As fantasy managers, we often face difficult decisions. To sit, or not to sit? In an age where data is coming at us more frequently than ever, it’s easy for information to become over-saturated or lost in translation. This article series will be here each week to help you filter through the jungle of statistics so you can make more educated lineup decisions. Welcome to the “Panic Meter.”
Each week, we’ll feature several underperforming players with an assigned grade corresponding to the appropriate level of panic for the respective player/performance. Below is a scale with grades between 0 and 4, as well as a strategy that correlates to the specific grade.
- Week 8 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice
- Erickson’s Week 7 Rapid Reactions & Top Performers
- Fantasy Football Heat Index
- Fantasy Football Week 7 Takeaways: Surprises & Disappointments
- Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings: Week 8
| PANIC METER GRADE | STRATEGY/PLAN OF ACTION |
| 0 | This past week was not ideal, but it can be chalked up as an anomaly. Don’t even think about benching them. |
| 1 | Panic is setting in. The leash becomes shorter but said player is still in consideration as a starter. Make sure a plan B is in place. |
| 2 | Officially panicked, exploring trade options, and possibly benching for a more proven/reliable option. |
| 3 | Fire sale. Get rid of them for whatever you can before it’s too late. They can no longer be trusted as a starter. A borderline drop-candidate. |
| 4 | Sever all ties. Smash the drop button so hard that man ends up in the shadow realm. |
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL) | Panic Meter: 0
In a surprising turn of events, Mark Andrews failed to register one point this past week. Despite averaging 9.5 targets per game in the six weeks prior, Andrews saw just two targets in Week 7. He finished without a catch for the first time since week 14 of the 2018 season. When you consider the way Andrews has played this season, this performance can’t be considered anything other than an abnormality. Andrews’ low-output game caught many managers off guard, but it should not merit any true panic just yet. Expect Andrews to bounce back. If he doesn’t, he’ll find himself back on this list next week.
Aaron Jones (RB – GB) | Panic Meter: 2
After a big game, panic is receding for Aaron Jones. Some might see this as an opportunity to trust him further. Others might capitalize on this opportunity to sell high on him as an RB1. I would be the latter. Don’t let this performance distract you from the fact Jones has been more miss than hit this season, or from the fact the Packers offense is still a dumpster fire. Week 7 was the first time in the last five weeks Jones scored 15+ PPR points. It was also the second week in a row where he got less than 10 carries. There is a good example of what Jones is capable of fresh in everyone’s mind. As a result, a trade window has opened. Use it wisely.
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) | Panic Meter: 2
Three out of Justin Herbert’s last five games have resulted in 14.4 points or less. Only one of those games has resulted in 20+ points. Since Week 2, he is averaging 15.3 PPG, good enough for QB14 during that span. He’s not scoring QB1 points. He likely just lost Mike Williams for a while, and Keenan Allen wasn’t exactly explosive in his return to action (two catches, 11 yards). There’s plenty to be panicked about when it comes to Herbert. You can’t drop him, and there’s no point selling low because you’re not going to find a replacement with more weekly upside. You can only hold and pray. If anything, it might be a good idea for QB-needy teams to target Herbert. Panic may never reach these heights for him again.
Tom Brady (QB – TB) | Panic Meter: 3
One. That is the number of NFL QBs in history with seven Super Bowl wins. It is also the number of games Tom Brady has with 20+ points or multiple TD passes this season. Through seven weeks the Buccaneers are the eighth-lowest scoring offense in the league and Brady is averaging 15.1 PPG, QB22 on a PPG basis. Fantasy managers everywhere are panicking, and rightfully so. He has less than 15 points in five of his seven games this season. After flopping in back-to-back positive matchups, is there any real room for optimism? It’s unlikely there’s a better option on the waiver wire, but any QB with a decent matchup is worth consideration at this point.
Brandin Cooks (WR – HOU) | Panic Meter: 3
After another forgettable performance in Week 7, the elephant in the room can no longer be ignored. It’s time to panic about Brandin Cooks. Since Week 2, he has just one game with double-digit PPR points, is averaging a measly 39.8 yards per game and has seen his targets decrease each week. Cooks is trending in the wrong direction and is difficult to trust even as a flex at the moment. You can either wait to see if he figures it out, or you can try to sell him for a half-decent flex. He narrowly avoids the cut list for now.
James Robinson (RB – JAX) | Panic Meter: 3
Travis Etienne was finally handed the keys to the backfield in Week 7 (15 touches, 119 yards and one TD). As a result, Robinson was left without a single touch. His current value is at rock bottom, while panic is sky-high. Robinson has been downgraded from a risky flex to nothing more than a handcuff. Unless you plan on trading him to the Etienne manager in your league (or you are the Etienne manager in your league), Robinson is droppable.
Cut list | Panic Meter: 4 | Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL), Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ), Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR), J.K. Dobbins (RB – BAL), Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)
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