X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

Disaster Recovery Week 14 - Studs Turned Duds

Welcome to Disaster Recovery, where each week I'll examine why your studs played like duds. This isn't a place to find out why you should have benched a player for somebody on your bench. Disaster Recovery is to examine the guys who you didn't think twice about benching, and deciding if you should be panicking at all about their value moving forward.

The players covered in this column will usually have to be in the RotoBaller top-10 at their respective positions, but it may vary depending on the status of the players each week.

Once again, we saw many players produce well in Week 14, so this weeks duds are light.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

Week 14 Duds

Jimmy Graham (TE, SEA) (#3 TE)

What Happened: Graham was held without a catch on just two targets in a loss to the Seahawks.

How Did It Happen: Jacksonville has defended tight ends fairly well this season, giving up just four touchdowns to tight ends this season and only one since their Week 8 bye. Russell Wilson relied heavily on his receivers, as Lockett, Baldwin, and Richardson all went for at least 70 yards. There wasn't much room for Graham to work.

Panic Meter: Low. Entering Sunday, Graham had scored nine touchdowns in his last eight games. He has established himself as a high-end TE1 even though he hasn't had over 60 yards since Week 4. The tight end position has been to much of a wasteland to even consider benching Graham during the playoffs. He'll be a TE1 once again even against the Rams.

 

Larry Fitzgerald (WR, AZ) (#9 WR)

What Happened: Fitzgerald caught five of seven targets for 44 yards in a low scoring win against the Titans on Sunday.

How Did It Happen: The Cardinals offense was a disaster. Fitzgerald actually led all Cardinal receivers in targets, receptions, and yards. He was also tied for the team lead in touchdowns with zero. The Titans defense came to play and didn't let Arizona get anything going offensively.

Panic Meter: Medium. Fitzgerald's game log with Gabbert at the helm in bizarre. In Gabbert's first and third games, Fitzgerald caught 19 of 20 total targets for 189 yards and two touchdowns. In his second and fourth games, Fitzgerald has caught eight of 15 targets for 56 yards. Points for Fitzgerald with Gabbert under center will be sporadic and a tough matchup against Washington next week may scare owners with other options away. Fitzgerald isn't a top 10 play by any means, but still a decent WR2 play even with Gabbert.

 

Brandin Cooks (WR, NE) (#5 WR)

What Happened: Cooks caught just one of his seven targets for 38 yards in a surprising loss to Miami.

How Did It Happen: Cooks would have went catch-less if not for a big play on the final drive of the night. Tom Brady struggled against the Dolphins pass defense, completing only 24 of 43 passes and relying heavily on running backs Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis for most of the passing downs. While many of us expected Cooks to flourish without Gronk in the lineup, it was the opposite, as the whole Patriots passing offense took a dip in Week 14.

Panic Meter: Medium. I'm not overly concerned here, but we have to proceed with caution considering Cooks actually improved on his Week 13 performance. Cooks has appeared in the duds quite a few times this season despite being an overall productive fantasy option. He has been the 12th best receiver in standard scoring and 15th in PPR. Cooks has by no means been a bust, but hasn't lived up to the hype that some may have expected when he was traded to New England.

The good news for Cooks owners is that he hasn't had a three-peat of true dud performances in his entire career. But Cooks has been a hot and cold fantasy option since coming into the league. It would be a bold move to bench Cooks even in a tough matchup against Pittsburgh, but sometimes the boldest moves are what win championships. I'd still hesitantly roll out Cooks in the fantasy semi-finals.

 

More Week 15 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nolan Jones1 hour ago

Remains Sidelined Thursday
Los Angeles Rams1 hour ago

Rams Trying To Move Into Top 10
Max Muncy1 hour ago

On The Bench Thursday
Drake Maye2 hours ago

Giants Trying To Trade Up For Drake Maye
Alex Vlasic2 hours ago

Inks Six-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Kyle Okposo2 hours ago

To Suit Up In Game 3
William Nylander2 hours ago

Reportedly Dealing With Migraine Issue
Framber Valdez2 hours ago

To Start Sunday
Brett Pesce2 hours ago

Tony DeAngelo To Replace Brett Pesce
Cal Raleigh2 hours ago

Back In The Lineup Thursday
J.P. Crawford2 hours ago

Heading To The Injured List
Sam Bennett2 hours ago

To Miss At Least A Week
Ceddanne Rafaela2 hours ago

The Team's Everyday Shortstop
Vaughn Grissom3 hours ago

Unlikely To Return This Weekend
Rafael Devers3 hours ago

Likely To Return To Third Base On Saturday
Corey Seager3 hours ago

Serving As Designated Hitter Against Seattle
Jonathan India3 hours ago

Back In Action Thursday
Bryce Harper3 hours ago

Back From Paternity List
Jack Eichel4 hours ago

Makes NHL History In Game 2 Win
Brad Marchand4 hours ago

Racks Up Three Points In Game 3 Victory
Leon Draisaitl5 hours ago

Posts Two Assists In Wednesday's Loss
Anze Kopitar5 hours ago

Completes Three-Point Night With Overtime Game-Winner
Mason Marchment5 hours ago

Exits With Injury Wednesday
Radek Faksa5 hours ago

Injured In Game 2
Trey Murphy5 hours ago

III Cools Off In Game 2
CJ McCollum5 hours ago

Blows Hot And Cold In Game 2
Brandon Ingram5 hours ago

Overcomes Cold Start In Game 2
Jonas Valanciunas5 hours ago

Leads Pelicans In Scoring Wednesday
Jalen Williams6 hours ago

Contributes In All Areas Wednesday
Chet Holmgren6 hours ago

Sets The Tone For Thunder In Game 2
Uros Medic6 hours ago

A Massive Favorite At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means6 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander6 hours ago

Leads Thunder To Victory
Austen Lane6 hours ago

Searching For First UFC Win
Jhonata Diniz6 hours ago

Making UFC Debut
Bogdan Guskov6 hours ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC Vegas 91
Ryan Spann6 hours ago

Looks To Snap Losing Skid At UFC Vegas 91
Garrett Whitlock14 hours ago

Still Not Cleared For Mound Work
Max Scherzer15 hours ago

Serves Up Two Homers In Rehab Start
John Means15 hours ago

Could Start Sunday
Alec Marsh15 hours ago

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Alec Marsh
Francisco Lindor15 hours ago

Comes Alive With Two Long Balls
Shohei Ohtani15 hours ago

Three Doubles For Shohei Ohtani
Mike Trout15 hours ago

Cracks MLB-High 10th Homer
Corey Seager16 hours ago

Removed From Game After Being Hit By Pitch
Naz Reid16 hours ago

Named Sixth Man Of The Year
Mitchell Robinson17 hours ago

Questionable For Game 3
Joel Embiid17 hours ago

Questionable For Game 3
DJ LeMahieu17 hours ago

To Be Shut Down For A Week
Zack Gelof17 hours ago

Likely Heading To Injured List
Bam Adebayo17 hours ago

Looks Good In Win Over Boston
Kristaps Porzingis17 hours ago

Struggles Offensively In Game 2
Jayson Tatum17 hours ago

Has A Decent Showing On Wednesday
Jaylen Brown18 hours ago

Leads The Way In Game 2
Tyler Herro18 hours ago

Gets It Done On Wednesday Night
Dallas Cowboys19 hours ago

Cowboys Pick Up Micah Parsons' Fifth-Year Option
Ezekiel Elliott19 hours ago

Cowboys Meeting With Ezekiel Elliott
Cincinnati Bengals20 hours ago

Trey Hendrickson Requests A Trade From Bengals
Nic Claxton21 hours ago

Nicolas Claxton The "No. 1 Priority" For Nets In Offseason
Grayson Allen21 hours ago

Not Ruled Out For Game 3
Nikola Jovic21 hours ago

Available For Game 2
Ryan Lomberg22 hours ago

Could Be Back For Game 3
Cam Talbot22 hours ago

Starts Game 2 For Kings
Logan Thompson22 hours ago

Heads Out For Another Win Wednesday
Jake Oettinger22 hours ago

Tries To Bounce Back Wednesday
Jani Hakanpaa22 hours ago

Remains Out On Wednesday
Tyler Myers22 hours ago

Battling The Flu
Michael Penix Jr.23 hours ago

Could Be Among Top-Four Quarterbacks Selected
Jared Goff23 hours ago

No New Deal “Imminent” For Jared Goff
J.J. McCarthy1 day ago

Broncos Interested In J.J. McCarthy
Detroit Lions1 day ago

Penei Sewell Becomes Highest-Paid Offensive Lineman
Justin Fields1 day ago

Steelers Not Expected To Pick Up Justin Fields' Fifth-Year Option
Rashod Bateman1 day ago

Ravens Sign Rashod Bateman To Contract Extension
Ja'Marr Chase1 day ago

Bengals Exercise Ja'Marr Chase's Fifth-Year Option
Amon-Ra St. Brown1 day ago

Lions Agree To Four-Year Extension With Amon-Ra St. Brown
Nicolas Hague1 day ago

Out For Vegas On Wednesday
James van Riemsdyk1 day ago

To Make Series Debut Wednesday
Sam Bennett1 day ago

To Miss Significant Time
William Nylander1 day ago

Looking Unlikely For Game 3
James Harden1 day ago

Settles For 22 Points In Game 2
Luka Doncic1 day ago

Leads All Scorers With 32 Points In Game 2
Damian Lillard1 day ago

Scores 34 Points In Losing Effort
Brandon Aiyuk2 days ago

Trade Remains "Very Much In Play"
Denver Broncos2 days ago

Broncos Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Patrick Surtain II
New England Patriots2 days ago

Patriots Haven't Received "Serious" Offers For No. 3 Pick
Kadarius Toney2 days ago

Still In Chiefs' Plans
Jake Browning2 days ago

Bengals Re-Sign Jake Browning
Brandon Aiyuk3 days ago

49ers Have Received Calls Regarding Brandon Aiyuk
Dak Prescott3 days ago

Not Trying To Be Highest-Paid Player
Zach Wilson3 days ago

Broncos Acquiring Zach Wilson From Jets
Tyler Reddick3 days ago

Survives At Talladega For First Win Of 2024
Brad Keselowski3 days ago

Finishes Second At Talladega After Last-Lap Wreck
Anthony Alfredo3 days ago

Gets Best Finish For Beard Motorsports Since 2022
Todd Gilliland3 days ago

One Of The Strongest At Talladega
NASCAR3 days ago

Bubba Wallace Finishes 36th At Talladega Superspeedway
Kyle Larson3 days ago

Fails To Deliver Value In DFS At Talladega
NASCAR3 days ago

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Finishes Fourth At Talladega
Noah Gragson3 days ago

Surprisingly The Most Consistent Driver At Talladega
Shane Van Gisbergen3 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Acquits Himself Nicely In Drafting Debut
Michael McDowell4 days ago

Ends Talladega Wrecked From The Lead
Alex Bowman4 days ago

Quietly Captures Top-Five Finish At Talladega
Daniel Hemric4 days ago

Surges To Ninth-Place Result At Talladega
Harrison Burton4 days ago

Squeezes Into Top 10 At Talladega
NASCAR4 days ago

Bubba Wallace Will Start 14th For the GEICO 500
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Avoid Rostering Tyler Reddick At Talladega?
John Hunter Nemechek4 days ago

Should DFS Players Roster John Hunter Nemechek At Talladega?
Joey Logano4 days ago

Expect Joey Logano To Compete For The Win At Talladega
Denny Hamlin4 days ago

Is Denny Hamlin Recommended For Talladega?
Justin Haley4 days ago

Is A Top DFS Value At Talladega
William Byron4 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win Talladega
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Is Best Suited As A Tournament Play At Talladega
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF