Here’s to the next 8 weeks
Fantasy, who’d play it? A rollercoaster first half of the 2019 has seen franchise Quarterbacks hit the IR, star Running Backs holding out and Tight Ends performing one handed catches.
Enjoy the halfway-point with a quick look at the some of the standout stats from the first 7 weeks.
Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson is the number one Quarterback
Danger Russ is finally having the MVP season he deserves. While not usually commended for his throwing abilities, Wilson is tied with both Matt Ryan and one Patrick Mahomes for the most touchdown passes (15).
Mix in 178 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns and almost 2000 passing yards and Wilson is taking the Seattle Seahawks (and his fantasy owners) to the play-offs.
A subpar Seattle running game is forcing Wilson (and his pass catchers) to take to the air as they cast their eyes towards the postseason. In light of Mahomes’ injury, Wilson could be a league winner.
Lamar Jackson is the number two Quarterback
Though 11 touchdown passes have shown his capability as a passer, its Jackson’s legs that elevate him into second place. Jackson has the most Quarterback rushing yards (576) and has powered in for 3 touchdowns.
A mean Baltimore defence means Jackson doesn’t need to be Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers. Tight End Mark Andrews serves as the big friendly target and Mark Ingram’s rushing ability gives opposing defences a lot to think about.
The seemingly schedule-proof Lamar will push Wilson to the limit in the race for MVP. Owners will enjoy the ride.
Jacoby Brissett has 14 touchdown passes
It seemed Indianapolis’ season was over before it began when Andrew Luck announced his early retirement in August. Even the most optimistic Colts fan could not have predicted what Jacoby Brissett was going to do.
Brissett’s 14 touchdown passes leave him joint second in the Fantasy rankings. Blowing away the dire expectations many predicted for a franchise reeling over the loss of their star man.
Aided by a great offensive line, a talented cast of pass-catchers including T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron. Brissett has all the ingredients to be a top 10 Quarterback.
Fun stat
“The power of the Quarterback sneak”
Tom Brady’s 3 rushing touchdowns place him joint second among Quarterbacks.
Running Backs
Austin Ekeler is the number 3 Running Back
Ekeler’s 488 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns lead all Running Backs. Ekeler has 11 more receptions than James White, chipping in with a further 3 touchdowns on the ground.
Sadly, Melvin Gordon is back and looks to carry the bulk of the rushing workload. But you should not move on from Ekeler just yet.
This past Sunday, the Charger was on the field for more snaps than Gordon and will be handling all the passing work out of the backfield. Owners hold firm- Ekeler should continue with his superb season.
Dalvin Cook has the joint most rushing touchdowns
After an ACL tear in his rookie season, Cook suffered related hamstring issues during his comeback campaign last year. Right now the most rushing touchdowns belong to both Dalvin Cook and Aaron Jones (8).
Cook has been electric. Running fast and violent to get Quarterback Kirk Cousins out of jail. Cook has embodied the elusive battering ram the Vikings craved.
It’s no surprise to see the Minnesota pass-catchers taking advantage of defences focusing on the threat of Cook in recent weeks. The Florida State product has a genuine chance to finish as the number one Running Back in 2019.
Aaron Jones ahead of Ezekiel Elliot
Ezekiel Elliot’s holdout added extra risk to the usual safety provided by the top 3 Running Backs. Although back to back 20 point games indicate the Buckeye is gaining steam, Jones currently lies ahead of Zeke in total points.
Ironically due in part to his monster week at Dallas, Jones is the fifth ranked Running Back in standard scoring. Jones’ 8 rushing Touchdowns put him joint top and the former UTEP man has had just two games with under 14 points.
With no signs of the offense slowing down, Jones and Green Bay are set up for an explosive second half of 2019. A possible top 5 finish isn’t bad for a third round Running Back.
Fun Fact
“And they said he wasn’t a Running Back”
David Johnson has less rushing yards than Lamar Jackson.
Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas deserves his $96 million contract
Thomas has been an absolute monster for the Saints this year. The current number one Wide Receiver number leads the league in targets with 78. Those targets have allowed the former Buckeye to rack up 763 total yards; 101 more than Chris Godwin at number two.
New Orleans’ paltry 50% redzone scoring percentage can be attributed to being lead by their backup Quarterback, so expect Thomas’ touchdowns to skyrocket once Brees returns.
‘CantguardMike’ has a very real chance to finish as the number one fantasy wideout in 2019.
Chris Godwin sits second in standard scoring
One of the surprises of the season has seen the Buccaneers Chris Godwin perch second in total yards. Averaging a delicious 12.3 yards per target. A new Bruce Arian’s offense has lifted Godwin to joint top with Adam Thielen for receiving touchdowns (6).
Sadly, an inconsistent Jameis Winston and a fully fit Mike Evans jeopardise Godwin’s current pace. Now competing for targets with the uber-talented Evans, the odds are stacked against the Penn State product.
Though the schedule will get tougher from here, no one can take away Godwin’s historic first 7 weeks.
D.J. Chark currently has more points than Deandre Hopkins and Julio Jones
Though Godwin has flashed true stud potential, fantasy owners wait patiently for the next star wideout. The next generation of elite pass-catchers have been a long time coming.
Jacksonville have been bearing the fruits of an underdog Quarterback lifting a pessimistic franchise, many of whom believed the season was over once Nick Foles went down. Sixth rounder Minshew has become a revelation, constantly looking to his favourite option- D.J. Chark.
Blessed with the speed, height and elusiveness required by a true number 1 Wide Receiver, Chark’s 581 yards and 5 touchdowns put him above the two aforementioned big name pass-catchers. Are we watching the next LSU superstar grow in front of our eyes?
Fun stat
“I guess volume isn’t everything”
Tarik Cohen has had more targets than Adam Thielen
Tight End
Austin Hooper is the number one Tight End
Since Rob Gronkowski’s long awaited retirement, fantasy owners have been searching for the next premier Tight End.
In recent years Travis Kelce has looked like the perfect fit but owners who banked on the Kansas man have been left disappointed. Kelce trails both Hooper and Oakland’s Darren Waller, sitting third in total points.
Despite Atlanta’s woes Hooper has blown up this year, building on the flashes he demonstrated in 2018. Scoring 4 touchdowns and gaining 526 yards, Hooper stands proudly at the Tight End summit. The Stanford product has become an unexpected fantasy must-start.
Darren Waller is the number two Tight End
The only thing more surprising that Hooper’s first place would that Darren Waller currently sits second.
A shock positive from John Gruden’s short Raides tenure, Waller topped up his 485 total yards with two touchdowns this week against Green Bay.
A leading candidate for the waiver wire pickup of the year, the 26 year old’s 50 targets and 44 receptions have given fantasy owners an every-week-starter at a difficult position.
Fun fact
“He’ll blow up any week now. Promise.”
Zach Etrz currently holds the highest amount of TE targets (60)
I’ll be back after week 16 with a fantasy season finale.
– Dre @lil_carat
