folk, Chris Boswell, Justin Tucker, Matthew Wright and Brett Maher 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.