Tim Brosnan | Tue, Dec 3rd 2024, 6:48am EST

Fantasy Football Panic Meter: Kenneth Walker, Garrett Wilson, D’Andre Swift (Week 14)

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.

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.

Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA) | Panic Meter: 1

Kenneth Walker flopped in Week 13 with 46 total yards and just 6.6 PPR points. That’s his third week in a row under 60 rushing yards. He hasn’t scored 14 PPR points since Week 7 and is averaging just 11.2 points per game (PPG) during this span.

Panic isn’t off the charts, but it is present enough to think twice about playing him. Walker’s upside has been nowhere to be found as of late. He is seeing steady volume, so he’s still a solid high-floor play. However, if you have an option like Bucky Irving (averaging 24.1 PPG in the last three weeks) or David Montgomery (RB6 in total points in the last four weeks) it’s certainly worth entertaining.

Garrett Wilson (RB – NYJ) | Panic Meter: 2

After an underwhelming Week 13, Garrett Wilson now has three weeks in a row with single-digit PPR points. He’s averaging 33.3 yards per game (YPG) during this slump. Davante Adams is starting to take over.

The Jets are the least reliable offense in football. You name it. Panic has become impossible to ignore for Wilson. It begs the question. Can you trust him in your lineup with playoff hopes on the line? As of now, Wilson is a fantasy start sit Flex option. Don’t be afraid to sit him for someone with a hot hand.

Cade Otton (TE – TB) | Panic Meter: 2

Despite playing a Panthers defense surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in Week 13, Otton delivered his third single-digit PPR performance in a row. It’s no surprise Mike Evans’ return has tanked Otton’s fantasy value.

Otton hasn’t reached 40 yards since Week 9. Yet, panic is moderate. Fantasy-relevant tight ends don’t exactly grow on trees, so chances are (unless you have Kyle Pitts) you probably still need to play him. Just know the floor is low.

D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI) | Panic Meter: 2

D’Andre Swift put forth another dud in Week 13. That makes two games in a row with fewer than 40 rushing yards. That’s not surprising considering how the game script has gone for the Bears. However, single-digit PPR points in three of his last four games are cause for panic.

Swift’s usage has trended down three weeks in a row, which is concerning considering he has the ninth-most difficult rest-of-season (ROS) schedule. Volume trending south plus a tough slate of approaching matchups doesn’t normally equal success. Swift isn’t much more than a boom-or-bust fantasy start sit Flex option at the moment.

Deebo Samuel (WR – SF) | Panic Meter: 3.5

Deebo Samuel is officially unplayable in fantasy. His four PPR points in Week 13 was his third consecutive game with fewer than 25 receiving yards and 6.5 PPR points. Since Week 4, he’s averaging 7.7 PPG. The panic meter doesn’t go much higher.

Do yourself a favor and give him a permanent seat on the bench. Dropping him to the waiver wire wouldn’t be an outrageous thing to do. He should be nowhere near your lineup as the fantasy playoffs approach.

Cut list | Panic Meter: 4

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