Welcome to week 18!

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: ESPN, FantasyPros, FleaFlicker, NumberFire, FantasySharks, NFL and FFToday. The data for this article was collected on 01/03/25. 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

QB

Standard Scoring League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Lamar Jackson, Michael Penix Jr., C.J. Stroud, Mason Rudolph and Davis Mills 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.
  • Caleb Williams, Drew Lock, Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Flacco and Tanner McKee 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, Joshua Dobbs, Tyler Huntley, Carson Wentz, Spencer Rattler and Dorian Thompson-Robinson 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.

RB

Standard Scoring League Running Backs

From the graph below notice that:

  • Brian Robinson, Joe Mixon, James Cook, Raheem Blackshear and Craig Reynolds 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.
  • Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Allgeier, Kenny McIntosh, Devin Singletary and Craig Reynolds 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, Isaac Guerendo, Michael Carter, Joe Mixon, Carson Steele and Miles Sanders 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:

  • Justin Jefferson, Tee Higgins, Tyreek Hill, Nico Collins and Brandin Cooks 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.
  • Drake London, Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Kayshon Boutte and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 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, Jalen McMillan, Nico Collins, Chris Olave, Jordan Whittington and Marquez Valdes-Scantling 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, David Njoku, Noah Gray, Isaiah Likely and Dalton Kincaid 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.
  • Mark Andrews, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Juwan Johnson, Dallas Goedert and Foster Moreau 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, Sam LaPorta, Noah Gray, Dalton Schultz and Dalton Kincaid 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

QB

Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Lamar Jackson, Michael Penix Jr., C.J. Stroud, Mason Rudolph and Davis Mills 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.
  • Caleb Williams, Drew Lock, Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Flacco and Tanner McKee 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, Joshua Dobbs, Tyler Huntley, Carson Wentz, Spencer Rattler and Dorian Thompson-Robinson 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.

RB

Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

  • Brian Robinson, Joe Mixon, James Cook, Raheem Blackshear and Craig Reynolds 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.
  • Bijan Robinson, Ray Davis, Tyler Allgeier, Kenny McIntosh and Craig Reynolds 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, Chase Brown, Alvin Kamara, Isaac Guerendo, Michael Carter and Joe Mixon 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:

  • Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Nico Collins, Brandin Cooks and Tutu Atwell 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.
  • Malik Nabers, Drake London, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston 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, Justin Jefferson, Jalen McMillan, Nico Collins, Chris Olave and Jordan Whittington 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, Noah Gray, Brenton Strange, Dalton Kincaid and Cole Kmet 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.
  • Dallas Goedert, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Michael Mayer, Stone Smartt and Adam Trautman 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, David Njoku, Noah Gray, Dalton Schultz, Dalton Kincaid and Tommy Tremble 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

QB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

  • Lamar Jackson, Michael Penix Jr., C.J. Stroud, Mason Rudolph and Davis Mills 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.
  • Caleb Williams, Drew Lock, Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Flacco and Tanner McKee 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, Joshua Dobbs, Tyler Huntley, Carson Wentz, Spencer Rattler and Dorian Thompson-Robinson 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.

RB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

  • Brian Robinson, Joe Mixon, James Cook, Raheem Blackshear and Craig Reynolds 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.
  • Bijan Robinson, Ray Davis, Tyler Allgeier, Kenny McIntosh and Craig Reynolds 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, Chase Brown, Alvin Kamara, Isaac Guerendo, Michael Carter and Joe Mixon 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:

  • Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Nico Collins, Brandin Cooks and Tutu Atwell 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.
  • Malik Nabers, Drake London, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston 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, Justin Jefferson, Jalen McMillan, Nico Collins, Chris Olave and Jordan Whittington 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, Noah Gray, Brenton Strange, Dalton Kincaid and Cole Kmet 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.
  • Dallas Goedert, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Michael Mayer, Stone Smartt and Adam Trautman 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, David Njoku, Noah Gray, Dalton Schultz, Dalton Kincaid and Tommy Tremble 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:

  • Cade York, Chase McLaughlin, Tyler Bass, Jason Sanders and Brandon Aubrey 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.
  • Justin Tucker, Jake Bates, Jake Moody, Nick Folk and Riley Patterson 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, Cade York, Zane Gonzalez, Brandon Aubrey, Graham Gano and Blake Grupe 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.