We’ve made it — just one more win to seal eternal fantasy glory. Whatever lineup mistakes you’ve made up to this point are in the past. The only thing that matters is getting it right this week.
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations. If you fell short, you probably have a player on this list.
This week, on a special championship edition, this week’s ‘Panic Meter’ features several players you should be panicked enough about to avoid starting, plus streaming/bench alternatives to replace them with when making fantasy start sit decisions.
Without further ado, here is this week’s fantasy football panic meter.
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
| 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. |
Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) | Panic Meter: 2
Jalen Hurts’ dud performance in Week 16 was due to a concussion. However, he was ruled out almost immediately, and that’s usually not a good sign for his chances to play the next week. If he plays, he’s a set-it-and-forget-it starter.
If not, consider these likely available options:
- Anthony Richardson (QB – IND): Averaging 19.3 points per game (PPG) over his last five games, with five rushing touchdowns during that span.
- Caleb Williams (QB – CHI): Averaging 19.9 PPG over his last five games, with a 10:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR) | Panic Meter: 2
Last week, the recommendation was to not panic. However, if you’ve survived two single-digit duds in a row, panic is at an all-time high. Puka Nacua is the clear alpha, and if Stafford continues to build on his two-week slump, Cooper Kupp’s production will suffer. Either way, it’s not the time to wait around and find out.
Consider these options in place of Kupp:
- Jalen McMillan (WR – TB): Averaging 19 PPR PPG over his last three games.
- Adam Thielen (WR – CAR): Averaging 8.5 targets and 17.1 PPR PPG over his last four games.
Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA) | Panic Meter: 2.5
Here’s the thing: Walker is not getting the job done as an RB1. He has failed to reach 14 PPR points in his last six games and has been held to fewer than 10 points in two of those games. Panic on Walker as an RB1 is through the roof. However, you’re not going to find a suitable RB1 replacement on the waiver wire. The real question is, where do we draw the line on him as a Flex option?
Consider these options over him:
- Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN): Averaging 24.4 PPR PPG and has four total touchdowns in his last two games.
- Jerome Ford (RB – CLE): Averaging 117.5 scrimmage yards and 21.2 PPG over his last two games.
Travis Kelce (TE – KC) | Panic Meter: 3
Since Week 10, Travis Kelce has been the TE17 on a PPG basis. He has just two games with at least 50 yards or 9.5 PPR points since then. A few tight ends with more points than Kelce in that span: Noah Gray, Austin Hooper and Taysom Hill, who has been injured since Week 13. After Kelce’s third consecutive single-digit game, enough is enough. It’s not like tight ends grow on trees, but let’s be honest; if you’ve made it this far, it isn’t thanks to Kelce.
Rip the band-aid off and consider these options:
- Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT): Averaging 12.1 PPG with three touchdowns over his last four games.
- Chig Okonkwo (TE – TEN): Has at least 13.9 PPR points and 10+ targets in consecutive games with Mason Rudolph at quarterback.
Additional Players to Panic Over
Najee Harris (RB – PIT) | Panic Meter: 2
Najee Harris has no more than 10 touches or 4.2 PPR points in his last two games. In a matchup against the Cheifs, where the Steelers are likely going to be trailing, Harris is more risk than managers can afford in the championship round.
Tony Pollard (RB – TEN) | Panic Meter: 2
Over the last two weeks, Tony Pollard has a combined 85 scrimmage yards and 16.5 PPR points. In both those games (for the first time this season), Pollard was out-snapped by Tyjae Spears. Not to mention he’s been nursing an ankle injury. Those are far too many question marks to let Pollard near your lineup with a ‘ship on the line.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn