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A simple glance at a scoreboard or a study of fantasy football brackets doesn’t always tell the full story about a player’s performance. Dalton Del Don attempts to identify misleading numbers that are worth a closer look.
Yes… numbers lie.
Tank Dell’s 37 receiving yards are a lie
Dell has nearly as many rushing yards (35) as receiving yards through two weeks, but is a trade candidate. Dell easily could have had a 67-yard touchdown last week.and has run routes on 66 of CJ Stroud’s 77 dropbacks (Leaving some running plays). That 86% rate is correct with 88% of Nico CollinsThe Texans have used 11 players 79% of the time this season with the addition of Stefon Diggs.
Houston is expected to become more pass-oriented with Joe Mixon dealing with an injury, and Dell scored more fantasy points than Collins When both were healthy and on the field together last season, there are rebound weeks ahead.
Chris Olave’s eight goals are a lie
Somehow, Olave has seen just one target in the red zone despite New Orleans scoring 91 points through the first two weeks of the season. Lopsided (and long) scores and an incredibly efficient running game have contributed to Olave’s slow start, but the Saints’ suddenly explosive new offense is great news for him going forward. Olave saw a 43% target percentage in Week 2, when he was tackled at the one-yard line. the third best average separation score of the year. The Saints have used 2 WR formations A league record: 90% of the time while leading the NFL in trick plays and fantasy points per route traveled.
New Orleans’ hot start doesn’t seem like a fluke. Klint Kubiak Dramatically increased movement and game action. It’s clear benefiting Derek Carrwho It no longer registers as usualRashid Shaheed is breaking out and scoring all the fantasy points at WR, but that has come with a modest nine passes against him. Carr has attempted just 39 passes this season, which is the fewest among all healthy quarterbacks. The volume will soon increase when the Saints’ games become more competitive.
It’s strange to be encouraged by such a poor result, but Olave’s fantasy arrow is pointing upwards.
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Aiyuk has gotten off to a rough start, dropping a touchdown in the end zone in Week 1 and looking… the fourth lowest average separation. In Yahoo Drafts, Aiyuk was a top-30 pick in ADP, but he’s the WR61 through the first two weeks of the season. Aiyuk didn’t sign his new contract until Aug. 30 after missing practices all summer, which helps explain the slow start. Aiyuk’s snap rate increased from 60% in Week 1 to 87% last week, so he’s getting close to his full potential.
Aiyuk is a fantastic receiver who just recorded the most yards in NFL history on fewer than 110 passes last season. Aiyuk ranks second in the league in end zone objectives (three), and He should have scored a touchdown last week.Brock Purdy I missed him a few times while facing the greatest pressure of his career.
Aiyuk now gets A very favorable confrontation against the Rams without Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. George Kittle has They traditionally benefited even more with Samuel off the field, but Aiyuk has seen A big leap in YPRR and TPRR also. Purdy has an average of The third highest average depth of the target. (with a strong ending%) and is due to landing regression.
Aiyuk should be treated like a top-10 WR with Samuel sidelined.
Pickens had A 41-yard reception nullified and another 36-yard reception nullified by penalty in Week 1. He then had a 51-yard reception nullified by penalty, a touchdown nullified and He had a DPI of 37 yards in Week 2Pickens has impressed, qualifying Second in average separation score Despite being in the shadow of AJ Terrell and Patrick Surtain during 75% of its routesPickens also ranks second in shared air patios (53.8%), so there are some great matches coming up once the bad luck passes.
Pittsburgh wants to win with defense and the run, but not all of the Steelers’ game scripts will be so favorable going forward; Justin Fields has averaged just 21.5 pass attempts through the first two games. Be patient with Pickens.
Amari Cooper’s 2.6 fantasy points per game are a lie
Cooper has been the WR85 to open the season, but he is the WR19 in expected fantasy pointsHe ranks in the top 15 in targets and top five in passing yards, leading the league in routes run and passing yards missed. Cooper dropped a sure 36-yard touchdown in Week 1when he recorded 16 yards on 170 passing yards.
Cooper (and Deshaun Watson) left a ton of yards on the field again in Week 2, and it’s The most falls in the leagueStill, Cooper has 13 more targets than any other Cleveland receiver. David Njoku is out with a sprained ankle and Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore have not stepped up.
The Browns are One of only five teams with a positive pass rate above expectations this year, and his schedule against the pass is easing, so keep Cooper in fantasy lineups despite Watson’s issue.
There’s also a future with Jameis Winston throwing him the ball.