Burning Questions: Week 10
As we inch ever closer to the fantasy playoffs, it’s time to shore up those lineups entering into the trade deadline. We tackle another week of “Burning Questions” following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Follow our contributors for this week’s Burning Questions: Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive), Keaton Denlay (@keatondenlay), Brooks Carmean (@brookscarmean) and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
1. Whose Week 9 performance was most disappointing for owners despite the matchup?
“For me, it’s absolutely Dez Bryant. I own him in multiple leagues and he’s impossible to trust as a WR1. His 1 catch dud against Cleveland in Week 9 was his 2nd one reception game this year.” -Ryan Weisse
“Terrance West. Amongst rumors of the mythical Kenneth Dixon, West owners hoped he would rebound from a poor Week 7 performance. He did not. 21 rushing yards with a 1.4 ypc against the Steelers pedestrian run defense is not going to hold off the rookie for long.” -Keaton Denlay
“Charcandrick West is the first name that comes to mind. His Week 9 performance was certainly not what fantasy owners, who dropped precious FAAB, or used their top Waiver claim to get him, were hoping for. I would still hold strong and maybe see what it would take to get Spencer Ware on my team or what the Spencer Ware owner would pay for West. I’d try to make a move now while Spencer Ware is still in the concussion protocol, before positive practice reports start dropping. Either way, I would want both of them moving forward.” –Brooks Carmean
“What the heck happened to Charcandrick West? The Jags were a dream matchup as I thought they’d ride Charizard into the ground with 20+ carries. I watched this entire game and it seemed like even though Kansas City was ahead for most of the game, they decided to let Nick Foles play game manager (a role Nick Foles should learn a thing a two from Alex Smith as he almost gave the game away). West was a bust especially in DFS as he totaled just 39 yards on the ground and 2 catches for 35 yards. The Jags defense keyed in on West and dared Foles to beat them. If you acquired West for this one week start, you have to be sad your big FAAB splash flopped.” -Kyle Borgognoni
2. Will Mike Evans finish the year as THE WR1? If not who will?
“I believe Evans will be THE WR1 this year. He’s on pace for over 200 targets, already had his bye, and has a soft schedule to end the year.” -Ryan Weisse
“My first reaction to this question was heck no. Until I looked at the numbers. Evans is currently the #1 WR in all formats and has played one fewer game than Julio Jones who is his closest threat. With a soft schedule ahead, the only thing that can derail Evans is injury to himself or Winston (though both left TNF worse for wear).” -Keaton Denlay
“As a Mike Evans owner in a few spots, it’s very tempting to say yes– dude’s been a beast so far. However, even with Evans dominating now and facing the Saints twice during the fantasy playoffs, I’m sticking with the best receiver in the game, and one of the best of all time, Antonio Brown.” -Brooks Carmean
“It’s hard to imagine a better situation when you lead the league in targets. Like Keaton said, he’s past his bye week in an offense that funnels everything his way, even when he’s double covered. The fantasy playoffs also give Evans two matchups against New Orleans which should blow the doors off any competition for THE WR1 spot. Owners have to be licking their chops knowing their 2nd round selection of Evans has catapulted their star WR into discussion as fantasy’s MVP for 2016.” -Kyle Borgognoni
3. Give us one lottery ticket RB owners should grab now for the stretch run.
“My guess is you’ve forgotten about Tevin Coleman about now. So has his owner. With injuries and a bye week you won’t get him til the fantasy playoffs but this guy is capable of RB1 numbers and can be had at his best value right now.” -Ryan Weisse
“Paul Perkins. Owned in 4.2% of ESPN leagues, the Giants rookie RB had an even 50-50 split of the workload in New York in Week 9 and outperformed his veteran counterpart. If he can take over this backfield he will be a valuable asset.” -Keaton Denlay
“I’ve gotta go with James Starks here, who’s still just 18% owned in ESPN and Yahoo leagues. The Ballers have been bringing him up as someone to grab. Sure the Packers just signed Joique Bell but if Starks can come back healthy, he should see over the majority of RB touches. Ty Montgomery is doing as well as any WR could do filling in at RB but they need a consistent, true running back presence. Runner-up choices would be Alfred Morris and DeAngelo Williams if he’s somehow available in your league (currently owned in less than half of ESPN and Yahoo leagues). If you own Ezekiel Elliott/Le’Veon Bell and don’t own Alfred Morris/DeAngelo Williams, you’re doing it wrong!” -Brooks Carmean
“Alfred Morris should be owned everywhere by Ezekiel Elliott owners and yet he’s just 13% in Yahoo leagues. If Zeke went down, you’re looking at 20+ touches a game and roughly 80% of the production. In other words, Morris playing behind the best offensive line in football with mostly positive game scripts screams RB1 potential. If he’s out there, I’d advise picking him up even if you don’t own Elliott and hold him over the owner before the trade deadline.” -Kyle Borgognoni
4. Whose Week 9 stat line should give owners a glimpse into their league-winning potential?
“I’m thinking Michael Thomas out of New Orleans is gonna make a lot of owners happy at the end of the year. Remember what people told you Brandin Cooks was going to be in 2016…that’s Michael Thomas. After a tough tilt with Denver next week, his schedule is as friendly as can be to end the year. He’s the top WR on a pass first offense that you got late in your draft…enjoy it.” -Ryan Weisse
“It has to be Jay Ajayi. Fantasy owners wanted to see if Ajayi would continue his breakout success after his bye week and against a top 5 run defense. While Ajayi came back down to earth a little, he still had 24 carries for 111 yards and a TD. If that’s the world you’re living in with a RB you either stole late in drafts or signed off waivers, you’re looking pretty good and should be on your way to a #FootClanTitle.” -Keaton Denlay
“Sure this is an obvious answer but I’ll go with Ezekiel Elliott. He failed to break 100 yards rushing for the second game in a row but found the end zone twice. Going forward, unless things go terribly wrong for Dallas, I think his floor is 100 yards or a TD in any given game no matter the matchup, with the upside for much more.” -Brooks Carmean
“I’ll keeping toot the horn that is Tyrell Williams, as long as he’s OK with that. He caught 6 of his 7 targets for 65 yards and a TD against the Titans. He seems ahead of Travis Benjamin in the pecking order and Dontrelle Inman feels fixed in his slot role. After his Week 11 bye and the Texans in Week 12, I love his final four schedule with Tampa Bay, Carolina, Oakland, and Cleveland. Rivers sees Williams often open in that inside slant which was Keenan Allen’s bread and butter. I think he’s a solid FLEX the rest of the way and could easily blow up any given week like he did against Atlanta in Week 7.” -Kyle Borgognoni