Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition: A squeaky wheel who's overdue for a big glob of grease. Jayden Reed's long-term potential. Championship game roster decisions. And more.
Question 1
Any chance these 3 guys can muster anything up the next 2 weeks: Diggs, Keenan Allen and Garrett Wilson.
Sherif Elmazi (Hong Kong)
I have a theory on Diggs. He’s one of those temperamental diva receivers like Antonio Brown or Terrell Owens. When he doesn’t get the ball, he starts getting pissy. His numbers have been down recently, so I would think the Bills might make an extra effort to feed him some touches to avoid having him develop into a problem in the locker room. Keenan Allen (heel) has been ruled out. He hasn’t practiced at all the last two weeks, so I’m not sure he’ll be playing in Week 17 either. Garrett Wilson is trapped in a dysfunctional offense. I sure would have liked to have seen him play with Aaron Rodgers. But Wilson is definitely a talent (maybe one of the top 5 wide receivers in the game) so I would roll him out against Washington’s league-worst pass defense.
Question 2
For those planning for next year’s draft, TD dependent Dynasty league i currently have Jayden Reed and Brandin Cooks. With new management coming for the Chargers, would you pivot towards either Quentin Johnston or Josh Palmer over Cooks or Reed? Mike Williams (injury prone) may be a cap hit and Keenan Allen is age 30+TD-dependent Dynasty league, I currently have Jayden Reed and Brandin Cooks. With new management coming for the Chargers, would you pivot towards either Quentin Johnston or Josh Palmer over Cooks or Reed? Mike Williams (injury prone) may be a cap hit and Keenan Allen is age 30+.
Howie Fishman (Hermosa Beach, CA)
Quentin Johnston was a first-round pick, while Jayden Reed (pictured) didn’t go until the middle of the second round, but I don’t think there’s any question that all 32 NFL teams today would select Reed before Johnston. Reed had some injury issues his final season at Michigan State, depressing his value, but he’s checking all the boxes. In a dynasty format, he should be selected long before any of those other wide receivers you mention. Johnston, on the other hand, is looking like a possible misfire. Maybe he comes around. That will be determined by some combination of how he works at his game and how the new coaching staff develops him. But the Chargers have to be nervous about having picked him just before Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison (and Reed).
Question 3
I’m in a league that goes all 18 weeks, so around this time I start looking at things like incentives for player production, like finding out if the player is close to any contract milestones. I had Gronk in one of the final games of his last season playing for three different incentives - I needed it, and he delivered on two out of three. Do you know of any players playing for individual achievements in the next couple of games? Thanks for all of your help this season.
Robert Cummings (Los Angeles, CA)
I will keep an ear open. I can’t think of any off the top of my head. As we’re putting together the Week 18 product, we’ll run a check on which players need to push to reach some of the basic statistical markers, including 1,000 yards rushing or receiving, 100 catches, and leading the league in touchdowns, touchdown passes, rushing yards and receiving yards.
Question 4
This is the time of year dynasty owners scour the free agent market looking for those diamonds in the rough that might polish up into something shiny on next year’s roster. Who are your top ten targets who aren’t on rosters now, but who could turn into 2024 starters for fantasy owners?
Geoff Maleman (Los Angeles, CA)
I can’t speak to who’s available in your league, but I published revised dynasty rankings every Saturday on the website. I rotate between the top 40 quarterbacks, top 40 tight ends, top 80 running backs and top 80 wide receivers. I put together a running backs list last week. If we’re looking for players who aren’t on rosters, we’d probably need to go at least 50 players in, where I’m seeing guys like J.K. Dobbins and three rookies: Kendre Miller, Israel Abanikanda and Chris Rodriguez. I’ll be working on a revised wide receiver list later today, and it will be published on Saturday.
Question 5
I'm looking to next week (finals) at the QB position. I am starting Mullens this week (lost Burrows) and have Murray as my backup. I'm considering adding Browning and dropping Murray. I'll likely play Mullens again (GB @Min) if all goes right but it may not so.
Jeff Zwiers (Bellingham, WA)
I am a Browning fan (I graduated from the University of Washington, and appreciate the work he did there as a four-year starter). But I would stick with Kyler Murray. Murray is far more likely to potentially start in Week 17, given Philadelphia’s struggles against the pass. I don’t see a scenario where you would want to start Browning at Arrowhead.
Question 6
Need to start two RBs, two WRs and a Flex. Trying to choose five from: (RBs) Kyren Williams, Saquon Barkley and James Cook and (WRs) Chris Olave, Puka Nacua, DJ Moore and DK Metcalf. Thoughts?
Craig Gifford ()
Kyren Williams and DJ Moore are the top-rated running back and wide receiver on my board. I’m surprised that I’m being asked whether they should be used as starters. Barkley and Cook are good enough that I would use one of them in the flex spot. The Bills are really using Cook in the passing game. If not for that drop in Philadelphia, he would have caught touchdowns in four straight games. If I were confident Olave were healthy, he’d be a starter. But with that ankle being an issue and you having two other quality options, I’d be more inclined to play it safe with Nacua.
Question 7
Trying to help my son (future Index subscriber) in his first season. HPPR. Need to start 5 of the following. Mixon, Montgomery, Ekeler, DeVonta Smith, Puka, Aiyuk, Keenan Allen. Feels insane to say but dare we sit Ekeler and Allen?
Rich Wiegard (Frisco, TX)
Agreed. I think those are the two that sit. Allen has been ruled out officially; he’s not playing. With Ekeler, I just think his time as an elite back has passed. The Chargers have started rotating in Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley more in recent weeks, and I think that will continue for the duration. He’s still got good pass-catching skills, but I’ve got Ekeler way behind Mixon and slightly below Montgomery.