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- 2 RBs Who You Can't Start Right Now
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the best stories this season. They are 4-2, Sam Darnold is balling out, and JSN has ascended to legit superstar status.
But there is a fly in the ointment here and it’s the backfield.
The split between Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet is arguably the most disgusting committee situation in the entire league right now.
The rush attempts are almost perfectly split down the middle and they aren’t receiving targets either, which has resulted in neither of them being reliable starts in fantasy leagues right now.
What’s most concerning, though, is Walker’s downward Utilization trend over the past two weeks, including a season-low 34.5% percent snap share in Week 6:
This is especially befuddling when you consider just how bad Charbonnet has been this year:
What are we doing here, Seattle?
I understand the real-life concern of keeping Walker healthy, but Charbs’ play is actively hurting the team right now.
Even as 3.5-point home favorites, neither of these two is a comfy start in Week 7 vs. the Texans.
In our early Week 7 ranks, we have Walker at consensus RB24 and Charbs at RB33. I’d much rather play a red-hot Kimani Vidal or a volume option like Chase Brown over either of these guys.
My hope (cope?) would be that things change after their Week 8 bye when the staff gets a longer chance for evaluation, but keep them on your bench until then.
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Fantasy
Freedman’s Favorite RBs: Ride Rico Dowdle Again
After two weeks in a row with over 200 rushing yards and RB1 overall status, can Rico Dowdle stay on top of the heap a third week in a row? OK, so he may not have great home matchups against the Dolphins and Cowboys, his Xfinity Best Projections are not RB1, but against the Jets he just might pop again.
Matthew Freedman presents Freedman’s Favorites, led by Rico Dowdle and the running backs. Young players like Quinshon Judkins are also players to watch this week. And if you want to check out other positions, they’re right here:
Dynasty
Looking For Long-Term Stashes with Jake Trowbridge
The hardest thing to do in dynasty leagues is to find legitimate diamonds in the rough. It’s getting tougher than ever to find bench stashes that aren’t super obvious or exceedingly expensive. That’s why I went spelunking into the depths of my leagues to find some names that aren’t being talked about enough as future assets.
Whether you’re already rebuilding and looking ahead to next season or just have some extra bench space to work with, these players are worth adding to your rosters.
I should also note that some of these guys are worth a stash if only because you can flip them for a bigger return down the road. After all, we’re not always looking for players who will produce. Sometimes it’s enough to grab a player now that a leaguemate will later EXPECT to produce.
Jaylin Noel, WR—Texans
This is probably the most obvious stash option on this list, but I fear some dynasty managers aren’t seeing the big picture and are already getting impatient with this rookie. Don’t be like them. This was always the plan!
The Iowa State-to-Houston receiver pipeline went into overdrive this offseason, with the Texans drafting both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to pair with incumbent Cyclone Xavier Hutchinson.
Houston likely envisioned Noel to be the slot replacement for non-Cyclone Christian Kirk, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. And while it’s a bummer that the rookie didn’t do much in his first three games with Kirk out of the lineup … it was also his first three games. As a rookie.
As C.J. Stroud continues to fight for his life behind an O-line only a mother could love, Noel has the chance to become a trusted and very necessary asset for him next year.
In short, Noel is probably a grower, not a shower. Give him time.
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.
⬇️⬆️ Who are we upgrading and downgrading? More utilization takeaways.
🤔 From potential 1.01 to the unknown. What is Drew Allar’s outlook now?
🚀 Can you trust BTJ rest of season?
🪓 Week 7 Guillotine Leagues™ waivers run at 3 pm ET. Charch has your moves to make.
🤠 Reinforcements coming for the Cowboys? Great news.
🥳 The rules of partying. Draymond Green schools Rachaad White.
🎯 Dillon Gabriel was put on this earth to do one thing. I’m here for it.
🐂 Jaxson Dart faces a tough test this week. The Broncos don’t let up.
😎 Rashee Rice, welcome back. We missed you.
💪 Ready for Kimani Vidal to be a lineup mainstay? For now.
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