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Disaster Recovery Week 6 - 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 plenty of studs on byes in Week 6, the players listed here may have been extra disappointing for some owners.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Week 6 Duds

Michael Thomas (WR, NO) (#5 WR)

What Happened: Thomas was held to just 11 yards on three receptions in one of 2017's highest scoring games.

How Did It Happen: This was one of the strangest games in recent memories. In a game where the Saints scored 52 points, Drew Brees had less than 200 yards passing. The Saints rushing attack mustered up 193 yards and two touchdowns while the defense scored three themselves. The Saints have put up massive scoring outputs many times in the Drew Brees era, but I can't remember the last time they did it like this. Ted Ginn's 66 yards was the highest output by a Saints receiver on the day.

Panic Meter: LowThomas was settling into a nice pace in the previous three weeks, averaging 7 receptions for 88 yards and finding the end zone twice. While Thomas hasn't been quite as good as his ADP would make him out to be, he's still doing better than he was at this time last season. I'd expect him to return to the form he achieved in recent weeks moving forward. This game was bizarre.

 

CJ Anderson (RB, DEN) (#6 RB)

What Happened: Anderson was held to 17 yards on nine rushes and failed to catch a pass against the Giants on Sunday night.

How Did It Happen: In Week 6's second strangest game, the Giants dominated the Broncos in primetime without most of their offensive weapons. Denver had 46 rushing yards total on the day and was forced to throw the ball 54 times. Anderson didn't receive a single target and was out of the mix in the passing game. There wasn't any opportunities for him in this game.

Panic Meter: Medium. There isn't much to make of this weeks game, but I have concerns about Anderson. He's only scored in one game this season and has two games where he failed to reach 50 total yards. He isn't going to lose his job as the workhorse back on the ground, but the amount of action he receives in the passing game varies week to week. He hasn't seen more than four targets in a game this season. When you aren't able to find the end zone often, seeing some action in the passing game is critical for a back that isn't putting up insane yardage totals, especially in PPR leagues. Anderson is still a very valuable fantasy player and should be a fine play this season, but he's not must-start in all formats.

 

Travis Kelce (TE, KC) (#3 TE)

What Happened: Kelce had four receptions for 37 yards in a tough loss to the Steelers.

How Did It Happen: The Chiefs offense had their worst game of the season in their first loss. Their only touchdown came on a 57 yard catch by DeAnthony Thomas. Kareem Hunt only carried the ball nine times for 21 yards and neither Kelce nor Tyreek Hill crossed 40 yards. It was one of those games for the Chiefs.

Panic Meter: Medium. At the end of the third quarter, Kelce has one reception on three targets for -2 yards. There is an alternate reality where this game ended after three quarters and Kelce's combined total yards from weeks 3 and 6 was -1. Kelce saved himself with a few decent catches in the fourth quarter.

Due to the lack of anything offensively from the Chiefs this week, the panic meter stays at medium, as it was when I covered Kelce in this column three weeks ago. Kelce is a guy that will be an every week start for the rest of the season. He reminded us why with a total of 209 yards and a touchdown in the two weeks before this. But Kelce has three games this season with 40 yards or less and no touchdowns. Tight end is the weakest position in fantasy and no Kelce owner should be sifting through the wire to find a replacement. I'll ride or die with him for the rest of the way. I'm just not going to act like I won't be panicking that he'll appear in this column a few more times this season.

 

Julio Jones (WR, ATL) (#3 WR)

What Happened: Jones caught six passes for 72 yards and failed to find the end zone for the fifth consecutive week.

How Did It Happen: Jones actually led the Falcons in yards this week. In PPR leagues, he scored 13 points, which is passable.

Panic Meter: High. Do we really want to see "passable" performances from Julio Jones? Is this what we signed up for with a guy who was a consensus top five draft pick? The Falcons have serious offensive problems without Kyle Shanahan. According to Pro Football Focus, this was Matt Ryan's best performance of the season. He only passed for 248 yards and one touchdown. This is a completely different Falcons offense than last season.

Here's the tougher question: could this be a different Julio Jones as well? This is the lowest total receiving yards he's had through five games since 2012, and in 2o12 he had five touchdowns through five games. Anyone who has owned Jones in the past knows he's prone for a dud performance every now and then. Last season he opened the year with two games under 30 yards and without a touchdown in his first five games. The difference was he had a touchdown in the other three games and had 300 receiving yards in one of them. The Falcons started out 3-0, but their Super Bowl hangover has kicked in over the last two weeks. They look completely different on offense than they did last year. There are huge concerns regarding Jones moving forward.

The unfortunate truth is that if you own Julio Jones, you have to play him. He's way too talented and even this year has been producing somewhat decent. He just simply isn't going to be the elite WR1 you drafted him to be.

 

More Week 7 Lineup Prep




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Keegan Bradley

Looking to Rebound at Colonial
Tory Horton

Could Do Some Stuff "Toward the End of Spring"
Patrick Mahomes

Takes Part in First OTA Practice on Tuesday
Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James Jr. Becomes Highest-Paid Safety for the Second Time in his Career
Chris Brooks

Emerging as Top Handcuff to Stash?
MarShawn Lloyd

Sees Short-Term Value Soar
Jared McCain

Moves into Starting Five
Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year
Jalen Williams

is Ruled Out for Game 5 on Tuesday
Bucky Irving

is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Zion Williamson

to See More Versatile Role
Parker Washington

Jaguars Think Parker Washington Can Replicate Second-Half Production
Cleveland Cavaliers

Kenny Atkinson to Remain Cavaliers Head Coach Next Season
Josh Jacobs

Arrested on Five Charges, Booked Into Jail
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Josh Sweat

Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls on Josh Sweat
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Tetairoa McMillan

Working With the Training Staff on Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
Jerome Ford

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Drop Jerome Ford?
John Metchie III

Poised for Breakout Season with New Team in 2026?
Jalen Milroe

Is Jalen Milroe Still Worth Stashing in Dynasty Formats Entering 2026?
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Is Kyle Pitts Sr. a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Coming Off Breakout Season?
Nico Collins

Agrees to Contract Adjustment with Texans
Chris Brooks

Carries Buy-Low Dynasty Appeal into 2026
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
NFL

NFL Unlikely to Expand to 18 Regular-Season Games by 2027
Sahith Theegala

Searching For Swing at Charles Schwab Challenge
Lamar Jackson

in Attendance at OTAs This Week
Bucky Irving

Expected Back in the Summer or Fall
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
Jalen Tolbert

Does Jalen Tolbert Have Short-Term Dynasty Appeal?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Travis Etienne Jr.

Is Travis Etienne Jr. Still a Dynasty RB1 Following Change of Scenery?
Evan Mobley

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points
James Harden

Wants to Stay in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges

Cools Off in Game 4 Against Cavaliers
OG Anunoby

Active on Both Ends in Blowout Win
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads Knicks in Scoring During Series-Clincher
Jalen Brunson

Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Shayne Gostisbehere

Scores First Postseason Goal
Taylor Hall

Ends Four-Game Goal Drought
Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Game 3 Winner in Overtime
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder is Ruled Out for Game 4 on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Nets Could Trade Michael Porter Jr.
Ajay Mitchell

is Ruled Out for Game 5
Jalen Williams

is Tagged as Questionable for Game 5
Valeri Nichushkin

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4
Oliver Kapanen

Sitting as Healthy Scratch Monday
Max Domi

Out Indefinitely Due to Offseason Surgery Complications
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
Devon Toews

Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat
Brett Howden

Nets 10th Postseason Goal
Mitchell Marner

Delivers Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Mark Stone

Returns With Multi-Point Effort
Valeri Nichushkin

Exits Early Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon

Hurt in Game 3 Loss
Isaiah Hartenstein

Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
RANKINGS
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1B
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3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

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RB
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K
DEF