It is hard to function in the social climate of today without having a strong opinion about … well, everything. Any hot take is superior to an โI donโt know.โ
But, and hear us out a moment, what if you donโt know? Or, at least, what if you donโt have a strong opinion? What if options A, B and C all have their benefits and their warts, and by the time you measure all the factors, there just isnโt a big difference๐?
That is sort of wher๐คกe the Madman was in our preseason evaluation โof Texans wide receivers.
We liked Nico Collins because he was the best producer on the team last season. However, he was also the most expensive. We liked Stefon Diggs because he is the most accomplished throughout his career. But he had the most uncertainty because he was the oldest and the newest to land on the roster. We liked Tank Dell because he ๐บhas the highest ceiling, coming off a str๐ong rookie season, but he also had injury concerns and was the most likely to lose targets.
So how do you reconcile these competing factors when constructing your roster pri๐ฑmarily through the dr๊งaft? When faced with such uncertainty, we like the guy we can get for the cheapest โ because the less conviction we have, the less we want to pay.
That player, in this circumstance, was Tank Dell. Of the three, he was going the latest in drafts, so he became our preferred target of the three. And because he was an easy target โ took him soon โafter someone picked Diggs โ we ended up ๐ทwith a lot of him.
Alas, sometimes you get what you pay for, and Dell has not delivered this season๐ โ with registering mere single digit๐งธs in PPR in three of his four games and missing another.
One of our worries โ his getting short shrift in a offense populated with playmakers โ was coming true. Diggs and Collins both have twice as many targets, more than double the receptions, more than double the yards, and all six of the touchdowns scored by Hous๊ฆ ton receivers.
Dellโs season has been tanking. But … now there is a reason for hope, though it comes at a cost. Collins was placed on ๊ฆIR this week with a hamstring pro๐blem, meaning he will miss at least the next four games.&n๐ฌbsp;
That is all the opening it should take for Dell to ๐return to the peak of his rookie production. From Weeks 9-12, Dell was a top-10 WR before suffering a season-ending fibula fracture.
This season, Collins has been the WR2, Diggs th๐e WR8, so there is plenty of room for two productive WRs in this offense. And Dell should now get those No. 2 numbers.
Thatโs great news for those of us who drafted a lo๐ฏt o๐ f Dell. But before you break out the pom poms and start with a โGimme a T-A-N-K!โ cheer, pump the brakes for just a second.
The Texans play the Patriots this week. It isnโt necessarily the matchup, since the Pats are ranked just 19th against opposing rece๊ฆivers. However, they are starting rookie QB Drake Maye. And they have an offensive line made of paper mache โ ranked worst in the league by Pro Football Focus before the season an๐d has given up the second-most sacks.
Thus, weโre not expecting the Pats offense to put up much of a fight, so no need for the Texans to score a lot to winโ. Thus, we donโt expect a ton of fantasy points from the Texans this week.
The Tank is coming guys, it just might not get here this week. But Dell will give opponents hell ๊ฆ in the weeks to co๐me.
Big Weeks
Daniel Jones QB, Giants, vs. Bengals (FanDuel $6,800/DraftKings $5,300)
Donโt look now, but Jones has scored better than 18 fantasy points in three of his past four games. Sunday he gets the Bengals, who rank 28th vs. opposing fantasy QBs anโd have given up an average of 25.7 over the past three weeks.
Caleb Williams QB, Bears, vs. Jaguars (N/A)
The Jags are the worst in the league vs. opposing fantasy QBs and๊ง have given up multiple passing TDs the past three weeks.
Bucky Irving RB, Buccaneers, at Saints (FD $5,700/DK $5,400)
Yeah, we know, we tout him frequently. But Rachaad White was downgraded from limited to didเฒ not practice late in the week, which is never a good sign. The Bucky Week is coming. Could be this one.
Tre Tucker WR, Raiders, vs. Steelers (FD $5,400/DK $4,200)
Davante Adams is expected to be out again, and Jakobi Meyers missed practices this week with an ankle problem. Could be the Brock Bowers & Tuckeโr Show with Adian OโConnell at QB.
Small Weaks
Baker Mayfield QB, Buccaneers, at Saints (FD $7,900/DK $6,500)
The Saints have given up one QB passing TD all season. And theyโve played some quality fantasy QBs โ Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins, and … does Patrick Mahomes still qualify?
Betting on the NFL?
- Read our expert guide on how to bet on the NFL
- Check out the best NFL betting sites
- Get the BetMGM Bonus Code
Brian Robinson Jr. RB, Commanders, at Ravens (FD $7,700/DK $6,400)
Missing multiple practices with a knee inj๊ฆury isnโt ideal. Austin Ekeler being healthy doesnโt help. Facing the fifth-stingiest defensive vs. fantasy RBs doesnโt help.
Alec Pierce WR, Colts, at Titans (FD $5,800/DK $5,400)
With Michael Pittman Jr. out, someoโne should get some extra volume. Only, Anthony Richardson is back, which sends Joe Flacco to the sidelines, and means there is no volume for any WRs. Pieโrce, and other Colts WRs, will need a long TD. Not worth the gamble.
Dallas Goedert TE, Eagles, vs. Browns (FD $7,000/DK $5,200)
A.J. Brown and๊ฆก Devonta Smith are on track to return this week. Remember those single-digit Goedert games to start the season? Expect somเดe more.
