The Denver Broncos will face the Buffalo Bills on Wild Card Weekend. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding RB Jaleel McLaughlin.
Is Jaleel McLaughlin Playing vs. the Bills?
McLaughlin is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
We’ll continue to monitor the Broncos’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Jaleel McLaughlin on Wild Card Weekend?
I’m going to do a few irresponsible things here to prove a point. Stick with me here.
In Year 2, Christian McCaffrey picked up 41.8% of his rushing yards after first contact and gained at least 10 yards on 14.2% of his carries.
In Year 2, Jaleel McLaughlin picked up 41.2% of his rushing yards after first contact and gained at least 10 yards on 14.2% of his carries.
Want some more propaganda? You’re in the right spot.
Since Week 12, McLaughlin’s 10+ yard carry rate was up to 18.5%, the highest in the league. The next players on that list among qualifiers:
2. Derrick Henry: 17.2%
3. Jahmyr Gibbs: 16.2%
4. Bijan Robinson: 14.6%
We clearly only have so much film to go on for McLaughlin, but he looks like more than just the best back in Denver. Sean Payton loves what Bo Nix brings to the table, but I don’t think getting into a shootout with Josh Allen is on the to-do list this week, furthering my belief that we could get a true breakout performance from this backfield against a Bills defense that ranks 23rd at preventing running back yardage before contact.
I’ve got him penciled into my first run of a DraftKings GPP lineup for the entire Wild Card slate:
QB: Jayden Daniels (at TB)
RB: Bucky Irving (vs. WAS)
RB: McLaughlin (at BUF)
WR: Ladd McConkey (at HOU)
WR: Cooper Kupp (vs. MIN)
WR: Marvin Mims (at BUF)
TE: Zach Ertz (at TB)
FLEX: Keon Coleman (vs. DEN)
D/ST: Eagles (vs. GB)
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Wild Card Weekend Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Jaleel McLaughlin’s Fantasy Points Projection on Wild Card Weekend
As of Sunday, McLaughlin is projected to score 10.6 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 9.7 rushing attempts for 52.3 yards and 0.1 touchdowns. It also includes 1.7 receptions for 20.9 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Jaleel McLaughlin’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.
Conference Championship RB PPR Rankings
1) Saquon Barkley | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) James Cook | BUF (at KC)
3) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
4) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. BUF)
5) Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Austin Ekeler | WAS (at PHI)
7) Ray Davis | BUF (at KC)
8) Ty Johnson | BUF (at KC)
9) Samaje Perine | KC (vs. BUF)
10) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. WAS)
11) Jeremy McNichols | WAS (at PHI)
12) Will Shipley | PHI (vs. WAS)
13) Carson Steele | KC (vs. BUF)
14) Reggie Gilliam | BUF (at KC)
15) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS (at PHI)