Week 7 Gold: Fantasy or Fools?
By Lamar
A player on your radar had a big game. Do you pick him up? This is where we decide whether their forecast is Fantasy or Fools Gold.
Kenyon Drake RB Baltimore Ravens
10 carries, 119 rush yards, 1 rush TD, 1 rec, 8 rec yards
Drake looks like the workhorse of the Ravens backfield with J.K. Dobbins leaving early with an injury. Drake looked good on Sunday and has a great match-up against Cleveland this week. Drake’s value is tied directly to the health of Dobbins. If Dobbins is in there then he is RB1 with Drake serving as a backup. However if Dobbins is out then Drake is Fantasy Gold this week against the Browns who are giving up the 3rd most points to RBs this year. There is a great chance the Ravens go up early and feed someone the rock! You will want whoever that is because there is a chance they eat all game.
Chase Claypool WR Pittsburgh Steelers
7 receptions, 7 targets, 96 rec yards, 1 rec yards, 1 rec TD, 1 carry, 8 rush yards
Claypool had a great day against the Buccaneers last week and was a big part of that upset win. What we want to consider here is whether he is likely to repeat those numbers this week. Maybe? Last week Claypool equaled WR1 Diontae Johnson in targets and had one carry out of the backfield. He had more touches last week than any non quarterback not named Harris. The consensus out of camp was that Claypool was WR2 on this team, but no one knew what to expect out of the Steeler QBs. Then rookie WR George Pickens made some noise and appeared to have cut into Claypool’s targets. The bottom line is that the Steelers have a fluid situation at QB with Pickett’s concussion and we really do not know who will emerge as their WR2. When Pickett or Trubisky settle on a favorite WR2 then grab that guy. Until then this situation remains Fools Gold.
Dante Pettis WR Chicago Bears
4 receptions, 7 targets, 84 rec yards, 1 rec TD
This is a solid line from a guy on an offense that had a dismal Thursday night. He will not replicate this line again. If I had to have a Bears WR then it would easily be Darnell Mooney who led the team in targets last week (12). He is clearly the most talented receiver on the team (Khalil Herbert is the more talented RB), but with QB Justin Fields erratic play there is no way you can trust anyone in this offense. Until the Bears have a few show me games I am avoiding everyone on their offense, while opposing defenses look to have a field day. This offense is a red alert Fools Gold situation.
Alec Pierce WR Indianapolis Colts
3 receptions, 7 targets, 49 rec yards, 1 rec TD
If the Colts o-line can keep QB Matt Ryan upright then he intends to air it out each week. Pierce is a tall, physical receiver who Ryan likes to lob the ball to down the field. He has delivered the last four weeks and if Ryan can stay up, I think Pierce can do it again. Remember that Ryan is new to this team and sometimes it takes a few games to get the timing down with new receivers. The Colts opponents this week are the Titans who are giving up the 2nd most points to opposing wide receivers. If Ryan is not running for his life (and if Taylor is out) then I expect Pierce to have a big day. The Colts have the potential to have an explosive offense when firing on all cylinders. Potential Fantasy Gold situation in Indianapolis.