Fabiano’s Fantasy Focus: Week 13, Volume I

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Every week during the season NFL Network and NFL.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano joins Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat to share his insight on building and developing your fantasy team for success.

Here are some hi-lights from our most recent conversation (November 27th) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.

Is there anything that really jumps out at you heading into Week 13? “This is a weird week in terms of the quarterback position in real terms and in fantasy, as well. You’ve got Jeff Driskel, Cody Kessler, Colt McCoy, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Josh McCown. You’ve got three Josh’s starting and none of them are any good in fantasy. Nick Mullens. It’s either you have really good quarterbacks or you’ve got nothing. I could make an argument there are 20 quarterbacks in the NFL I would start this week if I needed to, including Marcus Mariota, including Lamar Jackson and including Case Keenum…there are not a lot of quarterbacks to sit this week, unfortunately.” 

What’s been you take on Aaron Rodgers this season? “Some people would argue that Aaron Rodgers has been a disappointment this season from a fantasy perspective. He’s not a Top 5 fantasy quarterback this season and there have been times where Aaron Rodgers has been less than stellar, including this past week against the Vikings.”

With that being said, is Rodgers due for a huge game against the struggling Cardinals Sunday? “I wouldn’t project Aaron Rodgers to give you 50 fantasy points but I would project most of the Packers to give you a pretty good stat line in this game.”

Who are some options to replace Andy Dalton? “Andy Dalton hasn’t been fantasy relevant the last couple weeks, especially after A.J. Green went down. When you’ve guys like Baker Mayfield and Dak Prescott…there’s better options out there than Andy Dalton. I’m anxious to see what Jeff Driskel does. Jeff Driskel came in last week and did pretty well. From what I’ve heard the Bengals like him so that ought to be interesting.” 

I own Melvin Gordon. What’s Plan B trying to fill that void now that he’s hurt? “Unfortunately, he goes down at a very tough time and if you don’t have Austin Ekeler, well, then you’re scrambling to pick up someone off the waiver wire to put in your lineup. You can’t replace Melvin Gordon. The guy has been tremendous. Everyone talks about Todd Gurley but that other running back in Los Angeles has been solid, as well. So Ekeler would be replacement number one. If you’re in a league that’s not that competitive, Josh Adams could potentially be out there. Leonard Fournette has been suspended so maybe you could pick up Carlos Hyde off the waiver wire. T.J. Yeldon in a PPR league, also worth a look, as well. But at this point of the season you’re not going to find much on the waiver wire at the running back position.”

Does Gus Edwards hold real value in Baltimore? “This guy wasn’t even on the radar three weeks ago and suddenly we’re talking about him as a flex starter every single week because he’s getting volume in the Ravens’ offense. Boy, Alex Collins…what a dud he’s been.”

Have to start one: Matt Breida against the Seahawks or Lamar Miller against Cleveland? “Going Breida. I get it, Lamar Miller had a monster game Monday night against the Titans, but I like Breida a lot. Alfred Morris was a healthy scratch last week and Breida’s averaging 18 touches a game in the last two games. I get it, Seattle’s defense at home but if you look at the Seahawks, this is not the same defense. Christian McCaffrey just went off against them last week so I like Breida to continue to see a lot of touches in that Niners’ offense.”

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