Andrew Bell
Every summer leading into and throughout the NFL season, Sports Illustrated and SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano joins Sports360AZ.com to share his insight on building and developing your fantasy team for success.
Here are some highlights from our most recent conversation (December 15) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.
Has Dan Arnold of the Cardinals done enough to earn a start at tight end? “He’s had three touchdowns in his last two games, but you are down to the final four in most leagues right now. You’re in the semi-finals. I don’t think I can trust my playoff livelihood with Dan Arnold. If you are desperate in the deepest of leagues, maybe. But there are certainly better options out there.”
What are your thoughts on J.K. Dobbins and his touches in Baltimore? “He’s getting more carries and Dobbins gave you 13 points last week and got into the endzone. I don’t know if he’s ever going to be a true featured back. Gus Edwards was really good and they aren’t going to put him on the sidelines either if he’s running like this. The good news is Dobbins played 36 snaps and Gus was second at 15. Mark Ingram only played one snap and was out of the mix completely. I’ve liked Dobbins all season and thought he could be a guy that could help you win a championship and now he’s got Jacksonville coming up and their defense is bad. Dobbins could be one of those players who helps get you to the finals.”
What were your takeaways from Jalen Hurts and where he fits on people’s radars now? “I love running quarterbacks and I’ve said it a million times. He had 106 yards on the ground last week and over 19 points. He’s got the Cardinals this week and that’s going to be fun to watch, but is he startable in a redraft? Maybe, but most people who are at this point in their playoffs already have a pretty good quarterback I would assume. Hurts could be valuable in a 2QB or superflex league. Running quarterbacks are super valuable. Hurts didn’t do a whole lot through the air, but it didn’t matter. When you can run like he can run, he’ll have some value.”
Who are some standouts at wide receiver on the waiver wire? “Tim Patrick had a touchdown last week and three in his last two games. He’s got the Bills this week. Although John Brown could be back soon, Gabriel Davis could be worth an add, but keep an eye on Brown’s status. Rashard Higgins, K.J. Hamler, Russell Gage, and Keelan Cole also have varying degrees of value off the waiver wire this week.”
How about at running back? “It’s weak. If you are in a non-competitive league, number one, shame on you. Number two, Cam Akers might be out there, but he’s gone in most leagues. If he’s out there, get him. He’s got the Jets. Then Jeff Wilson Jr., I love Raheem Mostert but he’s banged up. If Mostert can’t go, Wilson becomes a really good play against the Cowboys.”
Any final thoughts going into this weekend? “At quarterback, you have a lot of really good options and you can play the matchups there with the obvious starts. But overall for me, it’s a situation where I would hate to get cute with a player and sit a more reliable player. I’d rather go with players that have the better resume and players with a better track record. Of course you are going to play the matchups, but try not to get too cute when it comes to the playoffs. I say that a million times. It’s all about roster construction at this point and I’d rather play my best dudes and lose with them than try and put out a player who may or may not get a good number.”
For more, click here.
