Eric Sorenson
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 (September 29th) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.
Are you buying the ageless Ryan Fitzpatrick in Miami? “Ryan Fitzpatrick is very disrespected in the fantasy industry. He was tremendous in the second half of last season. He’s had 24-plus points in two-straight games this season. He proved that the beard is greater than the mustache against Gardner Minshew who was a bust last week and Fitzpatrick has a good matchup this week against Seattle. Their defense has been gashed by quarterbacks and Jamal Adams is hurt so Fitzpatrick is a startable asset.”
You mentioned this on Twitter last weekend – why are there so many bad defenses in the modern day NFL? “From an NFL perspective, there are no more dominant defenses anymore. Part of the reason is the rules in the NFL favor the offense so much. It’s unreal. But Baltimore has one of the top defenses in the league and Patrick Mahomes ripped them apart on Monday night. Mahomes is going to be a guy that rips up most defenses, right? Even Pittsburgh, who has one of the top defenses in the league – Jeff Driskel had his way with them a couple of weeks ago at Heinz Field. Maybe it’s because there was no preseason but the rules in the NFL are going to benefit offenses. They’re gearing towards more points. In football, we all like to see points…from a fantasy perspective, it’s nice to see all those points being scored.”
What’s the early return on Devonta Freeman in New York? “He didn’t really play a whole heck of a lot in his first game of the season. Eventually I think he’s going to be the starter for the Giants and may end up being a flex starter although he may be washed at this point of his career. However, the Giants stink and they’re going to throw the ball a lot in the second half and Freeman is a good pass catcher so there is some value there.”
What under-the-radar running back is getting more volume than you expected? “”Myles Gaskin. This guy is not a superstar player. He had 27 touches last week and Miami is not giving Matt Breida or Jordan Howard nearly enough snaps, not nearly enough touches so Gaskin is definitely the guy who needs to be owned.”
What’s your read on Braxton Berrios who’s been pretty consistent the last couple of weeks? “Whoever the slot receiver is for the Jets get targeted. If they added Wayne Chrebet and signed him out of retirement, he’d get seven targets this week. It’s ridiculous.”
How about Greg Ward in Philly? “Definitely worth a look. The Eagles’ passing game is all banged. DeSean Jackson’s been a disappointment. Dallas Goedert is out, as well. We all know Alshon Jeffery is not going to be back at this point so Ward is certainly worth a look.”
Is Daniel Jones still even a fantasy option with what’s going on with the Giants? “I feel really bad for Daniel Jones. I really liked him coming into the season but you lose Saquon Barkley. Sterling Shepard is hurt. The offensive line has not jelled and it’s been really tough sledding for Daniel Jones at this point.”
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