Ride an Enigmatic Jameis Winston

Discounting his replacement of Ryan Fitzpatrick in week 4 against Chicago, Jameis Winston has averaged 19.62 fantasy points per game. That includes the 4-interception game where he was benched for Fitzpatrick in week 8 and his retaking of the starting quarterback position in the latter half of week 11’s contest. To average nearly 20 fantasy points over that stretch despite playing two half games is remarkable and speaks to the capacity of the Bucs’ offense.

When we take the quarterback out of the equation, this unit is not much different from the Chiefs in terms of talent at skill positions. In 2017, Alex Smith was able to step in and deliver a career year, only to be followed by an even more impressive Patrick Mahomes. While it seems like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston aren’t as good as either of those guys, Tampa Bay’s offensive artillery appears potent enough to maximize any signal caller.

Outside of a week 15 duel vs Baltimore, Winston has a pair of matchups that should be conducive to strong fantasy outings in the Saints and Dallas. We can question Winston “the franchise quarterback” with a healthy dose of skepticism, but Jameis “the stat compiler” is real. The Bucs average 43.4 pass attempts per game (2nd) and the oft-troubled quarterback has totaled over 300 passing yards in every game he’s completed. No longer competing for playoff seeding, the team has every incentive to gather game film of Winston, for a massive decision at the QB position looms on the horizon.

So, if you’re looking for answers at QB, or for a spot start in a game where you can’t risk a tough matchup, Winston is an excellent option.