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 15th) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.
Were you caught off guard by Aaron Rodgers fantasy production Sunday in Minnesota? “I wouldn’t say I was surprised by Aaron Rodgers having a big game because he’s Aaron Rodgers but after what we saw last year, I wasn’t expecting him to come out and have such a massive performance – well over expectations. Hopefully he ends up doing this all season long because that would make him one of the best draft bargains in fantasy football.”
Who is one key player who really disappointed in Week One? Michael Thomas. Even before he got hurt, the targets just weren’t there. This is Michael Thomas! This is the guy who is the first wide receiver off the board and likely the only wide receiver to come off the board in the first round in a lot of drafts. Now he’s got the high ankle. Those things can linger. Ask Saquon Barkley. So now you have to worry about Michael Thomas, your first-round pick, being 100 percent and New Orleans didn’t do much through the air either.”
Who are a few quarterbacks we’re seeing snatched off waiver wires this week? “Mitchell Trubisky. I can’t believe I’m even saying that. I actually had him as a DFS bargain this weekend. He had a very strong game and he’s got the Giants this week. The Giants’ defense stinks. If you watched the game against Pittsburgh, you know that. Gardner Minshew. The Magic Mustache – three touchdowns. Very efficient. He played very well. Ryan Tannehill also played very well. I’m not sure how many leagues he’s going to be available in, though. But certainly a guy that needs to be added off the waiver wire, without question.”
How about at running back? “This is a long list so I hope you have your pen and paper ready. Benny Snell coming off a 100-yard performance against the Giants. James Connor – we don’t know if he’s going to be ready for Week Two. James Connor just continues to have injury issues. Malcolm Brown. He wasn’t the starter for the Rams – that was Cam Akers but he was the lead back. He had two touchdowns. He needs to be added. Joshua Kelley was one of my favorite pre-season deep sleepers at the rookie running back position. He was tremendous. He looks like he’s the number two guy there in Los Angeles.”
Last question about the wire – tight ends. “I was shocked when I looked at the ownership percentage of Dallas Goedert. I’m in 20 leagues. Dallas Goedert was drafted in every single league but if you look at his ownership percentage on some websites, it’s low! He is certainly the guy to go after at the tight end position if you need help. Logan Thomas in Washington had a touchdown against the Eagles. He’s also somebody to go out and grab. I think better things are ahead for Chris Herndon. Don’t love him this week but he’s a guy you can play long-term. He’s worth a look.”
With Le’Veon Bell out at least three weeks, what’s the plan of attack with the Jets’ backfield? “Bluh. I mean, I don’t. I try to avoid it all costs. The matchup this week isn’t great either. They’re playing the 49ers. Maybe it’s a revenge game for Frank Gore – I don’t know. If I had to play a Jets’ back, it would probably be Frank Gore but I wouldn’t be thrilled about it.”
(Editor’s Note: the Jets signed running back Kalen Ballage after Fabiano’s weekly segment on Tuesday morning)
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.