Welcome to the Panic Meter
If you’re new here, we feature several players each week and assign them a grade corresponding to the appropriate level of panic that should be associated with them.
Below is a scale with grades between 0 and 4 and a broad strategy correlating to that specific grade.
Let’s get into this week’s breakdown.
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Fantasy Football Panic Meter
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. |
Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR) | Panic Meter: 0
Of all the stars coming through clutch in the first week of the fantasy playoffs, none shined brighter (sarcasm) than Cooper Kupp. Jokes aside, it was the first time since Week 10 of 2019 that Kupp was held without a catch. How conveniently timed.
This should be viewed as nothing more than an anomaly. Before this week, Kupp was averaging a healthy 18.4 fantasy points per game (PPG). If you survived his Week 15 disaster, lock him for week two of the playoffs.
Brock Bowers (TE – LV) | Panic Meter: 1.5
In Week 15, Brock Bowers flopped with just 6.5 PPR points. Not to smash the panic button or anything, but that means he’s scored single digits in three of his last four games. That’s concerning, but Bowers has shown too much this season to bench him now.
Besides, it would be difficult to find anyone on the waiver wire who’s likely to catch more than two passes per game. Is panic present? Yes. Is there anything to do other than maintain the current course? No.
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL) | Panic Meter: 2
Derrick Henry picked a terrible week to deliver a season-low 6.7 PPR points. With minimal receiving usage, he depends on touchdowns for production. Yet, he hasn’t scored in his last three games. His recent play has officially become a concern. The truth is, Henry hasn’t cracked 15 PPR points since Week 9. So the term recent is being used loosely here.
In the next three weeks, Henry plays Cleveland (Week 18) and Pittsburgh (Week 16), both teams that already held him below 15 points this season. How could you not panic? Truth is, you don’t have many options. You need to start him and hope for the best, but when it comes to Henry, hope has been in short supply lately.
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) | Panic Meter: 2
Breece Hall delivered a modest 13.1 PPR points in Week 15. That may not seem like an issue on the surface, but without a late touchdown to bail him out, we would be having a much more serious conversation. Beware: Panic is still on the rise. In Hall’s last six games, he’s eclipsed 13.2 PPR points just once. He’s had fewer than 13 touches in each of his last two games.
On top of all that, he is dealing with an apparent knee injury. Regardless, unless you have an abundance of depth, you’re still playing him. Just know that despite managing a serviceable game in Week 15, Hall is trending down. Start Hall in your Flex spot when making fantasy start sit decisions and don’t be afraid to explore your options.
Kyler Murray (QB – ARI) | Panic Meter: 3
Kyler Murray flopped in Week 15 with 10.06 fantasy points. This shouldn’t come as a surprise for his managers considering he’s scored fewer than 20 points four weeks in a row. He’s averaging a pedestrian 13.3 PPG during this span. Can you even call it panic at this point? More like: You should know better.
Yes, his upside is exciting. But at this point in the season, is it worth the risk? The truth is, Murray has scored fewer than 16 points in nine out of 15 games this season. If you’ve made it this far, Murray probably had nothing to do with it. He is a desperate streamer, at best.
Cut List | Panic Meter: 4
- Patrick Taylor (RB – SF)
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR – TEN)
- Gus Edwards (RB – LAC)
- Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
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