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
Travis Kelce (TE – KC) | Panic Meter: 0
Kelce mustered just 14 yards in week nine. It was his lowest yardage total in a game since week one of 2018. On the heels of a disappointing 11.8-point performance the week before, it’s fair to have an eyebrow raised. However, it’s safe to say this one was nothing more than an uncharacteristic performance. Kelce has finished as a top-8 TE in every game this season but his most recent two. Panic should not exist. He remains the premier option at the position.
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA) | Panic Meter: 1
Walker accumulated just 17 total yards and scored a season-low 2.7 PPR points in week nine. It marks the second week in a row Walker scored single-digit PPR points and seen less than 10 carries. Panic is understandable in moderation, but careful not to overreact. Walker has double-digit PPR points, and at least 16 touches in all but his two most recent games this season. This week’s dud can mostly be attributed to circumstance as the Ravens steamrolled the Seahawks skewing game-script out of Walker’s favor. Panic is minimal unless this recent trend continues.
DJ Moore (WR – CHI) | Panic Meter: 2
In week nine, Moore continued his recent slew of dissapointing performances, finishing with just three catches for 44 yards and a measly 5.4 PPR points. He now has four consecutive games with less than 56 yards and 13.5 PPR points. In week five, Moore had 230 yards and 49 PPR points. In the four games since, he has a combined 204 yards and 38.3 PPR points (avg: 51 YPG/9.6 PPG).
The panic alarm should be screaming, but with the return of Justin Fields on the horizon there is slight room for optimism. Moore remains at a ‘2’ on the panic scale assuming the worst is behind us. However, one more week of this lackluster production and it’s time to have a difficult conversation…
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL) | Panic Meter: 2.5
Week nine was the fourth time in his last five games Pollard finished with single-digit PPR points. It was also the fourth time in this span he finished outside the top-25 RBs. Since week three, Pollard has averaged just 11.6 carries and 42 rushing yards per game. He hasn’t scored a TD since week one. The list of negatives goes on for Pollard.
Panic is through the roof. At this point, it’s hard to justify starting him as anything other than an upside flex. He makes for an interesting buy-low as the Cowboys have the tenth-easiest remaining schedule for RBs. As for his current managers, unless you are truly desperate Pollard belongs on the bench.
Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL) | Panic Meter: 3
Robinson deflated managers once again in week nine with a 5.9-point dud in a high-scoring competitive game. Despite an abundance of talent, Robinson’s opportunity to capitalize on that talent remains minimal. He has just one goal-to-go carry this season. The last time he saw 15 carries was week two. He began the season with at least four receptions in five of his first six games. In the three games since, he has just two receptions.
He finished as a top-11 RB in three of his first four games. He has finished as RB18 or worse in six of his last seven. The problem lies with his usage. Judging based off Arthur Smith’s demeanor that doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon. Panic is about all managers can do right now. Unless he can manage a breakout performance in week 10, he is nothing more than a low-to-mid tier flex ROS.
Cut list | Panic Meter: 4
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