Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition. Start-sit advice for championship games. What's up with Keelan Cole? And what's the long-term prognosis for Peyton Barber?
Question 1
What does your crystal ball forecast for the values of Peyton Barber and Martavis Bryant going forward and what are their contract situations? Is Tampa Bay going to hope Doug Martin turns it around or show him the door in the off-season, anointing Barber as the starter? Is Bryant too much of a head-case for the Steelers, despite his talent, now that Smith-Schuster seems like a better compliment to Brown?
Drew Paterson (Ferndale, WA)
Doug Martin will be gone, but I don’t think anybody is even considering Barber as a potential replacement. A nice, try-hard guy who’ll bang between the tackles, but he’s not talented enough. Ran a 4.64 at the combine and wasn’t even drafted. He’s a backup. He can play some special teams and maybe get on the field some, but I’m not confident he’ll even be their No. 2 back next year. As for Bryant, he’s under contract through 2018. He would like to be paid more and would like a new deal. If the Steelers feel he’s too much of a headache and a distraction, they could look into moving him in the offseason. More likely, however, he’ll be return and supplement Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Question 2
Keelan Cole came out of nowhere and has now put up 52 points in the past three weeks in standard scoring. But in checking the rankings, I see that he's 52nd in nfl.com, 41st in ESPN and 28th in CBS. That doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. I have Hill, Smith-Schuster, Goodwin and Anderson, and can add Cole or Woods off waivers.
Richard Weber (Fort Myers, FL)
Cole has made some plays. I’ve been impressed, watching him (an undrafted free agent) battle his way onto the roster and earn playing time. But for fantasy purposes, is he even the best receiver on his own team? Dede Westbrook also looks good. Westbrook caught only 2 passes last week, but he caught 11 in the previous two weeks (5 more than Cole). I don’t see much separation between those two, and they also got nice production last week from Jaydon Mickens, who caught 2 TDs. Plus they’ll get Allen Hurns back this week. I don’t think Hurns will be a big factor, but he might be. So for me, Cole isn’t part of the discussion. Hill and Smith-Schuster look really strong. Robert Woods is the best receiver for the Rams, and I think they’ll be passing plenty in Nashville, so I’d be thinking about him. Goodwin has been great, but with the Jaguars having the best pair of cornerbacks in the league, I think you can shelve him for this week.
Question 3
Who has the best upside given their matchup between Hill, Diggs, Sanu and Green? And would you start the 2nd-best WR over Drake as a flex in a standard league?
Eric Booser (Bethlehem, PA)
For “upside” Sanu is the one who stands out as different. Those other three receivers all have shown the ability to hit on long touchdowns and go over 120 yards. With Sanu, he’s plunking away on underneath routes. He’s been with Atlanta for two years hasn’t had a 100-yard game. As for the flex, my projections indicate Drake is clearly more valuable than all of those receivers.
Question 4
Super Bowl time. T. Coleman, Gallman, Penny for flex PPR.
Karl Scheel (Ingleside, IL)
Gallman has caught 13 passes in his last two games. I think you have to roll with that.
Question 5
Who is a better start? Wilson going against Dallas or Keenum going against Green Bay? And Hunt or Drake? They are playing against each other?
richard solecki (Middleburg Heights, OH)
I will go Wilson over Keenum. I like Keenum, but Wilson also brings the scrambling dimension. And with Seattle, there’s no worry that they might score half of their touchdowns on runs. With Hunt and Drake, there’s no decision to make. Damien Williams is healthy, so Drake could/should be dialed back to getting only maybe two thirds of their touches. (And even if Drake is out there on every play, Hunt is simply better).
Question 6
I am in the championship game in two leagues and will roll with the same lineups for the most part with a couple possible exceptions. In a non-PPR league I have to sit one of the following: Baldwin, Evans or Marvin Jones. It has been hit and miss with all three which makes it tough as they all have good upside. Don't know why but I'm looking at either Ertz or Olsen option in my PPR league. I should run with Ertz but if the Vikings lose on Saturday does that change my mind? Thanks for the great year once again. I seem to always be in contention for league titles with your help.
TROY MARSHALL (Hiawatha, IA)
Marvin Jones has to start. He’s been scoring a lot of touchdowns, he used to play for the Bengals, and that defense has been missing both of its starting cornerbacks. He’s in. So it’s either Evans or Baldwin. I would be comfortable using either, but Evans if the more talented of the two. And Carolina’s defense, while heralded as one of the best in the league, has given up a fair amount of production. Gut tells me that Evans should be your guy. As for Ertz and Olsen, weather will need to be looked at. And Olsen might simply be better anyway. He’s had a great rapport with Cam Newton in the past – the only tight end in league history to go over 1,000 yards three years in a row. He seemed to be back last week, catching 9 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Tampa Bay ranks last in pass defense and has been particularly stinky on the road. It may sound weird, but you may have to start Olsen over Ertz. I don’t think Vikings-Packers needs to be a big part of the decision. Nick Foles has started only one game, so I’m thinking they’ll want to get him some work. They can start thinking more about holding out a bunch of guys in Week 17.
Question 7
Thanks to your help have made championship! I have dilemma this week. Trying to pick 3 from Tate, Marvin Jones, Thielen and Crabtree. Last week I started both Tate and Jones thinking that I would have less risk because one should have a good game. Both had a lesser week. Would you be comfortable starting both of the Detroit receivers and benching Crabtree or Thielen? Or is it better to pick one of the two and keep other on bench? Not sure if it is the smart move or increases my risk with both in lineup and I need to pick right to get the title this week, thank you in advance!
Mike Bayless ()
Looks pretty cut and dried to me. Thielen has been ripping it up pretty good; he’s got to start – went over 200 yards in his last game at Lambeau. With Amari Cooper having the messed up ankle, Michael Crabtree is pretty much all they have at wide receiver. He’s also got to play. And I’ve got Marvin Jones as the No. 1 wide receiver on my board this week. He’s been playing well, and they’re facing a depleted Cincinnati defense that’s been missing both of its starting cornerbacks. Plus Jones used to play for the Bengals – he should be, er, “Jonesing” for a big game. Golden Tate isn’t chopped liver, but I don’t see how he even gets into the conversation.
Question 8
Pick 3. Collins, Fournette, M Jones, Baldwin, Woods
BARRY ST PETER (Pittsfield, MA)
They all look like good enough options to me. I checked by stat projections, and I’ve got Collins, Jones and Fournette as the top 3. But I wouldn’t have any problem starting the other two either. Baldwin has statistically been a disappointment (considering what he’s done in past years and the numbers Russell Wilson has put up) but he’s facing a secondary that’s allowed the most touchdown passes to wide receivers. Woods is the top receiver for the Rams, and I believe Tennessee will force them to pass a lot more than they have in most of their games. So don’t be disappointed when Baldwin or Woods is able to outperform one of the guys in your starting lineup. That’s the downside of having a deep and talented roster.
Question 9
Made the Championship game thanks to Gurley. Standard league I need to start three of five, Dez Bryant, Robert Woods, Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard or Josh Gordon.
BRIAN DAWE (Belmont, MA)
I’m not sure of the scoring system. All five guys have some value, but none of them are shoo-ins. You saw the stat projections on Wednesday, I assume, and those will be updated later today after looking over the injury reports and factoring in the weather. I don’t consider Dez Bryant to be an elite start-every-week receiver anymore. Did you see the Bryant touchdown against the Giants? Very apparent, I thought, that he’s lost a lot of speed. Looked like Anquan Boldin or Hakeem Nicks.
Question 10
I'm in 3 leagues. All have different formats. I bought one magazine, the same magazine for 30 years. I keep the Fantasy Football Index handy and refer back to your preseason reports throughout the season to help me evaluate roster moves in every format. This week I'm in two championship games and a semifinal. Did I tell you I'm in three leagues? Three playoff teams! Best fantasy season ever. Thank you.
Henry Goers (Bartlett, IL)
Awesome. Glad to hear. Thanks for letting me know. Good luck in your tri-pack of games this weekend.
Question 11
PPR championship game. QB Foles, Cousins or Goff. Flex ... L Murray, McKinnon, Robby Anderson, Woods, or Bryant
JOE SERVI (Monterey, CA)
One of my overriding beliefs for Week 16 is that the Rams are going to pass the hell out of it. I think the Titans will have some success slowing down Gurley. I don’t think Los Angeles will be allowed to come out and simply run it down their throats. I see this as a passing game for the Rams, so I would be looking at hitching up to the Goff-Woods combo.
Question 12
Wk 16 Conundrum: Standard Yardage & TD league. Been killing and grillin for last 11 weeks, here is wk 16 bowl starter choices: QB: Cousins, Goff or Keenum? OR Flacco is also available on waivers. RB: Pick 3: Levon Bell, Kamara, Ingram or Zeke Elliot? I have all four, grabbed Elliot off waivers. Good problem to have. Really in a spot at TE. Starting TE is J. Cook. Available on waivers are: Gates, Celek, Burton, Kroft, J James, M Lewis. Staring WR are Hopkins & Theilan, but M Bryant & R Woods are on waivers, my opponent needs a WR. I could grab one to block. I have Ravens D, but could grab a Defense to block opponent( they need defense): Waivers offer : Vikings, Cowboys, Redskins, or Giants. Planning on dropping TY Hilton, & R Cobb. Also have Sanu and T Coleman. I can safely drop a QB, if I pick one up. Playing against Cam Newton. Rather not, so as to keep up bench points in event of a tie. Your thoughts please! Thanks, great site and service that your have.
b quinn (globe, AZ)
Lots of questions in there. I won’t try to answer them all. But I have a few ideas. Kirk Cousins has been your best quarterback, but I don’t think he’s in the mix now. He’s tailed off, and Washington will be going without its left tackle (Trent Williams). So I think he’s a distant third. You need to start either Goff or Keenum, and I like them both. I’ve got them both ranked in the top 5 among quarterbacks this week. Goff normally isn’t that good, but he’s facing a Tennessee defense that’s a lot better against the run. Titans have allowed 23 TD passes versus only 5 TD runs. Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Savage in recent weeks have passed for over 360 yards against that defense. Let’s check the weather forecast later today and see if that helps either Goff or Keenum emerge as your starter. At tight end, I have interest in both Jesse James and Tyler Kroft. Those would be the fill-in options. But I have reviewed my stat projections, and neither grades out as favorably as Jared Cook. Amari Cooper is out, and I think that makes Cook look like a safe option for a healthy number of balls.