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Craig Rondinone explores if fantasy owners of Marcus Mariota, Todd Gurley and Odell Beckham Jr. should panic about their early-season struggles.
Millions of fantasy football owners are about to press the panic button.
Fantasy owners expected big things and bigger numbers from Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota, St. Louis’ Todd Gurley and New York’s Odell Beckham Jr. heading into the 2016 season. What they have gotten is a lot of losses in their leagues thanks to this trio. This threesome is not putting up the yards and scoring the touchdowns everyone projected for them. So is it time to panic or not panic for owners with these guys on their fantasy rosters? Here is a look:
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Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
The dreaded sophomore slump is hitting Mariota harder than Jack Tatum ever could have. After throwing for 2,818 yards and 19 touchdowns, adding 252 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground during his rookie campaign, Mariota does not have one stat this season to be proud of. He has 925 passing yards, a 4-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has sadly only rushed for a measly 72 yards, even though he should be one of the best running quarterbacks in the league.
The major problem for Mariota is his lack of weaponry at the wide receiver position. Delanie Walker is one of the top tight ends in the NFL, but Tennessee’s receiving corps has less talent than Tulane’s. Injury-prone Rishard Matthews, fifth-round rookie Tajae Sharpe, slowing veteran Harry Douglas and classic underachiever Kendall Wright have combined to catch zero touchdown passes.
Mariota is not absolved of blame. He has made some ill-advised throws and is turning the ball over too much, either on fumbles or picks. The league has probably caught up to him thanks to a year’s worth of film, so now the onus is on Mariota to adjust.
Panic? Yes! Mariota will continue giving his fantasy owners ulcer-inducing worries. His only TD toss to a receiver this year was to Andre Johnson, who bowled with Fred Flintstone back in the Stone Age. He has DeMarco Murray running well and an offensive-minded head coach in Mike Mularkey calling the shots, but unless the Titans acquire a true No. 1 receiver before the trade deadline, Mariota’s fantasy value will be mediocre at best.
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
Gurley was ranked as a top-5 running back and a top-10 fantasy player overall by many if not most fantasy publications entering the season, and he deserved it. He galloped for 1,106 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in just 13 games in his rookie season. But the sophomore slump did not save all of its furor for just Mariota.
Gurley is averaging an embarrassing 2.6 yards per rush after a month of action. How embarrassing is this? His quarterback Case Keenum, who has never been confused with Michael Vick, is averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Gurley has not had a 100-yard-game yet, nor did he score a touchdown in three of his four contests. A Gurley for Frank Gore swap would have sounded laughable in fantasy leagues before the season started, but now Gurley owners would be more apt to listen.
Defenses are stacking eight or nine guys in the box and just daring Keenum to beat them with passes. Gurley is an amazingly talented tailback, but even he cannot avoid one or two unblocked defenders each time he touches the ball. The Rams have to do a better job of keeping defenses honest, while Gurley has to remain patient and just take what defenses give him instead of trying to break 40-yard gains on every play.
Panic? Be semi-panicky. Keep the antacids nearby, but do not take any yet. I would be more concerned if another Rams runner was breaking tackles like Eric Dickerson when he was on the field, but Gurley is in no danger of losing his job or carries to Benny Cunningham. Gurley has 82 rushing attempts on the season, Cunningham has four. Look for Gurley to keep being a workhorse and eventually find enough room to become a good fantasy play every week again. Although, the odds of him ending the season as fantasy’s top back are getting larger.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Beckham Jr., a universal first-round fantasy pick after coming off his second straight superb season, had everything going for him coming into this season. He had Eli Manning as his quarterback, better receivers around him like the returning Victor Cruz and second-rounder Sterling Shepard, and new head coach Ben McAdoo prepared to force-feed him the ball.
Everything was lined up for Beckham Jr. to have 1,500-yard, 15-TD season and challenge Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown as not only the most valuable receiver in fantasy football but the best player overall to own in fantasy football. A funny thing happened on the way to the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame, though.
Beckham Jr. seems more interested in sideline slap fights and creating drama than finding ways to beat top cornerbacks and double teams and getting open. He has only managed 22 receptions for 303 yards and no touchdowns despite being targeted 39 times, which ties him for 10th in the NFL. Defenses are frustrating and berating him while No. 1 corners are shutting him down when one-on-one. Double-teaming defenders have not allowed Beckham Jr. to beat them with big plays.
Panic? Not as long as Manning is his quarterback and as long as Beckham Jr. doesn't get suspended. He is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL and racked up 2,755 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first two seasons. No player in the sport is more overdue for a humongous turnaround than he is. If you own Beckham Jr., hold onto him and enjoy the last dozen games.
