Table of Contents
It’s easy to panic in fantasy football. After all, we have a very limited amount of time to observe and analyze a player’s performance. But fear not: Dalton Del Don is here to assess exactly how worried we should be, if at all.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Richardson has been the most inaccurate quarterback in the league to start the season, which was highlighted by a truly terrible passing performance last week. It hasn’t been a decision-making issue, as Richardson simply Keeps disappearing wide receiversStill, he was tackled inside the three-yard line on two separate drives last week, so he was just a few feet away from a very different fantasy production.
Another somewhat worrying issue is Richardson Not having a high stir rate when feeling pressuredShane Steichen gave Richardson far and away the highest rate of designed red zone runs in the league last season, so we need to see more of that in 2024. Unfortunately, Richardson is facing a Steelers defense this week that allows the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Before we panic too muchIt’s important to remember that last week marked Richardson’s 20th start since high school. He’s the youngest quarterback in the league to also have The best pitch of the 2024 season. AR ranks first in air patiosfirst in money shots and third in danger shots. Only Josh Allen has a higher hero drop rateRichardson has posted 8.0 YPA (eighth-best) despite a dismal completion percentage, and has also suffered The second highest drop rate in the leagueThe combination of running and consistently throwing deep (in a good scheme, to good receivers!) presents massive fantasy potential, currently ranking sixth in expected fantasy points.
Anthony Richardson can complete passes that 99% of NFL QBs can’t complete
Anthony Richardson can’t complete passes that 99% of NFL QBs can complete
It’s the most annoying thing. #Foals
— Hunter Haas (@Haas_Football) September 22, 2024
Additionally, despite having the fastest pace in the league, the Colts average 1. 25.7 fewer offensive plays that their opponents – the equivalent of 4.4 possessions per gameObviously, some of that is self-inflicted (poor run defense, offense that doesn’t sustain drives), but that wide discrepancy is likely to recede.
Richardson is a candidate to be a backup against Pittsburgh this week, but few (if any) QBs can match his potential, so bear with him; he currently sits second to Patrick Mahomes in fantasy scoring after last week’s failure (which nearly featured two rushing TDs).
The experience in Richardson will be a roller coaster.
Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Prediction in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube either wherever you listen.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk was a top-30 pick in Yahoo leagues, but Tutu Atwell and Ray-Ray McCloud outscored him over the past three weeks. Aiyuk has already matched his turnover number (two) this season compared to last season. He was especially disappointing last week, when he took a backseat to Jauan Jennings with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out in a very favorable matchup. Aiyuk had 10 targets and Brock Purdy He completely lost it and managed a touchdown of more than 50 yards. Aiyuk also finished with The highest separation win rate of any game this season last week.
Aiyuk wasn’t in top game shape and clearly wasn’t on the same page as Purdy after missing so many practices; he didn’t sign his contract until shortly before the start of the season. It’s annoying that Aiyuk hasn’t produced, but he’s 26 and just posted the most yards in NFL history on fewer than 110 attempts last season. Aiyuk was also in the top five in fantasy points per route run, and he’s still in a great situation.
Purdy has been fantastic This season, and he is Casting deeper and orientation His receivers are more open than ever with Christian McCaffrey sidelined. The 49ers are allowing the third-most yards per play and just lost Javon Hargrave. Jordan Mason has already set a career-high in NFL carries and never reached 175 in college, while CMC’s calendar looks increasingly bleakAll indications are that San Francisco will be out a lot longer this season, and Samuel and Kittle are already injured.
Aiyuk is a candidate to buy cheap in fantasy leagues.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Andrews returns to the panic meter after running just four routes last week. Isaiah probably saw 14 more snaps than Andrews, while Charlie Kolar I saw only four lessThe game script played a big role, as Lamar Jackson attempted just 15 passes. Still, Andrews is now averaging just 3.3 fantasy points this season, whether it’s because of TightRope surgery, an offseason car accident, age or a new role in the offense.
While the panic level of fantasy managers deserves to be high, Tight end production is declining significantly Throughout the leagueIn addition, Buffalo has allowed A league record 34 slot receptions this season (and only 15 for outside WRs), and Andrews leads all tight ends in slot snap fasteners This year (Taron Johnson is still out). It also seems a fluke that he has yet to see a red zone target after leading all receivers in red zone target percentage last season.
Andrews is going to be a bust compared to ADP, but he’s still the… TE8 in the consensus of experts this week given the confrontation and the alternatives.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
Worthy ranks 70th in goals (11), 65th in goal rate (15.9%) and 66th in routes traveled (44) this season. That’s despite Marquise Brown being out, Travis Kelce not producing and Isiah Pacheco being sidelined recently. The rookie is the fastest player in the league, but Patrick Mahomes ranks 31st in passing yards per attempt (5.1) this season. Kansas City’s pass rate has also dropped to 53%.and Rashee Rice has emerged as a true alpha.
Worthy is still a huge threat and will get better the more he plays in the league, but it’s too risky to use him in fantasy lineups while he’s getting so few targets. He’s a classic “best in the best game” player right now. The panic level is high.
