Fantasy News

Saquon Barkley scores against the Cowboys.

Barkley carried 17 times for 109 yards and a touchdown along with four receptions for 33 yards in the Giants’ Week 17 loss. The sensational rookie season for the No. 2 pick ends with 261 carries for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns along with 91 receptions for 721 yards and four touchdowns. Barkley hitting 2,000 scrimmage yards made him the third rookie in NFL history to accomplish the feat, joining Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James, and his 91 receptions broke Reggie Bush’s rookie running back record of 88 receptions. Again, we certainly do not think the Giants made a mistake by selecting Barkley second overall in the draft, despite all the talk in the media. Barkley is a generational player and leader that’s arguably already the top running back in the league. There’s no question Barkley deserves consideration for the top pick in 2019 fantasy drafts, which also should’ve been the case heading into the 2018 campaign.

12/31/18 - 10:26 AM ET

Kalen Ballage handles 13 touches in Week 17 loss.

Ballage rushed 12 times for 47 yards, also adding a one-yard reception. The rookie led the backfield in carries and yards, but it was a pretty even split with Kenyan Drake (11 carries for 43 yards), who also ended up leading the team in receiving (5/52). Ballage didn’t see extended action until Week 15, and his first season ends with 36 carries for 191 yards (5.3 average) and one touchdown; he also caught nine passes for 56 yards. The 23-year-old will likely be a solid pick in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts next summer if Frank Gore doesn’t return.

12/31/18 - 08:21 AM ET

Antonio Callaway scores in loss to the Ravens.

Callaway caught four passes for 79 yards, including a one-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 26-24 (which stood as Baltimore got a late interception). An up-and-down rookie campaign ends with 43 receptions for 586 yards (13.6 average) and five touchdowns for Callaway, who will have a chance to open 2019 as a starter if he can stay out of trouble over the next several months. The former Florida standout turns 22 next week.

12/31/18 - 12:29 PM ET

Jarius Wright caught two passes for 20 yards in Sunday’s win over the Saints.

Wright finishes his first season in Carolina with 43 receptions for 447 yards and one touchdown. The catches were a new career-high, and Wright is a Norv Turner favorite, but the Panthers might look for a different No. 3 receiver behind D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel in 2019 because they are all somewhat similar players.

12/31/18 - 11:15 AM ET

Rob Gronkowski caught two passes for 24 yards in Sunday’s win over the Jets.

Gronkowski brought in both of his looks and had a 30-yard catch-and-run called back due to a penalty. Unfortunately, a good start to the fantasy playoffs (8/107/1 against Miami) didn’t lead to a huge month, as Gronk combined to catch just four passes for 45 scoreless yards over the final three games. The 29-year-old finishes the regular season with a 47/682/3 receiving line in 13 starts, but we’ll see if a week to rest allows him to be dominant in January.

12/31/18 - 10:25 AM ET

Peyton Barber gets 16 touches in Week 17.

Barber carried 15 times for 66 yards along with one reception for two yards in the Bucs’ loss to the Falcons. Barber’s season ends with 234 carries for 871 yards and five touchdowns along with 20 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. The third-year running back was the clear starter over second-round rookie Ronald Jones this season, though a lot will be up in the air with a new coaching staff in 2019. If Barber remains the starter, he’ll likely be a mid-round selection in fantasy drafts this summer.

12/31/18 - 08:20 AM ET

Derek Watt gets one carry against the Broncos.

Watt gained eight yards on his lone attempt in the Chargers’ Week 17 win. LA’s fullback is a great real-life contributor as a lead blocker for Melvin Gordon and company, and he’ll look to lead the way against a tough Ravens defense in the Wild Card Round.

12/31/18 - 12:26 PM ET