Fabiano’s Fantasy Focus: Week Seven, Volume I

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 (October 20th) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.

With Le’Veon Bell in Kansas City, how does that impact Clyde Edwards-Helaire? “I mean it’s not good but my pal Jay Glazer over on FOX Sports Monday said that they did not bring Bell in to be the starter. They brought him in to be a guy who helps reduce the wear and tear on Edwards-Helaire. Edwards-Helaire looked great against Buffalo. He rushed for over 160 yards. He would have had a touchdown if it didn’t get nulified due to a penalty. He’s had that happen twice now in the last couple of weeks. But it hurts because you’re going from Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson to Le’Veon Bell. So, it hurts. There are going to be games where Bell is better than CEH. He’s not a Top 10 running back anymore. I’d say he’s an RB2 now. Le’Veon Bell is going to have some stand alone flex value, although I don’t think I’d play him this week against Denver. They have a pretty tough run defense. But, yeah, it’s not good from a fantasy perspective if you have Clyde Edwards-Helaire. It’s not a death blow but I don’t know if he’s going to be in the mix as a Top 10 fantasy running back ever again.”

What’s your reaction to Tua Tagovailoa taking over for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Miami? “So, I feel like this was their plan all along because Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing really well, right? So I feel like they decided well in advance that they were going to play Tua after the bye and he was going to be their starter. The Dolphins are playing good football right now. They went into San Francisco and whipped the 49ers. They beat the Jets, although that’s not much of an accomplishment at this point. But I’m a bit surprised. At this point, I’m going to miss “The Beard.” He’s been great. He’s been a Top 10 fantasy quarterback since the middle of last season. I’m not sure if Tua is going to be able to equal that production.”

Witb Miles Sanders out in Philly, what do you make of the Eagles’ running back situation? “So Boston Scott will be the guy in that backfield. We’ve sort of seen this story in Week One and he didn’t do anything. But, the Giants’ defense isn’t that good and you’re into bye weeks, too with four teams off. You’ve got COVID. You’ve got injuries. So, he’s going to end up being in the mix as a flex starter.”

Let’s stick with running backs – how about in San Francisco? “Well, in the past it would have been starting Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson is in the mix as a flex starter. Well, Wilson is a little bit banged up. McKinnon didn’t do anything last week and they used JaMychal Hasty down the stretch of that game against the Rams. So, now I’m confused. With four teams off, you’re going to have to play a 49ers’ running back, whether it’s going to be McKinnon or Hasty. Just keep in mind, the Patriots’ defense is really good against the run. So, I’d fade McKinnon this week if I could. Most people can’t because the matchup is very difficult but volume is king in fantasy football. The problem is, I don’t know if McKinnon is going to get that volume. Maybe it’s foing to be Hasty. Wilson, again, is banged up. So, that one right there is a big question mark. That’s just what we need Sande, another confusing backfield in the National Football League. We already have enough of them.”

Who are a few quarterbacks you’re seeing jump off the waiver wire this week? “Teddy Bridgewater had a stinker last week but he was a Sit ‘Em for me because of the matchup against Chicago. He’s got the Saints and Atlanta the next two weeks. You could play him this week. Gardner Minshew is still out there floating around. Tua Tagovailoa is obviously going to be added. If Ryan Tannehill is still out there for some reason – I have no idea why he would be – I’d pick him up. Justin Herbert was on a bye last week so he may be out there on the waiver wire in some leagues. Derek Carr has had three games with 20+ points. Tough matchup against the Bucs but he could be added in leauges where maybe you lost Ryan Fitzpatrick.”

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