Gregg Williams is making a strong case to bury the moniker ‘Mistake on the Lake’ with the impressive play of the Browns defensive unit. If they are still available in your league and you are scrambling for a Defense, you could do worse. If you own Tyrod Taylor, get your wallets out to secure the services of Baker Mayfield. The rookie from Oklahoma gets the ball out a lot sooner (pun intended) than Taylor and provided a much needed spark to a Cleveland offense that had lacked energy. The fantasy stock of Carlos Hyde, David Njoku, Jarvis Landry, and Antonio Callaway all shoot up with the switch under center. Even Rashard Higgins is worth a stash as an injury to Landry or Calloway would make him a fantasy asset. Remember, this is Todd Haley’s offense.
In Buffalo, I expect Chris Ivory to carry the mail, with Marcus Murphy getting some work on passing downs. The latter’s value may be dependent on game script, meaning whenever Buffalo is trying to play catch up. If the first two weeks are any indication, that script may turn out to be a broken record this season. We’ll see how LeSean McCoy holds up with broken ribs. Slim Shady has always been one of those players that scares me, seemingly always just a snap away from potentially limping off of the field. In the Bills anemic offense, Ivory and Murphy become weak flex options if the former Eagles bell cow is forced to miss time.
Deonte Thompson, mentioned last week as a radar candidate, led all Cowboys receivers with a whopping 5 targets. That probably won’t get it done most weeks until this offense starts to click. The former Chief is unstartable at the moment, but worth the roster space if you don’t have more pressing needs. Thompson could be a regular target for Dak Prescot and useful later in the season. Terrance Williams’ suspension doesn’t hurt either.
Word from Phoenix is that Mike McCoy is going to have David Johnson line up in the slot to get him involved in the passing game. They need to do something because this Cardinals offense is currently the most inept and hopeless assembly I ever recall watching this decade. It’s hard to envision the consensus #2 overall pick earning his 2018 price tag. At this point I’d be content with Johnson emerging as an RB2. Until we see results commensurate with that status, he remains a weak flex play. I’m considering starting Giovani Bernard over him at Flex in the NFFC Primetime Main Event. After all, having me bench the early monumental disappointment may be the only hope we have of seeing decent fantasy production from this immensely talented running back. Then again, the Chicago Bears Defense doesn’t look like a unit that will allow the Cardinal ground game to get on track.
I rarely or never roster Patriot or Eagle running backs out of general principle. Enduring the backfield roulette wheel, ever a constant in New England and Philadelphia, is not my cup of tea. However, with Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles both listed as out, Corey Clement approaches must start status against the weak run defense of the Indianapolis Colts. Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead are matchup and game script dependent. The Patriots are 7.5 point road favorites against a Detroit Lions team frequently unable to maintain gap integrity, leaving huge holes up the middle for Rex Burkhead, who excels between the tackles. It will depend on the other options on your roster, but both are viable flex options this week. As of this writing Defensive End Ezekiel Ansah was listed as questionable. His presence would make the Patriot RB stable slightly less attractive, but still a viable option.
Many a new Ryan Fitzpatrick owners may be wondering whether to start the Buccaneers starter this week. It is a tough call and will depend on your other QB options. Keep in mind that Steeler cornerback Joe Haden, who missed the undressing of the Steelers by the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, will be back on the field in Tampa Monday night. Even so, the journeyman quarterback has never had as many weapons at his disposal as he has this year. DeSean Jackson, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and OJ Howard will present a challenge even to a secondary bolstered by Haden’s return.
In closing, here are a couple of other random things I’ll be tracking today:
- Mark Walton’s usage, number of touches.
- Usage and touches for Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood.
- Ito Smith’s usage behind
Good luck this week and follow Greg @liquidhippo.
