Another week down, and it’s time to check in on some fantasy football players who left managers wanting more. Each week, we evaluate players and where our panic levels are. Not every disappointing performance means it’s time to panic, but we have to watch snap counts, target shares, backfield usage, and what these players’ roles could mean going forward.
This week, I’m looking at four players with very different outlooks. Michael Wilson has struggled to turn his opportunities into production since Marv’s departure; Cam Skattebo’s situation has become a major concern after getting benched; A.J. Brown deserves patience after returning from injury; and Juwan Johnson is starting to look like a matchup-dependent tight end.
Let’s break down my Week 6 Panic Meter and what it means for the rest of the fantasy season.
Michael Wilson – Panic Meter: 5/10
The opportunities are there, but the production has disappeared over the past two weeks
Michael Wilson has been disappointing since Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded, and the last two weeks have been especially frustrating. I’m not ready to give up on him, but with a difficult schedule coming up, the panic meter is starting to rise
The biggest issue is that Wilson hasn’t disappeared from the offense — he’s struggling to turn his targets into fantasy points. Through six games, he has averaged 9.7 targets, 5.5 receptions and 53.3 receiving yards per game. He also entered Week 6 with a 24% target share, eight red-zone targets and a 29.9% first-read share. Those are encouraging signs that his role is legitimate.
However, the results haven’t been there recently. Against Detroit in Week 5, which was supposed to be a dream matchup, Wilson only caught 4 passes for 30 yards on 7 targets. In Week 6 against the Rams, he again finished with 4 receptions, this time for just 32 yards on 7 targets. That’s only 62 receiving yards combined over his last two games.
The good news is that Wilson has remained a major part of the Cardinals’ offense. Arizona’s snap-count data shows him playing approximately 90% of the team’s offensive snaps through the season’s first six games. The concern is whether that playing time and target volume will translate into consistent production, particularly against tougher upcoming opponents. The other theory is he is drawing the top CB matchups now as well.
My verdict: I’m at a 5/10 because I’m not panicking about the role yet, but I need to see better results. Wilson is worth holding, especially in PPR formats, but I’m not treating him as a must-start until the production improves.
Cam Skattebo – Panic Meter: 9/10
Going from a featured back to zero touches is a massive red flag and something fantasy managers were not expecting.
This is easily the most concerning situation on the list. Skattebo was essentially benched in Week 6, and the Giants’ backfield has become a fantasy headache.
Coming into Week 6, Skattebo had been a major part of New York’s offense and was expected to have a smash matchup against the Saints. He averaged 18.2 touches per game over the first five weeks, according to reporting on his reduced workload. But after fumbling in the previous week’s tie against Washington, his role took a dramatic hit.
In Week 6 against New Orleans, Skattebo played just six offensive snaps and had zero touches. That’s a staggering fall from the workload fantasy managers had been counting on and left zeros in managers’ lineups. The Giants distributed the running back snaps among Devin Singletary (29), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (26), Najee Harris (11), and Skattebo (6).
Fumbling is the main problem. Skattebo had fumbled four times during the first five games, including a costly overtime fumble against Washington. Ball security matters, and the coaching staff has clearly made it a priority. Even though head coach John Harbaugh said Skattebo wasn’t intentionally benched, the snap count and lack of touches speak for themselves.
The bigger problem for fantasy managers is uncertainty. It’s one thing for a running back to have a bad game; it’s another for him to be part of a four-man rotation where his role is suddenly nonexistent. Until we see how the Giants distribute touches in Week 7, Skattebo is a must-sit.
My verdict: I’m at a 9/10. Skattebo isn’t a drop, especially if you’ve invested heavily in him, but he cannot be treated as a starter right now. Keep him on your roster if you can afford to wait, but this is a situation that needs immediate improvement.
A.J. Brown – Panic Meter: 2/10
Rusty return, encouraging usage.
I’m not panicking on A.J. Brown after one disappointing game. He was returning from a high ankle sprain that had kept him out since Week 1, so expecting him to immediately look like his usual dominant self was probably unrealistic.
Brown’s Week 6 production wasn’t pretty, but the usage is exactly what I wanted to see. He caught just 3 of his 10 targets, but he played 76.5% of the offensive snaps, ran a route on 97.1% of the team’s dropbacks, and commanded a 28.1% target share, which led the Patriots in Week 6.
That target volume matters more to me than the disappointing catch total. Brown was getting open enough to be involved in the passing game, and the Patriots were willing to feature him immediately after his return. His low reception total is frustrating, but it no need to worry.
There is also some context to the snap count. Patriots reportedly limited his involvement on running downs as a way to avoid overworking him. Despite that, he was still running nearly every route, which is a strong indicator that he remains a central part of the passing attack.
I expect the timing and chemistry to improve between Maye and Brown as he gets more game action under his belt. With 10 targets already in his first game back, the opportunities are there for much better fantasy days ahead.
My verdict: A 2/10 panic rating. I’m holding Brown confidently and expecting better days ahead. Don’t let one rusty game after an injury convince you to sell low on an elite receiver.
Juwan Johnson – Panic Meter: 7/10
Two straight disappointing weeks have changed my outlook.
Johnson has gone from a promising fantasy tight end to someone I’m struggling to trust in my starting lineup. With Jordyn Tyson potentially returning to the Saints’ offense within the next few weeks, I’m viewing Johnson as a matchup-dependent option rather than a weekly starter very soon.
Johnson’s last two performances have been rough. Against Minnesota in Week 5, he caught 4 of 5 targets for just 16 yards. Then, in Week 6 against the Giants, he failed to catch either of his 2 targets and finished with 0 receiving yards. That’s a combined 4 receptions for 16 yards across the last two weeks.
The snap counts tell an important part of the story. Johnson played 64% of the offensive snaps against Minnesota, followed by approximately 58% against New York. His playing time has declined from the 78% he recorded in Week 4, although he still has a role in the offense.
The frustrating part is that Johnson showed legitimate upside earlier this season. He caught 8 passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders in Week 3, and he followed that with 6 catches for 59 yards against Atlanta. He has 3 touchdowns through six games, so there is still a path to useful fantasy production.
The other factor to monitor is Jordyn Tyson. The Saints’ rookie wide receiver is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, with Week 7 listed as his expected return. If Tyson gets back on the field, he could add another target to the passing-game rotation and make it harder for Johnson to maintain consistent volume. I’m viewing Johnson as a sell as soon as possible.
My verdict: I’m at a 7/10. Johnson is still worth keeping on your roster, but I’m no longer treating him as a dependable weekly starter and more of a streamer. Until his targets and production rebound, I’d use him primarily when the matchup favors tight ends or when I need a streaming option.
