Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
Brace yourself and take cover.
Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines
Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
Following his four-passing touchdown performance in Week 5, Purdy is the QB5 on the year, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game. However, the former Iowa State star was the QB11 over the first four weeks, averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game, scoring 16.8 or fewer twice. Furthermore, the second-year quarterback had only five passing touchdowns over the first four games, totaling one or fewer twice, including in Week 4. Meanwhile, the Week 6 matchup is far from fantasy-friendly.
The Cleveland Browns had their bye in Week 5. However, the last time we saw them on the field, they surrendered 28.9 fantasy points to Lamar Jackson. Yet, the superstar quarterback had two rushing touchdowns in the game, something Purdy won’t do. Cleveland has given up only 8.2 fantasy points per game this year, removing Jackson’s rushing production. Furthermore, they surrendered fewer than 10.3 fantasy points to quarterback in every game this season that they didn’t face Jackson. Don’t let last week’s four-touchdown performance fool you.
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
Hall is coming off his best performance of the year, totaling 22 rushing attempts for 177 yards, a touchdown, and 26.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. However, he faced a Denver Broncos defense that has been awful at stopping the run. According to Fantasy Points Data, Denver surrendered the highest missed tackles forced per attempt (0.42) and explosive run rate allowed (9.5%) over the first four weeks. While Hall is off a pitch count and accounted for 75.9% of the team’s backfield rushing attempts and 50% of their targets in Week 4, the matchup this week is brutal.
Unfortunately, the second-year running back lost his best offensive lineman for the year, Alijah Vera-Tucker, to a torn Achilles last week. More importantly, the Philadelphia Eagles have shut down opposing running backs, holding them to only 10.5 fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL. They have given up fewer than seven fantasy points in 60% of their games. According to Fantasy Points Data, Philadelphia has the second-highest stuff run rate in the NFL (54.4%). Hopefully, the poor performance in Week 6 creates another buy-low window for Hall because his remaining schedule this season is fantasy-friendly.
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)
Things are ugly in the nation’s capital. The Commanders won their first two contest, and Robinson was the RB3, averaging 97.5 scrimmage yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 20.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, Washington is on a three-game losing streak, including two games where they got blown out. Over the past three weeks, Robinson has averaged only 10 rushing attempts for 41.7 yards and 8.5 fantasy points per game, finding the end zone only once. Thankfully, the Commanders shouldn’t get blown out in Week 6. Unfortunately, the matchup is far from ideal for the second-year running back.
After spending a ton of money in free agency, the Atlanta Falcons have played much better on defense this year than in 2022. They have given up only 19.2 points per game this season, the 10th-fewest in the NFL. More importantly, the Falcons have shut down opposing running backs, surrendering only 11 fantasy points per game, the third-fewest in the league. According to Fantasy Points Data, Atlanta has held their opponents to only 1.07 yards before contact per rushing attempt, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. Thankfully, things should turn around for Robinson in Week 7 with a matchup against the New York Giants.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.