Week 9 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 9 QB - 12 points or less
Andy Dalton (NO) 11.90FPts
After several weeks in nosebleed territory, Dalton put up solid fantasy displays; it was somewhat of a disappointing outing against the Ravens. Furthermore, had Dalton not thrown a garbage time TD to Juwan Johnson it would have been even worse. It appears likely that Dalton will continue as the Saints QB but he has only thrown one touchdown in four of his six starts, hardly mind blowing numbers however a matchup against the Steelers who rank as the third worst team against QBs offers hope.
Zach Wilson (NYJ) 10.56FPts
Ahead of the season I mentioned that if Zach Wilson couldn’t get it done with the weapons that the Jets have gotten him then there was no hope. An impressive win for the Jets against the Bills suggests they may be patient with Wilson who is 5-1 as a starter this year, however as a fantasy viable QB it’s time to cut ties. Next up is a bye week, followed by a tie against the Patriots in a game that doesn’t leave me that confident in starting him.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) 10.50FPts
A regular visitor to the Concern-O-Meter this season, he may just be the most disappointing fantasy QB of the season. In the week 9 game against the Buccaneers it was a matchup where both defensive units came out on top. Stafford put up his worst numbers of the campaign as he mustered up 165 passing yards – a season low, as well as a season low in pass completion percentage, below 50%. Once again, it was a brutal outing as he was sacked four times for the fourth time in his past six games, Ouch! A nice matchup against the Cardinals is next, a soft matchup where Stafford should come good.
Marcus Mariota (ATL) 7.56FPts
As expected, Mariota didn’t offer an awful lot through the air. However, his reliable legs didn’t offer much either and resulted in a bad Fantasy week. Frustratingly for his owners though he got off to a flier from his first two drives but offered next to nothing thereafter. The Panthers are next for Atlanta, it’s a game that offers a glimmer of hope.
Sam Ehlinger (IND) 7.02FPts
Whilst Ehlinger is by no means a stud, his support cast means that he is eligible for the Concern-O-Meter. Despite Frank Reich getting the boot, the new coach has stated that Ehlinger will continue as their starter. In the game against the Patriots, Ehlinger looked out of his depth as he got sacked 9 times, threw an interception and only just reached 100 yards through the air. The Raiders are next, a team who are the second worst against QBs in PPG but I’m nowhere near ready to put my trust in Ehlinger.
Concern-O-Meter Week 9 RB - 9 points or less
Raheem Mostert (MIA) 8.6FPts
The Dolphins RB picture reminds me of the 49ers over the last couple of years, confusion. Ironically, the same backs who were part of the hazy 49ers backfield are now Miami’s lead backs. This is frustrating for Mostert owners as he had just secured the lead role from Edmunds. However, in week 9, Mostert shared backfield duties with new signing, Jeff Wilson, as they both got a score each, and an upcoming game against the Browns should see both produce again.
D'Andre Swift (DET) 8.0FPts
It feels harsh to include Swift as he played week 9 in a limited capacity and produced with the workload he had. More importantly though, he suffered no injury setbacks and should see an increased role. An NFC North matchup against the Bears is next for the Lions and a soft matchup should see Swift go off.
Aaron Jones (GB) 6.5FPts
Prior to the injury Jones picked up, it wasn’t the best afternoon for the Packers back. He only put up 25 yards from 9 attempts on the ground, he did however have 20 yards in the receiving game. Despite leaving the game in a walking boot, his x-rays came up negative and he may well return this week. A tough fixture against the Cowboys lies ahead but if he’s fit, he’s locked and loaded.
David Montgomery (CHI) 5.4FPts
Montgomery was the hot topic last week as he was subject to trade rumors however he got the start on Sunday and led the Bears backfield with a 70% snap share. Despite having 14 carries, he got nothing going as he mustered up a measly 36 yards. A generous matchup against the Lions should see Montgomery provide a nice return.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) 2.9FPts
It’s getting more and more messy for CEH owners as he’s part of a three headed RB monster in Kansas, work was split equally between the three of them. In week 9, he had just 5 touches as he rushed four times for 5 yards and hauled in a reception for 14 yards, not exactly numbers that are going to help him be the lead back. The Jaguars are up next and whilst they have been generous to opposing RBs, I don’t want any part of the Chiefs RB trio right now.
Concern-O-Meter Week 9 WR - 8 points or less
Allen Robinson (LAR) 5.4FPts
As expected, Cooper Kupp led the way for the Rams receivers however it was actually Robinson who ranked second amongst the team for receptions and yards. Since week 6, the Rams appear to have finally worked out how to get Robinson involved which could see him become a solid fantasy option at the business end of the year.
Gabe Davis (BUF) 5.3FPts
The ultimate boom or bust player this season. Against the Jets, he was restricted to just two catches from his five targets as he put up 33 yards. Next up for the Bills, the 7-1 Vikings who are generous to the wide receiver position, although a lot will depend on the fitness of Josh Allen.
Michael Pittman (IND) 5.2FPts
The breakout year for Pittman is not looking likely since Ehlinger took the full time job as the Colts signal caller. In week 9, Ehlinger mustered up just over 100 yards through the air which hardly gives his receivers much chance to produce. What is more worrying, Pittman has just 75 reception yards since Ehlinger took over from Matt Ryan.
DeVonta Smith (PHI) 4.2FPts
Deja Vu for DeVonta Smith. He had a quiet performance for the Eagles as his support cast lit up the scoreboard once again. Frustratingly, Smith had two catches and recorded his 22 yards on the first catch as his second went none. The week 9 performance has marked three straight weeks for Smith, failing to rack up more than 50 yards. The Commanders are next up for the unbeaten Eagles, a game which should see the receivers produce.
Chase Claypool (CHI) 3.7FPts
Despite the poor Fantasy points, Claypool was tied amongst the Bears receivers for the most targets with six. However, he hauled in just two of his targets for 13 yards and a rush attempt 4 yards. Encouraging signs though for the latest Chicago Bear in offense that is showing signs of life.
Concern-O-Meter Week 9 TE - 6 points or less
Robert Tonyan (GB) 5.9FPts
Whilst the fantasy numbers don’t make for great reading, Tonyan has seen at least four targets for five consecutive weeks. However, across this same span he has failed to notch up more than 30 yards for the fourth time this year. Moreover, he had notched up just one score all season which has capped his ceiling. The Cowboys are next and I think it’ll be another tough outing.
Dawson Knox (BUF) 5.5FPts
In recent weeks it felt like Dawson Knox was back. However, in the Bills disappointing loss to the Jets, none of their offense got anything going. Knox hauled in three of his four targets for 25 yards. Knox is now in the category of “touchdown dependent” and should Josh Allen play against the Vikings this week, I’d expect a high scoring back and forth game where Knox may be able to cash in.
Kyle Pitts (ATL) 4.7FPts
Another disappointing week for Pitts owners as he lands on the Concern-O-Meter once again. The encouraging thing is that he did have 7 targets, however he was only able to haul in two of them for a team high 27 yards. TNF against the Panthers is next for Pitts and the Falcons, a favorable matchup but I’m still not all in.
Tyler Conklin (NYJ) 1.7FPts
The Jets leaned on their ground game against the Bills which restricted the receivers opportunities, when they did go through the air it was the Wilson to Wilson combo. A bye week is next, followed by a week 11 game against the Patriots which will be a tough assignment.
Taysom Hill (NO) 1.1FPts
Hill had just the one target which he failed to haul in; however he threw the ball once for 13 yards and rushed once for 6 yards. The Ravens had held the Saints to two field goals until the final quarter, limiting Hill’s versatility on the New Orleans offense. The Steelers are next and I’d expect a larger role for Hill in week 10.
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Image Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports
