Fantasy Football Rankings: 5 most polarizing players for Week 7
We have five Yahoo rankers every week, and this column will look at five of the buzziest names of the week. I’m looking for players where there is real disagreement, and I’m using a little something called “coefficient of variation” to help me find just that. These rankings will be tinkered all the way until kickoff, so please check back in on our weekly rankings pages and Sunday AM sit/start show for the absolute latest.
These blurbs are also in The Blueprint, which is my weekly rankings and analysis column. The RB version is out on Wednesdays, while the WR version and the QB/TE/K/DEF version are each out on Thursdays before Thursday Night Football.
Harold Fannin Jr. (at TEN) – 24.5 proj. yards
Fannin is only the TE16 on TE19 usage this season. It’s safe to say Fannin has a new role under new HC Todd Monken. One stat to summarize just that: Fannin has zero screen targets this year. Last week’s 2.8 expected half PPR points were a career low. I wouldn’t bank on his upside TE1 status returning for as long as Monken is calling plays with Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion active. He’s settling in as a streamable TE2.
The Titans rank 24th in half PPR points allowed to TEs, giving up 8.2 points per game. Mark Andrews found the end zone against Tennessee for 11.2 half PPR points in Week 4, but no tight end has surpassed 34 receiving yards against them over the past four weeks. Cleveland enters as 1.5-point road favorites with an implied team total of 19.5 points (24th).
Jordan Mason, RB, Vikings (vs. IND)
We’ll confirm that Jordan Mason is going to play later on. The expectation is yes. Back in Week 1 with both healthy, Jones started the game and ended up as the RB24 on RB30 usage. He split time fairly evenly, including at the goal line where both of them had an opportunity. Jones played well while Mason was injured, so he deserves the more optimistic case in the short run. The Vikings will be careful with Jones’ workload after carrying the offense, however, and Mason should be fresher as he was only dealing with a finger injury.
The Colts matchup is one to target. They’ve allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs this season and are firing people upstairs. The Vikings have a 24.0-point team total as touchdown favorites. That’s good enough for FLEX value.
Cam Skattebo (at HOU) – 39.5 proj. total yards
Najee Harris was released, so Skattebo’s fumble-based benching in Week 6 could turn around this week. Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary aren’t typically viewed as early-down bell cows, but we’ll learn about their roles coming up. For reference, the Giants RB room in total has averaged 19.5 expected half PPR points. Until proven otherwise, that will be split roughly three ways. If Skattebo can get half of it, then he’s an RB3/FLEX.
(Chart by Hayden Winks/Yahoo Sports)
On top of the role uncertainty, the Giants have a lowly team total while playing in Houston, who has their LBs back in the lineup and has DeMeco Ryans back as their play caller. Houston is third-best in rush yards allowed per game (83). JJ McCarthy will start in a new offense for the first time in the worst of conditions. New York has a 16.25-point team total, the worst of the week. I totally get that.
Blake Corum (at LV) – 54.5 proj. total yards
Corum always looks pretty, pretty good on tape. He continues to provide complementary support behind Kyren Williams, ranking as the RB36 in half PPR points per game on RB48 usage over his last four appearances. His role doesn’t fluctuate too much but is at it’s best when the Rams are in control of games, as Williams will gobble up catch-up mode receptions when clearly trailing. Corum is purely an RB3 dart throw on 7.8 carries per game when the Rams’ team total is high enough during the bye weeks. Even with RB15 and RB14 finishes in most recent games, it’s best to keep the long view here. He was the RB33 and RB30 in expected half-PPR points in those games. He just ran really hot.
(Chart by Hayden Winks/Yahoo Sports)
The Raiders have been friendly to opposing backfields, ranking seventh in half PPR points allowed to RBs at 21.7 points per game. Las Vegas has been particularly vulnerable on the ground, ranking sixth in rushing points allowed to RBs. Opposing starters have posted massive fantasy outings against them lately: James Cook III (RB3), Rhamondre Stevenson (RB10) and Kenneth Walker (RB2). The Rams, who won’t have red-zone extraordinaire Davante Adams for 10ish weeks, are 4.5-point road favorites with an implied total of 26 points (fifth).
Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens (vs. CIN) – 69.5 proj. receiving yards
More analysis to come, once we know Lamar Jackson’s status for Sunday.
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