Week 4 is in the books and we are back with the Concern-O-Meter. A month into the 2022 season and it was the first tricky week for Fantasy football managers with a number of key players missing. Surely it was a week for the high profile players to step up.
Perhaps not. Once again we look at five high profile players who underperformed in week 4 and whether it’s time to hit the panic button ahead of the next round of games.
What is the Concern-O-Meter?
It’s a traffic light system where we highlight five players at each position who underperformed as we identify if you should be concerned or not ahead of the forthcoming week’s schedule.
No Concern at all
Slight Concern
Very Concerned
Concern-O-Meter Week 4 QB - 12 points or less
Derek Carr (LV) 11.52FPts
For the first time this year Carr was unable to record over 250 passing yards, mustering up just 188. In his defense, it was against Denver who are the third stingiest defense against the QB position, it didn’t come as a surprise. This is the reason why I am a true believer in checking the matchup and the season strength of schedule. On that note, a back and forth against the Chiefs should see Carr get back to his solid form to start the campaign.
Justin Fields (CHI) 10.16FPts
We may as well RSVP a spot for Fields each week. For the fourth consecutive week he lands on the Concern-O-Meter and I’m not even surprised anymore. He did amass a season high in passing yards, but it was for a mere 174 yards. He has looked poor when throwing the ball this year and this week was the same old story, failing to lead the Bears to a touchdown drive and relying on the kicking unit to notch up points. In redraft, I have cut ties of any shares that I had
Carson Wentz (WAS) 9.30FPts
The first two weeks of the season Wentz was the overall QB4. The following two weeks, QB26. I think the majority expected the latter form before a game was played this year. A second week in a row where Wentz has struggled. To be fair to Wentz, he has come up against two solid pass rush units and a matchup against the Titans should see him put up better numbers, I’m still slightly nervous but I’d expect a much better outing.
Trevor Lawrence (JAX) 6.66FPts
At the end of the first quarter I was left regretting my choices not to take more shares in Trevor Lawrence this year. However, he then turned the ball over 5 times against the Eagles. Sunday’s poor outing has seen Lawrence’s TD:INT average drop significantly, but a nice matchup against the Texans will see him bounce back.
Marcus Mariota (ATL) 4.86FPts
Disappointing doesn’t even cut it. I had Mariota ranked as my QB11 for the week 4 matchups but he put up an absolute stinker. He may have got the win (somehow?!) for the Falcons but a poor 7 completions for 139 yards isn’t exactly going to put the scoreboard in any danger. The Browns pass rushing unit stifled Mariota as he had just 3 rushing yards off 5 attempts, normally a part of his game that helps his fantasy managers. Next up, a game against the Buccaneers which doesn’t fill me with confidence at all and he’s on red alert for week 5.
Concern-O-Meter Week 3 RB - 9 points or less
Kareem Hunt (CLE) 8.8FPts
Hunt only just made the list and for the first time this season. It wasn’t for a lack of carries as he featured on 49% of snaps, carrying the ball 10 times and had a couple of receptions out of the backfield. The biggest factor was that Nick Chubb was simply too good as he did the majority of the damage on the ground for the Browns. I’m not worried one bit and next up is an assignment against the third worst defense against running backs, the Chargers, who have given up 30PPG through the first month of the season.
Najee Harris (PIT) 7.4FPts
The Jets seemed to have Harris’ number as they restricted him to a very disappointing performance. Heavily featured once again for the Steelers, playing on 75% of snaps as he carried 19 times. Surprisingly, he didn’t have a target out of the backfield for the first time this season. At the moment, he’s not getting in the paint enough as he’s posted just two scores all year and he needs those reception targets to counteract this. Next up are games against the Bills and Buccaneers, I’m somewhat concerned here.
Michael Carter (NYJ) 4.9FPts
Breece Hall looks to be taking a chokehold of the Jets ground game and that was evident this week as he outclassed Carter. A season low 44% snap percentage confirms this especially when you factor in that Hall featured on two thirds of the Jets snaps. What is worrying,Week 1 Carter had 100 all purpose yards, since then he’s totalled under 50 yards in the past three weeks. Whilst Hall and Carter will continue to work in tandem against the Dolphins I am beginning to lose faith in rolling out Carter.
Jonathan Taylor (IND) 3.3Pts
The Colts and Titans game offered a tasty matchup between two of the best running backs in football. Whilst Derrick Henry came out on top, Taylor was a huge disappointment as he hits the Concern-O-Meter for the second time in three weeks. He suffered an injury during that game that might stop him playing against Denver on Thursday. Denver are the 8th best defense versus the run, giving up just 18.5PPG. A lot of other players I would be worried about but I expect JT to get back on track (assuming he plays)
James Robinson (JAX) 2.9FPts
I could have put either of the Jaguars backs in here but opted for Robinson as he was riding the hot hand. Robinson and Etienne split carries and neither were able to record a catch against the Eagles. I am not too concerned with Robinson as he has become the Jags unexpected workhorse through the first month of the season and put up his first disappointing display. A nice matchup against the Texans should see Robinson bounce back.
Concern-O-Meter Week 3 WR - 8 points or less
Michael Pittman Jr. (IND) 6.1FPts
This is one that surprised me a lot as I expected Pittman to finish the week as a top ten WR with a game against the Titans, prior to this week the Titans were ranked 28th against WRs giving up 31.5PPG. Pittman did lead the Colts in targets, it’s just a shame it was for an underwhelming 6 targets and he only hauled in 3 of them for 31 yards. Whilst I want to believe in Pittman, the Colts offensive unit is an absolute mess at the moment and I am somewhat concerned heading into week 5 against the Broncos.
Jaylen Waddle (MIA) 5.9FPts
No penguin celebration this week as Waddle was restricted to just two hauls. Once Tua left the game and Bridgewater came in, Teddy was constantly eyeing up Tyreek Hill and even Trent Sherfield over Waddle. I hope that in week 5 we see Teddy Bridgewater under center and Tua left out (that’s a story for a whole new article) but hopefully Waddle owners, he sees more of the actio. I fully expect that this is the case with a matchup against the Jets.
Rashod Bateman (BAL) 4.7FPts
I said last week that I expected Bateman to be here for a second consecutive week, so I’m not surprised he is on the Concern-O-Meter after a tough matchup against the Bills. Bateman put up a season low receiving yardage total, and is now expected to miss some time with injury. When he returns, he should be able to pick up his performances.
Diontae Johnson (PIT) 4.2FPts
A hiatus for a week and Johnson is back for the third time in four weeks. I know 4.2 points is far from ideal but when you consider that at the half he had zero catches, it could have been a lot worse. When Pickett entered the game for the Steelers, despite the interceptions he threw he actually made the Pittsburgh offense look much more fluid. Surely it’s time they let the rookie takeover? Assuming Pickett is under centre, I’m actually a little bit more confident, still not fully there yet though.
Amari Cooper (CLE) 1.9FPts
Back to back games with over 100 yards and a touchdown and it was a reality check for Cooper managers as he mustered up just 9 yards from his sole reception. The Falcons were determined to stop Cooper and it proved worthwhile as he recorded season lows in all major categories for a receiver (4 targets, 1 reception and 9 yards). I expect a bounce back from the 1.9 Fantasy points, who wouldn’t? But I am somewhat concerned if opposing defenses take a leaf out of the Falcons book and lock him down.
Concern-O-Meter Week 3 TE - 6 points or less
Darren Waller (LV) 5.4FPts
Ahead of the campaign I thought the arrival of Davante Adams would see Waller become the beneficiary especially after the big money extension, but it just hasn’t happened. Adams is that good of a receiver that even with all of the coverage he’s still getting the job done and is the main man for the Raiders. Waller continued his streak of seeing less than 6 targets in a game, three out of the four weeks this has happened. Even with a matchup where I’d expect Waller to play a bigger role in against the Chiefs, I’m just not confident at all right now.
Irv Smith (MIN) 5.3FPts
I was actually at the game in London and after Smith had 2 receptions on the opening drive I was expecting him to have a big day, unfortunately it didn’t materialise much further. He was one of “my guys” ahead of the season and through the first month he’s looked way off the pace. Unfortunately, I have to swallow my pride and set aside my loyalty as I put Smith on red alert.
Mike Gesicki (MIA) 4.3FPts
A very similar story to Waller. A player who I thought would be a big player this year with the arrival of Hill to partner Waddle, I was expecting to see a lot of Gesicki left wide open but he’s barely even playing with just 44% snap count this week, behind Durham Smythe. I am not keen on firing up Gesicki at all right now.
Mark Andrews (BAL) 3.5FPts
Here is a name I didn’t think would make it on to the Concern-O-Meter. Andrews was victim to a lacklustre passing game from the Ravens this week, admittedly it was against the Bills but I expected a lot more from them. After an impressive first three weeks for Andrews I expect to see him put up big numbers in a big AFC North matchup against the Bengals.
Kyle Pitts (ATL) 3.5FPts
I mentioned last week that if Pitts didn’t do it this week then it’s time to panic. Furthermore, Pitts featured on a season low 62% of snaps as he hauled in one catch from his four targets for 25 yards. For the third time in four weeks Pitts makes it on to the Concern-O-Meter and it’s time to worry. When you consider the draft stock he cost, his performances are simply not good enough for Fantasy Managers. Pitts is on red alert until further notice.
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Image Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
