Week 2 is almost a wrap, and with early results in, we’re already looking at the draft results, and letting regrets pour in:
I wish I went for player X instead of player Y.
This column highlights players that managers wish they had at equal or better cost…
Bode: Distracted by PC’s Deebo Samuel ($7; WR3 Overall)
vs. Aiyuk ($13; WR136 Overall) | Price Differential: $6
Distraction Meter: 👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️
Aiyuk was supposed to be an ascending 2nd-year star. Deebo had a track record of being strictly an underneath route runner with majority of his routes in the flat, short slant, or screens. But this year, he is used downfield too (week 1: 79 yard TD), while Aiyuk is in Shanahan’s doghouse, totaling a sad 1 target per game.
Deebo is the clear-cut WR1, and heading into MNF, sits as the overall WR3. A Steve Aoki cake throw on my face.
Jesse: Distracted by Benny’s Mike Williams ($1; WR5 Overall)
vs. Chase Claypool ($8; WR56 Overall) | Price Differential: $7
Distraction Meter: 👁️👁️
There is a long history here, and it’s not a simple, straight-forward envy. There is love and hate, yin and yang. Mike Williams had been a tantalizing boom-or-bust prospect, who often boomed when he was on Jesse’s bench, and busted in the starting lineup.
Now, he is booming in a consistent role in the short and intermediate with aDOT of 9.83 yards (vs. 13 yards in previous seasons). The hip-flexor watch is always on high-alert with Mike, but so far, he has the steady role that Jesse was hoping Claypool would own.
Kong: Distracted by Sammy’s Nick Chubb ($44; RB3 Overall)
vs. Alvin Kamara ($68; RB16 Overall) | Price Differential: $24
Distraction Meter: 👁️👁️👁️
Chubb and Kamara play opposite roles in their offense: Chubb with the dominant rushing share, and Kamara with the receiving share. Chubb’s rushing payoff has materialized with the Browns owning leads. (Chubb is 4th in the league in red zone carries. )
On the other side, Kong’s Kamara has yet to see his usual platinum-label PPR outcomes under Jameis’ be-prepared leadership: Saints are 2nd-to-last in the league in team rushing and receiving fantasy points. The $68 priced target-hog version of Kamara has yet to arrive since defenses are honing on the only real threat in the offense.
PC: Distracted by Theo’s Tyler Lockett ($24; WR2 Overall)
vs. DK Metcalf ($38; WR32 Overall) | Price Differential: $14
Distraction Meter: 👁️👁️👁️👁️
Lockett has as much run as Metcalf in the Seahawks offense — both run the same number of routes and snaps. However, Metcalf hasn’t paid off on his $38 offer tag with defenses locking their best defender on him. This adjustment of the defense has unleashed Lockett to feast in the slot and out wide against lesser defenders. Lockett is 4th in the league in Yards Per Route Run, which is miles ahead of Metcalf running shorter, intermediate routes.
