We’ve got 5 Yahoo rankers each week, and this column will have a look at 5 of the buzziest names of the week. I'm searching for gamers the place there’s actual disagreement, and I'm utilizing a bit one thing referred to as "coefficient of variation" to assist me discover simply that. These rankings will probably be tinkered all the best way till kickoff, so please verify again in on our > and Sunday AM sit/begin present for absolutely the newest.
These blurbs are additionally in The Blueprint, which is my weekly rankings and evaluation column. > is out on Wednesdays, whereas the > and the > model are every out on Thursdays earlier than Thursday Night time Soccer.
Carnell Tate (vs. HOU) – 49.5 proj. receiving yards
Tate had a career-high 15.8 anticipated half PPR factors in Week 4 and his utilization has climbed in three straight video games. Outcomes have been combined, however issues are usually trending up. Cam Ward delivered a few “wow” throws out of construction to Tate, who was solely focused 5+ yards downfield on all 12 of his appears. There have been some excessive throws with offbeat timing in there, however the quantity is actual and there will probably be go-ball explosives ultimately. He had a double-move penalty drawn on him from All-Professional S Kyle Hamilton for example. Tate is the WR34 on WR22 utilization to start out his profession, and I don't see Calvin Ridley, Wan'Dale Robinson and others consuming into his alpha standing.
Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. BAL) – 39.5 proj. whole yards
Shoutout to our associates with the 1.01 choose who chosen Brian Robinson accidentally. There have been far worse picks within the first couple rounds!!!
The Falcons are utilizing "B-Rob" earlier than rubbish time. He's getting a number of runs in a row within the first half of video games to spell Bijan, and that clearly can embody goal-line work if he was on the market for the earlier performs. It's been sufficient to be the RB19 on RB40 utilization this month. He's had 5.9 and 12.7 anticipated factors in these Michael Penix Jr. begins, making him much like Blake Corum or Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a deep-league RB3 possibility. He needs to be almost 100% rostered as some of the apparent insurance policy.
Romeo Doubs (vs. LV) – 49.5 proj. receiving yards
Doubs has been the wildest rollercoaster of the 12 months, however Week 4 was nothing however a complete smash. Apart from a particularly low ball that was tossed by Doubs into the air for an INT, he performed nicely. He had a skinny-post TD, a 4th-and-3 slant win and a one-handed fade TD. His WR8 end was on WR11 anticipated half PPR factors, and the Patriots additionally misplaced Mack Hollins (calf) round halftime. They're working out of our bodies for Drake Maye to throw to, so Doubs' worth is totally trending up. His anticipated half PPR factors have climbed each week: 2.6, 5.2, 6.7, 15.4.
Josh Downs (at PIT) – 59.5 proj. receiving yards
Downs is nice sufficient to be enthusiastic about but additionally not nice sufficient to have too excessive of expectations for given the state of the Colts' common offense. Their move safety has regressed, and Daniel Jones isn't going to have the identical arm expertise this 12 months whereas getting back from an Achilles tear. They’ll dwell within the dink-and-dunk world, which does play to Downs' strengths. Defenses simply know what’s coming. That was an issue towards the Commanders final week (WR78 on WR78 utilization), however Downs was the WR15 and WR11 in anticipated factors with out Alec Pierce (heel) within the two weeks prior. There's nonetheless a clear pathway to be an upside WR3, significantly in full PPR.
This week's matchup can have comparable points. The Steelers’ line of defense may give the Colts RT hassle, and there are bodily gamers within the secondary. That mentioned, CB1 Jamel Dean hasn't practiced and slot CB Jalen Ramsey is taking part in by means of a fractured wrist. They've allowed a WR to realize 89+ yards in three straight video games, together with Denzel Boston (89), Ja'Marr Chase (98) and Doubs (96). Indianapolis has a 20.25-point workforce whole (twenty third).
Cam Skattebo (at WAS) – 73.5 proj. whole yards
On the season, Skattebo is the RB26 on RB19 utilization. He’s feeling extra strain from Najee Harris than we'd like. His 49% route share from final week ought to result in extra targets shifting ahead, however he was the RB35 on RB31 utilization in Week 4.
At one level, the Giants scored a TD (Theo Johnson) with Skattebo on the sector, then they efficiently ran within the two-point conversion in with subbed-in Harris. That was the lone goal-line alternative of the sport. Harris did brutally fumble the ball early within the fourth quarter, nevertheless and was benched for the remainder of the sport. Harris additionally ran the ball himself on 10-of-12 snaps. Wild stuff right here.
This matchup is a sneaky powerful one below new DC Daronte Jones. The Commanders have allowed the Twenty eighth-most fantasy factors to RBs, and that's fourth greatest when adjusting for opponent. They held a wholesome Saquon Barkley to eight.5 half PPR factors and Javonte Williams to simply 6.5 earlier this season. With the Giants projected for 20.0 factors (twenty fourth), Skattebo is extra of an upside FLEX than bankable RB2.