In this column, I analyze players with some of the most considerable variances (standard deviations) in the individual PPR rankings by my FantasyPros colleagues. Hopefully, these comparative assessments against the rankings will aid with fantasy lineup decisions, and I will try to include less obvious and trending players when possible. If you like my work, please follow me on Twitter.
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Feast
Brandin Cooks – (HOU)
ECR: WR23 – STDEV 3.7
Even though the Houston Texans aren’t playing well, Brandin Cooks still is. Cooks is the undisputed top option in an offense that struggles to run the ball. He has five or more grabs in eight of nine games overall and presently is the WR23 in PPR. In quarterback Tyrod Taylor‘s return from injury in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, Cooks recorded a team-high six catches and 56 yards on 13 targets. In the three games with Taylor at the helm, Cooks received 7, 14, and 13 targets. Look for the wideout to keep cooking when he faces the Tennessee Titans’ league-worst defense in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers.
Brandin Cooks:
-WR23 in PPR points per game
-WR22, WR8 and WR23 with Tyrod Taylor at QB
-Tied with Deebo Samuel and Davante Adams with league-high 31% target share
-No. 1 in air yard share at 46%
-Facing Titans' league-worst defense in fantasy points allowed to opposing WRs— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 17, 2021
Rob Gronkowski – (TB)
ECR: TE29 – STDEV 10.7
With the news that Rob Gronkowski practiced in full for two consecutive days, his ranking will be on an upward trajectory over the next day or so. After returning prematurely in Week 8 only to suffer back spasms, the Buccaneers kept the 11-year veteran out a few more weeks to ensure that he’s 100% for the second half of the season. Gronk has two touchdowns in each of his two complete games this season, with finishes of TE8 and TE3. If he is on the field, Gronk’s virtually a shoo-in to finish among the Top 12 tight ends, and he’ll get an extra boost if wide receiver Antonio Brown is out again.
D’Onta Foreman – (TEN)
ECR: RB22 – STDEV 3.3
It’s hard to believe D’Onta Foreman is a mention in a Week 11 fantasy football column, but this is where we are at now. A week after appearing as the third option in the backfield, Foreman led the committee against the Saints. Foreman received 13 touches over Adrian Peterson‘s nine and Jeremy McNichols‘ five and was the most effective of the three. With McNichols in danger of missing the game due to a concussion and Peterson looking like an afterthought and a shell of his former self, Foreman should have the chance to distance himself from the others. It helps the 25-year-old’s case that Tennessee has a run-heavy offense, and he gets a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans. My colleagues have him ranked anywhere from RB19-RB31 this week. If McNichols is out, the average of RB25 is about right for Foreman, placing him in the high RB3 range.
Famine
Michael Pittman Jr. – (IND)
ECR: WR18 – STDEV 4.2
Despite his productivity, Michael Pittman has been targeted six or fewer times in four of his last five games and draws a brutal matchup against the Bills on Sunday. Buffalo gives up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, and not a single WR has finished in the Top 15 against them. They have also only allowed a total of six passing touchdowns throughout the season. Pittman could also see plenty of Tre’Davious White in coverage, one of the league’s top cornerbacks. Pittman could finish outside of the Top 24 wide receivers for the second consecutive week.
Kadarius Toney – (NYG)
ECR: WR36 – STDEV 4.3
The Giants’ reluctance to get Kadarius Toney more involved in the offense is baffling when it’s apparent he’s more of a playmaker than some of his teammates seeing more playing time. When filling in for Sterling Shepard from the slot in Weeks 4 and 5, the rookie was electric, reeling in 16 of 22 targets for 267 yards. He’s since dealt with ankle and thumb injuries but hasn’t seen more than five targets a game and is barely playing more than 50% of the snaps. Toney is currently the WR68, and he won’t hold much value in redraft leagues until he’s given more opportunities.
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Bonnie Robinson is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Bonnie, check out her profile and follow her @FantasyQueenB.
