Depth Chart Watch: Fallout From Week 14

If you play in a keeper league in any sport, you're surely familiar with dump trades, those yearly rituals in which bad teams try to build up for next year, while good team give up future assets in exchange for short-term help. This is always an exciting season because it's typically good for at least one trade argument – you'll always have some owners who demand a veto, just because they didn't get there first. But football is a very different animal, as the outcomes of those trades can turn on a dime. So it is in my Week 14 playoff matchup in the keeper league I run. Thanks to a couple key trades, I had what looked like a stacked team coming into this week, but because of stupid tiebreakers (for which I have only myself to blame), my team didn't have a Week 14 bye.

So I rolled out my star-studded lineup -- including Cam Newton, A.J. Green, Alshon Jeffery, Devonta Freeman, Thomas Rawls, Adrian Peterson and Brandon Marshall -- and now I get to sit here on Monday night with my heart in my throat as I pray for Rueben Randle to score less than 10 points in non-PPR against the terrible Miami defense. I am… terrified.

Anyway, let's get into it.

Arizona RB:David Johnson delivered another nice day Sunday, running 19 times for 92 yards and adding 31 more through the air. Andre Ellington (toe) may be set to return in Week 15, though. If that materializes, he could snatch some passing-down duties from Johnson, but he won't likely get many carries. Johnson did suffer a thigh bruise, but it shouldn't force him to miss any time.

Baltimore QB:Matt Schaub's chest injury meant the Ravens rolled out Jimmy Clausen on Sunday, which arguably went better than you'd expect. Sure, he only completed 23 of 40 passes, but for 274 yards; sure, he didn't find the end zone, but he turned the ball over only one time. Those who rolled out the Seattle D must have been disappointed. No word on Schaub's status for next week.

Baltimore RB:Javorius Allen had a rough one Sunday against Seattle, running for just 14 yards on eight carries and dropping a fumble, but he wasn't alone as the entire offense was awful, and Terrance West wasn't much better (five rushes for 16 yards) behind him.

Buffalo RB: We were looking from the big revenge game from LeSean McCoy against the Eagles, but he got stuffed pretty decently, Although he did clear 100 total yards, Shady averaged only 3.7 per carry and didn't find the end zone.

Buffalo TE:Charles Clay departed Sunday's game with a back issue after catching just one pass and was replaced by Chris Gragg, who projects as a low-upside fill-in even if Clay does miss time.

Carolina RB: Time to sneak in a Cameron Artis-Payne waiver claim, as Jonathan Stewart left Sunday's game with a foot issue and it may be serious enough for him to miss time. Fozzy Whittaker rushed eight times for 34 yards and a score in his place, while Artis-Payne wasn't active. The rookie will surely be out there next week if Stewart can't go, as it's hard to imagine Whittaker getting loaded up with carries.

Carolina WR:Ted Ginn only caught two passes Sunday, but they went for 46- and 74-yard touchdowns less than seven minutes apart in the first quarter; he didn't catch another ball the rest of the day. That's four scores in two weeks for the 30-year-old burner, helping him blow past his previous career high with a total of eight this year. The Panthers ran away with this one, so there weren't many targets to go around, but Philly Brown led the team in targets (six), while Devin Funchess had five.

Carolina TE: The Panthers may have won yet again to remain undefeated Sunday, but it was a costly win indeed. Their top receiving weapon, Greg Olsen, suffered a knee injury that looked bad at first, then looked better, and now is looking bad again. Ed Dickson snagged a touchdown in relief duty and projects to be the fill-in if Olsen can't go next week.

Chicago RB:Jeremy Langford is still eating into Matt Forte's carries – in fact, the rook had one more than the veteran Sunday – but Forte's still outproducing him. The 30-year-old rusher turned 10 carries into 45 yards and a touchdown, while Langford ran for 37 on 11 tries, but also saw seven pass targets to Forte's two, though he produced only a modest three catches for 27 yards on all those looks.

Chicago TE: After Martellus Bennett got back in the lineup last week, he ended up hitting season-ending IR, leaving Zach Miller to handle his duties. Miller showed terrifically well, racking up five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. He certainly merits a playoff pickup.

Cincinnati QB: Someone tell Andy Dalton it's not his job to tackle. After throwing an early pick, Dalton broke his right (throwing) thumb and is now done for the year, leaving the first-place Bengals with 2014 fifth-round pick A.J. McCarron at quarterback. All things equal, the backup stepped in and delivered a credible performance, with 280 yards and two touchdowns counterbalancing two interceptions of his own. They'll need him to keep it going.

Cincinnati RB: If you used the "Jeremy Hill against bad teams, Giovani Bernard against good ones" rule Sunday, well, you got more out of Bernard, but you can't be happy either way. Bernard was good for 67 total yards (40 on the ground, 27 through the air), while Hill's (team-leading!) seven carries went for only 16 (plus another eight receiving, woo!).

Cincinnati TE:Tyler Eifert got back in there Sunday after getting back from a neck injury, only to promptly suffer a concussion after catching his first two targets for 42 yards. Rough day for the Bengals, huh? Anyway, it's clear that we're not going to get any fantasy production out of the backup committee here.

Cleveland QB:Johnny Manziel and the Browns finally found a team as bad as them to beat up on, as the young passer delivered a decent line in a winning effort Sunday, going 21-for-31 for 270 yards, a touchdown and a pick. It won't set any hearts racing but hey, it's not bad.

Cleveland RB: In the most out-of-nowhere performance of the week, Isaiah Crowell completely blew up against the Niners, turning 20 rushes into 145 yards and two touchdowns. That'll make grown men cry. Duke Johnson saw a solid share of work too, carrying 13 times for 78 yards of his own.

Cleveland WR: Although Travis Benjamin ended up avoiding any absence due to his shoulder injury, he took a back seat in Week 14 to Brian Hartline, who busted out for 107 yards on eight grabs (10 targets). Unfortunately, his third consecutive game of eight receptions was also his last game of the season, as he broke his collarbone Sunday.

Dallas QB: Another day, another poor Matt Cassel performance, as he completed only 13 of 29 passes for 114 yards with a pick against Green Bay. The Cowboys may give former practice squadder Kellen Moore a shot at this point. Why not, right?

Dallas RB: I feel like I owe the Cowboys a debt of gratitude for giving me a shot in one of my fantasy playoff matchups by only letting Darren McFadden carry the ball nine times Sunday. He averaged 12.3 yards on those rushes, adding up to a 111-yard day with no touchdowns. Thankfully, Robert Turbin swiped a touchdown rush from McFadden among his own seven carries, which he turned to 54 yards. An unstoppable running game didn't mean Dallas could score more than seven points on the day, though. Maybe come up with a better game plan next time, guys.

Denver RB: With C.J. Anderson not really in the picture (he was active but not used due to an ankle injury), maybe you were looking for a big day from Ronnie Hillman against Oakland. It didn't quite work out that way. Hillman did help his PPR owners with seven grabs for 41 yards, but he gained only 20 on 12 rushes. Juwan Thompson didn't do much in a backup role after rumors swirled that he was a candidate to start.

Detroit WR:Calvin Johnson murdered many a fantasy owner's playoff chances Sunday, as he managed only one late-game catch for 16 yards on five targets against the Rams. Meanwhile, Golden Tate caught six passes and scored two touchdowns. Johnson didn't practice all week with an ankle injury, and that ailment may be affecting him more than we expected. After all, no-name TJ Jones saw more targets than Megatron, though he managed just four catches for 33 yards on eight looks.

Green Bay RB: After last week's punishment for curfew violation, Eddie Lacy got to enjoy a featured role again Sunday, and he exploded for 124 yards and a score on 24 carries, adding a 24-yard catch. (Yeah, 24 is everywhere – where's Kiefer Sutherland?) James Starks saw a good amount of work behind him, though, running for a beautifully efficient 71 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries, plus 32 yards and another touchdown on four catches.

Houston QB:Brian Hoyer's bad game against New England on Sunday night ended with a fourth-quarter removal due to a concussion – his second in the last month. T.J. Yates came on in relief and seems quite likely to draw the start against Indy in Week 15.

Houston RB: The Texans turned to Jonathan Grimes and Chris Polk in the backfield Sunday, and Grimes at least paid them off with a 37-yard run highlighting his seven rushes for 53. Polk wasn't so effective, running 11 times for 34 yards and catching two for 14. Alfred Blue (back) went unused.

Indianapolis QB:Matt Hasselbeck got yanked for Charlie Whitehurst again in Week 14, but not before the Colts were looking up at a hideously lopsided score. As bad as Hasselbeck was, Whitehurst was worse, going 2-for-8 for eight yards and an interception – good for a 0.0 QB rating. Well, I'm impressed. Andrew Luck (kidney) has a chance to return next Sunday, but Week 16 sounds more likely.

Jacksonville RB: T.J. Yeldon had to leave Sunday's game with a knee injury, preventing him from posting a second straight week over 100 total yards, but Denard Robinson picked up the slack in his place, turning 14 carries into 75 yards and a touchdown. There's no word yet on the severity of Yeldon's injury, but Robinson's the clear replacement if he can't go.

Jacksonville WR:Allen Hurns lost just one week to his concussion, and he came back in grand fashion Sunday – 105 yards and a score on three grabs (four targets). Meanwhile, coming off 10 catches for 153 and three scores, Allen Robinson had his quietest day of the year against one of the league's worst secondaries, with a four-yard TD grab representing his only catch of the day.

Kansas City RB:Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware combined for 106 yards Sunday, but they split them nearly evenly, with slight majorities of catches and yards (10 to eight, 54 to 52) going to West. Nothin' doin' in the pass game here for either back, as West saw the only target and didn't catch it. Ware missed some time with a rib injury, but was able to return, and you'd figure he'll be good to go next week.

Miami WR: Cheer with me Monday night for DeVante Parker to put up either 55 yards and a touchdown or 115 total yards. I need that. Desperately.

Minnesota WR: The bloom has long been off the rose for Stefon Diggs, who reached a new peak of ineffectiveness Thursday, catching only two of his team-high seven targets for a dozen yards. Jarius Wright saw a season-high-tying six targets of his own, catching five for 51 yards, but he lost a fumble. Mike Wallace, meanwhile, was the recipient of five targets and the lone passing touchdown, though he finished with just 42 yards. There's really no one to trust in this crew right now.

New England RB:LeGarrette Blount was well on his way to his best game in weeks, but then he left in the second quarter Sunday with a hip injury. Brandon Bolden wasn't able to take advantage of an expanded role, as he turned 16 carries into 51 yards, two fewer than what Blount collected on just 10 rushes. James White was almost exclusively used in the passing game, but he punched in a two-yard touchdown on his only carry of the night.

New England TE:Rob Gronkowski (knee) made his return Sunday night and did normal Gronk stuff in a limited sample, catching all four of his targets for a team-high 87 yards and a score. He didn't play every snap, but it was enough, and we should see his workload increase next week. Scott Chandler went untargeted.

New Orleans WR:Willie Snead (calf) made his return to the field Sunday, racking up a team-high 122 yards on seven catches. He saw as many targets (eight) as Marques Colston, who did his work in tighter areas, catching two short touchdowns to make a 36-yard day into a shiny performance. TE Ben Watson was targeted three times more than either of 'em, though. Quiet day for Brandin Cooks and Brandon Coleman – just 61 yards on six catches (eight targets) put together.

New York Jets RB:Chris Ivory got back to more of what we expected from him Sunday, taking the ball 22 times for 101 yards. Bilal Powell was used well in his third-down role again, though, as he snagged all five of his targets for 46 yards and a score, and he even ran for 36 more on only three carries.

Philadelphia RB: With Ryan Mathews back from his concussion, the Eagles did everything they could to minimize their use of DeMarco Murray, who managed a non-heroic 34 yards on 11 rushes Sunday. Thing is, Mathews himself was even worse, as he gained only four more yards on two more carries. Darren Sproles was once again the man to own – he only carried seven times, but outgained both of his mates and scored a touchdown. No one out of this trio was effective through the air, as although they collectively caught six of seven targets, they collectively gained 11 receiving yards.

Philadelphia TE:Zach Ertz led the Eagles in targets (seven), catches (five) and receiving yards (98) against Buffalo on Sunday, while Brent Celek was targeted only once. We hear you loud and clear, Chip.

Pittsburgh TE:Heath Miller returned to the lineup and delivered for PPR owners in Week 14, catching all 10 of his targets for 66 yards.

San Diego WR: Another day, another disaster, as the Chargers' depleted wideouts didn't show well Sunday. Malcom Floyd managed only three catches on nine targets, with one of them going for 41 yards, but the other two for just 15 combined, while new No. 2 man Javontee Herndon couldn't make much happen (five catches on seven targets for 47 yards). Ladarius Green did see an expanded role (six targets), but didn't do much with it (two catches, 26 yards).

San Francisco TE:Vance McDonald (concussion) wasn't able to go Sunday, leaving Blake Bell to handle the starting duties. Handle them he did, catching three passes on three targets for a team-high 49 yards. Hey, the bar for successful performances is low in SF these days.

Seattle RB:Thomas Rawls made his fantasy owners suffer Sunday, as he left early with a broken ankle and was replaced as the primary back by DuJuan Harris, who was awful, rushing for only 42 yards on 18 carries and losing a fumble. Harris was so bad that Rawls led the team in ground yards (44) despite carrying only six times. Now the Seahawks are left looking for answers in the backfield, as Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) remains week-to-week and the Fred Jackson/Harris combo is all they've got left as far as healthy backs.

Seattle WR: You guys, Doug Baldwin is going bananas. Half his six catches Sunday went to the end zone, as Baldwin's now racked up a mind-melting eight touchdowns in three weeks. With 82 yards against the Ravens, he's now built himself a new career high (860 and counting). If you bought this guy looking for 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns, congratulations: you can see the future. Go play the stock market. Oh, by the way, Tyler Lockett was also awesome, catching Russell Wilson's other two scores to go with 104 yards. His seven targets still left him below Baldwin (nine) and Jerome Kearse (eight), but he continues to enjoy an increasing role in the offense.

St. Louis QB: The Rams got Case Keenum back from a concussion Sunday, just in time for him to deliver a Nick Foles-esque line of 124 yards and an interception. Jeff Fisher has a legitimate Sophie's choice to make every time he picks a starting quarterback.

St. Louis RB:Todd Gurley killed it in Week 14, getting back to elite status with 140 yards and two scores, but did leave late with a knee issue. However, it's considered minor, so don't get too worried, but watch the practice reports.

Tampa Bay WR:Vincent Jackson had to depart Sunday's game with a knee injury, but that didn't help Mike Evans any. For some reason, Jameis Winston went his way just four times all day, with Evans catching three of those for a quiet 39 yards in what looked like an amazing matchup on paper. That said, no other wide receiver saw more targets than Evans. Of course, passing-down RB Charles Sims and the about-to-be-mentioned tight end saw a combined 14. Volatility! Gotta love it.

Tampa Bay TE: If you, like me, were looking for an Austin Seferian-Jenkins breakout against the Saints, well, we were both disappointed. He managed just 31 yards on three catches (six targets). That's the same exact line he put up last week against Atlanta.

Tennessee RB: As you might expect, the Jets' imposing defensive line totally shut down the Titans' running game Sunday, with Dexter McCluster and Antonio Andrews combining for only eight carries and 20 yards. But Andrews still found an unconventional way to make an impact, as he threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to his quarterback, Marcus Mariota.

Tennessee WR: Things went a little better through the air than on the ground for the Titans, but not that much better. With TE Delanie Walker hoovering up 13 targets, Harry Douglas and Dorial Green-Beckham saw a more modest seven each. Both caught three, with Douglas gaining 65 yards and DGB 53.

Washington RB:Alfred Morris finally scored his first touchdown of the year Sunday, but it seems unlikely that many fantasy owners waited around long enough to benefit. He accompanied it with an ugly 24 yards on 11 carries. Matt Jones was better, but not too much better, with 62 yards on 18 rushes and two catches for another 24.

Washington WR: The Skins' Jordan Reed-focused pass game didn't leave a ton of action for anyone else Sunday, with Pierre Garcon catching an unremarkable five balls to lead the wideouts. DeSean Jackson had only two catches on four targets, as he suffered a knee injury – or perhaps an aggravation of a previous ailment – and was visibly limited for much of the game. If Jackson misses time, it could mean Jamison Crowder (one catch Sunday) sees a bit of a rebound in his role.