Eric Sorenson
Every summer leading into and throughout the NFL season, Sports Illustrated and SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano joins Sports360AZ.com to share his insight on building and developing your fantasy team for success.
Here are some highlights from our most recent conversation (November 10th) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.
Which running back do you prefer in Tampa Bay – Ronald Jones or Leonard Fournette? “I have no clue. That is the case with so many backfields right now. We just don’t know. Fournette’s been better the last few weeks. Ronald Jones fuumbled a couple of weeks ago. Fournette came in, played the remainder of the first half and then last week Fournette was used down the stretch before getting their doors blown off because he’s clearly their better pass-catcher. So if I had to pick one, it would be Fournette. But I gotta be honest, I don’t know. It’s the same situation in Indianapolis. There’s so many backfields that you can’t predict because they’re legit unpredictable.”
Is Christian Kirk a must-start now out here in Arizona? “I don’t know about a must-start but he’s been great, though. Five touchdowns in the last three weeks. He’s been really good. Buffalo’s tough against wide receivers, right? I still say he’s a WR3 but must-start may be a little strong. He’s been very good and Kyler Murray has been playing at a really high level. So, at some point, I think the law of averages is going to catch up to Kirk and he’s going to have that five (catch) for 40 (yards) where it’s not all that great. But he’s certainly been one of the top wide receivers in fantasy football over the last three weeks without question.”
Is Kalen Ballage worth a late add if available after what he did against Las Vegas last week? “Kalen Ballage! I can’t believe we’re going back to Kalen Ballage, right? Last week Justin Jackson was a great play. Got hurt, barely played. Didn’t even have a point. Kalen Ballage came in off the practice squad and got 17 touches ahead of Joshua Kelley. Nightmare scenerio for Justin Jackson, as well. Ballage has got a potential revenge game against Miami so he’s going to be worth a look.”
What’s your fantasy read on Mark Andrews through the first half of the season? “Mark Andrews has not been good at all. He’s had a few good games, otherwise he’s been stinking up the joint just like the rest of the Ravens’ passing game.”
Can’t you say the same about that position as a whole? “Tight end has gone down the can again. There were a lot of tight ends we thought would end up being sleepers, breakouts, etc. Jonnu Smith had been pretty good and then tailed off. T.J. Hockenson has been very good. Noah Fant has been up and down. But unless you have Travis Kelce or Darren Waller, every week is a crapshoot. At this point, if I’m getting nine points from my tight end who’s not really one of the elite, namely Travis Kelce with George Kittle out, I’m kind of happy about it. That’s how bad the tight end position has been.”
Outside of the obvious, Davante Adams, who are a couple players who could see Aaron Rodgers’ targets this week? “Allen Lazard is close to coming back. I don’t know if he will be back this week but if he is, he’s got the Jaguars so that’s a nice stash. If he can’t go, Marquez Valdes-Scantling against the Jags. He only had four targets last week but he did have two touchdowns so he’s certainly on the board, as well.”
What’s your read on Gus Edwards in Baltimore? “Gus Edwards is not getting enough respect. We all love J.K. Dobbins because he’s got a much higher ceiling and he’s simply a better player but Edwards is getting enough carries and goal line opportunities where he’s startable against New England.”
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