The Dolphins and Browns meet in Cleveland in one of just two games in the later wave this Sunday with Miami still trying to stay in the playoff hunt in the AFC. They may be without wide receiver Jaylen Waddle ($5,400) for the second straight week. If Waddle is out, Tyreek Hill ($6,900), Malik Washington ($4,000) and Jonnu Smith ($5,700) could get more targets.
Let’s take a look at how Waddle’s absence could impact the Dolphins offense in their Week 17 matchup.
The latest on Jaylen Waddle
Last week, Waddle was doubtful for the Dolphins’ game against the 49ers after missing practice all week. He missed Wednesday’s practice but returned to a limited session on Thursday. On Friday, coach Mike McDaniel gave this update:
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is trending toward a questionable tag for Sunday’s game, although Mike McDaniel feels optimistic about his chances to play.
Jordan Poyer will practice today
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 27, 2024
Waddle had nine catches for 99 yards on 12 targets in his last full game and finished with 20.9 fantasy points against the Jets. He sustained his knee injury in Week 15 against the Texans and didn’t have a catch on his two targets before departing.
Tyreek Hill’s outlook
Hill had seven targets in each of the last two weeks while Waddle was out. He only had two catches for 36 yards against the Texans and three catches for 29 yards against the 49ers, but he saved his fantasy day by scoring his sixth touchdown of the season.
Hill has been managing a wrist injury and was also limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but coach Mike McDaniel gave this update on Hill’s status:
Tyreek Hill caught a ton of footballs this week and did so aggressively, Mike McDaniel said
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 27, 2024
Hill is a volatile option regardless of Waddle’s status, but his ceiling is even higher if he gets more targets. He has found the end zone three times in the last four weeks but has only reached 100 yards once since Week 1.
At almost $8,000, he’s a very expensive DFS play in Week 17 contests like the NFL $2.25M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st], but his big-play ability gives him enough upside to make him an option for tournament lineups.
Malik Washington’s outlook
While Waddle was out, Washington moved into his starting role and played 87% of snaps. He caught three of his four targets for 28 yards and 5.8 fantasy points.
Washington showed more potential upside with five catches for 52 yards against the Texans in the game in which Waddle was hurt. He is an interesting DFS punt play at $4,000 if Waddle is out against the Browns.
Jonnu Smith’s outlook
Smith has been the most consistent part of the Dolphins’ passing game this season and has been the TE3 this season behind only George Kittle and Brock Bowers ($6,700).
The veteran tight end caught 9-of-11 targets for 48 yards, a touchdown and 19.8 fantasy points against the Texans and all six of his targets for 62 yards and 12.2 fantasy points against the 49ers last week. Smith has 12+ fantasy points in six straight weeks with monster games against the Raiders, Patriots and Packers.
He is averaging 6.3 targets per game on the season and has scored six touchdowns. If Waddle’s absence opens even more chances for him, he will again be an elite option as the Dolphins continue their playoff push.
The bottom line
The Browns have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers and the 11th-most fantasy points to tight ends. If Waddle is out and more targets are available, the ceiling for Hill, Smith and Washington rise with more potential workload.
The Dolphins are 6.5-point road favorites and Hill has the second-shortest odds on the board at +110 to score a touchdown while Smith is +205.
Hill and Smith are both must-starts in standard season-long leagues with or without Waddle, and Washington can be a desperation FLEX play if Waddle is out.
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