Bye Weeks: Arizona, Houston, Kansas City, Detroit, Seattle, Baltimore
Opportunity: Replacing Keenan Allen will
be a group effort and that group includes Stevie Johnson.
Grab a Helmet
Delanie
Walker @ NO: With the Ravens on a bye I have to find
another defense to stream pass catchers against…Hello Saints! With
Kendall Wright nursing a potential multi-week MCL injury, Walker
steps into the spotlight as the most polished receiver the Titans
have. Justin Hunter and Dorial Green-Beckham have flashed, but simply
aren’t seeing enough targets to make a big impact, although both
have sky high ceilings in what could be a game with a ton of catch-up
fantasy points. Walker has seen six-plus targets, and four-plus
catches in every game since Week 1, and the potential return of
Mariota should make this offense at least threatening again. Get
Walker in as a potential DFS sleeper and mid-tier TE1 for the week.
Martavis
Bryant v. OAK: The Pittsburgh passing game was stuck
in neutral with Big Ben shaking off the rust of a multi-week layoff.
But the good news for Bryant is he was targeted on several deep
balls and Ben looked his way a total of 9 times. Being a big play
deep threat means his catch percentage will never be high, but Bryant
represents one of the highest weekly ceilings of any receiver. The
Steelers might go pass heavy this week, both because of the loss
of Bell, and the nature of their opponent. The Raiders are yielding
302 yards per game in the air, and have a middle of the pack pass
rush, meaning Roethlisberger should have time to take a few shots.
Get Bryant in as a high upside WR2.
Stevie
Johnson v. CHI: When opponent and opportunity merge,
sometimes you can find a gem in the rough. After a hot two-game
start to the season (11 receptions 2 touchdowns) injuries and ineffectiveness
have limited Johnson to just 12 catches in his last four games.
With Antonio Gates hobbled and Keenan Allen out with internal injuries,
Johnson could step in and be a PPR presence for the Bolts. Big yardage
days are probably out of the question, but against the Bears, Johnson
has a chance to be a focal point of the passing game, and is a decent
bet to find the endzone. For a guy languishing on many waiver wires,
a primary option on a pass heavy team is worth a look.
Grab Some Pine
T.Y.
Hilton/Donte
Moncrief v. DEN: All receivers get an automatic downgrade
vs. the Broncos. Even if the Colts offense was kicking with full
horsepower (which they certainly aren’t) this would be a brutal
match-up. Denver is playing truly elite defense, surrendering
only 5 touchdowns, while picking off 9 passes. Luck won’t have
time to take many deep shots which really limits Hiltons’ big
play value. While still startable, I’d shy away from expecting
much more than middling WR3 options.
Allen
Robinson @ NYJ: A potential trip to Revis Island could
severely limit the upside of fantasy’s No.7 overall wide receiver.
Robinson is on pace for an elite season, but this has the looks
of an Allen Hurns game. Robinson didn’t fare well in his last
meeting with an elite corner (Josh Norman), as he could only manage
1 catch or 6 yards against the Panthers Week 1. Robinson is another
guy on the Pine list that gets a downgrade due to match-up.
Travis
Benjamin @ CIN (THU): After a white hot start to the
year, Benjamin has come back to earth the last two games, totaling
only 73 yards on 7 catches. If you’re a Benjamin owner you’ve
already got more out of him that you could have ever imagined,
so I can understand rolling the dice and sticking with him. But
there are higher upside options this week, and this lines up as
a very grindy divisional matchup.
