Golden Tate, 7th in total receptions among receivers, has sprained his AC joint. The Lions are expecting a multi-week absence. This could give Kenny Golladay the opportunity he’s been looking for. After rehabbing a hamstring injury the past three weeks, the rookie receiver will be healthy and ready to go following the Lions’ week 7 bye. Golladay, already entrenched as the team’s 3rd receiver, saw much of his usage in high-leverage situations, averaging a strong 14.6 yards per reception. He also saw great red zone usage, as Detroit frequently resorted to 3-wide sets to get him in the game for scoring situations. In his 3 games played, Golladay has 3 red zone targets and 3 end zone targets. With Tate out, he’ll have a chance to combine high-leverage usage with the additional volume provided by operating in 2-wide sets. Drafted out of Northern Illinois University, the 6’4” receiver was undervalued as a small school prospect and slipped to the 3rd round despite his outstanding college production and physical profile. Golladay is the size/speed threat that Matthew Stafford has been missing since Calvin Johnson. Unless he gets injected with some AllSpark juice, he won’t reach those heights. Instead, he could produce more stat lines like he did in week 1 and emerge as the primary end zone threat in a Lions’ offense that scores the ball. Keep an eye on the youngster; at the least, he’s worth his upside as a guy on the end of your bench.

ASJ up up and away

Real time footage of refs cashing Patriot checks via Don Mega

The one true god of fantasy football continues to be volume. Being the only competent pass catcher on your team will earn you that. Even if that team is the Jets, their quarterback, Josh McCown, has a history of feeding the tight end position. Look no further than 2015, when he turned “the neck”, AKA Gary Barnidge, into a thousand yard receiver and top tier fantasy option. Austin Seferian-Jenkins provides a similar target, as both stand 6’6” and boast terrific athleticism for the position. So far, ASJ is averaging a target share of over 20%, with his red zone target share and end zone target share both over 30%, good for top-5 at his position in all three categories. Although his receiving yardage per game won’t blow you away, his targets are trending up and his catch rate has been superb. The tight end position is volatile and therefore the Seferian-Jenkins’ usage cannot be ignored.

Carson Wentz deserves your recognition

Carson Wentz kicking @$$ via NFL

While the world turns its head to the newest shiny object in Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz is having an MVP caliber season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite being 11th in passing attempts, the sophomore signal caller is 5th in completions, averaging a solid 7.7 yards per attempt. In standard fantasy football scoring formats, he ranks at QB#4 in the league, only 6 points behind Tom Brady, and is tied with Brady and Aaron Rodgers for 2nd in touchdowns. Perhaps Wentz’ strongest assets outside of his passing efficiency is his athleticism. At the QB position, he ranks in the 72nd percentile at the 40 yard dash and the 92nd percentile in agility (3-cone). These assets show on film and in the statistics, where he routinely extends plays and has totaled 133 rushing yards, good for 4th at his position. That’s not all! Wentz isn’t getting by on dumb luck. He has reputable weapons in Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith on the outside, along with tight end, Zach Ertz, who leads the team in receiving yards and ranks 9th among all receivers in the NFL. At this point, Carson Wentz has earned his place among the league’s top fantasy gunslingers and is unlikely to slow down.

Be wary of Denver’s backfield

Devontae Booker questioning his role via Wikimedia

C.J. Anderson is a workhorse back, depending on the week. Jamaal Charles is the most talented option, but remains encased in bubble wrap. Devontae Booker is an unproven sophomore that the team seems to like as a receiver out of the backfield. When Booker was dealing with a fractured wrist, the rotation was clearly defined, with Anderson functioning as the lead back and Charles serving as a change of pace option. Now, however, Booker’s role continues to grow, from playing 12% of snaps in his return week 4, to 28% in week 6. As for the others in week 6, Charles found himself on the field for 25% of the snaps, and C.J. Anderson, a surprisingly low 47%. While the Broncos were playing from behind throughout the game, their proclivity for shying away from their lead back is troubling, especially considering Booker has the profile of a lead back himself. So far this season, Anderson has either had 20+ carries per game, or less than 10. With such volatile volume, the team’s dedication to him as the go-to option is questionable. Should Booker continue to shine (4 receptions, 78 yards during week 6), and Charles maintain his position as the team’s most efficient back, we could be looking at a full blown committee. For fantasy football purposes, that compromises the value of all three options.

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