Oh, 2020. Shall I compare thee to a winter’s dismay? Thou art more punishing and unpleasant. Harsh trends do shake the angst-ridden buds of play. And autumn’s defeats hath all too long a stay.
Oh, 2020. Hath not you wielded a healthy harvest enough? Were not disease plenty? Does our goaded isolation not quench your thirst for anguish? Cannot we have even one good thing, oh 2020?
For nor not only have you robbed us of so much more, but even the quaintest of luxuries hath been vanquished. Previously stone-etched NFL schedules are now drawn in soft clay. And even in this petty escape, you spread your rank dispirit. Oh 2020, even Dak Prescott could not wither free of your wretched vise.
Awwww … forget the pedestrian attempt at Shakespearean sonnetry, this bleeping sucks! Fantasy football owners are losing players to postponed games. They are dealing with underperforming players. They are dealing with the normal, if not accelerated, pace of injuries. And now, we’ve lost the man who was the third-highest scoring quarterback.
Prescott suffered a gruesome broken ankle Sunday. He had surgery that night, and his season almost certainly is over. So, what do fantasy owners do to replace him? How do you make sure you don’t go gently into that good night?
Well, as deep as the QB position normally is — with subpar performances by some (we steal a glance at Drew Brees and Carson Wentz) and illness to others (Cam Newton) and some gambles gone wrong (Sam Darnold, Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield) — there could be an abnormal measure of fantasy teams searching for QB reprieve.
So where might thou find rescue? Well, had you subscribed to Madman strategy of drafting or adding a backup QB, you have someone at the ready. Sure, they likely won’t be as productive as Dak, but this is 2020, so you should always be prepared to be abused by an absurd reality. But even if you have Newton, Brees, Wentz or Matthew Stafford on the bench, you still should search for a new backup. And if Prescott was your only QB, the best course is to plan to grab two to platoon the rest of the way.
Of those available, we like having Ryan Fitzpatrick as a platoon option. Though he should not, under any circumstance, be your only option. You want to spot-start Fitz, hoping he exploits good matchups, and sit him for bad ones, even if that burned you in Week 5.
You might be able to find Jared Goff or Teddy Bridgewater. We think Bridgewater will be more steady, though Goff has a higher ceiling each week. With a healthy Henry Ruggs III, Derek Carr is on the radar. If Ryan Tannehill or Justin Herbert are available, put them on the list. If desperate, we might even turn to Nick Foles.
Whatever your plight, remember that so long as fantasy owners can breathe, and their waiver claims make, so long lives this: a title dream to chase.
Hurry, hurry
Alexander Mattison RB, Vikings
Dalvin Cook injured his groin Sunday night. In his stead, Mattison carried 20 times for 120 yards. Plan like he will at least get a full run this week, ahead of a Vikings bye.
Cam Akers RB, Rams
Coach Sean McVay said following Sunday’s game that Akers would see a larger workload ahead. Fresh after a rib injury, Akers easily outperformed Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown, despite only half as many snaps.
Travis Fulgham WR, Eagles
Had 13 targets and 10 catches in just his second game with the team. Could be an anomaly, but based on quality of other Eagles WR, it could be a trend.
Brandin Cooks WR, Texans
What happens as soon as we drop him? He posts the kind of game we drafted him to post. Guess we’ll re-grab him, with reservations.
Easy, easy
Kenyan Drake RB, Cardinals
Don’t get rid of him just yet, but be searching for alternatives. He scored this week, but efficiency is on the decline. If you can get Chase Edmonds as insurance, do so.
Deebo Samuel WR, 49ers
The good: He got eight targets in his second game back, after just three last week. The bad: He caught just two, and now there are QB issues in San Francisco. Keep him stashed on your bench for now.
Nelson Agholor WR, Raiders
Caught his third TD of the season this week. But before you waste a roster spot, understand he has just 10 total catches on the season. That is an unsustainable TD pace, especially during a coming Henry Ruggs III emergence.
Dalton Schultz TE, Cowboys
Hold off before you bail on him. Could develop rapport with Andy Dalton, and Schultz was part of offensive plan the three games preceding Sunday.