X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Warning Signs: Zach Ertz, David Johnson, Mitch Trubisky

Dominick analyzes fantasy football busts from last week, players who were overvalued and underperformed including Zach Ertz, David Johnson, Mitch Trubisky.

Week 7 brought some new warnings our way. The Bears stink, or maybe just Mitch Trubisky. Todd Gurley still can’t get it going despite a dominant team performance. Finally, as has become a regular routine at this point, Will Fuller has another hamstring injury.

So, what do we really need to pay attention to going forward for the rest of the season? Well, that is where this article comes in to play. Let us again, take a look at some of those headlines you really need to pay attention to, and which ones are just clickbait.

Is there a quarterback controversy brewing for the Saints? Will Ryan Tannehill lead the Titans to the pinnacle of greatness? Or at least a playoff berth? You will just have to keep reading to find out for yourself. Ok, I will save you some suspense. Neither of these things are happening. But please keep reading anyway. Please.

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Mitch Trubisky Is In The Wrong System

We knew he was raw coming into the league. Yet, because of that word, he was still taken number two in the draft, ahead of players like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. The word I am speaking of is of course potential.

Potential or not, why would you take the second-best quarterback in his own college conference let alone the NFL draft at number two? Because it is the Bears, they panicked, and now they are paying the price. Trubisky does not fit into the Matt Nagy offense. He did not like him when he was in Kansas City. Yet, when he wanted the head job in Chicago, he fell in love. Funny how that works. Or in this case, it doesn’t work.

I am not saying Trubisky is a bad player. Everyone else has already said as much, as has a lot of his play since being drafted. He is not in the right offense, and his arm is not what the Bears had hoped it would be. Things have been made worse however by how slow his progression has been.

If you drafted Trubisky for fantasy hoping the Chicago offense was going to click this season then I am truly sorry. This is a defensive team, which is fine for some teams and some quarterbacks to succeed for fantasy still, but not the Bears. They have a lack of true weapons on their offense. Tarik Cohen has been phased into oblivion and David Montgomery is not getting the usage he needs. The offensive line, once a strength is now becoming a hindrance. Things do not look to be getting better anytime soon. Green Bay and Minnesota are seemingly back as forces to be reckoned with, and even Detroit is a pesky team in 2019.

If you have Trubisky? Drop him and chase after another quarterback. One whose ceiling is higher than his floor.

 

David Johnson Dealing With Injury... and Chase Edmonds

The air raid offense is going to be awesome for David Johnson, and in a way, it already has been. Before disappointing everyone this weekend, Johnson was the RB5 on the season. But with his back ailing him, more work will continue to be filtered to Chase Edmonds. The committee back approach may work for some teams - but with both of these players having the same skill set, they will eat into the other for the remainder of the season.

Edmonds looks better right now in all honesty. He has been more explosive, with three touchdown runs, all over 20 yards, the Cardinals will not rush Johnson back from his injury if Edmonds is playing well. This means a top-five running back in the first half of the season could easily become barely a top-20 back by season's end.

If you have Johnson, you are not dropping him. This would be a big over-reaction. But you had better own Edmonds as well. Otherwise, pain might be the word of the day for your team going forward.

 

Zach Ertz Is Seeing Less Volume

While Ertz may still finish as a top-five tight end this season, it is likely to still be a disappointing year. This is not only due to the lackluster season by the Eagles offense, but also because of the unrealistic expectations many put on him based on last season.

Before last season, Zach Ertz was never a high touchdown guy. After scoring eight last season on his 156 targets, people said the same was coming again. But why? His 156 targets were a record for a tight end - records are not broken every year. So, regression had to come or at least be somewhat expected. Yet we are still upset when it happened.

But this season is not just regression. There is also another reason to worry. That reason is Dallas Goedert, the other tight end in Philly. He has garnered more and more snaps as the season has progressed. In his last three games, he has been on the field for over 70% of the offensive snaps - he is also being used. In the ugly game on Sunday, Goedert was the only player for Philadelphia to score a touchdown. This was despite a costly fumble earlier in the game.

In seven games in 2019, Ertz has 35 receptions for 404 yards and one touchdown on 59 targets. This means not only are his touchdown numbers way down, but he is on pace for 30 less targets as well. These are not good signs for him or the Eagles. He still has the name and there should be some trade value for him. If you can sell his name for an RB or WR2, this could make your team a lot stronger moving towards playoff time. So, look into it. You would be a lot happier.

 

The Atlanta Conundrum

Julio Jones: Is he still a top-three NFL wide receiver? Yes. But with the trash surrounding him in Atlanta this season, it has taken a toll on Jones. He should continue to give you serviceable weeks regardless of who the QB is, but week-winning games are perhaps unlikely. And with the draft capital you likely spent on him, this is looking like a fantasy disappointment. But hey, at least he got paid.

Matt Ryan has been a solid performer this season at the quarterback position. Before putting up just three fantasy points this weekend, he was the number one overall. If the rumor is true, and he is injured, it falls to another Matt to bring relevance to the offense. However, the other Matt is Matt Schaub. Not exactly the same is it?

Austin Hooper has had a breakout season in Atlanta. As the TE3 thus far, he is finally producing what we had hoped last season. But he is the only person living up to his billing in 2019, and things might be looking bleak if Ryan is out an extended period of time.

More Weekly Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann Remaining in Charlotte
Josh Naylor

Scratched From Tuesday's Lineup Against Giants
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
San Francisco Giants

Giants Exercise Bob Melvin's 2026 Option
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Josh Naylor

Back in Action on Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Suffers Setback
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
ANA

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
NJ

Jake Allen Signs Five-Year Extension With Devils
VAN

Brock Boeser Remains in Vancouver on Seven-Year Deal
Conor Garland

Signs New Six-Year Deal with Canucks
Thatcher Demko

Signs Three-Year Extension with Canucks
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Capitals
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
MLB

Tigers-Nationals Postponed on Tuesday
Zach Neto

Returns to Tuesday's Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
MLB

Padres-Phillies Postponed on Tuesday
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Hunter Goodman

Back Behind the Dish on Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Jason Day

is a Fine Play With Limited Upside at John Deere Classic
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Luke Clanton

Looks to Have Another Strong Week at TPC Deere Run
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Bo Bichette

Out Again on Tuesday
Trent Grisham

Likely Heading to Injured List
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
Royce Lewis

Twins Activate Royce Lewis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Signs Massive Extension With Oklahoma City
Corbin Carroll

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
New York Knicks

Knicks Pick Up Guerschon Yabusele
Yordan Alvarez

Could Return Early Next Week
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner Leaves Indiana, Signs With Milwaukee
Kerry Carpenter

Shelved with Hamstring Issue
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Waived By Milwaukee
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
New York Knicks

Jordan Clarkson Expected to Sign With Knicks
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF