Tyler Huntley, Duke Johnson, Josh Reynolds, and Foster Moreau. Do these names ring a bell? If so, they either beat you or helped you beat someone in the fantasy playoffs last week. A lesson we can all take away from the 2021 fantasy season: Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky, than good. That pretty much sums up the 2021 season if you ask me. If you made it out of the first round of the playoff, congratulations. If not, I hope you had fun and learned something along the way. Most of you know what’s next, but for those who don’t.
Every week I select players inside the FantasyPros Consensus Top 12 that I think will finish outside the top 12 and players outside the top 12 that I like more.
This is NOT a ‘start/sit’ article per se. This is more or less how I feel about a player, why I feel that way, suggesting what I would do, what to expect, and who I like more.
I know when offering advice and analysis, accuracy and accountability are important. Not just to you guys but to me as well. Every week I like to keep track and share my previous week’s picks that I got right and wrong.
Accountability Report
QB Dak Prescott (DAL)
Week 15 Ranking 7th
Prediction- Bust
Week 15 Finish 23rd
The Dallas offense looked better, not great. The Giants’ team as a whole isn’t good, however, their defense has been solid all year. All in all, I doubt Dak won anyone, any of their playoff matchups.
RB Jonathan Taylor (IND)
Week 15 Ranking 3rd
Prediction- Bust
Week 15 Finish 2nd
Jonathan. FREAKING! Taylor. 2021 Fantasy Football MVP. Never bet against Jonathan Taylor. That’s what I’ve learned this year.
WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
Week 15 Ranking 9th
Prediction- Bust
Week 15 Finish 27th
When the quarterback has a bad game, the wide receiver rarely has a good game. T’was the case here with Lamb. On the verge of a breakout year earlier this season, Lamb and the Cowboys’ offense have been anything but fantasy-friendly.
TE Kyle Pitts (ATL)
Week 15 Ranking 9th
Prediction- Bust
Week 15 Finish 10th
When I zig, Pitts zags. Like Jonathan Taylor, when I bet against Pitts he proves me wrong. Albeit scoring less than twelve fantasy points isn’t anything to write home about. What’s that, how many fantasy points did I score this week? More than you if you’re reading this for advice, ha!
Another week, another accountability report. Let’s run the numbers
Week 15 Results- 2 for 4 50%
Correct
32
Wrong
28
Week 16 Inside/ Outside Picks
I understand some of these players may not be on most or any playoff teams. Seeing how the 2021 season has played out, it’s safe to say anything is possible.
QB Jalen Hurts (PHI)
v NYG
Current Ranking 6th
AVG Points per Game 22.4
Week 16 ranking 8th
In fantasy, we know ‘Konami’ QB’s are the best fantasy quarterbacks and with ten rushing touchdowns, Jalen Hurts is exactly what fantasy players want. Not taking anything away from Hurts as a passer, his upside relies heavily on his rushing ability. Hurts will be put to the test against a Giants’ defense that’s allowed only two quarterback rushing touchdowns all season.
Who I like More
QB Jared Goff (ATL)
@ATL
Week 16 ranking 25th
At 2-11-1 not much of anything has gone right for the Lions in 2021. After star-running back D’Andre Swift went on IR, the Lions’ offense has found a way to stay afloat. Giving credit where credit is due, Jared Goff is a big reason for that. Tied for third in passing TDs with ten over the last four weeks. Goff and the Lions take on a bottom-five pass defense in the Atlanta Falcons.
RB Alvin Kamara (NO)
v MIA
Current Ranking 14th
AVG Points per Game 18.8
Week 16 ranking 4th
This isn’t so much about Kamara, himself. The reason he’s on my ‘BUST’ list is the matchup with the Dolphins. During their current four-game stretch, the Dolphins haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown to ANY running backs and they’ve only allowed thirteen receptions during that span as well.
Who I like More
RB Melvin Gordon (DEN)
@LV
Week 16 ranking 20th
The RB Tandem of Williams and Gordon has been good for the Broncos and annoying for fantasy managers. The Denver RB duo both average double-digit points per game, both are top twenty fantasy running backs, and both get to face a Raiders defense allowing over thirty points per game to running backs.
WR Stefon Diggs (BUF)
@NE
Current Ranking 7th
AVG Points per Game 16.5
Week 16 ranking 10th
This is Diggs’ second appearance on the ‘BUST’ list. As the WR7 on the season, it’s been hard to find any reason not to like Diggs. Well, I found a reason, or better yet, reasons. Those reasons; New England Patriots defense. The Patriots defense hasn’t allowed a quarterback to throw for more than two hundred and fifty yards since Week 6 and they’ve only allowed two receiving touchdowns in their last four games.
Who I like More
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)
@ATL
Week 16 ranking 22nd
Remember when I said that if a quarterback isn’t playing well, their wide receivers aren’t usually playing well either? Well, Jared Goff has been playing well, and wouldn’t you know it, so has St. Brown. Averaging over twenty points per game during the last three weeks. The “Sun God” will shine bright against the Atlanta Falcons defense.
TE Dawson Knox (BUF)
@NE
Current Ranking 4th
Week 16 Ranking 5th
I mentioned the Patriots’ defense earlier with Stefon Diggs and the same goes for his teammate Knox. Oddly enough, the Patriots’ defense is even better against tight ends, in fact, they’re the best defense when it comes to tight ends.
Who I like More
TE Jared Cook (LAC)
@HOU
Week 16 ranking 16th
Like most tight ends, Cook has been up and down all season. So, you can imagine I was SHOCKED to find out that while averaging only 5.5 points per game from weeks twelve through fifteen, he is the TE9. The Texans have been better lately, but for the year they’ve given up the fourth-most touchdowns to tight ends.
That’s gonna do it for this week’s piece. I hope you found the info useful and actionable.
Thank you for reading. Just a reminder, my fantasy podcast: The ATB Fantasy Show records a new episode every Thursday. You can find the podcast on most major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s a link to the most recent episode.
If you use the hashtag #AskATB or send us a DM, we’ll be sure to answer any and all of your fantasy questions.
If you’re a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I host a Dallas Cowboys themed podcast and you can find that on most major streaming platforms as well. Here is a link to the most recent episode
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports
