The Eli Manning news isn't so much shocking; it's simply a transparent look at a Giants organization positioning itself for a high draft pick that will net them (they hope) their next franchise QB. Currently owning the third worst record and with two winnable games remaining (home contests against the reeling Cowboys and underachieving Redskins), why risk finishing 4-12 and owning the 6th, 7th, or 8th pick when they can almost guarantee the 2nd or 3rd pick by starting the incredibly low-upside Geno Smith?
Again, they're switching to Smith--not third-round rookie Davis Webb. They reportedly "plan" to start Webb at some point, but let's be real: the Giants are tanking to guarantee an elite QB prospect like Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen, and they know Geno gives them the best shot.
Eli has not been terrible. In fact, his 14-7 TD-INT ration is the fourth best of his career. His problem was losing three of his top four wideouts in Week 5 and having a terrible offensive line. I credit him for rejecting the Giants' offer to start Week 13 and then give way to Geno. The guy has two Super Bowl titles and has started 200+ straight games. He won't end his career as a place-holder for a team going nowhere. Next year he'll probably start in Denver or Buffalo or Arizona--some team with serious playoff aspirations and enough offensive weapons to keep Eli happy. And he'll be worth drafting as a surprise top 12-16 option.
Josh Gordon (65% available in ESPN leagues) is on the verge of being a great story. But two huge questions remain: What kind of football shape is he in, and how will he fare playing alongside one of the NFL's least effective starting QBs? DeShone Kizer has five passing TDs in 10 starts. Think about that: he's on pace for single-digit passing TDs over a near full season, which is pretty much unheard of. You could argue (somewhat successfully) that he hasn't had much to throw to. But the point is, Gordon is a flyer you take if you want a 10% chance at WR2+ production. Is there a chance? Sure, and Gordon is just the special talent to do it. But don't drop a prime RB handcuff for him.
Amari Cooper (injuries) could join Michael Crabtree (suspension) on the sidelines Sunday. That would open the door for the very little-rostered Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson, and/or Johnny Holton to be fantasy-relevant. Patterson and Holton are Hail Mary plays, even in a very plus matchup against the Giants, whose defense has yielded the fourth most passing yards per game while surrendering the second most passing TDs. Roberts (99.7% available) would be the safest add--a WR3/4 who could creep into the must-start realm if Carr looks his way more than anyone else. Meanwhile, although Jared Cook (21% available) has never been a consistent fantasy option in nine NFL seasons, he'll be on my TE1 list--as he is on many experts' lists this week--if Cooper sits.
And let's not get caught up too much with Devontae Booker (75% available), who in the past five weeks has pushed Jamaal Charles to the brink of irrelevancy while apparently challenging C.J. Anderson for Denver's lead backfield role. Handed the top job on October 30 last year after Anderson's injury, Booker netted only 2.99 YPC the rest of the season. This year he's sitting at 3.5 and, barring another Anderson injury, is not a serious threat to take over in 2017. Denver's been playing from behind a lot during their seven-game losing streak. Their remaining schedule against the Dolphins, Jets, Colts, and Redskins should enable them to re-establish the running game, returning Anderson to at least semi-relevancy and relegating Booker to no better than an RB4/5 supporting role.
Again, they're switching to Smith--not third-round rookie Davis Webb. They reportedly "plan" to start Webb at some point, but let's be real: the Giants are tanking to guarantee an elite QB prospect like Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen, and they know Geno gives them the best shot.
Eli has not been terrible. In fact, his 14-7 TD-INT ration is the fourth best of his career. His problem was losing three of his top four wideouts in Week 5 and having a terrible offensive line. I credit him for rejecting the Giants' offer to start Week 13 and then give way to Geno. The guy has two Super Bowl titles and has started 200+ straight games. He won't end his career as a place-holder for a team going nowhere. Next year he'll probably start in Denver or Buffalo or Arizona--some team with serious playoff aspirations and enough offensive weapons to keep Eli happy. And he'll be worth drafting as a surprise top 12-16 option.
Josh Gordon (65% available in ESPN leagues) is on the verge of being a great story. But two huge questions remain: What kind of football shape is he in, and how will he fare playing alongside one of the NFL's least effective starting QBs? DeShone Kizer has five passing TDs in 10 starts. Think about that: he's on pace for single-digit passing TDs over a near full season, which is pretty much unheard of. You could argue (somewhat successfully) that he hasn't had much to throw to. But the point is, Gordon is a flyer you take if you want a 10% chance at WR2+ production. Is there a chance? Sure, and Gordon is just the special talent to do it. But don't drop a prime RB handcuff for him.
Amari Cooper (injuries) could join Michael Crabtree (suspension) on the sidelines Sunday. That would open the door for the very little-rostered Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson, and/or Johnny Holton to be fantasy-relevant. Patterson and Holton are Hail Mary plays, even in a very plus matchup against the Giants, whose defense has yielded the fourth most passing yards per game while surrendering the second most passing TDs. Roberts (99.7% available) would be the safest add--a WR3/4 who could creep into the must-start realm if Carr looks his way more than anyone else. Meanwhile, although Jared Cook (21% available) has never been a consistent fantasy option in nine NFL seasons, he'll be on my TE1 list--as he is on many experts' lists this week--if Cooper sits.
And let's not get caught up too much with Devontae Booker (75% available), who in the past five weeks has pushed Jamaal Charles to the brink of irrelevancy while apparently challenging C.J. Anderson for Denver's lead backfield role. Handed the top job on October 30 last year after Anderson's injury, Booker netted only 2.99 YPC the rest of the season. This year he's sitting at 3.5 and, barring another Anderson injury, is not a serious threat to take over in 2017. Denver's been playing from behind a lot during their seven-game losing streak. Their remaining schedule against the Dolphins, Jets, Colts, and Redskins should enable them to re-establish the running game, returning Anderson to at least semi-relevancy and relegating Booker to no better than an RB4/5 supporting role.