When Week 5 ends, Eric Ebron probably will be among the top 3 fantasy TE scorers. He'll have more points than some RB2s. It makes you wonder what his career would have been if he'd stayed in Detroit, where the former #10 overall pick wallowed in fantasy mediocrity, never posting top-12 numbers during his four-year career there.
True, Jack Doyle has been sidelined since Week 2, and T.Y. Hilton's absence yesterday opened the door for more targets. But no one should think this is a fluke, and why only a handful of 130 experts joined FF4W in ranking Ebron (TE-17 ADP) ahead of Doyle (TE-11) this preseason. There is a talent gap; it's just that the Lions never unleashed -Ebron like we're seeing in Indy. Or maybe Detroit's superior aerial talent meant they didn't have to. Either way, Ebron isn't going anywhere, even when Doyle returns; the new Colt will remain a TD-friendly TE1.
Other thoughts on last night's game, which played out mostly as expected: Once again, we see how a two-man Patriot backfield makes fantasy managing so much easier. If Rex Burkhead and Jeremy Hill were still active, it's quite likely all four would have been utilized. It's why a downplayed Sony Michel's prospects this preseason: How could a sub-par pass-catching rookie with fumbling issues be fantasy relevant competing against three competent veterans? Except now he's competing solely against James White, and that obviously makes all the difference, as Michel has assumed the highly productive 2016 LeGarrette Blount role.
Those who expressed concern to me about Tom Brady after Week 3 (you know who you are) were reassured: Everything will be fine. Two games and seven TDs later, Brady's back where he belongs, with no signs of slowing down. And given Chris Hogan's summer hype, it's incredible this offense has been clicking without their preseason #1 wideout. Hogan has to be viewed as droppable in nearly every league, which would have sounded downright bizarre five weeks ago.
Julian Edelman couldn't capitalize on a dream matchup. I need to give him the benefit of the doubt, as he was returning from a 20-month hiatus. That said, as I've written many times, his perceived value exceeds his actual value.
With Nyheim Hines sputtering along last night, Jordan Wilkins started earning snaps and touches, and was looking good until squandering the opportunity with a fumble. He had only two more looks the rest of the game (their final four possessions). Hines is only 21, so I need to give him some slack. That said, he's the best of a (currently) in effective backfield. Fantasy-wise, Hines came through with a mid-range RB2 night thanks to seven catches. Longer term, be cautious if you're hitching your wagon to him. Hines is averaging 3.0 yards per carry and is no lock to earn 20+ touches again, or even 16+. I would sell high after this game.
True, Jack Doyle has been sidelined since Week 2, and T.Y. Hilton's absence yesterday opened the door for more targets. But no one should think this is a fluke, and why only a handful of 130 experts joined FF4W in ranking Ebron (TE-17 ADP) ahead of Doyle (TE-11) this preseason. There is a talent gap; it's just that the Lions never unleashed -Ebron like we're seeing in Indy. Or maybe Detroit's superior aerial talent meant they didn't have to. Either way, Ebron isn't going anywhere, even when Doyle returns; the new Colt will remain a TD-friendly TE1.
Other thoughts on last night's game, which played out mostly as expected: Once again, we see how a two-man Patriot backfield makes fantasy managing so much easier. If Rex Burkhead and Jeremy Hill were still active, it's quite likely all four would have been utilized. It's why a downplayed Sony Michel's prospects this preseason: How could a sub-par pass-catching rookie with fumbling issues be fantasy relevant competing against three competent veterans? Except now he's competing solely against James White, and that obviously makes all the difference, as Michel has assumed the highly productive 2016 LeGarrette Blount role.
Those who expressed concern to me about Tom Brady after Week 3 (you know who you are) were reassured: Everything will be fine. Two games and seven TDs later, Brady's back where he belongs, with no signs of slowing down. And given Chris Hogan's summer hype, it's incredible this offense has been clicking without their preseason #1 wideout. Hogan has to be viewed as droppable in nearly every league, which would have sounded downright bizarre five weeks ago.
Julian Edelman couldn't capitalize on a dream matchup. I need to give him the benefit of the doubt, as he was returning from a 20-month hiatus. That said, as I've written many times, his perceived value exceeds his actual value.
With Nyheim Hines sputtering along last night, Jordan Wilkins started earning snaps and touches, and was looking good until squandering the opportunity with a fumble. He had only two more looks the rest of the game (their final four possessions). Hines is only 21, so I need to give him some slack. That said, he's the best of a (currently) in effective backfield. Fantasy-wise, Hines came through with a mid-range RB2 night thanks to seven catches. Longer term, be cautious if you're hitching your wagon to him. Hines is averaging 3.0 yards per carry and is no lock to earn 20+ touches again, or even 16+. I would sell high after this game.