Eric Sorenson
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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 (October 2nd) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.
With Le’Veon Bell expected back in Week 7, how do I juggle the situation with James Connor in Pittsburgh? “I don’t know that that’s accurate that he’s coming back in Week Seven or Eight. I’m not sure from the people that I’ve talked to. That’s not guaranteed at this point so you’re sort of in a holding pattern. You’re playing the matchup with Connor. In his last three games his numbers have dropped. The Steelers have not looked good against the Ravens last week but I do like the matchup this week against Atlanta. As for Bell, status quo. I’m just waiting and hoping that he’s coming back soon.”
What’s your view on Leonard Fournette? “The view is he’s become a huge headache and the fact that he’s dealing with a hamstring injury is now it looks like going to keep him out for a couple of weeks. If I’m an owner of Fournette I’m frustrated. Hopefully I picked up T.J. Yeldon off the waiver wire as a handcuff or maybe drafted him as a handcuff because the Jaguars need to let this injury heal up. It’s the same thing with Dalvin Cook. If they keep running him out there and giving him limited snaps…I mean, not that the Vikings or Jaguars care about our fantasy football teams…but it’s not good for the players or the players behind them. They can’t get into a rhythm if they keep using these guys on snap counts. Bad matchup for Dalvin this week against the Eagles so he’s sort of a risk/reward proposition at this point, too. But in terms of Fournette, you’ve got to get insurance for him. Hopefully you got T.J. Yeldon.”
People in our league are buying on Mitchell Trubisky but I’m not. Where are you? “I’m right there with you. What did he have two touchdowns and five turnovers in his first few games? I mean, I wasn’t that good and the Buccaneers’ defense is just bad. It’s historically bad. It’s like giving Halloween candy out to kids. It’s ridiculous. They’re giving out fantasy points hand over fist. I don’t buy into Trubisky. I still think he’s a QB2. I wouldn’t pick him up, especially considering they’re on a bye. I’d rather have Jameis Winston to be honest with you.”
Watson or Mahomes this week? “This week I’m going Watson because of the matchup but it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m benching Patrick Mahomes because Mahomes has been lights out. Now this week is going to be the ultimate test. This is going to fun, right? You’ve got Mahomes and that offense going on all cylinders. They’re playing the Jaguars who maybe the best defense in the league. Oh, man. It’s going to be one of those situations where you’re going to be very interested to see what happens Mahomes can do against an elite defense like Jacksonville but there I’d go Watson.”
What’s one common theme that’s caught your eye through the first quarter of the season? “The quarterback position this year is ridiculous. Patrick Mahomes scored 22 fantasy points Monday night. He was the 12th-highest scoring quarterback. 12th! It’s insane! Right now you have to go into a week thinking, “if my quarterback gets me 18 or less, it’s not really a great week.’ They’re all putting up ridiculous numbers so don’t be afraid…I’ve got Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan and this week I’m playing Matt Ryan. You can play the matchups.”
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