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 and a strategy that correlates to the specific grade.
| PANIC METER GRADE | STRATEGY/PLAN OF ACTION |
| 0 | This past week was not ideal, but it can be chalked up as an anomaly. Panic is not necessary. |
| 1 | Panic is creeping up. It’s not time to sound the alarm yet, but it is something to be aware of. Said player should still be considered a starter but is now under surveillance. |
| 2 | Officially panicked, taking things week by week, considering a Plan B, exploring trade options or benching for a more reliable option. |
| 3 | Fire sale. Actively seeking a trade while the player in question still has value. They are no longer a trustworthy starter. In some cases, a borderline drop-candidate. |
| 4 | Sever all ties. Smash the drop button so hard that the man ends up in the shadow realm. |
Fantasy Football Panic Meter
Davante Adams (WR – LV) | Panic Meter: 0
Davante Adams saw just four targets and finished with 8.5 PPR points in Week 5. This was highly uncharacteristic, considering Adams averaged 12.5 targets and 22.7 PPR points per game in Weeks 1-4. This was nothing but a blip on the radar for the stud WR1. Expect him to get back on track in Week 6.
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND) | Panic Meter: 1
Jonathan Taylor was finally back to action in Week 5. However, he was not back to form. He played on just 15 percent of snaps and saw just seven touches. Meanwhile, Zack Moss looked like the second coming of Adrian Peterson (195 total yards, two TDs). Taylor taking time to adjust is to be expected. Panic comes into play when considering how much of a role Moss has earned in the offense after racking up 517 scrimmage yards and four TDs in just four games as a starter. Taylor just got paid, so logic would suggest he will be integrated more in the coming weeks. For now, panic is low, but Moss pushing for extra touches could complicate things.
CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL) | Panic Meter: 2
After CeeDee Lamb delivered an 8.9-point stinker in Week 5, the elephant in the room can no longer be ignored. He has now finished with less than 12 PPR points in three of five games this season. He has finished just one game better than WR24 this season. For a player like Lamb, who was widely drafted as a high-end WR1 (and has not produced as such), panic is definitely setting in. The desire to trade him is understandable, but expecting WR1 value now would be a tough ask. The best strategy would be to wait for a blowup game and capitalize on the name value to make a deal. Until then, managers will have to ride the rollercoaster.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA) | Panic Meter: 2
It’s safe to say Jaylen Waddle has been disappointing this season. He has displayed a steady floor (11+ PPR points in three of four games), but as of late, his upside is nowhere to be found. He has yet to score over 15 PPR points or finish as a top-19 WR on any game this season. He has just one game with over six targets and zero games with over five catches. What is particularly concerning is the fact that Miami has been throwing the ball in every game. Despite catching his first TD in Week 5, Waddle finished with just 35 yards, his lowest yardage game of the season. Panic is more than fair at this point. What was once a high-end WR2 is currently nothing more than a flex.
James Conner (RB – ARI) | Panic Meter: 3
After three respectable weeks to begin the season, James Conner has now delivered back-to-back duds. In all fairness, Conner exited his Week 5 matchup early with an apparent knee injury. The severity of the injury has yet to be determined, but it’s likely he misses time. This is nothing new for the oft-injured Conner, who has never played a full season. Panic is abundant, considering the uncertainty surrounding his injury. It doesn’t seem to be season-ending, but they also haven’t ruled out him missing a month. Until more information becomes available, panic is all we can do.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE) | Panic Meter: 3
Things went from bad to worse for Rhamondre Stevenson’s fantasy managers in Week 5, as he finished with his lowest fantasy score (2.4 PPR points) since Week 5 of 2021. He has now failed to score 7.5 PPR points in three straight games. Since Week 2, Stevenson has finished each week worse than the last when it comes to fantasy points, touches and snaps. His strength has always been his receiving usage, and yet he has just one game this season with over three receptions or 10 receiving yards. If you expected anything besides low-end flex production from Stevenson, panic should be through the roof.
Cut List | Panic Meter 4
Dak Prescott, Tyler Higbee, Jahan Dotson, Kenneth Gainwell
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