Tuesday, November 05, 2024

Fantasy Football

Week 6 Fantasy Market Report

Week 6 is here, my friends. In case you missed it, last week’s article was pretty awesome. So obviously, before games kickoff, we have to go over our fantasy market report. Knowing when to move people, and at what price point, is key in gaining an advantage over your opponents. Again, we are looking at it like stocks, Bear is trending down, Bull is trending up. Bear is someone you wanna move, and Bull is someone you wanna acquire before their price gets too steep.

Bull: Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert is legit. a 68.8 completion percentage to go along with a 9:3 TD:INT ratio is excellent numbers from a rookie. He has yet to play with a fully healthy arsenal of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler. His line has never been fully healthy, and he has faced Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes in his first four games. But hear me now, Justin Herbert is a stud. He will put up QB1 numbers when his team is healthy, hell he has been QB8 in per-game numbers when they aren’t.

That’s right, QB8. As a rookie, without all his weapons. How obvious does it have to be that this kid is a superstar? So many people don’t see it. Trade demolish them right now. In dynasty, I doubt you can manage to obtain him, but in redraft, he is prime for the picking. Last reminder, on a per-game basis, he is outperforming Tanny, Brady, Watson, Big Ben, Goff, and yes, Lamar Jackson. Ekeler will return, and a superior version of Herbert should be unlocked then. Have him when that happens, this kid is a fantasy gold mine. Herbert could be a regular on this Fantasy Market report until people start treating him like the QB1 he is.

Bear: Drew Brees

This picture is just perfect. It’s not easy to see Brees’ throwing arm in it. Just like games on Sundays.

Oh Drew, what a time we had. The memories will last forever. Sadly, that is all you bring to the table these days. On a per game basis, Brees currently holds the QB21 slot. Behind Teddy Bridgewater, the ailing Carson Wentz, and Derek Carr, among others(a mustached maniac also has been outscoring him). That is not the kind of production we were expecting when we drafted Drew Drew. No Michael Thomas has obviously been an issue, but Brees legitimately looks like he has lost his arm. We have thought this before and been wrong, but this year looks especially concerning. Brees has shown signs in the past, and now it looks like those signs are marching in earlier than Bourbon Street on Mardis Gras(early like 3 AM, you people are so useless).

There will be people out there who think the return of Michael “punch my teammate in the face” Thomas is going to solve everything. It is going to help, I would assume, but these issues are not solvable via talent reacquisition. Brees is old. and he looks like it. Plus, the Saints get to the red zone, Taysom Hill comes in. I don’t see Tyreek Hill come in to take snaps from Mahomes(Tayson and Tyreek are brothers, right? I will ask Hank). Sell him off to someone hoping MT is the solution, and save yourself the hassle of dealing with an aging QB getting worse through the season come fantasy playoffs. See you in the commentator booth Drew, I hope you call the game Brady takes your records. Or maybe you can read off my fantasy market report live next year? Call my agent.

Bull: Jamaal Williams

Look at this face. What must this man be thinking right now?

Well, well, well. Look at Jamaal Williams. Lazard goes down, and Williams slots in as the WR2 in this offense. That was cool. 8 targets, 8 catches, and 95 yards receiving is a helluva line for an RB. Green Bay rolled out a healthy dose of Williams in week 4 before the Packers’ bye, and upon seeing the results, I see no reason why that doesn’t continue. Williams was electric out of the backfield and often looked just like Aaron Jones with the ball in his hands. We all know Aaron Jones is a beast. Williams is just Jones with less volume. That is still a player worthy of having. He is a flex option or bye week RB emergency. But this man is available on waivers in some leagues, and being moved for fifth-round picks in others.

Williams gets to play in the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, who happen to lack receiving depth and love rotating the backfield to keep Jones fresh. Williams is going to see the run needed and is one Jones injury away from reaching RB1 territory. His floor is relatively safe, and with a ceiling like that, I am moving on Williams everywhere I can at his current price point. In a year where RB depth is lacking, let Williams fill all your holes. That just sounds dirty. Way too dirty for a fantasy market report.

Bear: Dalvin Cook

When Cook returns, he will be spending more time on the sidelines watching Mattison than before!

Well, obviously, Cook is out week 6. This is bad, not only for week 6, but for the rest of 2020. Cook was just inked to a big contract. While this adductor strain shouldn’t keep him out for too long, Minnesota has to be concerned about the investment they just made. Why run Cook into the ground? Minnesota will bring Alexander Mattison in more now, which does not bode well for Cooks on the fantasy front. I totally get the concept of keeping Cook fresh and healthy, but if I own Cook, I am furious. Cook has a bellcow price, but his output will not match it.

I am not claiming Cook loses his fantasy appeal. The man is averaging 5.3 yards per carry, along with a league-leading 489 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. On the contrary, he will still have an excellent year. But, you paid for elite production when getting Cook, and his price point still approaches elite status. Move him for a Jacobs or Sanders, and watch as fantasy playoffs approach and Mattison eats more into his share. It’s all about the volume, Dalvin. And your suspect injury history. So flip him like a burger and find safer fantasy grounds to lay your team on. Cook is losing touches, and I will bet your house on it. Thank you for donating your house to this week’s fantasy market report.

Bull: Henry Ruggs

This is Ruggs. Not pictured, is how fast Ruggs actually is.

Ruggs is averaging 29.5 yards per catch, albeit in a very small sample size. Despite only having 6 catches and 1 TD on the year, what Ruggs has shown has been game-breaking, mind-melting speed to rip top’s off defenses faster than college girls on beaches. Injuries have played a part in his low volume, but when he can put those issues behind him, Ruggs has the type of speed you can’t coach, or stop. This guy is Tyreek level swift. 16.1 yards per target, yes per target. All he has been missing so far is volume, and that is going to come as the Raiders continue to develop offensively. There is a reason Gruden drafted Ruggs in the first, as the first WR. This kind of speed is always an asset, both on the field and in fantasy.

I expect a healthy Ruggs to be hovering just under the WR1 category by the time your playoffs start and paying his WR3 price right now is gonna be a difference-maker when that time comes. Just remember, Henry “Pulls The” Ruggs “Out From Under His Opponents.” Dads everywhere loved that. But this fantasy market report isn’t just for dads. This is for everyone reading wondering who outside Waller is going to catch touchdowns in Vegas? Odds are, Ruggs fills in nicely here, when you combine his big-play ability with the opportunities coming his way when healthy, you have a recipe worth gambling over.

Bear: Diontae Johnson

Caption: “Wait, is that Chase Claypool scoring his fourth TD?”

In case you didn’t know, Chase Claypool scored four times last week. Befour the afourmentioned four scores, many of us confourmed with the idea that Johnson was a four sure fantasy stud, a fourmidable receiving option that would fourtify our lineups and find the end zone with fourensic precision. Alas, we did not know Johnson was gonna catch the injury bug. And out week 6 as well? How unfourtunate. Ok this can’t go on fourever, can it? Likely not, just like Diontae’s fantasy stardom. Claypool just came in and went off like a prom dress, making it rain all over Johnson’s fantasy parade. It was both exciting for Claypool, and depressing for Johnson. After two weeks of double-digit targets to start the year, Johnson has disappeared, and Claypool has taken advantage. With Johnson missing more time due to injury, it’s a matter of when, not if, Claypool usurps him as the man opposite JuJu in the Steelers receiving hierarchy.

Johnson has the talent, but the opportunity is fleeting, and it won’t be long before Claypool makes Johnson expendable. Four touchdowns… Johnson had 5 last year and 6 in his career. Something tells me Claypool might be better than Johnson. And that something is freaking four touchdowns in one game! Just remember the fours! As in Claypool is WR Fourteen on the year after last week. And Johnson, well he is WR70. I’m sorry Mr. Johnson, Wooooo, I am four real!

Well, we did it. Another week approaches, another fantasy market report in the books. I hope this has been infourmative, I know I feel fourtunate that you read it. Follow me on Twitter @realryanhicks, and remember to follow @BellyUpFantasy for all your fantasy needs. Chase Claypool scored four touchdowns last week!