Fantasy Football Player Notes

When Jones was FINALLY healthy last year, we saw the same back that we have come to love for fantasy over the years. In Weeks 15-20, Jones averaged 21.6 touches and 120.3 total yards as he was a weekly stud. During that same stretch, among 47 qualifying backs, he was eighth in explosive run rate and 10th in yards after contact per attempt. IF he can stay healthy (I KNOW it's a big if), he will be awesome in fantasy. The Vikings need another pass catcher to step up opposite Justin Jefferson. No, I don't think it will be Jordan Addison unless his target earning ability has jumped to another level this year. Jones could soak up routes and check-downs this season. Last year, he was still amazing in the passing game. Among 48 qualifying backs, he was sixth in TPRR, eighth in YPRR, and fourth in FD/RR. Jones should have a day on the ground against a run defense that allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the fourth-most rushing yards per game. The Giants also surrendered the seventh-highest yards per reception to backs last season. Jones could flirt with RB1 numbers this week, but he's best viewed as a strong RB2.

Addison rode high last year because of touchdown luck. Yep, I said it. The rest of his target earning metrics were not close to the consensus perception because of his WR30 finish last year. Addison had the fourth-most receiving touchdowns last year behind only Mike Evans, Tyreek Hill, and CeeDee Lamb. That's not recurring this year. Here's the gallon of cold water for the Addison hive. Among 81 qualifying receivers, he ranked 46th in target share, 59th in targets per route run, 51st in yards per route run, and 58th in first downs per route run. What stat there gives hope that he will be more than a WR4 this season if touchdown regression hits? None. New Giants' defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, utilized two high at the seventh-highest rate last year (53.6%) with Tennessee. Against two-high last year, Addison's numbers are surprisingly strong with a 22% TPRR and 2.06 YPRR. Addison will run most of his routes against Nick McCloud (68.2% catch rate and 83.9 passer rating) and Deonte Banks (57.6% catch rate and 84.7 passer rating). Addison is a decent flex this week.