Week 7 is in the books and we are back with the Concern-O-Meter. What a week it was, starting with the absolute nail-biting Broncos and Colts game. The week was full of shock results and finally it was a breakout week for the elite running backs. However, it was another week where top profile players let us down.
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 7 QB - 12 points or less
Tom Brady (TB) 11.70FPts
Despite the shock loss to the Panthers, Brady actually put up good numbers as he threw for 290 yards and had no turnovers. However, he failed to provide a single touchdown. However, it’s worth remembering that Brady did have a dead cert touchdown pass to Mike Evans dropped which would have seen him avoid the Concern-O-Meter. I’m not too worried as Brady will come good.
Lamar Jackson (BAL) 10.70FPts
Through the first month of the season LJ was a fantasy football cheat code but in the past few weeks his production has dropped significantly. In week 7, he seemed happy enough to keep handing the ball off to Gus Edwards. Furthermore, the Ravens defense had a day as this factored into the fact he provided his least passes in a game for the season. Worryingly, this is now the third time in the past four weeks that LJ hasn’t logged 200 passing yards in a game. Next up is a prime time game against the Buccaneers, I think LJ hits back with a vengeance.
Zach Wilson (NYJ) 7.24FPts
Whilst it wasn’t spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, Wilson had no turnovers in the win against the Broncos. The Jets have relied a lot on Breece Hall in recent weeks, however the ACL injury that Hall suffered could mean that the passing game may be relied on much more. Next up is the Patriots who are ranked 19th against QB’s giving up 18.7PPG. I’m relatively confident but not quite ready to go all in.
Jared Goff (DET) 3.52FPts
What has happened in Detroit? They flew out of the gates in the first month and since then they now look like the worst offensive team in the NFL. Goff threw a season low 26 pass attempts but coughed up a season high 2 interceptions against the Cowboys. A nice matchup against the Dolphins who rank 27th against QB’s is next, however a lot will rely on whether D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown are available.
Mac Jones/ Bailey Zappe 9.16FPts (Combined)
What a mess. The Patriots QB situation is ugly and I don’t want any part of this whatsoever. Between both QB’s they mustered up 198 yards through the air and a touchdown. However, they provided the Bears with three interceptions including the rookie, Jaquan Brisker, with his first career INT. Moving forward, I have no confidence in starting Jones or Zappe as a fantasy feasible option.
Concern-O-Meter Week 7 RB - 9 points or less
Christian McCaffrey (SF) 6.2FPts
After being traded to the 49ers on Thursday it was somewhat surprising to see CMC involved at all. McCaffrey split carries with Jeff Wilson throughout his debut as he got accustomed to the San Francisco playbook. The good news is that he has a full week of practice ahead to get accustomed to the offense ahead of a matchup against the Rams. Whilst the Rams are ranked 3rd against RB’s, it’s CMC and he’ll be just fine.
Kareem Hunt (CLE) 6.8FPts
Had Kareem Hunt not punch in a 2 yard touchdown in the final quarter then it could have been even worse. Furthermore, a season low in rush yards alongside the fact that over the past two weeks he’s had just 9 rush attempts. Moreover, a matchup against Cincinnati who are the 5th best ranked defense against RB’s doesn’t fill me with confidence.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (SF) 5.4FPts
I feel sorry for Jeff Wilson, he didn’t do an awful lot wrong since filling in for Elijah Mitchell. However, when the league’s most dangerous dual threat running back comes to town it’s safe to say that Wilson’s role will diminish. Moreover, in deeper leagues he’s worth stashing knowing of the injury record McCaffrey has in recent years but apart from that Wilson’s Fantasy relevant days are numbered.
Melvin Gordon (DEN) 5.0FPts
This is a player who I dubbed as the steal of most drafts based on his ADP prior to the season, right now it looks like that ADP was overpriced. It was reassuring to see him hit double digit carries again, however he struggled to make an impact as he managed just 33 yards on the ground. Whilst Gordon is listed as the lead back on the depth chart, Latavius Murray is splitting carries and the Broncos have now added Marlon Mack who could easily carve out a role in a position that is up for grabs.
Leonard Fournette (TB) 2.6FPts
A worrying stat from week 7 for Fournette owners is that Rachaad White is catching up pace with the veteran for carries. The game script didn’t play into Fournette’s hands as the Buccaneers were constantly playing catch up, he struggled to see any involvement in the passing game seeing just two receptions out of the backfield. A nice matchup against the Ravens is next, they are currently giving up over 20PPG to the RB position.
Concern-O-Meter Week 7 WR - 8 points or less
Alec Pierce (IND) 6.7FPts
The emergence of Alec Pierce has turned him into a must start but last week he put up his worst Fantasy production since week 1. Pierce had become a target hog for Matt Ryan throughout the season, however against the Titans they brought constant pressure which saw Ryan having to force the ball out quickly into the slot and to the running backs. Worryingly, the Colts are now turning to Sam Ehlinger for the rest of the year and therefore I think we’ll see a slump in production for Pierce.
Garrett Wilson (NYJ) 6.4FPts
A name that keeps popping up as a player who fails to hit projections. Apart from his week 2 outing against the Browns, it has been a season of below average Fantasy outings. I touched on this earlier, with the Jets losing star running back Breece Hall it will mean that the passing game will come into play much more often. I predict that we will see an upturn in fantasy numbers but I’m by no means all in on this….. yet.
Courtland Sutton (DEN) 5.3FPts
It would be easy to shed the blame on backup QB, Brett Rypien, however this wasn’t the case at all. Sutton was targeted 9 times but only hauled in 3 of them for 23 yards. I’m not too worried though, Sutton is getting the looks as he has had just one game with less than 7 targets. No panic here.
Keenan Allen (LAC) 3.1FPts
The key thing here is that Allen returned to action for the first time since week 1 and didn’t suffer an injury setback. He was on a snap count as he featured on just 32% of plays but he did haul in both of his targets for 11 yards. A bye week comes at the perfect time, this allows Allen an extra week to recover after a taster of action and he will be ready to roll out in week 9, especially now that Mike Williams is ruled out for the next 4-6 weeks.
Drake London (ATL) 1.9FPts
Not a good day at the office for the Falcons and their passing game as Mariota only threw the ball 13 times all afternoon, targeting London just once. It’s now a month since London racked up over 40 yards in a game which is somewhat concerning. A nice match up against the fifth worst team against wide receivers, the Carolina Panthers, giving up 28.7PPG, a nice game for London to make a splash.
Concern-O-Meter Week 7 TE - 6 points or less
Mike Gesicki (MIA) 5.7FPts
A few weeks ago I mentioned to completely bin off Gesicki however an impressive outing against the Vikings put him back on the radar. However, a week later and he’s back here after putting up another dud. It is worth noting that Tua did target Gesicki 7 times, the most all season between the pair but this wasn’t converted into production. He is a player to roll out in desperation but I’m still on red alert.
Cole Kmet (CHI) 5.2FPts
nother tight end who has disappointed this year. The frustration for Kmet owners is that he’s featuring on over 90% of snaps but hasn’t seen more than 4 targets in the past 5 games. Moreover, he still hasn’t scored a touchdown on the year. I’m out!
Kyle Pitts (ATL) 3.9FPts
Deja vu for Pitts owners. Dubbed as one of the “elite” pre-season tight ends and has disappointed once again. Despite Pitts playing in a limited capacity, he still saw the most targets of the Falcons receivers but failed to produce anything of note. It’s the story of his season at the halfway point, he’s seeing the volume but just not converting it. The “unicorn” is somewhat of a mythical creature at this point. A game against the Panthers gives Pitts the opportunity to put up a nice performance.
Hunter Henry (NE) 2.2FPts
Henry featured on a whopping 85% of snaps against the Bears but only had two targets. Frustratingly, the Patriots backup tight end, Jonnu Smith, who featured on just a third of snaps had more targets but both hauled in the solitary catch. Henry has nice upside though heading into the game against the Jets.
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Image Credit: Kyle Terada – USA TODAY Sports
