The only thing more useless than anyone’s fantasy expectations is the “uncatchable” clause in the NFL’s pass interference rule.
Wonder if “uncatchable” is that useless? Just ask the Indianapolis Colts. Curious if fantasy expectations rise to that level of uselessness, just ask any fantasy manager who started Bijan Robinson, Aaron Jones or had to deal with the chaos of the Rams’ backfield this past weekend.
There is a lot of “useless” discussion, so let’s take these items one at a time.
We’re not going to sweat the unexpected lack of playing time for Robinson. With nothing to suggest it was anything other than what Falcons coach Arthur Smith claimed — Bijan was not feeling well — there is no reason to think Robinson won’t return to his full workload next week.
But if “no new worries” sounds a bit vague, it’s because it is. We remained worried about what Bijan’s full workload entails. He and Tyler Allgeier have been much more of a full-blown committee rather than a lead back and his “breather.”
Perhaps we could just assume talent eventually would win out here and the logical scenario unfold, but as we’ve seen with Drake London and Kyle Pitts, talent doesn’t always punch through the Falcons’ schematic red tape.
But those are old worries. And though they remain, the lack of action Sunday does not amplify them, as frustrating as Sunday was.
Along the lines of Robinson, our worry here isn’t the usage, or lack of, Jones got in Week 7. Fresh off a hamstring injury, he got a limited workload, presumably by design. He suffered the injury in Week 1, then returned in Week 4 only to suffer a setback, so taking it slow makes a lot of sense.
Our worry here, though, is the lack of overall production of the Packers’ ground game against the league’s worst run defense — with or without a fully healthy Jones. Or, on a broader scale, the offense as a whole.
They have routinely played from behind this season — even against bad teams — and that undermines a large portion of Jones’ future potential production on the ground.
We can’t print what fantasy managers want to say about the Rams this week. First, we knew lead RB Kyren Williams was going to miss Week 7, but we didn’t find out until midweek he would miss multiple games, and he wasn’t placed on IR until Saturday.
So many had grabbed Zach Evans. But then they found out late in the week that Royce Freeman or newly signed returnee Darrell Henderson Jr. would get the majority of the workload.
If you opted for Henderson, congrats. He was on the good end of a 60-40 workload split, plus he scored. Going forward, we like Henderson better, because he has performed on this team and in this system before. Meanwhile, at every stop the seven-year veteran Freeman has made in his career, he has been a JAG — just another guy.
Ezekiel Elliott RB, Patriots
He got more work and had roughly same efficiency as Rhamondre Stevenson, plus a TD — in first game after Stevenson’s best game of the season. Rest of season: Zeke wins.
Pierre Strong Jr. RB, Browns
If Jerome Ford misses time with an ankle injury, it looks like Strong will become part of a committee with Kareem Hunt.
Emari Demercado RB, Cardinals
If someone is going to get bell-cow-level workload, we’ll take them on volume alone — even just a ho-hum Cards RB. But can we trust Arizona coaches to stick with one? We’ll dive back in, but with minimal expense.
Taysom Hill TE, Saints
He got five rush attempts plus five targets that resulted in four catches, and he scored a TD. That was good for TE5 heading into Monday night. His gadget use puts him in the conversation at thin TE position.
Deshaun Watson QB, Browns
He can’t be relied upon to stay healthy. When healthy, he can’t be relied upon to play. And when he plays, he can’t be relied upon to produce. Karma gods doing their work.
Najee Harris RB, Steelers
He outscored “backup” Jaylen Warren for the first time this season. The Madman thinks this was likely an anomaly, rather than the previous five games being the anomaly.
D’Onta Foreman RB, Bears
Poster boy for “sell high.” Khalil Herbert could return Week 10. Roschon Johnson could return next week. Though Foreman scored three times, he split work with Darrynton Evan on Sunday.
Jalin Hyatt WR, Giants
Had a pair of big gains Sunday. On two catches. Two. No Giant outside of Saquon Barkley and (maybe) Darren Waller can be trusted right now.