The lack of run game and a Will Fuller
hamstring injury has led to 22 targets for Coutee in two games.
Grab a Helmet
Julian
Edelman v. KC: Edelman’s totals were modest last Thursday
night (7 catches for 57 yards), but they need to be evaluated in
context. The guy hadn’t played a meaningful football game since
February 5th, 2017 (Super Bowl LI), almost precisely 20 months prior,
and immediately looked like Tom Brady’s ol’ reliable, snagging three
passes on the Pats’ successful opening drive. There was certainly
some rust knocked off (a brutal sideline drop a bit later on), but
the former college QB looked no worse for the wear after the near
two-year layoff and his return, coupled with the recent addition
of Josh Gordon, makes New England the team to beat in the AFC. Yes,
still and I think they prove it Sunday night against an upstart
Kansas City squad. Games featuring super-charged offenses often
disappoint but this one won’t. Start all your Pats and Chiefs this
Sunday night, including Edelman.
Jarvis
Landry v. LAC: The switch to Baker Mayfield was forced
by Tyrod Taylor’s Week 3 concussion, but it was probably only a
matter of time (maybe another series or two, at most) before the
No.1 overall draft pick was handed the keys to the Cleveland offense.
Taylor simply wasn’t getting the job done and the immediate spark
Mayfield provided, not to mention the desperately-needed win he
delivered, seems to have validated GM John Dorsey’s controversial
decision—at least in the short term—to draft him over other, safer,
prospects. One way to measure Mayfield’s progress is to evaluate
how he connects with the team’s most talented target, Jarvis Landry.
So far, so good on that front. Landry’s been targeted a healthy
10 times apiece in the rook’s first two starts and is averaging
a solid 8.4 points. I’d feel confident starting him against an underperforming
Chargers outfit this Sunday.
Keke
Coutee v. BUF: I was standing inside Memorial Stadium
in Berkeley, California a couple weeks back when, feeling charitable
(and possibly a tad inebriated), I decided to pass along a fantasy
tip to my good buddy: “Go pick up Keke Coutee.” He didn’t, I ignored
my own advice, and Coutee ended up with a league mate of ours after
a $30 FAAB spend the following Wednesday. Do as I say, people, not
as I do. Coutee’s commanded a staggering 22 targets in his first
two professional games which, over and above his production, is
the most compelling reason of all to go grab him. DeAndre Hopkins
only garnered 19 targets in his first two professional starts. Heck,
Randy Moss only managed 13! Coutee is already an integral part of
Houston’s mostly aerial offense and looks like DeShaun Watson’s
security blanket when that sieve-like offensive line leaks. Believe
the hype.
Grab Some Wood
Amari
Cooper v. SEA: Is there a less predictable WR1 in the
NFL than Amari Cooper? He’s so volatile from week to week that
a case could be made he’s almost never start-worthy, despite the
fact he could go off at any given time. In Weeks 2 and 4, the
Alabama product tallied almost 250 yards on 18 receptions and
added a score. In Weeks 1, 3, and 5, he managed a mere 36 yards
on 4 receptions. How is that even possible??? How can a guy be
so essential one week and then completely irrelevant the next?
Cooper isn’t untalented and his consistency issues might be caused
by an unreliable delivery man (Derek Carr) and/or growing pains
in a new offensive system. Nevertheless, it’s hard to trust a
guy who could just as easily lay an egg as post solid totals.
I would never draft him for this reason.
Michael
Crabtree @ TEN: Coop’s former Raiders teammate has
46 targets through five games as a Raven, putting him on pace
for a career high in this, his 10th season, should be continue
to be favored by Joe Flacco and stay healthy. Sadly, he may fall
out of favor soon as he’s doing very little with all this extra
attention. Crabtree is currently averaging just 6.2 points per
contest in standard leagues, good for only 60th best at the position.
Yikes. That’s barely WR5 territory in 12-team leagues, meaning
he’s hardly worth a roster spot, let alone the occasional start.
Flacco seems rejuvenated by his retooled receiving corps, so it’s
surprising to learn that one of those new faces is so inefficient.
Could things turn around the more they work together? Sure could.
Are there better receivers to roll with until they do? Sure are.
Sit Crabtree down against Tennessee.
Larry
Fitzgerald @ MIN: I was asked by a Twitter follower
recently if Fitz is someone we can safely drop, but hesitated
to endorse that action, knowing the switch to Josh Rosen may alter
fantasy fortunes for several Cardinals (think David Johnson).
I still think the future Hall of Famer belongs on rosters and
would recommend patience for another week or two, but the end
does seem pretty near, doesn’t it? Though he’s still
garnering a fair share of targets (27 through 5 games), he hasn’t
topped 3 receptions or 35 yards since Week 1 and hasn’t
scored all year. A triumphant return to Minneapolis, where he
was born and raised, makes for a good storyline, but the Vikings
have righted their ship and should have no problem shutting down
a Cardinals offense that ranks dead last in total yardage thus
far (210.8 per game). Sit Fitz down this Sunday.
