Fantasy Booms, Busts and Breakouts: A couple Patriots set to disappoint in Week 9
Each week our gaggle of Yahoo analysts show their hands and reveal their top booms, busts and breakouts. Gaze into the crystal ball and list your picks in the comment section below.
Among non-obvious starts in Yahoo leagues, the loudest BOOM in Week 9 will come from ________.
Brad — LATAVIUS MURRAY. Yes, Dalvin Cook returned to a limited practice this week, but you know his tender hamstring will disintegrate between now and Sunday. Even by some miracle it doesn’t, I would be shocked if Murray fell short of 15-17 touches against the Lions. Murray has performed well in the catbird seat. He’s netted 3.30 yards after contact per attempt and crossed the chalk with regularity. Against a Detroit front that’s allowed 5.53 yards per carry, 179.6 total yards per game, seven total TDs and the fifth-most fantasy points to rushers, the Viking swings Thor’s hammer en route to 90-plus yards and at least one score.
Dalton — D.J. MOORE. He played by far his most snaps (46) last week with Torrey Smith out, resulting in 129 yards from scrimmage against a tough Ravens defense. The rookie sports impressive metrics and gets a prime spot this week against Tampa Bay slot corner M.J. Stewart, who’s allowed the most fantasy points per pass route (0.77) this season. Meanwhile, Moore has accrued the most fantasy points per pass route this season. This seems like an ideal matchup for a big Week 9 performance, especially with Smith continuing to miss practice.
Scott — JALEN RICHARD. Fantasy owners went scrambling for an Oakland wideout after Amari Cooper left town. But maybe Richard was the right answer all along. The satellite back has snagged 39-of-45 targets this year, and he had a team-high eight targets in Week 8’s loss to Indianapolis. Richard won’t get a ton of carries, but the Raiders defense is a mess (109.4 QB rating allowed) and Oakland will regularly be in hurry-up mode. Richard could morph into the poor man’s James White and push into the RB2 conversation for the rest of the year.
Conversely, the brand name set to be the biggest Week 9 BUST is ________.
Scott — JOSH GORDON. The fantasy football industry currently has Gordon slotted at WR21 for this week; a clear starter in most leagues. What has Gordon done to justify that love? He’s played in six games this year (some with Cleveland, some in New England), and these are his end-of-week finishes: WR50, WR82, WR29, WR52, WR24, WR51. I understand the need to chase plausible upside, but at what point do we pump the breaks a little bit? That wonderful breakout year was five seasons ago. Gordon is a borderline fantasy starter right now, even during Bye Week Armageddon.
Dalton — BEN ROETHLISBERGER. He’s gotten 8.5 YPA away from home this season but has twice as many turnovers and more than twice as many sacks in one fewer road game. Roethlisberger also gets a Ravens defense that’s allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks (even after Cam Newton got to them last week). Baltimore has also ceded an NFL-low 6.3 YPA and has allowed just 13.3 ppg at home this season, so I don’t have Roethlisberger as a QB1 this week.
Brad — ROB GRONKOWSKI. Once a consistency king in the TD department, Gronk hasn’t spiked in celebration one time since Week 1. Over his past six games he’s TE19 in fantasy points per game. “Always start your studs!” zealots will vehemently argue he’s must-start material, but their perspective is shortsighted. Given his recent unsavory results and the matchup (Green Bay has yet to allow a TD to a TE this season), alternatives like O.J. Howard (at Car), David Njoku (vs. KC) and even Hayden Hurst (at Pit) outperform him.
Chuck a Hail Mary, one deeper player you believe BREAKS OUT in Week 9 is ______.
Dalton — MICHAEL GALLUP. He saw a season-high in targets (five), yards (81) and snaps (55) while catching his first touchdown during Dallas’ last game before their bye. It figures to take Amari Cooper some time to acclimate himself into a new offense as well. Moreover, Gallup lines up primarily on the side of Malcolm Butler, who’s been burned all season, ranking in the bottom-five in fantasy points allowed per pass route (0.57). Tennessee also ranks 31st in DVOA against No. 1 wide receivers, a role the rookie looks ready to overtake (he ranks top-15 in contested catch rate). Gallup could breakout in primetime Monday night.
Brad — BRANDON POWELL. Hyped by the man he’s slated to replace, Golden Tate, the UDFA from Florida slides into a position his predecessor logged 27.1 percent of the Lions target share in. Reportedly smooth in his routes, adaptable and strong after the catch, Powell is in a prime position to become the hottest waiver add entering Week 10. He’ll split time with T.J. Jones initially, but against a Vikings defense vulnerable against slot options, he’s bound to flash. Slot corner Mackensie Alexander has surrendered a 79.3 catch percentage, 106.2 passer rating and 1.92 yards per snap to his assignments.
Scott — HAYDEN HURST. The Steelers have struggled in seam coverage all year. Austin Hooper had a bustout game at Heinz Field (9-77-0), C.J. Uzomah got them for six catches, and even Seth Devalve scored last week (unfortunately, Pittsburgh had David Njoku locked up; can I blame that on Hue Jackson?). Baltimore rookie Hayden Hurst scored his first NFL touchdown last week, albeit in garbage time. He’s a reasonable dart throw for tight-end desperate teams this week.
Handicapping Lounge: If I had to go to the window to punch a Week 9 against-the-spread ticket, my jelly beans would be on ______.
Dalton — Broncos -1. The Broncos have played well at home this season (including playing the Rams and Chiefs tough), and their defense should be able to get to Deshaun Watson. Houston has won five straight and have an upcoming bye, so I like Denver’s setup here.
Scott — Remember the Titans; grab the +6.5 or 7. Dallas is a public team and is therefore taxed in the spreads, despite ordinary talent.
Brad — Seahawks -2. With just one home loss and 4-2 ATS this season, the ‘Hawks are worth hammering in what should be a hotly contested battle with the Chargers. Seattle’s better-than-advertised secondary and stiff run defense mostly holds L.A. in check en route to a three-point W.
