The Fantasy Fallout: Coming Into Week 7

Welcome to the wacky, wild world of the NFL. We all should be used to it by now, but I’m surprised every week by the rollercoaster like nature of fantasy production this season. There are going to be a lot of 7-6 and maybe even 6-7 teams that make the playoffs this year. Here are my takeaways from yesterday’s games:

 

-It’s back to Patriot games in New England. Just when you thought Tim Wright was a permanent fixture and Brandon LaFell was on the outs, they go and flip the script. Don’t be deceived, Wright only had one target– fortunately it was a TD. Good luck at discerning how either player will be used in the future.

 

-New England, are you aware you have a talented on your team that can also catch passes? His name is Shane Vereen. Maybe now that Stevan Ridley is hobbled you’ll get to know him. This is ridiculous.

 

-You know things aren’t looking up for C.J. Spiller when Anthony Dixon out-carries him. Still, this is the 2014 NFL season so Spiller will probably have a 20 carry 150 yd game next week.

 

-You don’t need a running back when your QB is Cam Newton. He’s officially back.

 

-Speaking of Carolina’s running game, it’s in pieces. Don’t be surprised if Cam leads the team in yards on the ground.

 

–Marvin Jones may need surgery. If Mohamed Sanu is somehow unowned in your league you need to fix that asap.

 

-Cincinnati can sustain two running backs, especially with so many injuries at the WR position. If you own Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill you can start them both.

 

–Andrew Hawkins didn’t have a single catch during Week 6 in a high-scoring affair for the Browns. It’s troubling, but in his defense only Jordan Cameron had more than two catches, and he only had three.

 

-There are three certainties in life. Death, taxes, and consistent prodigious fantasy production from Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

 

–Markus Wheaton keeps widening the door for Martavis Bryant with his lackluster play. Hopefully the rookie gets better soon.

 

-Keep an eye on Dolphins slot receiver Jarvis Landry. He led the Dolphins in receiving against the Patriots and was only out targeted by Mike Wallace. We noticed Landry’s big hands and willingness to go all out for the ball at LSU’s pro day where he got lost in the shuffle with Odell Beckham Jr., Jeremy Hill and Zach Mettenberger. The kid’s got talent and, more importantly, lots of opportunity on a ho hum Dolphins squad.

 

-I still like Knowshon Moreno to take over the Miami lead back job, but Lamar Miller has shown that he can be an asset and will retain fantasy value.

 

-It wasn’t quite an even timeshare, but James Starks is getting considerable carries in Green Bay. He’s worth a speculative add in deep leagues. Something doesn’t seem quite right with Eddie Lacy.

 

–Davante Adams in officially on the map. His 6 catch, 77-yard effort is just the beginning. With little to no tight end production, there is more than enough action to sustain three receivers in Green Bay’s offense.

 

–Jerrick McKinnon out-snapped Matt Asiata almost 4 to 1 in Week 6’s low scoring matchup with Detroit. I traded Asiata last week. It’s time you did the same if you haven’t already.

 

–Ronnie Hillman looked pretty sharp yesterday, but he has little goal-line prowess. Look for Juwan Thompson to stay involved.

 

–Geno Smith loves his Jace Amaro-sized safety blanket. He could end up leading all rookie tight ends in receiving.

 

-Now is a good time to buy low on Chris Ivory.

 

-As I predicted, Bernard Pierce has surpassed Lorenzo Taliaferro on the depth chart. Taliaferro is waiver wire fodder.

 

-Why bother with inconsistent QBs like Eli Manning and Matt Stafford when you can just start Joe Flacco every week?

 

-I’d start Bobby Rainey over Doug Martin in most leagues.

 

–Mike Evans is healthy and productive. Snatch him up if he was dropped in your league.

 

–Storm Johnson didn’t run away with anything after a 10 carry, 21 yd effort, but he did score a TD. That can go a long way in Jacksonville.

 

–Justin Hunter is lucky he’s an athletic specimen. He can’t rely on 3 catches every week, and neither can his owner.

 

–Andre Holmes is the Raiders’ best receiver, I hope they realize that. He should be owned in 12 team or more leagues.

 

–Keenan Allen has basically been a decoy for the Chargers, and they’re winning so why wouldn’t they keep it up?

 

–Branden Oliver has made Donald Brown irrelevant, even when he returns.

 

–Darren McFadden doesn’t look half bad. Might as well ride him while he’s healthy.

–Jordan Reed led all ‘Skins receivers with 8 receptions. He’s a safe start from here on out.

 

–Carson Palmer’s weird nerve issue looked like a non issue yesterday. Arizona receivers are safe, for now.

 

-As long as Washington is bad and playing from behind, Roy Helu will be of value.

 

–Antone Smith did it again. This is uncanny. He’s the NFC south’s best back. You can’t ignore him in fantasy leagues despite his lack of carries.

 

–DeMarco Murray is racking up yds at a clip unseen in decades. Some, including my colleagues, would advocate trading him as this rate seems unsustainable. I think you should keep running him out there, and just pick up Joseph Randle as a handcuff. Murray is playing too well to get off of your team. Who knows, he might hold up.

 

-What is Seattle thinking? Of course you’re going to lose football games when you only give Marshawn Lynch 10 carries.

 

-Woe is Percy Harvin. He’s going to be boom or bust (negative points? really?) all year.

 

–Victor Cruz owners need to hope Odell Beckham isn’t owned in their leagues, as Cruz is done. Larry Donnell owners can rest on the fact that he will still be startable now … again

 

–LeSean McCoy finally had the game we drafted him for. Hopefully you’re not already 1-5.

 

16 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By grh1988

    Percy and CPat make me sad… and the Jimmy Graham news is a bummer too. Gotta love fantasy football.

  2. ↓ Post By wmcgrath

    I am extremely frustrated with Cordarrelle Patterson. Head coach Mike Zimmer blasted him yesterday saying if he wants the ball he needs to get open. He was targeted eight times yesterday and came down with only 3 catches for 17 yards. I just can’t see Patterson improving as a consistent route runner this year. We can only carry four WRs in our league. My other WRs are Antonio Brown, Michael Floyd, and Kelvin Benjamin. Below is a list of several WRs currently available on our waiver wire.

    Mohamed Sanu
    Davante Adams
    Mike Evans
    Andre Holmes
    Odell Beckham

    Should I look to drop Patterson for one of the receivers above to use as my WR4? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    1. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      I’d love to pick up any of those guys, but do you have to drop Patterson to do it? We hate doing it, but it’s getting to that point.

  3. ↓ Post By wmcgrath

    Yes I would have to drop Patterson. Unfortunately, this league I am in with coworkers is a 12 team full point ppr redraft league which makes you start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2WR, 1 TE, 2 Flex (WR/RB/TE), 1 Def, and 1 K. However, they force you to roster a backup QB, TE, Def, and K. In addition, they only allow you to roster a maximum of 4 RBs and 4 WRs. The only time you could roster a 5th RB or 5th WR is if you have 1 of the 4 in the IR slot. I don’t like the league very much and most likely won’t join it after this year.

  4. ↓ Post By The Jackal

    Couple questions…
    1. Better pickup in a non-ppr league: Hillman, McKinnon or Crowell? Need a #2 RB.
    2. Trade offer: Aaron Rodgers and M. Bennett for Stafford and Antonio Brown? Your thoughts?

    Thanks.

  5. ↓ Post By nmarino028

    I have a trade offer I’m kind of liking: I give kelvin Benjamin, k. Allen, Joique bell, and Lamar miller for megatron, Djax, Stacy, and colston.. I have graham and Allen at TE. I’m thinking of trying to get Cameron from this guy instead if Stacy or colston. And I’d drop Allen. Should I go for this. The only player I’m not happy about giving up is Benjamin, but I have Julio, ODB, Evans, and Gordon too

    1. ↓ Post By nmarino028

      At rb I have Matthews, Oliver, FJax, and DMC as well. This is a 10 team ppr btw

    2. ↓ Post By nmarino028

      We have been through a few different counter offers and now he’s giving me Cameron, montee ball, megatron, and desean for miller DMC and benjamin. I really don’t like giving up miller in light of the Moreno acl tear

      1. ↓ Post By nmarino028

        Done deal! I just gave him Benjamin, DMC, and Joique bell for megatron, Djax and Jordan cameron

  6. ↓ Post By tcards19

    Good time to sell high on Lamar Miller?

    1. ↓ Post By nmarino028

      Moreno tore his acl on Sunday. I just read that on yahoo

  7. ↓ Post By cwink2121

    Below is my 1-5 team, 1-5…. do I just chalk this up to bad luck. I have a total of 709 scored (6th in league) and 740 points against (2nd most). It’s a 12 team league with 6 making Playoffs. Do I have a chance???

    QB: Romo
    RBs: Gore, C. Hyde, R. Jennings, A. Williams, McKinnon, J. Hill
    WRs: Dez, Julio, Kelvin, Decker, Beckham Jr.
    TE: Jordan Cameron
    D – Stream
    K: Bailey

    SOOOOO Frustrating! Used the RosterWatch cheat sheet and was really excited about team at first, just been struggling!

    Any suggestions?

  8. ↓ Post By renourka

    I was offered Cam Newton and Rainey for my Lynch and Garcon… what should I counter with or should I hold all together as I’m 4-2 but 5th in this 12 man league?

    My team:
    QB: Austin Davis (should I drop for A. Smith, Palmer, or Hoyer?)
    RB: Lynch, A. Williams, Jennings & T-Rich
    WR: Julio, Garcon, Patterson, Gordon & Evans
    TE: J. Thomas
    FLEX: Gronk

    His team is as follows:
    QB: Cam
    RB: Murray, Rainey, Hillman, Ridley
    WR: Dez, B. Marshall, Randle, M. Jones, Quick
    TE: Witten
    FLEX: T. Williams

  9. ↓ Post By Silly Nannies

    I’m in a 12 team standard point I just traded Lacy & K.Allan for R.Cobb the rbs I have left are Bernard,Bradshaw, & D.Martin hopefully works out

  10. ↓ Post By robbaja

    Is it time to drop a Malcom Floyd or Doug Martin this week or in the near future for the Tre Mason or a potential running back. 12 team .5 PPR league

  11. ↓ Post By csb01

    Flex spot, ppr Crabtree, Torrey Smith, Andre Holmes, Sankey, Spiller, or I Crowell. Need 1. Thanks

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