Fantasy Football

Austin Ekeler did not play his best game last week, coughing the rock twice in what could have cost the Chargers the game. However, he still crushed for fantasy off the heels of another touchdown and five more receptions. Remember when Ekeler couldn’t score touchdowns? Me either. He’s already up to 15 (!!!) on the season. He has 45 red zone touches, which is No. 3 among running backs. This drastic change in usage around the goal line has transformed him into a league winner.

After registering three targets in his first two games of the season, Saquon Barkley has seen at least five in every other game. He just hauled in nine targets this last week after running 30 routes. The nine targets were the most he’s seen all season, and the 30 routes were tied for second on the team. His usage is elite, and he is set up to smash this week. The ride has been bumpy, but the payoff will come this week.

Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson are two upper echelon Konami QBs. Neither of these players are true “buy low” candidates, but their values have dipped recently. Both players are elite rushers and, while they aren’t the most efficient passers, they have the capability to explode through the air. Having an elite Konami QB is the key to winning championships, and this is your last chance to secure one.

Don’t look now, but Elijah Mitchell is a workhorse back. He’s received at least 25 touches in three straight games, and set a career high Snap Share in week 13. He has the athletic profile, he’s in the right offense, and he’s getting all of the carries. He’ll miss this week with a concussion, but after that it’s wheels up. Mitchell is a top five back for the rest of the season, and the season’s final buy of the week.

Jerry Jeudy draws a Lions team that just allowed 340 passing yards and yielded plenty of separation to Vikings receivers. The only Lions corner in the top-40 of PlayerProfiler’s CB Rankings, Amani Oruwariye, just allowed a monster day to Justin Jefferson. Detroit has allowed over 300 yards through the air in each of its last two games. Expect Jeudy to get the opportunity for a massive fantasy day this week.

Before an A+ matchup against the Jaguars, Matthew Stafford threw 5 interceptions with a completion rate below 64-percent in the three games prior combined. Stafford has shown signs of struggle against good defenses, especially in the second half of the season. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have limited opposing QBs to less than 250 passing yards in six of their last seven games. Be wary of a tough matchup this week for Stafford.

Kenny Gainwell has been in this article multiple times, but this time he could stick and actually be usable in deep formats for the fantasy playoffs. Miles Sanders injured his ankle and Gainwell stepped in to catch five passes and rush 12 times for 54 yards and a TD. This backfield is very much in flux, but I want to try and add as much Gainwell as possible with the hopes that the rookie can be a useful fantasy play after the bye.

If you need a Flex or WR3 this week, K.J. Osborn is one of the best options. Adam Thielen suffered a high ankle sprain and Osborn saw his highest number of snaps of the season with 70. If Thielen misses more than a week, Osborn could be a helpful player in the playoffs as an every-down player on a team with a narrow target tree.

The New England Patriots are looking to plant their flag as the best team in the AFC. Mac Jones continues to improve and has established connections with Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne. Against the Bills, they’ll look to rely on Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson to propel the offense through the run game.

The Bills have been inconsistent, and have dropped some bad games. Recently, Josh Allen and the offense have been rolling. Stefon Diggs has gotten back on track, and Cole Beasley has jumped back into the mix of production. The surprise of this team has been the resurgence of running back Matt Breida, who has quickly earned a significant role.

On the year, Jaylen Waddle has 105 (No. 7 among qualified wide receivers) targets, which leads all rookie wideouts. His 15.1 Fantasy Points per Game trails only Ja’Marr Chase in terms of rookie WR production. Overall, Waddle is the WR19 on a points per game basis. Establishing himself as Miami’s alpha receiver, Waddle has scored double digit fantasy points in six of the last seven games. His dynasty stock gains 18.28 Lifetime Value points to join the Top 20 WRs in dynasty (WR19).

Terrace Marshall was a healthy scratch versus the Dolphins in Week 12 – 2021 sixth round wideout Shi Smith was active. While Marshall hasn’t been productive in his rookie season, this is not the news that dynasty managers were hoping for from the Panthers’ second round selection. The former LSU Tiger has averaged a mere 3.1 (No. 117) Fantasy Points per Game. His dynasty stock loses 16.59 Lifetime Value points and six spots to drop to WR44.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals last played in the season opener of 2020. it was a lackluster 16-13 game. This was Joe Burrow’s debut. Meanwhile Justin Herbert hadn’t yet gotten the opportunity to lead the Chargers onto the field. Both teams have clearly improved since this game. We also get two of the top fantasy running backs in the league this year with Joe Mixon (No. 3) and Austin Ekeler (No. 2) in fantasy points.

I lean the Bengals here in what should be a closely contested game. In a close game, an advantage the Bengals have is special teams. The Chargers rank dead last in PFF Special Teams Grade, while the Bengals have a 91.2 (No. 2) Grade. I like Joe Mixon to get going early and often and continue his ascent into the elite tier of fantasy running backs. A strong running game can put a bit of a damper on a shootout, but I still think a decent amount of points are scored in this one.

Hero RB drafters are sitting comfortably watching their stud running backs smash while also having enjoying league winning production from wide receivers drafted in the middle rounds of fantasy football drafts. The 2021 season shows once again why running backs are the backbone of championship fantasy teams.

Luckily for those who missed the boat on the early round studs such as Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler, the fantasy football season isn’t won or lost at the draft. While Hero RB gives a slight advantage, what I have taken from this thought experiment is to not lock into a specific draft strategy. Take the draft room as it comes and capitalize on players that fall. Keep the good process of drafting good players and good things will happen.

Rashod Bateman is a dormant volcano ready to erupt all over NFL secondaries. Promise hangs in the air for this young stud who’s getting an increase in playing time, has made some minute contributions for the team so far, and has yet to eclipse 90 yards or even score his first touchdown. The time is now! Football fans can expect explosive plays and production coming soon from this talented rookie Raven.

The snaps played and routes run reflect that Rashod Bateman has elevated himself above all receivers not named Marquise Brown. However, I would like to point out that Brown isn’t a typical target hog, but a big play received, and Bateman actually out-targeted him in Week 6. He has cemented himself to be the key cog of this passing attack, and the touchdowns will come raining down soon. 

I offer an attractive skill-set that combines speed and accuracy into an effective one-two punch. At age 29.6, I’m still in my writing prime and ready to break out. I may be a black box prospect, but I’m equipped with upper percentile agility and burst that lends to versatility and explosiveness. This is me asking for a J.K. Dobbins leap of faith. I know I can add value to your franchise. I’m a discounted version of the FFKing, Patrick Murphy.

This journey won’t come without bumps and bruises. Tagging players on Twitter, touting J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Darwin Thompson — I’ve made mistakes, but I’m prepared to handle the smoke and move forward. Sadly, my Twitter microphone is comparable to yelling into an empty room. On the bright side, I certainly saved myself from a misguided, unapologetic defense of two prospects who have yet to fire.