As we get closer to tonight's game (should be a great one), a quick update on pressing fantasy news. Some of you might have seen this. For others it might be new. Let's make some sense of it:
Calvin Ridley is out this week for personal reasons. It's obviously concerning for him (hope all is okay), and from a fantasy perspective, it's brutal for fantasy managers who now have to wait at least until Week 7 (the Falcons' bye is Week 6) to get Ridley back. I loved him this summer as a top-5 WR. Very, very wrong. Cordarrelle Patterson has done what I thought Ridley would do: dominate. And with Russell Gage also sidelined, Olamide Zaccheaus is once again a good desperation streamer. Didn't come through last week. But doesn't mean he'll fall short this week. Kyle Pitts could see his best game of his career. Patterson is a must-start, though he remains a must-sell-high as well. Mike Davis might eke out one more decent game. Matt Ryan should find his points, whatever it takes. Everyone else is a prayer.
If Joe Mixon misses Sunday, the latest word is that Samaje Perine *and* Captain America will split touches. Sorry, just got word it's not Captain America. Chris Evans, Cincy's sixth-round pick this year, could make a little noise. He doesn't profile as a bellcow but does have pass-catching chops. Note that just because we hear these two will split touches, of course it doesn't mean they will. Call it a hot-hand backfield. If Perine struggles on the first drive and Evans looks good on the second, we could see 18+ touches from Evans. So if you're 100% desperate for a #2 RB, grab Evans in case Mixon sits, and then roll the dice. You'll have about a 33% chance of a nice haul.
Finally, Baker Mayfield. Ugh. Injured shoulder since Week 2. Will we see Case Keenum this year? Are Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry no better than bench stashes? Will Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt go nuts with touches? Obviously too soon to know. I tend to think these things work themselves out. Cleveland has Super Bowl ambitions. If Mayfield is seriously hindered, they can go to a Plan B without blowing up the offense. But for now, only the Browns' running game is safe.
Oh, and remember to keep tabs on Chris Carson's availability tonight. If he sits, Alex Collins is boom-bust, as I'm not confident the job is entirely his ("hot-hand . . .").
Calvin Ridley is out this week for personal reasons. It's obviously concerning for him (hope all is okay), and from a fantasy perspective, it's brutal for fantasy managers who now have to wait at least until Week 7 (the Falcons' bye is Week 6) to get Ridley back. I loved him this summer as a top-5 WR. Very, very wrong. Cordarrelle Patterson has done what I thought Ridley would do: dominate. And with Russell Gage also sidelined, Olamide Zaccheaus is once again a good desperation streamer. Didn't come through last week. But doesn't mean he'll fall short this week. Kyle Pitts could see his best game of his career. Patterson is a must-start, though he remains a must-sell-high as well. Mike Davis might eke out one more decent game. Matt Ryan should find his points, whatever it takes. Everyone else is a prayer.
If Joe Mixon misses Sunday, the latest word is that Samaje Perine *and* Captain America will split touches. Sorry, just got word it's not Captain America. Chris Evans, Cincy's sixth-round pick this year, could make a little noise. He doesn't profile as a bellcow but does have pass-catching chops. Note that just because we hear these two will split touches, of course it doesn't mean they will. Call it a hot-hand backfield. If Perine struggles on the first drive and Evans looks good on the second, we could see 18+ touches from Evans. So if you're 100% desperate for a #2 RB, grab Evans in case Mixon sits, and then roll the dice. You'll have about a 33% chance of a nice haul.
Finally, Baker Mayfield. Ugh. Injured shoulder since Week 2. Will we see Case Keenum this year? Are Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry no better than bench stashes? Will Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt go nuts with touches? Obviously too soon to know. I tend to think these things work themselves out. Cleveland has Super Bowl ambitions. If Mayfield is seriously hindered, they can go to a Plan B without blowing up the offense. But for now, only the Browns' running game is safe.
Oh, and remember to keep tabs on Chris Carson's availability tonight. If he sits, Alex Collins is boom-bust, as I'm not confident the job is entirely his ("hot-hand . . .").