Fantasy Football Q&A Mailbag - Week 13

Week 12 of the 2018 NFL Season is in the books, and here is a quick fantasy recap to keep you up to date. A couple of rookies in Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield cracked the top five at the quarterback position, which was headline by Deshaun Watson's 29.4 points. Christian McCaffrey exploded for 46.7 fantasy points and is proving to not only being worthy of a top 10 selection this year, but he's making a case for next year as well. Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb were next in line as they kept the strong rookie performances going in Week 12.

Amari Cooper enjoyed his best outing as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and led all wide receivers with 38 fantasy points. It will be interesting to see if he can keep that momentum going against the Saints on Thursday night. To no one's surprise, Zach Ertz led the way at tight end with 22.1 fantasy points. He was followed closely by Eric Ebron, who now becomes a top five fantasy option at the tight end position with Jack Doyle done for the season.

With Week 13 quickly approaching, it's time to dig into the RotoBaller Mailbag. I will be answering several of the best questions from Twitter each and every week. Thanks to everyone who sent theirs in for this edition!

Week 13 Reader Q&A

Before we get to the questions, here is a quick look at all of the upcoming games, as well as the current Vegas spreads and point totals:

• New Orleans (-7.0) at Dallas - Total: 51.5
• Baltimore at Atlanta (-1.5) - Total: 48.0
  
• Denver (-5.0) at Cincinnati - Total: 45.0
  
• LA Rams (-10.0) at Detroit - Total: 55.0
  
• Arizona at Green Bay (-14.0) - Total: 44.5
  
• Cleveland at Houston (-6.0) - Total: 47.0
  
• Indianapolis (-4.0) at Jacksonville - Total: 47.0
  
• Buffalo at Miami (-4.0) - Total: 40.0
• Chicago (-4.0) at NY Giants - Total: 44.5
  
• Carolina (-3.5) at Tampa Bay  - Total: 54.5
  
• Kansas City (-15.0) at Oakland - Total: 55.5
  
• NY Jets at Tennessee (-8.0) - Total: 40.5
  
• Minnesota at New England (-5.5) - Total: 49.5
  
• San Francisco at Seattle (-10.0) - Total: 46.0
• LA Chargers at Pittsburgh (-3.5) - Total: 51.5
• Washington at Philadelphia (-6.0) - Total: 45.0

What to think about Golden Tate with the Eagles? I am on the verge of dropping him in my standard league. I dont see him being able to contribute (at least in fantasy). Your thoughts?

— Steffi (@birdgang_steffi) November 29, 2018

Mike's Take:

I'm always a bit nervous when a wide receiver gets dealt to a new team mid-season. Amari Cooper seems to be an exception, but it usually takes some time to learn the playbook and develop chemistry with the quarterback. Not only is Tate still adapting with his new team, but he is also far behind Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery if we were to rank Philadelphia's top receiving options. Therefore, yes, his upside is limited and he may not make a significant fantasy impact this season. Having said that, the talent is clearly there and on a positive note, Tate has nine receptions over the past two games. Certainly temper expectations, but I think you will be hard pressed finding a player on waivers that is considered an upgrade over Tate, unless you are in a 10-person league.

@RotoBaller Who to flex in a must win, full point PPR: DJ, McCoy, Boyd?

— Nick Abel (@NickAbel5) November 29, 2018

Mike's Take:

DJ is averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game compared to LeSean McCoy's 9.9. McCoy does have the better matchup facing the 28th ranked Miami run defense, but keep in mind that he has only rushed for over 100 yards or scored a touchdown in just a single game this season. Tyler Boyd has been a pleasant surprise this season as he has emerged into a weekly fantasy starter. However, the loss of Andy Dalton and return of A.J. Green makes Boyd a less attractive play for this week's matchup against the Broncos. Don't overthink this one, DJ is the clear-cut play in this scenario.

@RotoBaller Watson or Winston this week?

— Ryan (@daabearsrtc) November 29, 2018

Mike's Take:

This is a pretty close call. Winston at home versus the 27th ranked Carolina pass defense is certainly tempting, especially when you consider Winston's gun-slinging approach and the lack of a run game in Tampa Bay. The thing that worries me most about Winston is his inconsistency and the fact that he has thrown 11 interceptions in six games this season. It's not the negative points that I am concerned with, but more so the possibility of being benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick. Deshaun Watson is a far safer play this week and has the higher floor and upside because of his supreme rushing ability. Watson's 19.7 FPPG is good enough to consider him a low-end QB1 on the season.

Should I be concerned about James White this weekend? Or do I risk it with Jordan Howard?

— Adrian Martinez (@game6741) November 29, 2018

Mike's Take:

There is some reason to be mildly concerned with James White this week. He has failed to score double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back weeks, Rex Burkhead has been activated, and his matchup against Buffalo doesn't appear to play into his strength as a receiver out of the backfield. This could be a game where New England jumps ahead early and utilize Sony Michel as their thumper while playing with the lead. Despite all that, I can't think of any scenario where I would sit White for Howard this season. Howard has nearly no value as a receiver out of the backfield, he plays second-fiddle to Tarik Cohen, and has been held to fewer than 10 fantasy points on six occasions this year. Start White over Howard in every remaining week this season unless Cohen is forced to miss action.

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