Welcome to Blitz Sports Media’s Fantasy Football “Panic Meter” for Week 11, as the whole Minnesota Vikings team brings cause for concern. Each week, we will identify some of the disappointing performances from the prior week to determine if it is time to panic about said player. Below is the last Blitz Sports Media panic meter of the season, discussing the reasoning behind each panic meter level.
Brock Bowers (TE) Las Vegas Raiders
Panic Meter: 1
Although he blessed fantasy lineups in Week 9, Brock Bowers failed miserably in Week 10. From 40 points to just 3 likely lost you the week, but the whole Raiders offense was overwhelmed by Denver’s defense. Have to hope they go to Bowers early and often next week, whether it’s Geno Smith (who’s questionable with a quad injury) or Kenny Pickett (with Aidan O’Connell still on injured reserve). I wouldn’t panic on the elite tight end since they get a juicy matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Vegas on Monday Night.
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Panic Meter: 2
With the trade deadline passed last week, there aren’t any game-changing quarterback moves left, really, for Kevin O’Connell. With J.J. McCarthy likely starting the rest of the season, we have seen Justin Jefferson‘s fantasy output decrease compared to Carson Wentz, who is now done for the season. Jetty had his best games with Wentz against the Steelers (22.6) and the Browns (19.3) before their bye week back in Weeks 4-5.
While I wouldn’t panic sell, he is what he is at this point, just a low-end wide receiver 1, but more of a stable, top receiver 2 for PPR fantasy, as he does get enough targets, but the yards and touchdown output isn’t hitting like it used to. Even with double-digit targets, JJettas has failed to surpass 50 receiving yards the past two weeks.
Jordan Addison (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Panic Meter: 3
The same can be said about Jordan Addison, as he had his best game with Wentz against the Eagles in Week 7, but with McCarthy, he hasn’t topped double-digit fantasy points. In Week 10, he did see 10 targets against the Ravens, but Addison is more of a boom-bust flex now instead of a low-end wide receiver 2. Both Jefferson and Addison do get better matchups against the Chicago Bears this week, but keep an eye out for the weather.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR) Carolina Panthers
Panic Meter: 3
Somehow, in PPR, Tetairoa McMillan hasn’t surpassed 20 fantasy points despite scoring 2 touchdowns in Dallas. Bryce Young is just not a consistent passer to support a fantasy receiver, and while the rookie does get enough targets (between 5-10 a week), the yardage and endzone usage aren’t there consistently week-to-week to be considered a player that could win your week.
However, McMillan hasn’t had under double-digits besides Weeks 3 and 7, so he is a safe play. But you could trade him for a higher ceiling player, as I am not sure the volume will get any better than this in Carolina. He should be considered more of a flex player, but sometimes, that’s needed for your fantasy team.
Cut List for Week 11 | Panic Meter: 4
- T.J. Hockenson (TE) and J.J. McCarthy (QB), Minnesota Vikings
- D.J. Moore (WR), Chicago Bears; Xavier Worthy (WR), Kansas City Chiefs
- Brian Thomas Jr. (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars; C.J. Stroud (QB) Houston Texans
- Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB), Washington Commanders
- Kenneth Walker III (RB) Seattle Seahawks; Chuba Hubbard (RB) Carolina Panthers
- Tony Pollard (RB) and Calvin Ridley (WR), Tennessee Titans
While I would give them one more week, I wouldn’t blame a fantasy manager from dropping both Hockenson and/or McCarthy, especially if you have a better option stashed. D.J. Moore pulled a Rome Odunze from Week 9 and dudded in Week 10, as Caleb Williams is targeting their young options more. Ever since Rashee Rice has come back from his suspension, Xavier Worthy hasn’t been more than a decent floor but low ceiling fantasy flex option.
Talk about disappointing. Brian Thomas Jr., who is coming off an ankle injury, might be a drop candidate in the coming weeks, as I don’t imagine he has that much trade value right now. C.J. Stroud, even before his concussion, wasn’t playing well, so even if he plays in Week 11, there are plenty of other streaming quarterbacks that might be better stashes. Kenneth Walker III and Chuba Hubbard are now glorified handcuffs, so if you run out of bench space, they aren’t must-holds (injury dependent to starters Zach Charbonnet and Rico Dowdle).
Both Commanders Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt might be drop candidates, like Terry McLaurin last week (already ruled out), as they aren’t even high upside stashes without Jayden Daniels. That is probably a month away at the very least, even if Samuel did have an ok day in Week 11. With Marcus Mariota, it isn’t sustainable. The same can be said about the Tennessee Titans, as Calvin Ridley isn’t the receiver one anymore, also coming off an injury, and Tony Pollard, who is ceding snaps to Tyjae Spears.
