Here are hot topics and burning questions heading into the NFL’s Week 7.
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Is Josh Gordon a WR1 now?
This isn’t so much a burning question (the answer is obviously “YES!”) as it is a burning question in my spirit, which Gordon is both the cause of and solution to. His snap percent since joining the Patriots has spiked from 22% to 81%. Target share climbed from 6% to 26% during the same time. Those numbers, this talent, that quarterback…The hour is nigh, people. Flash Gordon is back. Enjoy the ride. And buy low if you can find someone who only saw 42 scoreless yards on Sunday, and not the solid fundamentals underneath.
Is Jordan Howard an RB2 now?
Howard’s snap rate spiraled downwards from 73% down to 51%, declining each and every week for the past four weeks. This happened despite his team’s offensive production improving all the while (coincidence?). Howard has declined from three-down workhorse to early-down, touchdown-dependent banger. I had thought his usage might be matchup dependent, but if HC Matt Nagy is not willing to run into the teeth of the Miami Dolphins defense, what matchup will bode well for Howard? The question may not be if Howard is an RB2 now, but rather, will he continue to decline and become nothing more than a flex?
Is Odell Beckham Jr. a bust?
Currently the WR19 overall in standard leagues, Beckham is failing to live up to expectations. It’s not necessarily his fault. Anyone with eyes not named Shurmur or Gettleman can see Beckham’s quarterback is shot. Plus, he was still being priced as a top-three WR, despite earning that reputation when he was the only receiver for Eli Manning to throw to.
Since 2016, the Giants have added Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Saquon Barkley. Beckham had an early, season-ending injury last year, so we didn’t get to see him with Shepard and Engram. But he was still being drafted as a top wideout despite the Giants adding yet another playmaker to take looks. Beckham’s schedule looks to open up for him moving forward, but you have to wonder if the volume and quality of targets will still be there for him to deliver a WR1 season. He’s in a great spot to get back on track this Monday night at the Atlanta “Free Fantasy Points for Everyone” Falcons.
Devontae Booker, now? Seriously?
Royce Freeman handled 37% of the Broncos’ snaps on Sunday, which somehow led running backs, but Booker re-inserted himself into the equation, handling 33% of snaps. Wonderboy UDFA Phillip Lindsay fell from grace, receiving only 30%. Freeman has unfortunately become droppable in 10-man leagues, and perhaps 12-man leagues as well if bye weeks or short benches call for it.
Can C.J. Beathard make the 49ers offense great again?
When Jimmy Garoppolo’s ACL tore apart, so too did the playoff hopes of the San Francisco 49ers. While their hopes of winning are still six feet under, their fantasy assets showed signs of life Monday night against Green Bay. Matt Breida had been banged up the whole year, but was able to play through all his injuries to find double-digit standard fantasy output for the fourth time in six games. He’s currently the RB13 overall in standard scoring leagues despite the injuries.
Marquise Goodwin has had nagging injuries as well, which he tried to play through, just not as successfully as Breida. After logging a full healthy week of practice, however, he broke out in a big way for two long scores. This defense can’t stop anyone, and Beathard isn’t afraid to air it out. This offense won’t be good enough to overcome the defense and win many real games, but it might just be good enough to sustain high-impact fantasy players moving forward. They’ll go up against the Los Angeles Rams’ top offense this week, making for a good spot to answer this question.
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Nick Zychowicz is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Nick, follow him @NJZychowicz
