Week 8 is in the books and we are back with the Concern-O-Meter. The halfway point of the season has now passed and another difficult bye week is incoming as many studs will be unavailable. It’s as crucial as ever to monitor our studs and avoid any potential duds.
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 8 QB - 12 points or less
Davis Mills (HOU) 11.70FPts
This time last week Mills had just racked up over 300 yards through the air but this week was a reality check for Fantasy owners. Had it not been for a garbage time touchdown in the final seconds of the game it would have been even worse Fantasy performance. A game against the unbeaten Eagles is next and I’m not confident at all.
Daniel Jones (NYG) 10.70FPts
In a game against the Seahawks who were ranked 21st against the QB, Jones underwhelmed. Throughout the year, Jones’ owners have relied on his legs to contribute to his fantasy production however he was kept in check by Seattle. The Giants once again struggled to get anything going in the air, they have thrown for over 200 yards just twice all year. An upcoming bye followed by a game against the Texans should see Jones bounceback.
Derek Carr (LV) 9.16FPts
I don’t know what happened, the Raiders were an absolute mess against the Saints. I know they were missing Waller and had Adams and Hollins listed as limited participants throughout the week in training but it was one of the worst Raiders performances in a long time, eight years was the last time they were shutout. Carr just about managed to surpass 100 passing yards as he totalled 101 yards, his third lowest amount in his 9 year career. I’m quietly confident that he bounces back against the Jaguars in week 9.
Trevor Lawrence (JAX) 7.24FPts
It was always going to be a tough assignment for Lawrence as he traveled to the UK to face the best defense against the QB position. It’s fair to say that his outing was underwhelming as threw for just 133 yards from 31 attempts, that’s a mere 4.3 yards per attempt. Furthermore, he threw multiple interceptions for the second time in the past month. An impressive first month to the season has digressed, it’s now four weeks since Lawrence provided multiple touchdowns in a game. However, A nice matchup against the Vegas Raiders is next and I’d fancy a comeback.
Kenny Pickett (PIT) 3.52FPts
Another week and another display full of errors for Pickett. For context, he threw another interception and now has eight in total through five games. Furthermore, he blanked once again as he failed to provide a score. Yes, he may be seeing a good amount of volume but concerningly it’s not converting into Fantasy production. I’m not keen on this Steelers offense whatsoever, I am out.
Concern-O-Meter Week 8 RB - 9 points or less
Raheem Mostert (MIA) 6.8FPts
It wasn’t for a lack of effort in the rushing game that Mostert underwhelmed this week. He had 14 attempts and put up 64 yards on the ground but only had one reception for just 3 yards. I’d fully expect Mostert to bounce back as he faces the Bears, who are ranked 28th against running backs and giving up 23.8PPG to the position.
David Montgomery (CHI) 6.2FPts
Montgomery is a frustrating player to own. One week he’s lighting up the scoreboard, the next he’s getting out carried by Khalil Herbert. Furthermore, the most worrying stat of all is that not since week 1 has Montgomery has he topped 15 rush attempts. An upcoming matchup against the 23rd ranked defense against RBs, the Dolphins, should be one of optimism but with Herbert knocking on the door I’m not quite there.
AJ Dillon (GB) 5.4FPts
A lot of us expected Dillon to take a chokehold of the Packers ground game this year but Aaron Jones still leads the way. Encouragingly though, Dillon notched up double digit touches which is a foundation for upcoming weeks. Furthermore, a favorable matchup against the Lions is next, they are the second worst team against running backs, giving up 25.9PPG. I’m more than happy to roll out Dillon in week 9.
Jonathan Taylor (IND) 5.0FPts
Is JT one of the worst consensus 1.01’s we have seen in recent years? Once again, he underwhelmed in week 8. Taylor did leave the game with an injury scare but he returned and led the backfield which is a huge relief for his fantasy owners. Whilst I keep saying he will come good, I’ve now been saying this for two months and next up is a game against the number 1 ranked team against running backs, the Patriots. Let’s be real, we are playing him but I’m not confident he’ll produce.
Darrell Henderson (LAR) 2.6FPts
Henderson was dealing with illness prior to the defeat against the 49ers, this is likely the reason why he only had 6 touches in the game. I would assume normal service will resume this week with Henderson the lead back. However, a game against Tampa Bay is a far from ideal bounceback game. They are the 6th ranked team against running backs, giving up just 17.9PPG.
Concern-O-Meter Week 8 WR - 8 points or less
DeVonta Smith (PHI) 6.7FPts
I’m not worried. Whilst the numbers don’t make great reading, Smith still had 8 targets as he hauled in 6 catches. The only problem was that he was featured in the short passing game as A.J. Brown dominated for the Eagles. The main concern for Smith is the inconsistent production. Next is a game against the Texans, a game where I’d expect much better productivity.
Gabe Davis (BUF) 6.4FPts
Prior to the bye week, Davis was an absolute menace. However, he came up against the Packers and their impressive secondary. It was expected that Davis may struggle against GreenBay but an upcoming game against the Jets could be quite fruitful for Josh Allen’s favorite downfield target.
Robert Woods (TEN) 5.3FPts
What first appears as a disappointing outing was not as it seems. Woods actually led the Titans in targets as he hauled them both in. Furthermore, he had to deal with rookie QB, Malik Willis, who struggled in his first NFL start. I think Woods has a season best game against the Chiefs….. if Tannehill plays. It’ll be a high scoring game which the Titans will be chasing from the off and Woods will be the beneficiary.
Courtland Sutton (DEN) 3.1FPts
It’s becoming a concern for Sutton owners as he failed to hit double digit Fantasy points for a fourth consecutive week. In the game against the Jags at Wembley, he had four targets but only hauled in the single catch. A bye week is next for the Broncos followed by a game against the Titans. It’s getting very close to red alert time for Sutton.
Davante Adams (LV) 1.9FPts
Against the Saints, Adams managed 2 yards from his sole reception. This is the second worst outing in Adams’ nine year career. One of the elite receivers of the game is almost guaranteed to not repeat this awful display any time soon. Next up is the Jaguars and I think it’ll be a game where Carr will target Adams a lot.
Concern-O-Meter Week 8 TE - 6 points or less
Noah Fant (SEA) 5.7FPts
Fant continues to trail Will Dissly on snap count although he did exceed 70% for a second consecutive week. Through the first eight games of the season, Fant has disappointed as he’s produced just 176 yards and the single touchdown all year. It’s time to drop Fant if he’s still on your roster.
Brevin Jordan (HOU) 5.2FPts
Jordan featured for the first time since week 2 and is part of an ugly three headed tight end monster in Houston. However, he led the trio with a 56% snap share and had the most targets but until he regains the clear lead role I’m not wanting any part of it.
C.J. Uzomah (NYJ) 3.9FPts
Another poor performance from Uzomah. Not once has he had more than 2 targets in a game this season, however he did amass a season high 27 yards in week 8…. which says it all. Conklin remains the clearcut lead tight end for the Jets and until that changes Uzomah is on red alert.
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.
Remember, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports
