Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition: What's wrong with Kansas City? Replacing Justin Jefferson. How long can Raheem Mostert keep it up? The fabled FFI Cover Jinx. Dallas' sputtering offense. And more.
Question 1
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Chiefs offense, while still scoring, appears at times to be stagnant; lacking a reliable receiver outside of Travis Kelce. Do you believe KC will make a move to add a WR? And if so, do you see that move as being more of a big splash play, (i.e. Davante Adams , Mike Evans, Marquise Brown, Amari Cooper) or capitalizing on someone who has underperformed or fallen out of favor with current team (i.e. Rashod Bateman, Courtland Sutton, Darnell Mooney, DPJ)?
Trey Hewitt (New Braunfels, TX)
I don’t think KC will go the trade route. I think they will continue plugging away, hoping their young guys will develop and emerge. On that front, the schedule should help, with the next four games against the Broncos (twice), Chargers and Dolphins. But I think we’ll see a notable receiver or two moved before the trade deadline at the end of the month. I think more teams nowadays are more interested in trying to obtain draft picks for players they aren’t going to re-sign. Teams like the Patriots, Broncos, Raiders, Giants, Bears, Vikings, Panthers and Cardinals, I think, would be interested in selling. Darnell Mooney, as you point out, could be offered. There have been reports for months about the Broncos possibly moving Jeudy or Sutton. Mike Evans is in the final year of his contract; I would think he could be had. If the Bengals were to drop to 2-4 on Sunday, I wonder if they would start thinking about parting with Tee Higgins? He’s probably one of the top 20 receivers in the league, and they won’t be able to re-sign him. Interesting that you identify the Browns as a team perhaps interested in dumping Cooper and Peoples-Jones. I don’t have them in the sell category; I think they’re trying to win the AFC North.
Question 2
With Jefferson out for 4 weeks, what WR in the Vikings offense will benefit the most? Jordan Addison or K.J. Osborn?
John Casani (Blue Bell, PA)
Why not both? They could be like Kupp-Nacua or Adams-Meyers. I wouldn’t find rolling with a fantasy lineup in Week 6 that included both Addison and Osborn as starters. Addison probably has more playmaking ability (I’ll take him first if given the choice) but Osborn has had a couple of real nice spurts of production the last two years. I don’t see a ton of difference between the two.
Question 3
I’m very frustrated with Patrick Mahomes so far. I’ve watched every game and that passing game still isn’t clicking. I know the schedule improves soon, but Goff or Stafford (both on the waiver wire) can light up weak passing defenses. I expect that and more from Mahomes. Against MIN, Herbert throws for 4 and 450 where Mahomes struggles for 2 and 281. The difference, as I see it, is the receivers. KCs pass receivers are middle of the pack at best. This isn’t something that can easily be fixed. And if Kelce should go down or miss a few games, there’s nobody to pick up the slack. I am looking to trade Mahomes as the lack of receiving talent puts a lid on his output. Is my analysis wrong? Thanks for the years of outstanding content.
STEVE KOZIOL (Yorkville, IL)
I don’t think this comment will age well. Mahomes is playing tomorrow night against that Denver defense that allowed 70 points in Miami.
Question 4
Will you at last, finally concede there is a jinx with the Fantasy Index cover, and pledge to put some inconsequential scrub – a long snapper or punter – on future covers? We won't patronize u any less because there's not a dynamic pic on the cover.
Vin Kmetz (Danbury, CT)
We’ve tried that before. Check the 2005 issue. We put Tatum Bell on the cover, wanting to keep Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander and Marvin Harrison out of harm’s way. We got endless grief for it, and the Test Dummy Cover Program was abandoned.
Question 5
Wondering what to do with Pollard and Lamb moving forward since the Cowboys have been pretty mediocre so far. Would you trade Lamb or Ridley (I would still have whoever I don’t trade plus Olave, Kirk and J. Meyers) for I. Pacheco (my rbs are Pollard, Achane, D. Pierce, K.Herbert, J.Warren, Hunt, and Z. Moss)? We don’t do waiver wire pickups, hence the deep bench.
DON FRANKS (Sparks, NV)
I think they’ll get things figured out some in Dallas. The last time they had a really bad game – in Week 18 at Washington last year – they came back the next week and played one of their best (winning a playoff game at Tampa Bay). I wouldn’t be looking to ship off Pollard or Lamb.
Question 6
I’ve been riding with Mostert and Montgomery, with guys like Jaylen Warren on my bench. Does it make sense to try and get Gibbs or Harris for Mostert, while they’re not doing much? Worried about Mostert after Achane took over before he just got hurt.
Bill Petilli (Weston, FL)
Rather than unloading Mostert, I think I’d prefer to use him as a short-term starter, continuing throw darts at the waiver wire. Hopefully you can land another viable back by the time Mostert fizzles out. Adding Jeff Wilson would make a lot of sense.
Question 7
Thanks for your professionalism. Your staff complements your work very well with high quality content of their own. It does not go unnoticed and is much appreciated. To my question: 14-team PPR league, My receivers are Nacua, Olave, Thielen, Osborn and Palmer, with Amon-Ra on IR (he must come off as his injury designation changed). Could cut Osborn or Palmer to facilitate this. However, I took note of the Re-Drafter comments regarding Christian Watson. A fellow owner is hurting this week, affected by injuries/byes. Would an offer of Osborn and Palmer for Watson rate a thumbs up? Do I have the right players coupled to send away and is this idea a sound one despite J. Love's struggles?
Don McCown (Port Washington, WI)
Thanks for your kind words. I like Osborn. He’s shown he can be a productive player. When they started using him more late in the 2021 season, he caught 19 passes for 290 yards and 5 TDs in his last six games. And when they elevated him above Thielen late last year, he caught 32 for 408 yards and 4 TDs in his last six. Totaling up those 12 games, that’s an average of 4.3 catches for 58 yards, with 9 TDs. And note that four of the next seven games are against the Bears (twice) and Broncos. But with you having to release a wide receiver, the choice here is really would you trade Osborn for Watson? Osborn has that nice matchup in Chicago this week, but I think you play the long game. I would obtain Watson.
Question 8
Hi Ian, how much would you be willing to give up for Justin Jefferson? I saw the reports that Vikings may not bring him back if they lose too many games and are out of it and am unsure if it's worth it to take the risk and try and trade for him. Would giving up Mostert for him be too much in your opinion based on the risk of a shut down?
Mike Bayless (Little Rock, AR)
Mostert has an extensive history of injuries, and the Dolphins are well stocked with other backs. I don’t think we’re ever going to get to the point where you’re not worrying that he’s a week away from being the 2nd- or 3rd-best back on his own team. I would prefer to have Jefferson, hoping he comes back after four games and is one of the top few receivers in the league for the duration.
Question 9
Hi Ian, bought the Weekly updates for the first time this year and am loving them. I’m in a weird spot where I have four top-10 RBs (Ekeler, Swift, Jacobs, K Williams) but can only start 3 (including flex). Similarly, I chanced upon both Hurts and Herbert at QB and have little use for both. My WRs are very similar and generally rank around 20-25, including C Watson, C Kirk, Nico Collins, and Lockett. I’m only starting two per week since all the RBs consistently outrank the receivers. Would you recommend holding onto all four backs and both QBs as insurance against injury? Or would you try to deal one to upgrade at receiver? What range of WR value do you think I would need to make it worth losing my insurance guys if I traded away one or both of my strong positions?
Aaron Vander Vorst (West Fargo, ND)
I’m not opposed to trades, but it would need to be a deal where you were sure your team was improved. With injuries, I’m sure it won’t be long before that quartet of running backs becomes a trio, and there are also byes to figure out. And it’s not as if you’re rolling out nobodies at wide receiver. Collins and Kirk have been fine, and Watson could be just starting to heat up. Lockett’s been a dud thus far, but I’m not ruling out the possibility that he re-emerges as a top-20 receiver. You’ve definitely got a contender on your hands – be careful not to foul it up.
Question 10
I have 3 QBs. I need to drop one. Which two would you keep (for the rest of the year) between: Love, Purdy and Russell Wilson.
Robert Harvey (Houston, TX)
Purdy is your starter. He’s the guy you’re using almost every week. The other guy is definitely the backup, and I don’t see a lot of difference between the two. Wilson has lost a couple of fumbles that were key in frittering away a couple of games; I wonder if they’ll plug in Jarrett Stidham at some point? And Love isn’t looking like he’s going to be the long-term answer in Green Bay. Wilson has the same bye week as Purdy, so I would think Love is the guy to keep for your team.
Question 11
What do I do with Zach Moss rest of season?
Trey Hewitt (New Braunfels, TX)
He was better than Jonathan Taylor on Sunday. I expect he'll probably be better than Taylor again this week. But Taylor is one of the top few backs in the league, so I don't think it will be long before he returns to that top spot.
Question 12
Who are your favorite fringe wr2’s and rb2’s for the second half of the season? Any sleepers for deeper redraft ppr leagues?
Kenneth Slota (Perrysburg, OH)
I don’t think Kansas City will make it through the season without having a relevant wide receiver. And Rashee Rice, to me, looks like the one most likely to emerge. In the same division, I expect the Chargers will have a second receiver who puts up viable numbers – maybe Quentin Johnston but more likely Josh Palmer. And Tyler Lockett and Jameson Williams to me look like depressed assets; I expect they’ll come around at some point.