Fantasy Football Update

With the NFL Season eight weeks in, it’s the perfect time to talk about the only thing that matters: your fantasy team. We know you probably don’t care what we have to say, as we are just a couple of guys. But what you don’t know is that we currently sit atop the standings in the SLU cross-country fantasy league (Will first, Nick third. The proof is in the pudding when it comes to fantasy success, even if it is all “luck”.

Every year there are a few players that way out-perform their draft capital. We have seen a lot of breakouts this year with very notable players mixing up the pre-season rankings:

•Baker Mayfield: second overall fantasy player, 23.1 average PPG (ADP 173)
•Jk Dobbins: RB #18, averaging 15.0 PPG (ADP 124)
•Brian Thomas Jr.: WR # 7, averaging 15.5 PPG (ADP 113)
•Jayden Daniels: QB #3, averaging 20.2 PPG (ADP 100)
•Brock Bowers: TE # 2, averaging 14.1 PPG (ADP 108)

In Contrast, we have seen some extremely disappointing starts to the season for some key players

•Travis Etienne: RB # 39, averaging 9.7 PPG (ADP 17)
•Davante Adams: WR # 59, averaging 12.1 PPG (ADP 23)
•Tyreek Hill: WR # 43, averaging 10.9 PPG (ADP 4)
•Patrick Mahomes: QB 21, averaging 14.4 PPG (ADP 26)

What we’ve seen time and time again is that things are never permanent in fantasy football. One moment you can have the number one wide receiver Chris Godwin, and the next he is writhing in pain on the ground with a dislocated ankle. You may have just lost hope in your season, but you must turn the page and scrounge the waiver wire for Jaden McMillan, who will see a newfound boost in targets in the wake of this injury. With Mike Evans dealing with a hamstring injury, it’s paramount that you acquire either McMillan or Cade Otton in the wake of your Chris Godwin-sized hole.

It’s not too late to acquire your league winner either. In 2020, Jonathan Taylor scored 19+ points in five straight weeks to end the NFL regular season, including two 30-point performances. The same year, David Montgomery scored 20+ points in six straight weeks to end the season, delivering at the most important time of the season. Fantasy playoff matchups typically happen during weeks 15-17 of the NFL season. Montgomery and Taylor were able to put up these numbers because their matchups were so favorable. The run defenses for the Texans, Lions and Jaguars were awful in 2020, and Montgomery got to face off against all three of them. Take a look around your league for favorable player matchups for weeks 15-17.

Speaking of matchups, here are our starts of the week.

Tony Pollard gets a juicy matchup with the New England Patriots who have given up the fifth most points to running backs this season. Pollard carried the ball 20 times last week in the first game for the Titans since they traded away Deandre Hopkins. With weapons thinning out for the Titans, they may look to feature Pollard more.

Cade Otton must be in your lineup this week. There are no exceptions. With Godwin and Evans out this past week, Otton hauled in nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns. He’s the number one guy right now for a prolific passing game. Not to mention the Bucs’ opponent this week, the Kansas City Chiefs, have given up the most points to tight ends this season. Set it and forget it.

Ladd McConkey had his breakout game last week with six catches for 111 yards. With not much competition in that receiving room, he may have finally asserted himself as a consistent 1A. Start him this week and find out. He’s got a good matchup with the Browns who have given up the sixth most points to receivers.

Chris Olave gets a very favorable matchup vs the Carolina Panthers. With Rasheed Shaheed out for the season and Derek Carr supposedly making his return to the lineup, he could continue to be a target hog after putting up eight receptions on 14 targets last week.

Chase Brown and Alexander Mattison; I think both could be started this week with a game that could turn into a shootout. And even if the Bengals get off to an early lead, expect Mattison to make some noise in the receiving game coming off 3+ targets in four straight games as well as becoming the clear lead back in Vegas.

Lastly, I expect a much better game from Colts wide receivers, especially Michael Pittman Jr this week with Joe Flacco throwing the ball. With the Vikings giving up the most points to wide receivers so far this season, you could see a big game from him.