RADIO
The fantasy championships are here (and semifinals for some)! The pressure is on, the stakes are sky-high, and the margin for error is low.
Managers may have relied on certain players to get them here, but the cold truth is that some big names could underperform in Week 17. Most managers who made the playoffs have the luxury of depth but consider benching these potential landmines to give yourself the best chance of advancing.
Let’s dig into seven players across key positions who might disappoint relative to their rankings this week.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Justin Herbert, QB, vs. New England Patriots
My first QB who could disappoint is Justin Herbert. Herbert had a solid showing last Thursday evening, scoring 25.0 PPR points with 284 yards and two scores against a tough Denver defense. However, Herbert failed to score 20.0 PPR points in his previous four games.
This weekend, he has a tough task ahead of him in facing the New England Patriots, who have allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points to the position. In Week 16, the Patriots held Josh Allen to a mere 14.7 PPR points. In this game, they could not contain James Cook (126 total yards).
Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston every week is automatically a touchdown now 🥹
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) November 10, 2024
With J.K. Dobbins (knee) returning to practice this week and potentially nearing a return, the Chargers may lean on their rushing attack, given New England has struggled to defend the run. Herbert is a fringe top-12 option on the outside looking in.
Anthony Richardson, QB, vs. New York Giants
Anthony Richardson has now scored at least 20+ PPR points in each of his past two games. Last weekend, he scored 23.6 PPR points but did most of his damage with his legs, as he only attempted 11 passes. He tallied 70 yards and a score on 11 carries, only completing seven passes for 131 yards and one score.
Over his past five starts, Richardson has only completed 15 or more passes in two of them and only reached 20 completions in one of them.
This does not bode well for a tougher matchup against a New York Giants defense that has allowed the 15th-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs. While this matchup is not something to fear, it is at least worth considering, given Richardson's inability to complete passes.
While his legs can power him to QB1 status weekly, fantasy managers should be careful when viewing him as a locked-in QB1. He is still a viable starter in 12-team formats, but there is an outcome where Richardson’s legs cannot get it done, and he falls short in the fantasy championships.
Three of the past four QBs who have faced the Giants have scored under 15.0 PPR points, with the lone exception being Lamar Jackson.
Rico Dowdle, RB, vs. Philadelphia Eagles
After averaging a strong 16.0 PPR points during Weeks 12 through 15, Dowdle had a tough showing in Week 16 (8.1 PPR points) and could be in store for another rough outing on Sunday afternoon. Dowdle will face the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the second-fewest PPR points to the opposition this season.
A Monday Morning Touchdown from Rico Dowdle 👀pic.twitter.com/p3xUyHOzNk
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 7, 2024
In Week 15, they held Najee Harris to just 14 yards and Brian Robinson Jr. to just 24 yards this past weekend.
Even though Dowdle has been given a workhorse role (19.4 attempts, 2.2 targets per game since Week 12), his volume may not be able to save him in this one. He is a touchdown-dependent, low-end flex play that carries minimal upside.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Rhamondre Stevenson snapped his five-game TD drought in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. In this game, Stevenson tallied 60 yards on 12 attempts with a score. He caught his lone target for 13 yards. Across his past six games, he has averaged 4.0 yards per carry and only eclipsed double-digit PPR points in three of these games.
In addition, head coach Jerod Mayo suggested that Antonio Gibson could be in line to see more targets this weekend and even get the starting nod. While Stevenson could still be the goal-line back and tally near double-digit PPR points once again, his upside will be very low.
He is a low-end RB3 with a low upside facing a tough Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs.
DeVonta Smith, WR, vs. Dallas Cowboys
The 26-year-old has had a disappointing season. Over his past nine games, Smith has averaged just 13.2 PPR points and has been nothing more than a flex option.
On Sunday, he will get a rematch against the Dallas Cowboys. The first time he faced them, he scored just 3.4 PPR points. He could even have a tougher time this weekend with his quarterback, Jalen Hurts (concussion), in the league’s protocol.
Even if Hurts can turn the corner, Smith is a high-risk option in your fantasy championships, as he scored less than 12.0 PPR points in three of his past five.
Khalil Shakir, WR, vs. New York Jets
My other landmine at the WR position is the top wideout in Buffalo. Last weekend, Khalil Shakir saw six targets but only brought in two of them for 22 yards. Over his past four games, Shakir has averaged 7.0 targets per game but has fallen under 10.0 PPR points in two of these contests.
Shakir could have another bust output on Sunday, facing a tough New York Jets secondary that has allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing wide receivers this season.
Sam LaPorta, TE, vs. San Francisco 49ers
My landmine at the tight-end position is Sam LaPorta. LaPorta has been one of the most productive players at the position over the past four weeks, averaging a solid 14.6 PPR points per game. During this span, he has found the end zone three times.
While his target share has also increased over this span compared to his production over the first half of the season, he could be due for a step back against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend.
Jared Goff to Sam LaPorta🦁
TOUCHDOWN!
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) December 22, 2024
The 49ers have allowed the third-fewest PPR points to the position this season. While you may not have another option than LaPorta in your league, if you have to start him, it could be wise to target another upside player at another position to potentially counteract a poor showing.
Final Thoughts
In deeper formats, it may be tougher to find a viable replacement for some of these players. However, in shallower formats, it is crucial to always check your waiver wire and not blindly lock a player in your lineup despite their production earlier this season.
Best of luck, RotoBallers! Be sure to chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS if you have any tough start/sit calls.
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