The Eagles are losing their defensive touch
giving up the 7th-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Grab a Helmet
Ty
Montgomery v. SEA: When the Pack ran out of bodies at
running back earlier this year, Mike McCarthy took the unorthodox
step of moving Montgomery, a WR, to the backfield. I was impressed
by the creativity and Montgomery didn’t disappoint, tallying 113
yards on 16 carries in his two starts. Naturally, when James Starks
returned from injury, McCarthy unplugged Montgomery from the game
plan and went back to his “traditional” RB…who promptly rushed for
half that many yards (58) on just as many carries in HIS next two
starts. Coaching creativity points awarded and swiftly taken away.
One of these days, some brave soul unshackled by “conventional wisdom”
is gonna take this league by storm and blow to smithereens the concept
of pure positions. In the meantime, we’ll have to settle for Mike
McCarthy grudgingly agreeing that a WR is actually his best RB.
He figures it out Sunday.
Jamison
Crowder @ PHI: The diminutive Crowder has played six
games since facing the Eagles back in Week 6, when he notched 10.3
points thanks to three grabs, 52 yards, and a TD reception. He’s
only failed to reach double-digit points in one of those six games
(Week 12 against Dallas–8.8) and has basically emerged as the new
DeSean Jackson in the Washington offense. Yes, I realize Jackson
still plays for them and even contributes, but…his days in a maroon
and gold uni are clearly numbered. Kirk Cousins seems to favor Crowder
for precisely the reason most quarterbacks favor one receiver over
others: He always gets open, always catches the ball, and always
makes people miss (or runs away from them) once he does that. It’s
a simple game sometimes, isn’t it? Crowder’s recent run doesn’t
look like a fluke to me so get him in your lineup posthaste.
Malcolm
Mitchell v. BAL (Mon): Neither does Mitchell’s rise to
fantasy prominence in Foxboro. When Rob Gronkowski succumbed to
a(nother) season-ending injury, Pats fans likely wondered who the
“next man up” would be for Tom Brady. Would you believe it’s a 4th-round
draft pick from Georgia who once played cornerback (quite proficiently)
for the University of Georgia? But of course it is. If Julian Edelman
can transform from college QB to top-shelf slot receiver in this
offense, surely the more athletically gifted Mitchell can become
Tom Terrific’s WR1 in a matter of THREE WHOLE WEEKS. Mitchell does
what Crowder does, only with a more accomplished battery mate: He
gets open, he catches the ball, and he eludes defenders. I wish
I’d pounced on him a week sooner but maybe you’re lucky enough to
be able to still grab him. Go do that and then slot him in your
starting lineup.
Grab Some Wood
Brandin
Cooks @ TB: When I snagged Cooks in two of my three
drafts back in August, I was ecstatic, assuming I’d landed a top
5 receiver. I probably HAD if the season lasted only ten weeks,
but since posting a 15.8-point effort against the Broncos back
in mid-November, New Orleans’ ostensible top target has managed
only 12.6 points TOTAL in three successive contests. That includes,
of course, a disastrous no-target, zero-point “effort” in the
Week 12 win over the Rams, a game in which the Saints scored almost
50 points. I suspect something goofy’s going on behind the scenes,
but maybe the most obvious explanation is that I was simply wrong
about Brandin Cooks. He isn’t the difference-maker I thought he
was or, being more charitable, he’s just one of too many options
for Drew Brees in the Big Easy. Whatever the reason, I think he’s
too risky. Pass.
Brandon
Marshall @ SF: Todd Bowles has turned the keys to the
Jets’ offense over to Bryce Petty for the last four games. Guess
he wants to see what New York’s next coach will have to work with
in 2017? That can’t have anything but a deleterious effect on
Marshall’s production, especially when you consider that he hasn’t
been all that productive even with Ryan Fitzpatrick running the
show. The former Bronco, Dolphin, and Bear has tallied a disappointing
89 points this season, or fewer than he was able to notch in five
fewer games last season. Even worse news? The most disappointing
of his 2016 performances occurred back in Week 10 when he only
snared four of six targets for 15 yards. Yup, that would be the
day Mr. Petty made his first of, apparently, several career starts.
Matt Forte is the only Jet I trust until further notice.
Michael
Floyd @ MIA: Floyd’s 2016 campaign could have and probably
should have been his best yet. The gifted former Domer was coming
off a solid 2015 season, was becoming a more integral component
of the explosive Arizona offense, and was (perhaps most importantly)
playing for a new contract that likely would have made him a very
rich young man. Could have, should have, would have. Floyd’s
catastrophic 2016 is, perhaps, emblematic of his team’s
overall face-plant and there’s certainly plenty of blame
to go around. Expecting a sudden turnaround at this point in the
season, however, seems foolish. Yes, he could blow up the last
four weeks and completely recast this sad 2016 narrative. He could
also just as easily become the next David Boston, a precipice-of-stardom
Cardinal who never quite took that next step. I was wrong about
Floyd and have moved on. You should do that too.
