Boom or Bust

Predicting the players who will break out or fail to meet expectations

James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars-Boom: James Robinson has scored 20+ points three weeks in a row and plays a weak Dolphins’ defense that should allow him to make that streak four games. 

Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams-Boom: Stafford plays a Giants’ defense this week that let Dak Prescott throw for three touchdowns a week ago. Expect Stafford to have a similar performance or better.

Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers-Bust: The emergence of Mike Williams has slowed Keenan Allen’s scoring this year, and Allen is expected to continue the stalled production this week against a tough Ravens’ defense.

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders-Bust: Despite a hot start to the year in which Carr scored 20+ points in the first three games, Carr has come back to reality in the past two weeks with performances of 14 and 7 points. His coach, Jon Gruden, resigned amid scandal on Monday night, which adds another obstacle for the quarterback. With his coach gone and play declining, Carr is looking at a rough week.  

Start or Bench

Deciding the best players to play this week

Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns-Start: Hunt has scored in the upper teens or in the 20s in all but one game this season. The Browns and Cardinals look to have a shoot out this week with lots of scoring on both sides. Hunt can easily be a flex or RB2 this week.

James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals-Start: James Conner seems to have found his role with the Cardinals after joining the team through free agency. He’s scored five touchdowns in the past three games and looks to continue that as Arizona’s goal line back. This puts him as a good flex player for most teams.

Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans-Bench: Jones should be back from injury for their game against the Bills, but his uncertainty should keep him on the bench this week. The Bills play tough defense, and the Titans will look to feed Derrick Henry for most of the game. 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings-Bench: Cousins, a fringe starter at best to begin with, has seen a drop in production after a hot start to the year. He plays a challenging Carolina defense this week that should make him a bad option to start.

Best Pickups

Finding players on the waiver wire to best impact your team

Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Because of the injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Williams should be the lead back for the Chiefs until the return of CEH. This makes him a viable fantasy option in that time span. 12.1% owned in ESPN leagues. 

Devontae Booker, RB, New York Giants: Booker took over the Giants’ backfield after Saquon Barkley was injured against the Cowboys. He should remain as the starter for the Giants until Barkley returns, which makes him a good pickup for any team. 6% owned in ESPN leagues.

Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants: Following a 13.9 point performance last week, Kadarius Toney had a big week in which he scored 29.6 points. His rise in play makes him a solid option to pick up this week. 19% owned in ESPN leagues.

Injury News

Staying up to date on the latest injuries in the NFL

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants: Barkley suffered an ankle sprain on Sunday, October 10, that has him as week-to-week. The expectation for his absence is 2-3 weeks.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: JuJu hurt his shoulder in last week’s game against the Broncos that will require season-ending surgery. 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Edwards-Helaire sprained his MCL, which put him on the IR. This means he will miss at least three games for the Chiefs.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks: Wilson injured his middle finger against the Rams that required surgery. He will be out for 1-2 months.

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers: Kittle was placed on the IR due to a calf injury. This will put him out for at least 3 games.