Each Friday during the 2022 NFL and fantasy football season, Eric Karabell will bring his always-reasonable perspective to highlight the biggest fantasy football storylines heading into the weekend's games.
Fantasy football managers seem to be getting a bit annoyed with the Washington Commanders. Really, Commanders fans themselves can't be too pleased, either, as the team has lost three consecutive games and featured varying degrees of competitiveness along the way since their Week 1 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Carson Wentz no longer looks anything like the former MVP candidate from yesteryear, and fantasy managers once interested are dropping him quickly. The skill players around him, however, remain more relevant, but perhaps still on the proverbial fantasy hot seat.
We keep reminding fantasy managers to watch the Brian Robinson situation, because it was quite obvious during the summer how much the organization believes in his talent, and a key role awaited. Robinson scored 16 touchdowns for Alabama last season, and Washington eagerly chose him in the draft's third round months ago. It was a sure sign that Antonio Gibson, despite solid numbers his first two seasons, was in danger of losing playing time.
A change might occur soon, as Robinson, fully recovered from taking two gunshots to his right leg during a robbery attempt in late August, is practicing and might be activated for Sunday's home game against the Tennessee Titans. Gibson shined in Week 1, but in the three games since, he has averaged 2.9 yards per rush, with little help from the offensive line. He scored rushing touchdowns in Weeks 2 and 3, but one of them came in the final minutes of a blowout loss. Gibson has eight targets in three games. The team likely views Robinson as an upgrade. Fantasy managers incorrectly view Gibson as an RB2, while Robinson is rostered in 39% of leagues. Hmmm.
Meanwhile, it's likely that few realize who Washington's top receiver has been so far. The talented Terry McLaurin, a fourth-round selection in ESPN ADP, remains an obvious vertical threat, but his quarterback is having trouble connecting with him. Curtis Samuel leads Washington in targets (by 10 over McLaurin) and catches (running back J.D. McKissic is second). Nobody should be dropping McLaurin or Gibson in fantasy, but their roles are threatened, and they might be better served as flex options or on fantasy benches for now. Samuel and Robinson are the lone Commanders rostered in more ESPN leagues than they were last week.
This can't all be blamed on the erratic Wentz, of course, but he's clearly not the answer. This is hardly surprising. Fantasy managers got way too excited when he reached 27 fantasy points in each of the first two shootout games (versus the Jaguars and Lions). Since then, against two strong defenses (Eagles and Cowboys), he averaged eight points. The offensive line cannot protect him, in part due to its skill but also because he holds on to the football too long.
Wentz famously flamed out in Philadelphia and made few friends in Indianapolis, before Washington oddly coveted and overpaid for his controversial services. On paper, Wentz is surely more talented than journeyman backup Taylor Heinicke, who was forced to start a playoff game after the 2020 season and then was one of the worst starters in 2021, but it doesn't mean a quarterback change isn't pending. It might happen soon, for those in 2-QB and superflex formats in which every quarterback matters. Heck, coach Ron Rivera might not be safe. Perhaps nobody is. This might be a telling week for the Commanders.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford won a Super Bowl for the Los Angeles Rams, so he's not getting benched anytime soon, but Wentz is the only quarterback being dropped this week in more ESPN leagues. Perhaps fantasy managers are actually dropping Stafford to add the fellow he was traded for, Detroit Lions starter Jared Goff. How ironic! ... Jaguars starter Trevor Lawrence is not really on the fantasy hot seat, despite myriad turnovers in Week 4. In fact, thanks in part to the tasty matchup with the Texans this week, he is among the most-added quarterbacks. He does need to play well, though. ... In the same vein as Wentz, the Panthers might have to move on from Baker Mayfield soon just to keep their fans interested. P.J. Walker is the backup, because Sam Darnold is still out with an ankle injury, while rookie Matt Corral is out for the season.
Running back
We don't have much clarity yet on the health of New Orleans Saints starter Alvin Kamara, but fantasy managers have to be wondering how much they can trust him. Kamara scored 7.6 PPR points in Week 1 and 7.3 in Week 3. He missed Weeks 2 and 4. It is imperative we see more targets going his way, because he has never reached 1,000 rushing yards before. ... Speaking of the Rams, what should fantasy managers do with Cam Akers? Well, keep him rostered, of course, because he is talented and the team wants him to get most of the volume, but he has been inconsistent so far. A home game Sunday with Dallas might not help. ... The situation in Miami is frustrating, too. Chase Edmonds has scored three touchdowns the past two games, but with meager volume. He has four catches over three games and 85 rushing yards all season. Bye weeks are coming soon, and players such as Edmonds will need to be considered flex options.
Wide receiver
Buffalo's Josh Allen is third in pass attempts (behind Kyler Murray and Wentz), and the offense can obviously support more than one wide receiver. However, Gabe Davis has only four catches in the past two games, while Isaiah McKenzie has caught touchdowns in three of four games. Yes, Davis is dealing with a sprained ankle, but still, we need numbers. This might be an important Sunday for Davis and McKenzie investors. ... Back to the Saints: Michael Thomas missed Week 4 with a foot injury. Perhaps he faces the Seahawks, and if so, fantasy managers would surely rely on him. Rookie Chris Olave is pretty good, too. Can the passing offense support Kamara, Thomas and Olave? Jarvis Landry is rostered in 49% of leagues, too. ... Stop counting on the Buccaneers' Julio Jones. The future Hall of Famer simply cannot stay healthy.
Tight end
Perhaps the reason we continue to place Falcons star Kyle Pitts on the hot seat list is because we can't possibly give up on him no matter how low his target total is. It's like he gets his own special hot seat category. Since he has yet to practice this week as of this writing, your lineup decision may be made for you. ... It's probably unfair to view the Cowboys' Dalton Schultz negatively since, as with Buffalo's Davis, he's dealing with an injury, but yeah, it's all about the numbers. Give us numbers or else. ... The Patriots' Hunter Henry may be the tight end version of Bears QB Justin Fields. Is there anyone left who hasn't given up?