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


LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
Fantasy Updates
24x7 News and Alerts

Disaster Recovery Week 16 - 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.

With most teams playing in championship games in Week 16, the duds stung more than usual. Here are a few of the worst plays from Week 16 and how owners still playing into Week 17 should feel.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association including Baseball Writer of the Year, Football Writers of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year and many more! Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!

 

Week 16 Duds

DeVonta Freeman (RB, ATL) (#11 RB)

What Happened: Freeman ran 11 times for 36 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards in a loss to New Orleans.

How Did It Happen: The Saints made it a point to shut down the Falcons run game and succeeded. Since Atlanta found themselves playing from behind the entire game, there was no reason to force the run and only ran the ball 20 times on the day. Freeman only ran the ball twice in the final 23 minutes of the game.

Panic Meter: Low. Freeman came on strong over the last two games and likely was a big part of his owners making to the title game. This is a painful dud from Freeman in the most crucial point in the season, but I'm still plugging him into my Week 17 lineup. The Falcons will be fighting for their lives in Week 17, and they'll need all they can get from Freeman.

 

Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA) (#10 RB)

What Happened: Drake ran 13 times for 57 yards and failed to catch a pass in Miami's loss to the Chiefs.

How Did It Happen: Honestly, bad play-calling. Drake has been red hot in recent weeks and Jay Cutler hasn't been red hot in recent years. The Dolphins never found themselves in an insurmountable hole until very late in the game. So why did Jay Cutler throw the ball 38 times, and why did Drake only run 13 times when he was averaging 4.4 yards per rush? It was a puzzling game for Miami.

Panic Meter: Low. Drake tore up defenses in the three previous weeks, and still put up decent rushing numbers despite his lack of touches. Miami should feed him in Week 17 to assure themselves that he can be their feature back moving forward. He remains a solid play against the Bills in Week 17.

 

Adam Thielen (WR, MIN) (#6 WR)

What Happened: Thielen caught two of his six targets for just 24 yards in a win at Green Bay.

How Did It Happen: Thielen and Case Keenum failed to connect on his lone deep ball target. Minnesota got out to a quick 10-0 lead and played this game pretty conservatively. Keenum channeled his inner Fisherball and rekindled the magic of his 2016 season, going 14 for 25 with 139 yards and a touchdown. Thielen wasn't needed in this one.

Panic Meter: Medium. Amazingly enough, Minnesota still hasn't clinched a first round bye despite owning the tie-breaker with New Orleans and Los Angeles. Anyone who can look past Thielen's dreadful past two weeks shouldn't hesitate to play him as the Vikings still have something to play for.

 

Brandin Cooks (WR, NE) (#8 WR)

What Happened: Cooks caught just two of his five targets for 19 yards in a win over Buffalo.

How Did It Happen: It wasn't a huge passing day for Buffalo and Cooks fell victim of it. Dion Lewis carried the New England offense, running 24 times for 129 yards and catching all five of his targets for 24 yards. Lewis scored two touchdowns on the day and stole the thunder from the rest of the Patriots offense. Cooks wasn't needed in this victory.

Panic Meter: High. I've included Cooks in this column many this season, but he normally gets brushed off. But we can't brush off the fact that Cooks is averaging just two receptions for 34 yards over his last four games, and three have been complete duds. Cooks seemed solid for his ADP until recent weeks. He hasn't had a dominant game since Week 12. Given Cooks hasn't been a consistent option over the last four games, it is hard to trust him for a championship matchup in a game that isn't that important for New England.

 

More Week 17 Lineup Prep




LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
Fantasy Updates
24x7 News and Alerts

ROTOBALLER PLAYER NEWS

Connor McDavid9 mins ago

Hits 140 Points For The Season
Cale Makar23 mins ago

Helps To Set Up Two Goals
Marc-Andre Fleury28 mins ago

Returns To Form Monday
Matthew Boldy34 mins ago

Scores Another Hat Trick
Trevor Zegras41 mins ago

Suffers A Lower-Body Injury
Daniel Bard8 hours ago

Still Off Monday
Blake Sabol8 hours ago

Made "Fantastic Impression" This Spring
Anthony Rendon8 hours ago

On Fire This Spring
Tyler Anderson8 hours ago

Wraps Up Strong Spring Monday
Miguel Rojas8 hours ago

' Two-Strike Approach Leading To Success
Akil Baddoo8 hours ago

Optioned To Triple-A Toledo Monday
Zach McKinstry8 hours ago

Tigers Acquire Zach McKinstry Monday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander10 hours ago

Questionable Versus Charlotte
Ja Morant10 hours ago

Doubtful Versus Orlando
Terry Rozier10 hours ago

Out Again On Tuesday Evening
Gordon Hayward10 hours ago

Unlikely To Play Against OKC
Daniel Gafford10 hours ago

Dealing With A Sore Foot
Kyle Palmieri10 hours ago

Records Three Points Monday
Monte Morris10 hours ago

Uncertain For Tuesday Night
Kyle Kuzma10 hours ago

Remains Out Versus Boston
Triston McKenzie10 hours ago

Could Be Out Up To Eight Weeks
Gustav Forsling10 hours ago

Scores Twice Despite Florida Loss
Bradley Beal10 hours ago

Sidelined Again On Tuesday
Nico Hoerner10 hours ago

Cubs, Nico Hoerner Agree On Three-Year Extension
Brady Tkachuk11 hours ago

Logs Two Points In Ottawa Win
New England Patriots11 hours ago

Jerod Mayo To Be Bill Belichick's Successor?
Buffalo Bills11 hours ago

Taylor Rapp Signs One-Year Deal With Bills
Jarrett Stidham11 hours ago

Broncos Think Jarrett Stidham Has Starting Potential
Gardner Minshew11 hours ago

To Compete For Starting Job
Mac Jones11 hours ago

Not Guaranteed To Start In 2023
Samaje Perine11 hours ago

Could Fill In As Starter
Justin Herbert11 hours ago

Chargers Confident They'll Keep Justin Herbert Long Term
Joe Musgrove12 hours ago

Throws In B Game Monday
Michael Brantley12 hours ago

Timeline Moved Back
Jose Altuve12 hours ago

Could Go On 60-Day Injured List
Christopher Morel13 hours ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Ezekiel Elliott13 hours ago

Cowboys Open To Re-Signing Ezekiel Elliott
Rashod Bateman13 hours ago

Will Be Running In Three Weeks
Odell Beckham Jr.13 hours ago

Giants Open To Reunion With Odell Beckham Jr.
Saquon Barkley13 hours ago

Giants Hopeful Of Long-Term Extension With Saquon Barkley
Lamar Jackson13 hours ago

Commanders Won't Pursue Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson13 hours ago

Colts Pursuing Lamar Jackson?
Aaron Rodgers13 hours ago

No Timeline On Aaron Rodgers Trade
Jalen Hurts14 hours ago

Eagles Want To Get Extension Done With Jalen Hurts Soon
Fernando Tatis Jr.14 hours ago

Could Serve As Leadoff Man
Maxi Kleber14 hours ago

Questionable On Monday
Jrue Holiday14 hours ago

Ruled Out Monday
Logan O'Hoppe14 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Max Stassi14 hours ago

Jared Walsh, Max Stassi Opening On The Injured List
Marcus Morris14 hours ago

Sr. Sitting Out On Monday
Trevor May14 hours ago

Jeurys Familia, Dany Jimenez Options For Saves
Karl-Anthony Towns14 hours ago

To Sit Out On Monday
Triston McKenzie14 hours ago

Undergoes MRI Exam
Tyrese Haliburton14 hours ago

Won't Play On Monday
Myles Turner14 hours ago

Unavailable On Monday
Kyle Wright14 hours ago

Officially Placed On Injured List
Brice Turang14 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Chad Pinder15 hours ago

Signs Minor-League Deal With Nationals
Reilly Smith15 hours ago

Ruled Out For At Least Three Games
Erik Gudbranson15 hours ago

Won't Return This Season
Todd Gilliland15 hours ago

Impressive At COTA
Ville Husso15 hours ago

Could Be Done For The Season
Ty Gibbs15 hours ago

Finds His Footing At COTA
Robby Fabbri15 hours ago

Likely Finished For The Season
Detroit Lions15 hours ago

Calais Campbell To Meet With Lions
Troy Terry15 hours ago

Sits Out Monday's Game
Chris Buescher15 hours ago

Continues To Shine On Road Courses
Bryan Edwards15 hours ago

Joins Saints
Frank Vatrano15 hours ago

Returns To Ducks Lineup
NASCAR15 hours ago

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Finishes Seventh
DeAndre Hopkins15 hours ago

Deandre Hopkins Granted Permission To Seek Trade
Tage Thompson15 hours ago

A Game-Time Call For Monday
Brandon Aiyuk16 hours ago

49ers Planning To Exercise Brandon Aiyuk's Option
Brock Purdy16 hours ago

Viewed As Starter
Austin Cindric16 hours ago

Has A Solid Day
Lamar Jackson16 hours ago

Requests Trade
Jonas Johansson16 hours ago

Tends Twine Monday In Anaheim
Sergei Bobrovsky16 hours ago

In Goal Monday Against Ottawa
Ilya Sorokin17 hours ago

Starting Monday
John Gibson17 hours ago

Minds The Crease For Ducks Monday
Marc-Andre Fleury17 hours ago

Protects The Crease Versus Seattle
Buddy Hield17 hours ago

Listed As Out For Monday
Jake Allen17 hours ago

Between The Pipes Against Buffalo
Luka Doncic17 hours ago

Available On Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo17 hours ago

To Sit Out On Monday
De'Aaron Fox17 hours ago

Available On Monday
Joel Embiid18 hours ago

Won't Suit Up Versus Nuggets
James Harden18 hours ago

On Track To Play Monday
Marlon Vera20 hours ago

Has Four-Fight Winning Streak Snapped
Cory Sandhagen20 hours ago

Dominates Striking Department
Yana Santos20 hours ago

Dominated In Decision Loss
Holly Holm20 hours ago

Dominates In Co-Main Event
Austin Lingo20 hours ago

Suffers Submission Loss
Nate Landwehr20 hours ago

Shines With Second-Round Submission Win
Andrea Lee20 hours ago

Suffers Defeat In Close Matchup Saturday
Maycee Barber21 hours ago

Takes Close Matchup On Saturday
Chidi Njokuani21 hours ago

Takes Close Loss In Split-Decision Showing
Albert Duraev21 hours ago

Holds Off Opponent In Tight Split Decision
Mikal Bridges23 hours ago

Goes Off For 44 Points Sunday
William Byron24 hours ago

Rounds Out Top Five At COTA
Ross Chastain24 hours ago

Caught Up To Fourth At COTA On Sunday
Alex Bowman24 hours ago

Brings Home Third Place Finish At COTA
Kyle Busch1 day ago

Scrambles Up To Second At Austin
Tyler Reddick1 day ago

Dominates And Wins At COTA
Jordan Taylor3 days ago

Making NASCAR Debut At COTA, Will Start 4th
Austin Cindric3 days ago

Excited To Showcase Speed At COTA This Weekend
Austin Dillon3 days ago

Starts 28th At COTA For Sunday
Ricky Stenhouse Jr3 days ago

. In Middle Of Pack For COTA
Denny Hamlin3 days ago

Rough Patch In Qualifying On Saturday
Kyle Busch3 days ago

Starts Ninth For COTA Race On Sunday
Kyle Larson3 days ago

Could Be A Wildcard On Sunday
Noah Gragson3 days ago

Finds Way To Qualify 10th At COTA
Brad Keselowski3 days ago

A Few Seconds Off the COTA Pace
Ryan Blaney3 days ago

Begins 38th For Sunday's Race At COTA
Chase Briscoe3 days ago

Just A Little Off At COTA On Saturday
Cory Sandhagen4 days ago

Can Earn Back-To-Back Victories
Marlon Vera4 days ago

Finds Himself In Main-Event Spotlight Saturday
Yana Santos4 days ago

Looking For Biggest UFC Win Of Her Career
Holly Holm4 days ago

Seeking First Victory Since 2020
Austin Lingo4 days ago

On Verge Of Three-Fight Winning Streak
Nate Landwehr4 days ago

Hoping For Third Straight Strong Performance
Maycee Barber5 days ago

Can Continue Her Flyweight Ascent
Andrea Lee5 days ago

In Need Of Victory To Keep Momentum Going
MMA5 days ago

Manel Kape On The Hunt For Fourth Straight Victory Saturday
Alex Perez5 days ago

Seeking First Victory Since 2020
Albert Duraev5 days ago

Can Rebound With A Victory
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF