What's the Comfort Level for Fantasy Studs Heading into Week 8?
Everyone loves a good fantasy stud, that guy who produces big fantasy points, and usually on a consistent basis. If you're a longtime fantasy enthusiast, though, you know even the studliest players can occasionally be fantasy disappointments.
Sometimes a player enters a tough situation and simply cannot overcome it. Sometimes injury derails what should be a promising fantasy outing.
We saw examples of both cases in Week 7. New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (five catches, 49 yards) had a so-so day against a tough Los Angeles Rams defense. Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy gained just 11 rushing yards before exiting with a hamstring injury against the Miami Dolphins.
So how should we feel about some of the top fantasy stars heading into Week 8? That's what we're going to examine here.
For this list, we'll be examining players who have been fantasy stars in the past, as well as top-25 positional scoring leaders from this season, according to NFL.com. We'll be looking for difficult situations and challenging matchups and provide a comfort level for each player on our list.
Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers
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San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon has bounced back from a disappointing rookie campaign to become a scoring machine in 2016. He has already reached the end zone 10 times and currently ranks third in RB fantasy scoring on NFL.com.
The problem for Gordon owners is that when he doesn't find the end zone, he can be a disappointment. He has just one 100-rushing-yard game this season and is averaging a mere 3.3 yards per carry.
This week brings a daunting challenge, as the Chargers head into Denver to face the rival Broncos. Denver is currently rated eighth in run defense by Pro Football Focus.
The good news for Gordon owners is that the Chargers are likely to attack the Broncos defense on the ground. While the Broncos are good at defending the run, they're even better against the pass. No team allows fewer passing yards per game than the 175.0 yards allowed by Denver.
The last time the Chargers played the Broncos, Gordon managed to rack up 94 yards on the ground. While it's worth noting that 48 of those yards came on one carry, it's also worth noting that Gordon got a whopping 27 attempts.
If Gordon can get involved in the passing game this week (he had no catches the last time these teams met), he might even be able to top 100 combined yards. Expect a respectable outing for Gordon, with the possible bonus of a touchdown.
Comfort Level: Diner Booth
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is a perennial fantasy stud. He has passed for more than 4,000 yards in each of the past three seasons and has averaged just over 30 touchdowns during that span.
This week, though, Rivers must face the vaunted Broncos defense.
We already mentioned that the Denver pass defense isn't one to take lightly. Not only do the Broncos limit opposing passing yards, but they are very good at getting after the quarterback. The Denver defense has already produced 22 sacks and is rated fifth in pass rush by Pro Football Focus.
This doesn't mean Rivers cannot have a successful day, of course. The last time he faced the Broncos, Rivers posted a passer rating of 90.9 and produced a big fat notch in the win column. Fantasy owners, though, weren't exactly happy.
River beat the Broncos with a conservative game plan and just 6.1 yards per completion. He finished with 178 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Expect a similarly conservative strategy from Rivers in Week 8, especially with this game being played in Denver. He might be good enough to beat the Broncos a second consecutive time, but Rivers' number probably won't win a whole lot of fantasy matchups.
Comfort Level: Thrift-Store Roller Skates
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
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Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hasn't been much of a fantasy factor this season because he has been out with a thumb injury since Week 2. However, he has been a viable fantasy starter in the past.
Cutler threw for 3,659 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 games last season. If he can get back to his previous form, he could again be a fantasy stud.
There are a couple of obstacles in Cutler's way, though. Confidence could be an issue for the Vanderbilt product, as he only regained the starting job after his replacement, Brian Hoyer, suffered a broken arm. Cutler has been medically cleared to return but doesn't seem sure that he has the full support of head coach John Fox.
"He doesn't have a choice, I guess, at this point," Cutler said, per Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. "Brian is out, so I've got to go."
The second obstacle for Cutler is the Minnesota Vikings defense, which is coming to town on Sunday. The Vikings are allowing an average of just 197.8 yards passing per game and are rated seventh in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.
Cutler probably shouldn't feel very confident going into this game—and neither should you.
Confidence Level: Bathroom at a Music Festival
Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert was a big-time fantasy stud in 2015. He racked up 52 receptions, 65 yards and a whopping 13 touchdowns on the season.
Unfortunately, Eifert was injured during the Pro Bowl and was forced to undergo offseason ankle surgery. He didn't make his 2016 debut until last week against the Cleveland Browns—a game he finished with just one reception and nine yards.
The good news is that Eifert got through his limited debut with no setbacks.
"I felt good. I’m a little sore. I haven’t hit anybody in nine months," Eifert said after the game, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. "I obviously had a limited number of snaps, but overall as far as things that were bothering me—my back and my ankle—those feel great."
According to Pro Football Focus, Eifert only saw 15 offensive snaps against Cleveland. Expect him to see a lot more playing time this week against the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins—who allow an average of 243.6 yards per game (17th in the NFL)—may be forced to play without Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman. The former Carolina Panthers star suffered a concussion last week and will need to be cleared before the team leaves for London on Thursday.
"Thursday he'll have to be cleared, otherwise we will have to play without Josh Norman," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said, per JP Finlay of CSN Mid-Atlantic.
Eifert should be a solid play.
Comfort Level: Deluxe Train Suite
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins
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Like Eifert, Washington tight end Jordan Reed was a fantasy star in 2015. He hauled in 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. He snagged 33 receptions for 316 yards and two scores in the first five games of this season but has been out since Week 5 with a concussion.
As is the case with Norman, Reed won't be traveling to London if he isn't cleared before the team flies out on Thursday. He has been clear to practice but not yet cleared to play.
Time will tell if Reed is clear before the London trip, but right now, things don't look promising.
ESPN's Britt McHenry reported on Sunday that a source claims it's unlikely Reed will play. The thinking here is that it makes more sense to wait until after Washington's Week 9 bye to let Reed back onto the playing field.
NFL Media's Aditi Kinkhabwala, though, reported that Reed expect to be cleared and is preparing to travel to London.
Until Reed is officially ruled out, there will remain a chance he can play. We're a lot more comfortable recommending alternative options, though.
One good alternative is fellow Redskins tight end Vernon Davis, who has eight receptions, 129 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks.
Comfort Level: Shaving With Six-Month-Old Razor
Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman has established himself as a budding fantasy star this season. So far this year, he has 234 yards rushing, 19 receptions, 330 yards receiving and six total touchdowns. He is ranked seventh in RB fantasy scoring on NFL.com.
Unfortunately, Coleman is also another player whose status for Week 8 is very much up in the proverbial air.
Coleman suffered a hamstring injury during last week's loss to the San Diego Chargers. Though nothing is yet official, it seems unlikely that Coleman will suit up this week against the Green Bay Packers.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that a source has indicated as much.
Perhaps a more telling clue is the fact the Falcons signed running backs Stevan Ridley and Terron Ward to the active roster on Tuesday, per Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com. If Atlanta felt good about the chances of Coleman playing, the team wouldn't be adding multiple backs to the roster.
Comfort Level: Lefty's Introductory Chainsaw Juggling Course
Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Like Coleman, Devonta Freeman is a capable Falcons running back and a legitimate fantasy stud. Last year, he amassed an impressive 1,056 yards rushing, 578 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns.
Freeman has been sharing the load with Coleman a bit more this season, but his overall production is still stud-worthy. Freeman has 508 yards rushing, 22 receptions, 169 yards receiving and three total touchdowns.
With Coleman looking unlikely to play, it should be The Freeman Show this week when the Falcons host the Packers.
This is why we feel pretty darn good about recommending Freeman, even though he is facing a stout Packers run defense. Green Bay is rated fourth in run defense by Pro Football Focus and is allowing an NFL-low 71.8 yards rushing per game.
Still, Freeman's ability to produce on the ground and as a receiver—no to mention Coleman's potential absence—should allow him to have a strong day. Freeman battled the fearsome Broncos defense a few weeks ago and still came away with 123 combined rushing and receiving yards and a touchdown.
That game was in Denver. This one is at home.
Comfort Level: Puddles of Puppies
LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffao Bills
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We mentioned that Bills running back LeSean McCoy aggravated his hamstring injury during last week's loss to the Dolphins. The injury was a shame—and a source of frustration for fantasy owners—because McCoy has been an absolute star when healthy.
McCoy has already produced nearly 700 combined rushing and receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He is ranked fourth in RB fantasy scoring on NFL.com.
Ability isn't the question with McCoy, though. Owners want to be comfortable with his health.
Unfortunately. we're not comfortable predicting a healthy or a productive McCoy in Week 8. McCoy was questionable last week, got the go-ahead to play and then got hurt.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a source has said that McCoy “will be [in the] same position this week, probably questionable” against the New England Patriots.
Even if McCoy does play, he'll probably be splitting time with Mike Gillislee, who is averaging 6.2 yards per carry this season.
When you toss in the fact that the Patriots are rated second in run defense by Pro Football Focus, things really don't look favorable for McCoy.
Comfort Level: Realizing the Office Party Isn't a Costume Party
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
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When it comes to fantasy quarterbacks, few are as worthy of the "stud" label as New Orleans Saints signal-caller Drew Brees. The Purdue product has racked up an NFL-record 100 games with at least 300 yards passing.
This season, Brees is averaging more than 420 yards passing per game at home.
Part of the equation is Brees' immense talent. Part is the weapons surrounding him in New Orleans and the tendency of head coach Sean Payton to utilize them. The Saints don't shy away from passing the ball, even when facing elite defenses.
This week, Brees is facing the Seattle Seahawks. As a team, the Seahawks are allowing just 226.0 yards passing per game and are rated second in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus. This is far from a desirable matchup for Brees.
While there are some risks in starting Brees—turnovers among them—we'd feel pretty confident about starting him. The Seahawks pass rush is only rated 15th by Pro Football Focus, and Seattle has allowed some quarterbacks to take advantage.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer passed for 342 yards last week, though he didn't find the end zone. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passed for 335 yards and three scores a couple of weeks ago.
Brees should fall somewhere in between the two—around 300 yards with a touchdown or two.
Comfort Level: Broken-In Blue Jeans
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