The Giants have gotten past the hard feelings that arose after Jason Pierre-Paul and his agent froze out the team in the offseason, and are interested in bringing back the veteran pass rusher after his contract expires this winter, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. The report comes on the heels of JPP indicating he’d like to remain in New York and play out the rest of his career as a Giant.

After injuring his hand in a fireworks accident this summer, Pierre-Paul didn’t report to the Giants, who wanted their doctors to examine him, for about two months, creating some apparent acrimony. Ultimately though, the two sides worked past those issues and agreed to a reworked contract, with JPP returning to the field in Week 9.

As he has adjusted to wielding a club on his injured hand, the former first-round pick hasn’t quite been his usual self, having recorded just 20 tackles and one sack. However, he’s still one of the team’s top pass rushers. Outside of Robert Ayers, who plays primarily in passing situations and has compiled eight sacks, no Giants edge defender has a higher Pro Football Focus grade than Pierre-Paul, who ranks 34th out of 107 qualified players — George Selvie comes in 91st, while Kerry Wynn places 96th.

As he once again nears potential free agency, Pierre-Paul knows that he’s valuable to a Giants team lacking a consistent pass rush. JPP, who turns 27 on New Year’s Day, told reporters on Wednesday that there’s nobody currently on the roster who could step in and replicate his production against both the pass and run for the team.

“They don’t need me, they need a pass rusher,” Pierre-Paul said, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I feel like that’s what I bring to the table. I’m not just a pass rusher, I’m also a run-stopper. I think I play the run better than I play the pass, it just so happens I can get back there fast enough and disrupt the quarterback. I’m an all-around player.”

Pierre-Paul may not be quite as effective an all-around player as he was prior to his fireworks mishap, but as Vacchiano points out, the defensive end could make the case that he’ll only get better as he continues to learn how to play without the use of all the fingers on his right hand. JPP, who will undergo some additional surgery on that hand this offseason, could end up in the $10MM-per-year range this offseason, based on supply and demand, several agents told Vacchiano.

With Muhammad Wilkerson likely to be franchised by the Jets, Pierre-Paul would be one of the top defensive lineman available if he reaches the open market. And getting to the open market appears likely for JPP if he and the Giants can’t work out a longer-team deal, since the team will be very reluctant to franchise him again with his price tag on the rise.

The 2015 NFL season has flown by, and we are left with just one week in the regular season. Whether you are a veteran in daily fantasy football at this point or you are competing in your first contests, the key remains the same: pick the players with the best value at this stage.

It doesn’t matter what players did earlier in the year as long as they can contribute in Week 17. This likely rules out a few stars while pushing some cheaper options to the forefront. Here is a look at some good and bad choices for the upcoming weekend in the latest stock report.

Stock Up

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants ($5,600)

You can’t ignore Eli Manning’s terrible showing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. With top target Odell Beckham Jr. suspended, the veteran quarterback completed just 15 of 29 passes while throwing three interceptions to go with just one touchdown after the game was pretty well in hand.

Manning did show a lot of maturity by not blaming the absence of his best receiver for the poor game.

“I don’t think it was a matter of Odell or not, we had other guys that could make plays,” the quarterback said, per Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News. “I didn’t do a good job getting them the ball.”

While this is a nice concept, the reality is Beckham is a game-changing talent. Not only can he make ridiculous plays to help out his quarterback, he also necessitates a lot of defensive attention to help create openings for teammates.

In the last two games with Beckham in the lineup, Manning threw eight touchdown passes with just one interception. With his receiving corps back to full strength, fantasy owners can expect more of the same against a fading Philadelphia Eagles defense.

Tim Hightower, RB, New Orleans Saints ($5,500)

When it comes to fantasy running backs, all you can hope for is enough opportunity to be productive. Tim Hightower has certainly gotten plenty of chances to shine, and he has taken advantage of it over the last three weeks.

The New Orleans Saints fell behind early to the Detroit Lions in Week 15, but Hightower still found a way to at least put up a reasonable fantasy total. In the other games, he has taken over for Mark Ingram as the starting running back in this high-powered offense, and it has led to tons of touches and plenty of fantasy value.

While his 34-point explosion will be difficult to replicate in Week 17, the veteran has another favorable matchup in front of him in the form of the Atlanta Falcons. This defense has given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs on DraftKings thanks in large part to a league-high 19 rushing touchdowns allowed this season.

Hightower should once again get north of 20 carries with the opportunity for some big fantasy totals.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles ($4,700)

It is difficult to trust anyone on the Philadelphia Eagles this week with so much uncertainty surrounding the squad. The organization fired head coach Chip Kelly Tuesday, leaving Pat Shurmur as the interim coach with a short time to make any changes before Week 17.

Although we don’t know how each player will react, there is no reason to expect major adjustments offensively.

This is good news for Jordan Matthews, who is ending a disappointing year on a high note with back-to-back strong games. The second-year receiver had six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 after totaling eight catches for 159 yards and a score the week before. He has finally gotten into a rhythm with quarterback Sam Bradford, and now the two will try to keep it up against the worst pass defense in the NFL.

The risk is high, but so is the upside for a relatively cheap price.

Stock Down

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals ($6,600)

He did get a touchdown catch last game, but the Arizona Cardinals have used Larry Fitzgerald less and less toward the end of the season. After totaling at least 80 receiving yards in eight of his first 10 games, he hasn’t reached this mark in any of his last five games.

Week 16 featured a season-low 29 receiving yards for Fitzgerald on just four catches. This came after receiving totals of 43 and 41 yards in the two prior games.

Fitzgerald isn’t doing much wrong, but Carson Palmer is spreading the ball around to his many targets in this offense. A reduced role against an elite Seattle Seahawks pass defense usually isn’t a great recipe for fantasy success.

Considering the Cardinals also have an opportunity to rest players with a bye already clinched (though not the No. 1 overall seed), Fitzgerald is a bigger risk than usual on Sunday.

Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers ($6,000)

This year was a big opportunity for Randall Cobb to step up and become a true No. 1 receiver. He has failed to live up to these expectations.

Cobb has just a single 100-yard game this year and has seemingly gotten worse as the year progressed. The receiver finished Week 16 with just three catches for 15 yards while extending a streak of no receiving touchdowns to five games. Even as the team tries to get him involved with the running game, he still hasn’t produced enough to help out fantasy owners.

The points-per-reception scoring on DraftKings hasn’t done much to help Cobb out, either, as he hasn’t reached 20 fantasy points since Week 3. Even at his lowest price of the year, he is still not worth a spot on your team. 

Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets ($4,400)

The New York Jets are rolling, but Chris Ivory hasn’t always been along for the ride.

Over the last two games combined, the starting running back had just 24 carries for 75 rushing yards. He also had five catches, but they went for just nine yards.

While he did miss some time due to injury last game, it seems as though Bilal Powell is earning more touches on his own. In this same two-game stretch, Powell had 13 carries for 81 rushing yards but also 12 catches for 84 receiving yards.

Powell also had three total touchdowns in the last three games, while Ivory had zero. The committee isn’t working favorably toward Ivory, especially in PPR scoring, making him a risky play for Week 17.

Note: All prices and fantasy score info courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Enter the DraftKings $1M Play-Action contest this weekend. Use promo code Nerdy Football when you sign up.

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Fantasy Football

Fantasy

Daily Fantasy

For many folks, the fantasy season has drawn to a close, but some leagues play through Week 17, meaning some owners out there are trying to read the tea leaves when it comes to players working through injuries this week.

Let me guide you through that process, then, as you seek to earn a fantasy championship.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

After two MCL sprains this year, it seems insane that Marcus Mariota might actually suit up for the Tennessee Titans in a meaningless season finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

But the possibility remains, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com:

The Titans had Marcus Mariota take some dropbacks at less than full speed on Monday and will evaluate him from there. Mariota missed the Houston game with a sprained right knee, and it seems unlikely that he’ll resurface for the finale, considering interim coach Mike Mularkey said with “any bit of doubt, he will not play.”

I wouldn’t anticipate having Mariota available for this game. The Titans would be nuts playing him if he’s less than 100 percent. Risking the health of your franchise cornerstone in a game that means nothing—especially since losing the game and getting the top overall pick would be ideal anyway—is pure and utter madness.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills

See above. This game basically means nothing for the Buffalo Bills, and Rex Ryan already noted that “it probably doesn’t look real good” when asked about LeSean McCoy’s status for this game, per CBS New York and the Associated Press.

So, yeah, assume McCoy won’t be available to you. Go ahead and nab Karlos Williams if he’s somehow still available.

Matt Jones, RB, Washington

You can make a strong argument that you shouldn’t be starting Matt Jones even if he is healthy, mired in a backfield platoon as he is. But Week 17 is also a meaningless game for Washington, which is locked into the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, so it’s hard to imagine the team giving him a big workload.

I’d recommend assuming Jones won’t play and going in a different direction if you were planning on starting him for some reason.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but the Carolina Panthers really have no incentive to rush Jonathan Stewart back from injury, especially considering Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker have filled in for him and played well. 

If I were Carolina, I’d rest him for one more week. If I were you, I’d be prepared to sit him.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson expects to play this weekend despite battling through ankle injuries.

“I’m not going to sit just because,” Johnson said, per Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “It’s usually something bugging (me) if I’m out of the game. Something that won’t allow me to play, for the most part. So I look forward to playing Sunday.”

So, you should be starting him too. No need to keep this guy on the bench if he’s out on the field.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Eifert was cleared by the Cincinnati Bengals and said he planned on playing this week, per Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. 

Cincy may decide to rest him or use him sparingly with a playoff spot locked up. But with the possibility of a earning a first-round bye if they get some help this weekend, the Bengals will probably utilize all of their weapons.

If Eifert is out on the field, you pretty much have to start him. Get him in those lineups.

All fantasy stats, ownership percentages and points-against totals via ESPN standard leagues.

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Fantasy Football

Opinion

Here are Wednesday’s workouts from around the NFL:

• The Jets worked out defensive lineman Devon Still, receivers Marcus Thigpen and Eric Rogers, linebacker Willie Jefferson and defensive end/LB Tristan Okpalaugo (Twitter links via ESPN’s Rich Cimini).
• The Cardinals tried out center Taylor Boggs, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
• The Bills worked out defensive end/linebacker Xzavier Dickson, Wilson tweeted. Dickson ended up joining Atlanta’s practice squad.
• The Bengals worked out quarterback Mike Kafka and tight end John Peters, per Wilson (on Twitter).
• The Browns tried out quarterback Dustin Vaughan, running back Timothy Flanders, receivers Eric Rogers, Ricky Collins and Levi Norwood, and safety Jordan Kovacs (Twitter link via Wilson).
• Quarterback Ryan Lindley, defensive linemen Warren Herring and Eze Obiora, and linebacker Ryan Mueller worked out for the Colts, according to Wilson (Twitter link). They signed Lindley afterward.
• The Giants worked out linebackers Glenn Carson – whom they signed to their practice squad – and Cole Farrand, quarterback Pete Thomas, safety Ty Zimmerman, punter Spencer Roth and kicker Quinn Sharp (Twitter link via Wilson).
• The Steelers tried out two safeties, Ray Vinopal and Jake Hagen, and linebacker Marquis Spruill (via Wilson on Twitter).
• The Chargers worked out receiver Jeff Fuller, defensive end DeAngelo Tyson and linebacker Dexter McCoil, Wilson tweeted.
• The Titans worked out receiver Kenny Stafford, defensive end Freddie Bishop, defensive backs Aaron Grymes, Steven Clarke and Emanuel Davis, long snapper Dax Dellenbach and kicker Swayze Waters (Twitter link via Wilson).

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer told reporters Wednesday that he recently spurned an NFL team’s advances, Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk writes.

Asked if the team was the Browns, Meyer said, “I’m not going there. I’ll just say [a team] reached out.”

Meyer added that he’s content at the college level and expressed wariness toward making the jump to the pros.

“The NFL, Chip Kelly is one of my closest friends, Greg Schiano is one of my closest friends. A lot of times they say college coaches don’t make it very well. I don’t know who makes it well. People are getting fired left and right. Pete Carroll has done very well.”

In other coaching news. . .

• Although Kelly’s career in Philadelphia is over, he could end up with another head coaching job in the league in the coming weeks. With that in mind, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk examined some possible landing spots for Kelly. The Titans, Browns, 49ers, Dolphins and Colts could all be his next stop.
• With coaching searches fast approaching, Albert Breer of NFL.com lists the candidates most likely to draw interest. Kelly is one of them. Interestingly, so is Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The Mara family is fond of him, per Breer, which might make the Giants a fit. The Colts are also a possibility, as they could offer Saban control over their roster – not to mention they have a 26-year-old franchise quarterback in place.
• For Saban to end up with the Giants, they’ll first have to fire two-time Super Bowl winner Tom Coughlin. That appears likely to happen, as a source told the New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano that plenty in the team’s front office want to move on from Coughlin. It’s believed that one of those people is co-owner Steve Tisch.