Fantasy Football Trust or Bust: Week 10
Host Matt Noah with Zech Lambert, Ben Mooney and Logan Bourandas recap the best and worst from week nine of the NFL and a look ahead at this week in fantasy:
Week nine showed some new players thrive like Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake. The Seahawks and Lions offense had some big performers too. With next week featuring six teams on bye, it is important to know who to play. Let’s recap the best and worst of last week from a fantasy perspective.
Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Wilson threw for 378 yards and five touchdowns in win Sunday over the Buccaneers. He finished with 39 fantasy points and carried many fantasy teams to victory. Wilson is looking like a front runner for the MVP award and has great receiving options Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Jacob Hollister, all of which caught touchdowns Sunday. Wilson will play the undefeated 49er’s team next week that will be a showdown. Despite a strong 49er’s defense Wilson is a must start no matter who he is playing.
Decision: TRUST
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
Fitzpatrick finished with 23 fantasy points as he led the Dolphins to their first win of the year against the Jets. He passed for 288 yards and three touchdowns quietly having a big day. The “Fitzmagic” is back and was a top 5 fantasy QB for the week. Can a Dolphins player be fantasy relevant is a question that will be answered over the next couple weeks. Against the Colts in Week 10, Fitzpatrick is a solid bye week fill in but limit expectations as he probably will not repeat Sunday’s performance.
Decision: BUST
Running Backs
Melvin Gordon, Chargers
Gordon is officially back having his first breakout game of the year for 25 PPR points. He took 20 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns in a win Sunday over the Packers. After holding out and not playing for the first four weeks of the season Gordon had been on a slow start. He scored just 23 PPR points in weeks 5-7. Gordon looked really good on film and the offense still utilized his backup in Austin Ekeler. Next week against Oakland look for Chargers RB to keep rolling as a solid RB2 with the upside of an RB1.
Decision: TRUST
Kenyan Drake, Cardinals
Drake killed his debut for the Cardinals after being traded from the Dolphins a week prior scoring 28 PPR points. He took only 15 touches for 110 yards and a touchdown along with four catches for 52 yards. Despite losing to the 49ers in a close battle on Thursday Night Football, Drake was not predicted to have a good game whatsoever. The 49ers defense is top tier and he had to learn the new offense in less than a week. Drake will look to continue an impressive debut to face the Buccaneers in Week 10. But unless both David Johnson and Chase Edmonds are not active then Drake cannot be trusted as anything more than a flex with upside.
Decision: BUST
Wide Receivers
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
In correspondence to QB Russell Wilson’s big performance, Lockett had a breakout game too finishing with 40 PPR points the most anyone scored in fantasy football in Week 9. He caught 13 balls 152 yards and two touchdowns against the Buccaneers. Wilson seemed to always be looking Lockett’s way as he received 18 targets from his QB. The WR has been consistent all season but weeks like these show his true upside. He will continue to catch passes and score touchdowns even a top tier 49ers defense in Week 10.
Decision: TRUST
Mohamed Sanu, Patriots
Sanu had 10 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Ravens. He finished with 24 PPR fantasy points, seventh among WRs. After being the fourth option on the Atlanta Falcons the Patriots acquired Sanu and have taken full advantage of his talent. After a quiet debut against the Browns, the WR showed out against the Ravens. Sanu should have a large role in this explosive Patriots offense. Sanu should develop more of a rapport with Tom Brady during a bye week during Week 10 and will be a must start against poor Eagles defense, especially pass defense in Week 11.
Decision: TRUST
Matt Noah is a freshman majoring in journalism. To contact him, email matthewnoah29@gmail.com.