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 possibly 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: 1
Kelce’s struggles continued in Week 15 as he finished with just 28 yards and 7.8 PPR points. It’s no secret this has been a relatively disappointing season for Kelce. In fact, he hasn’t scored more than 16 PPR points since Week 7. Since then, he’s been outscored by TJ Hockenson, George Kittle, David Njoku, Trey McBride and Sam LaPorta. He’s averaging 14.6 PPG during this span, which is exceptional for any other fantasy tight end. However, for Kelce, that’s pretty subpar. The reason panic exists in any capacity is because his standard is extremely high. He remains locked in to lineups, but it’s fair to wonder if we’re seeing the beginning of the end to his reign as THE TE1.
Derrick Henry (RB – TEN) | Panic Meter: 2
Week 15 was catastrophic for Henry owners. Despite seeing 20 total touches, Henry managed just 10 yards and scored only 5.0 PPR points. He became the first person in NFL history to have 20 touches and produce less than 15 scrimmage yards. Yikes. It was particularly troubling to see this performance against the Houston Texans, a team Henry has been historically dominant against. It was the fifth time this season Henry finished with single-digit PPR points, and it simply could not have come at a worse time. Just when things were starting to look up (three consecutive top-11 finishes, six rushing touchdowns in the three games prior) we are once again faced with the reality that Henry’s reign as the rushing king is coming to an end. He remains a must-start but isn’t much more than a TD-dependent RB2 at this point.
Stefon Diggs (WR – BUF) | Panic Meter: 2.5
Diggs once again finished with a single-digit PPR performance (four catches, 48 yards, 8.8 points) in Week 15. At this point, it’s a major concern. He has had fewer than five catches for 50 yards, and 8.9 PPR points in four of his past five games. Panic is impossible not to acknowledge at this point as Diggs creeps closer to the bench each week. This late in the season, managers cannot afford another dud from their WR1. The only reason he isn’t on the bench already is due to an upcoming matchup with a generous Chargers secondary. If he flops in Week 16, he is officially not playable.
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC) | Panic Meter: 2.5
In Week 15, for the fourth time in his past five games Ekeler failed to score a touchdown, double-digit PPR points or finish as a top-30 running back. At this point, it’s hard to call it a slump. Managers are in full-on panic mode, and rightfully so. He is now in a full-blown committee with Isaiah Spiller (11 carries) and Joshua Kelley (five carries). Week 15 was the first time this season Ekeler played less than 50 percent of snaps.
It’s reasonable to assume we will see more of the same moving forward. At such a crucial time in the season, managers are right to weigh the risk of starting Ekeler, who has fallen from grace as the RB1 he is supposed to be. Panic has never been this high before. The only hope is that the Chargers coaching changes can reverse this trend. Even then, how willing are to stake your season on it?
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) | Panic Meter: 3
Where to begin? Mahomes’ 15.7 points in Week 15 isn’t anything out of the ordinary as of late. Since Week 7, Mahomes has just one game with 17+ points, and now has three in a row with less than 16. Since then, he is QB11 in total points and QB17 in PPG. Gardner Minshew, Jake Browning and Joe Flacco have all had a 20-point game more recently than Mahomes. In fact, he has just four games with 20+ points this season, and has accounted for more than two touchdowns in only two games. How could managers not be panicking? It’s incredibly difficult to sit a player of Mahomes caliber, but the truth is he is hurting managers more than he is helping them right now. It’s officially time to rip the band-aid off and evaluate streaming options.
Cut list | Panic Meter: 4
Keaton Mitchel (RB – PHI), Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA), Odell Beckham Jr. (WR – BAL), AJ Dillon (RB – PHI)
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