Redzone Report

The Red Zone Report takes a weekly look at red-zone usage and matchups to identify top options and sleepers for touchdowns in the given week of NFL action. This is a touchdown-centric piece, and the yardage outlook for the highlighted players isn’t a consideration.

Running Backs

Week 15 Redzone Touches Leaders

There aren’t many surprises in the top 15 from Week 15. Bilal Powell’s three touches are somewhat surprising from the Jets committee backfield, but the shared duties between the trio of backs renders the whole lot unusable in all but the deepest of leagues. C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker both received three redzone touches each, but Anderson is the far more attractive fantasy option. Jay Ajayi’s three redzone touches were his highest total with the Eagles and most since Week 6, but he didn’t turn them into a score.

Top Option
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) vs. Seahawks
YTD Redzone Touches – 37 Week 15 Redzone Touches – 0
My initial leaning for this top spot was Dion Lewis. Rex Burkhead’s knee injury will free up some redzone touches, but I’m not entirely convinced Mike Gillislee will remain inactive. And if he’s active, he could factor into the redzone mix. Getting back to Zeke, he returns with fresh legs after serving a six-game suspension. Even after missing six games, he ranks eighth in redzone touches among running backs. His opponent, the Seahawks, allowed two one-yard touchdown rushes and a 14-yard touchdown reception to Todd Gurley in the redzone last week. They also surrendered a one-yard touchdown run to Leonard Fournette the week before. For the year, Seattle’s 12 rushing touchdowns allowed to running backs, per Pro-Football-Reference, are tied for the fourth most. I like Zeke’s odds of reaching pay dirt in his first game back.

Value/Sleeper
Elijhaa Penny (ARI) vs. Giants
YTD Redzone Touches – 5 Week 15 Redzone Touches – 1
Penny’s not a household name, but the bruising back has at least one redzone touch in three straight games. He’s also in line for primary ball-carrier duties if Kerwynn Williams is forced to sit this week’s game out with his quad injury. The Giants are tied for the 12th most touchdown rushes allowed (eight) to running backs this year.

Wide Receivers

Week 13 Redzone Targets Leaders

Nick Foles’ first start with Carson Wentz out went well, and he trusted both Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor in the redzone targeting each three times. Surprise players near the top of the leaderboard include Justin Hardy, Jaydon Mickens, and Damiere Byrd. Mickens and Byrd each scored two touchdowns in the redzone, but I’d caution against point chasing in daily games or season-long leagues. Byrd’s teammate Devin Funchess also had a pair of redzone targets, and he’s still the preferred receiver to use in fantasy games of all types.

Top Option
Michael Thomas (NO) vs. Falcons
YTD Redzone Targets – 16 Week 15 Redzone Targets – 4
Thomas’ four redzone targets last week were the second most among receivers. He’s been very busy in the redzone of late and is riding a four-game streak of receiving at least a redzone target. During that four-game run, he’s been targeted a whopping 10 times. Drew Brees plays at his best at home and the game’s over/under total of 52.5 points and 5.5-point spread favoring the host Saints, according to Pinnacle, bode well for Thomas being in scoring position often this week.

Value/Sleeper
DeVante Parker (MIA) @ Chiefs
YTD Redzone Targets – 11 Week 15 Redzone Targets – 3
Parker hasn’t been consistently good this year, but he’s flashed at times. Jay Cutler threw his way three times in the redzone last week, and the matchup is favorable for the third-year receiver scoring this week. The Chiefs are tied for the third most receiving touchdowns allowed (16) to wideouts this season.

Tight Ends

Week 15 Redzone Targets Leaders

Eric Ebron surprisingly tied with less surprising leaders Evan Engram and Rob Gronkowski for the most redzone targets among tight ends last week. He’s a viable streamer in season-long leagues. George Kittle was my value/sleeper pick in last week’s Redzone Report, and he was targeted two more times in the redzone. He failed to turn either target into a touchdown, and teammate Garrett Celek turned his lone redzone target into a five-yard touchdown grab.

Top Option
Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs Bills
YTD Redzone Targets – 19 Week 15 Redzone Targets – 3
I’m not going out on a limb with the top pick at tight end. Gronk’s 19 redzone targets this year are tied for the second most among tight ends. The Patriots have a robust implied team over/under total of 29.75, and catching passes from the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady, is also favorable for his odds of reaching pay dirt.

Value/Sleeper
Cameron Brate (TB) @ Panthers
YTD Redzone Targets – 13 Week 15 Redzone Targets – 0
Brate has been a mainstay in this article. O.J. Howard is on IR, and Brate’s 13 redzone targets are the seventh most at tight end. His playing time is secure with Howard out, and having Jameis Winston’s trust in the redzone should be especially helpful this week against a Panthers squad that’s tied for the ninth most touchdown grabs allowed (seven) to tight ends this year.

Post
Josh is a life-long fan of sports and a nearly 20-year veteran of season-long fantasy leagues. He's fallen head over heels for daily fantasy as well. Josh loves statistics and better understanding the sports he follows, and these passions drive his insatiable desire to immerse himself in reading about, watching and writing about the sports he loves.

Hot NFL Stories