Warning Signals for RB/WR/TE - Week 9

October 31, 2018

Martin Konstantinov examines skill position players who have been busts or overvalued in 2018 heading into Week 9. These RB, WR, or TE could be cuts, drops or trade candidates in fantasy football leagues.

Every year, certain players are highly drafted in drafts by fantasy owners due to the belief that they will vastly outperform expectations throughout the season. Oftentimes, these players carry a significant amount of hype due to breakout potential, elite status, or lack of alternative options on their teams.

However, with every player that does meet the threshold for good performance, there seem to be several similar players that fail to live up to the lofty expectations placed on them by fantasy owners. Whether the players are drafted at the beginning, middle, or end of drafts, not living up to the draft capital spent on them is one of the weekly dilemmas for fantasy owners.

Because fantasy owners tend to hold on to players that they believe in for too long, it is important to recognize warning signals from players early on so that the players can be removed from lineups and the damage of their poor performances can be mitigated. Let's take a look at some players at each of the skill positions who have shown some worrying signs this week. Fantasy owners should proceed with caution with the following players.

Players With Warning Signals

Isaiah Crowell (RB, NYJ)

Isaiah Crowell had a very good start to the season in 2018, with five touchdowns in his first five weeks. Additionally, Crowell went off for 219 rushing yards in Week 5 following a dud of a performance in the prior week. However, in the past few weeks, Crowell has received less and less work and yardage in the last three weeks, culminating in a poor performance in Week 8 which saw the veteran running back amass 38 total yards in a loss to the Chicago Bears. Although Crowell has a relatively easy schedule going into the bye, the Jets have failed to have a successful game in between the trenches in recent weeks. Crowell is still the team's top rusher and will get the bulk of the opportunities going forward, but if he keeps on performing like he has in recent weeks, the Jets running back is not worth keeping around outside of deeper leagues.

Corey Clement (RB, PHI)

Following the injury to Jay Ajayi, it was assumed that running back Corey Clement would take over the lead-back duties for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, fellow running back Wendell Smallwood has been the leading rusher for the last few weeks, moving firmly ahead of Clement in the team's depth chart. Additionally, undrafted rookie running back Josh Adams has taken significant snaps over the past few weeks, further mitigating any potential pathway for Clement to emerge as the clear workhorse back for the Eagles. Although he may be the most talented running back on the team's roster, the fact that the Eagles brass is actively looking to trade for a running back does not bode well for Clement's future fantasy prospects.

Kenny Golladay (WR, DET)

Kenny Golladay had a fantastic start to the season with the Lions, logging double-digit PPR points through the first five weeks of the 2018 season. The second-year wideout had at least 74 yards or a touchdown in each game, making him one of the most consistent wide receivers and a likely candidate to replace fellow Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. on the team's depth chart. However, since the team's bye week, Jones has dominated the wide receiver target share, leaving Golladay with two sub-par performances in the last two weeks. Golladay has 49 yards through the past few weeks and will hope to rebound over the coming fixtures - however, it looks like the young wide receiver is no longer the reliable WR2 that he was before the team's bye week.

Demaryius Thomas (WR, HOU)

Demaryius Thomas has been a staple in the Broncos offense since entering the league, with five Pro-Bowls to his name and several standout fantasy seasons. However, following the departure of quarterback Peyton Manning, Demaryius was no longer an elite WR1 but instead a reception-dependent 1,000-yard receiver with low touchdown upside. That trend has continued into 2018, as Thomas has only recorded one 100 yard game and three touchdowns on the year. With the rise of rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton and resurgence of Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas has been traded to the Houston Texans who are looking to replace the production of recently-injured receiver Will Fuller. Unless he is able to turn around his production playing for the Texans, Thomas does not have a high enough ceiling to warrant weekly consideration outside of deeper leagues.

Eric Ebron (TE, IND)

Eric Ebron has been a touchdown machine in 2018, with seven touchdowns on the year so far. Granted, all but one have come with tight end Jack Doyle in the lineup, but now that Doyle has returned to the team it is expected that Ebron will take a secondary role in the tight end depth chart going forward. Ebron has been a fantastic option at the tight end position so far this season, but it may be the end of the line for the former Lions tight end. Ebron should still be considered a decent option going forward, but exercise caution with the veteran tight end because there are other options at his position on the Colts right now. Ebron is a touchdown-dependent TE with upside going forward, but has a lower floor than most fantasy owners would expect given his production so far this season.

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