Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions: Week 14
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series examines Week 14 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Our Hot Fire contributors from our Fantasy Footballers writing staff includes Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive) and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg). Give them a follow on Twitter along with all of our Footballers accounts to get goodness like this:
They’re called the “Fantasy Football Playoffs” pic.twitter.com/yl7MWZk8Bu
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) December 10, 2018
1. Who let owners down the most in the 1st round of playoffs?
What a week for Antonio Brown to no-show. Coming into this week, Brown was the overall WR4 and had probably been carrying most teams he was on to the playoffs. He had scored in every game this season except 2 and was facing an Oakland secondary that has surrendered 10+ fantasy points to 15 different WRs this season. While teammate Juju Smith-Schuster ate the Raiders alive, Brown was held to 5 catches for 35 yards…yuck. –Ryan Weisse(@TheFantasyFive)
While pointing the finger towards a player injury is never a graceful idea, LeSean McCoy‘s 0.1 points were truly excruciating. McCoy was started in 54% of Yahoo leagues and basically goosed-egged for your team despite an incredible matchup on paper. He destroyed these Jets in Week 10 for 26 carries for 113 yards and 2 TDs. You had to be expecting double-digit points this week as a solid RB2 start as a home favorite. He went out in the 1st quarter and never returned… the likely outcome for any fantasy team that started him in the 1st round of the playoffs. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
2. Where would you rank Amari Cooper among WRs for next season in redraft leagues?
Coming into this game, Cooper was a top-10 WR since Week 9. Coming out of this monster performance, he’ll probably be #1 over that span. I don’t expect a ton of change in Dallas this off-season, so if you give him and Dak a full preseason to get play together, I can’t see him falling off a cliff. He’s going to be a back-end WR1 and probably an early 3rd round pick next season. –Ryan Weisse(@TheFantasyFive)
His role is what owners dreamed he could be in Oakland, the alpha commanding 10+ targets a game. While this run he is on is unbelievable, the high-end output is always something available in Cooper’s range of outcomes. When you’re selecting a WR1 next year, Cooper’s name is going to gain some major steam and likely find his way in the conversation with players in the second tier like Adam Thielen, Keenan Allen, and Odell Beckham Jr. in the 6-10 range. I wouldn’t shy away from selecting him at the 2/3 turn although I think he will creep higher and higher based on off-season banter. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
3. Which platoon RB would you want to roster most moving forward: Damien Williams, Jaylen Samuels, Jeff Wilson Jr.?
There is no question for me that it’s Damien Williams if for no other reason than you want any part of this Chiefs offense you can get your hands on. Samuels is a fad that will fade to the background once James Conner returns. Jeff Wilson fills the exact same role in this offense that Matt Brieda does and will cede that job to him as soon as he’s healthy. Williams is a pass catcher in an offense with the season’s best QB. He may not be “the guy” but neither are the others and I like the situation in Kansas City far better than the others. –Ryan Weisse(@TheFantasyFive)
Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Samuels is the most talented in my opinion and is the clear passing down option ahead of Stevan Ridley. However, his time in the fantasy sun as an RB could be coming to an end. His TE-eligibility, notwithstanding, is his only saving grace for your fantasy teams. Jeff Wilson Jr. is another legitimate passing down option but will soon fade if Matt Breida returns next week. If you remember correctly, Damien Williams was once Jason’s most hated player in the league a few years ago. He has now found himself as a valuable member of a KC juggernaut offense. I’m with Ryan; roster Damien and know that points in Kansas City will follow. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
4. Give us a stat line from Week 14 to pay attention to.
I feel like Chris Godwin is going to go off in either Week 15 or 16 and win someone a #FootClanTitle. Godwin was targeted 10 times this week and only reeled in 1 catch. This is far below his season catch % (73%) and with Desean Jackson missing time, Godwin should continue to see the volume. He ends the season with Baltimore and Dallas, both of which are playing tough defense this season, but those secondaries will be focusing on Mike Evans, and Godwin should benefit as a result. And after this week, he may be on your waiver wire. –Ryan Weisse(@TheFantasyFive)
Dak Prescott‘s career-high 455 passing yards and 42 completions were a surprise given the fact the Cowboys had settled for FGs in the 1st half. He exploded in the 2nd half with the aforementioned Cooper but also developed a solid connection with Blake Jarwin. The TE had 7 catches for 56 on 7 targets and looked like a Jason Witten clone out there registering 4 first downs. The Eagles secondary has been exploitable with all their injuries but the Cowboys willingness to air it out is what stood out the most to me. –Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)