The fantasy football landscape shifts each week, bringing fresh opportunities and unexpected challenges that separate the prepared from the pretenders. Savvy managers know that last week’s performance tells only part of the story, and diving deeper into the underlying metrics reveals the accurate picture.
This week presents some intriguing decisions. Here’s insight about key Tennessee Titans players heading into their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts to help you craft a winning lineup.
Cameron Ward, QB
Another week passes, and nothing changes.
The 38-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike on the second drive was placed right where it needed to be, highlighting a 10-of-11 start.
But then they made some questionable decisions, and he turned the ball over multiple times. The rookie has yet to have a clear game and hasn’t even reached average in any grading metric once this season.
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He’s holding onto the ball at times and at others, simply isn’t surrounded by a ton of talent. I really don’t care who you blame for all the fumbles and 30 sacks: Ward is a future asset and nothing more.
I say that to save you from yourself.
Ward is going to put some more highlight plays on film, and there is going to be one person reading this who is streaming the QB position in a fantasy championship setting … “vs. Saints”.
Good matchup and a team motivated to develop their young QB, but I can’t imagine battling all season and trusting Ward to guide your team to glory.
Tony Pollard, RB
I’m old enough to remember when Tony Pollard was the fresh face behind Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas. The running back that clearly offered more upside than the starter, but had a usage ceiling that capped his ability to truly explode.
Tyjae Spears isn’t there yet, but he’s trending in the direction of being Pollard to Pollard’s Elliott.
It’s not a perfect comparison, given that these skill sets match up a little better, but with a rookie QB under center, it stands to reason that Tennessee could shift usage away from the 28-year-old Pollard sooner rather than later.
He hasn’t given them any reason not to, and if that doesn’t change, I fear that we won’t have a top-30 RB before long. Pollard has been held under 3.5 yards per carry in the majority of his games this season (including each of the past two), saving you from complete disaster last weekend with a season-high six grabs.
I lean Spears’ way when it comes to fluidity out of the backfield, and as a massive underdog this week, that’s the skill set I want access to.
I’m actively making excuses to sit Pollard this week.
Tyjae Spears, RB
Spears is coming.
He’s out-snapped Pollard in consecutive games. He continues to show well for himself in the passing game (seven catches on eight targets in those contests), a strong skill to have for a team that is going to be playing from behind with regularity.
The Titans (and the NFL for that matter) largely know what Pollard is. It’s fine, but it’s nothing to build around, and that is where teams find comfort in the unknown.
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Spears might be nothing, but we don’t know that with the level of confidence that we know of Pollard’s limitations, and that makes him my preferred option in this backfield this week and moving forward.
Don’t confuse that with me saying that I’m ranking either as a must-start. That’s not at all the case for a team that has scored 45 points across 12 October quarters.
Calvin Ridley, WR
Calvin Ridley left Week 6 in the first half with a hamstring injury and was unable to trend toward playing last week against the Patriots.
Does the veteran extend himself to get on the field for a team headed toward an early pick?
It’s hard to feel good about this situation. Ward does seem to be improving weekly, even if marginally, but with a sub-50% catch rate and zero touchdowns, the risk of reinjury isn’t worth it until we know that Ridley is fully healthy.
He’s rosterable if for no other reason than Tennessee’s mission is to develop a player they hope to be their franchise QB. That said, he’s not sniffing your lineup this week and probably not any time soon.
Chig Okonkwo, TE
After consecutive games with 4+ receptions, Chig Okonkwo was shut out on 23 routes against the Patriots.
In theory, Okonkwo checks the boxes of a tight end streamer. He’s on the right side of the age curve, has athletic upside, and plays for an offense developing a rookie QB without a deep WR room.
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That theory is great until you get a week like this and he buries you.
Okonkwo is on the fringes of streamability, though I’m more likely to lean toward a Theo Johnson or Likely type — hyper athletes involved in an offense with more weekly potential.
Okonkwo isn’t a top-20 tight end for me this week or for the remainder of the season.
