Later today I'll share my takeaways for Sunday's games. For now I want to zoom in on the Giants, in the aftermath of what might have been the first time a team has lost its QB, starting RB, and #1 WR in the same game. Daniel Jones took a tough blow to the head, Saquon Barkley suffered a low-ankle sprain, and Kenny Golladay was knocked out with a knee injury.
The ripple effect could be significant. When the season started, Jones was a solid two-QB option with some pop, as the franchise had assembled its best supporting cast in years. In the first few weeks, he was near-elite. Barkley was slowing working his way back to 100%, and last reminded us what made him a top-3 fantasy pick in years past. Golladay was also working his way into form and was coming off an impressive output against the Saints.
Then there's the injured Sterling Shepard--one of the opening games' biggest fantasy surprises--and Darius Slayton. And there's always that sense that Evan Engram isn't far removed (2019) from averaging the seventh-most TE fantasy points.
And I haven't even mentioned rookie Kadarius Toney.
In deeper leagues, up to eight Giants have been rosterable, including RB handcuff Devontae Booker. But heading into Week 6, this team could be led by Mike Glennon at quarterback, Booker at running back, and Toney and Engram as the top two receiving targets. John Ross, C.J. Board, and Kyle Rudolph would be one more receiver injury away from being fantasy-relevant.
It's an insane turn of events, and it's a reminder of just how fast-moving fantasy can be. I traded Toney this past week as a throw-in. Heading into Wednesday, he could be the #1 waiver add. Barkley probably had first-round value after Week 4's breakout. Now it's unclear how much the Giants will lean on him in a season where a last-place division finish seems likely. And whenever Shepard and Slayton return, Golladay will have to compete for touches not only with them, but also with the Toney, a rising star who could become the team's top receiver.
If you have Booker, now is the time to trade him. A few years ago he took over as Denver's starting running back after an injury to (I think) C.J. Anderson. I traded him before his first start, because I believed his value had nowhere to go but down. The Giants' next two opponents are the Rams and Panthers. If you have Booker--or if you can snag him off waivers--pawn him off immediately. Get something for him and move on. Even if Barkley misses a few weeks (worst-case scenario based on the latest reports), Booker probably won't help you as much as you'd hope.
Sometimes the best time to cash in on a player is before you cash in on his production. What we imagine he might do sometimes pales in comparison to what he actually does. Booker is a good example of a guy who's worth more in theory than he is in reality.
The ripple effect could be significant. When the season started, Jones was a solid two-QB option with some pop, as the franchise had assembled its best supporting cast in years. In the first few weeks, he was near-elite. Barkley was slowing working his way back to 100%, and last reminded us what made him a top-3 fantasy pick in years past. Golladay was also working his way into form and was coming off an impressive output against the Saints.
Then there's the injured Sterling Shepard--one of the opening games' biggest fantasy surprises--and Darius Slayton. And there's always that sense that Evan Engram isn't far removed (2019) from averaging the seventh-most TE fantasy points.
And I haven't even mentioned rookie Kadarius Toney.
In deeper leagues, up to eight Giants have been rosterable, including RB handcuff Devontae Booker. But heading into Week 6, this team could be led by Mike Glennon at quarterback, Booker at running back, and Toney and Engram as the top two receiving targets. John Ross, C.J. Board, and Kyle Rudolph would be one more receiver injury away from being fantasy-relevant.
It's an insane turn of events, and it's a reminder of just how fast-moving fantasy can be. I traded Toney this past week as a throw-in. Heading into Wednesday, he could be the #1 waiver add. Barkley probably had first-round value after Week 4's breakout. Now it's unclear how much the Giants will lean on him in a season where a last-place division finish seems likely. And whenever Shepard and Slayton return, Golladay will have to compete for touches not only with them, but also with the Toney, a rising star who could become the team's top receiver.
If you have Booker, now is the time to trade him. A few years ago he took over as Denver's starting running back after an injury to (I think) C.J. Anderson. I traded him before his first start, because I believed his value had nowhere to go but down. The Giants' next two opponents are the Rams and Panthers. If you have Booker--or if you can snag him off waivers--pawn him off immediately. Get something for him and move on. Even if Barkley misses a few weeks (worst-case scenario based on the latest reports), Booker probably won't help you as much as you'd hope.
Sometimes the best time to cash in on a player is before you cash in on his production. What we imagine he might do sometimes pales in comparison to what he actually does. Booker is a good example of a guy who's worth more in theory than he is in reality.