Fantasy Football Red Zone Report: David Njoku, Rashee Rice, Devin Singletary

Cam analyzes trends in red zone usage across the NFL in Week 15.

The Red Zone Report is such an interesting study, week in and week out. It really encapsulates who is getting the most usage when it really matters. And at this time of year, it can be instructive when projecting who to focus on in 2024 at your draft. As always, let's use the FantasySP Red Zone Tool to find the players who are getting work in the most important areas of the field.

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Fantasy Football Red Zone Report Week 15

Leading Red Zone Receivers Week 15

This week there were only seven receivers who were targeted three or more times in the red zone. Washington’s Curtis Samuel led the way with five red zone targets, catching three of them. Overall, he was targeted nine times with five total receptions. He only gained 41 yards but did snag two TDs.

Next on the list was Detroit’s Amon-Ra St.Brown, who caught seven out of nine total targets for 112 yards and a TD. He managed to catch two of his four red zone targets.

Of the other five receivers who had three red zone targets, only three of them caught all three.

1. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: He was targeted a whopping 14 times and caught 10 passes. He gained a solid 104 yards and scored a TD pass. He has definitely moved himself up the TE ladder heading into next season. He’s fourth among TEs in targets, with 106. He’s second in snaps, behind only Cade Otton. He’s fifth in receptions with 69, he’s tied for sixth with five TDs, and he’s seventh in yards. 
2. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: What a God-send Rice has been for the Chiefs this season. I don’t know where they’d be without him. On Sunday not only did he catch all three of his red zone targets, he caught all nine of his targets throughout the game. He gained 91 yards and scored a TD. He actually leads the team in red zone targets, including Travis Kelce. He also leads all Chief WRs in snaps, receptions, and yards. He also leads the team in receiving TDs, again more than even Kelce.
3. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions: The jury has seemingly been in with C.J. Stroud winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but both LaPorta and Rice are making it tough. What a game LaPorta had for himself this week. He caught five out of six of his targets and caught all three in the red zone. He gained 56 yards and scored not one, not two, but three TD passes. He’s fifth among TEs in targets. He has 71 receptions and 758 receiving yards, which are both fourth among TEs. His nine TDs are fourth among ALL receivers, not just TEs … and he leads all TEs, by the way.

This is an impressive group of receivers who will all go much higher next year than they did in drafts this season…hopefully, you are in a keeper or Dynasty league and snagged them this year

Leading Red Zone Rushers Week 15

There were a massive 17 RBs who had three or more red zone touches in Week 15. With so many, it’s tough to differentiate how to narrow down the list to a manageable number that encapsulates a performance worthy of note and worthy for this upcoming week’s consideration.

Interestingly, the two RBs at the top of the list each had seven red zone touches and each had 17 total touches, which is dwarfed by some RBs who get twice that amount. Raheem Mostert was on the field for 33 snaps. He only gained 42 yards and 2.8 yards per rush. But he did score two TDs. Gus Edwards didn’t do any better on the efficiency front, but also found pay dirt. In 28 snaps he rushed the ball 16 times for 58 yards and a TD.

Of the other 15, only five RBs had over 100 rushing yards:

1. Devin Singletary, Houston Texans: Singletary had five red zone touches and had a big game. Although he didn’t find the end zone with those five attempts, he had 26 overall rushes and gained 121 yards
2. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams: Williams has been a beast all season. He and the next three RBs on this list each had three red zone touches. Williams wasn’t just busy in the red zone, he had 27 rushes and gained 152 yards with a TD.
3. Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings: With the injury to Alexander Mattison, Chandler’s usage dramatically increased. He had 23 rushes this week, gaining 132 yards and scoring a TD.
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Fransisco 49ers: In 43 snaps, CMC had 23 touches: 53.4% of the time he was on the field, he touched the ball. He had 18 rushes for 115 yards and a TD. He also added five receptions for 72 yards and two more TDs. Nothing more can be said about him … there are no more superlatives. He is the MVP of the league this year. Realistically, Niners QB Brock Purdy will get it, but McCaffrey deserves it.
5. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: Gibbs is yet another rookie having a solid season. He only had 11 rushes, with three of them being in the red zone. But he made the most of those rushes, gaining 100 yards and scoring a TD. He also added a receiving TD. For the season, he’s averaging a dominant 5.7 yards per rush. He has 1,088 total yards and eight TDs. Although he is lagging behind fellow RB David Montgomery in red zone touches, 27 to 43, he has the potential to be a superstar in this league … and the Lions are shaping up to really scary, really soon.

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