Welcome to Blitz Sports Media’s Fantasy Football “Panic Meter”. Each week we will identify some of the disappointing performances from the prior week to identify if it is time to panic about a certain player. I have adjusted the panic meter post-trade deadline to better evaluate our players ahead of the fantasy football playoffs. Below is the last Blitz Sports Media panic meter of the season discussing the reasoning behind each panic meter level.
Tyreek Hill WR (MIA)
Panic Meter: 2.5
Tyreek Hill has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy football this season with only three 20-point performances despite being healthy all season. In the last two weeks, Hill has combined for 17.5 fantasy points with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. The volume has been there for Hill to be successful but ultimately two dropped touchdown passes led to a pedestrian performance against the 49ers. Hill has been a headache all season and should be viewed as a flex in Week 17 against the Browns.
Patrick Taylor RB (SF)
Panic Meter: 3
The 49ers have been plagued by running back injuries all season but anyone that has stepped into the lead back role in San Francisco has had instant success. That was not the case for Patrick Taylor as he finished with 8 carries for 24 yards and 1 catch despite taking over as the lead back. In a relatively close game, the 49ers rolling with a heavy passing attack was more telling of how they view Taylor with Isaac Guerendo currently hurt. Next week the 49ers take on the Lions who have been dominant against running backs all season long. I would avoid putting Taylor in your starting lineup if Guerendo misses another game.
Cooper Kupp WR (LAR)
Panic Meter: 2
Cooper Kupp is officially in a slump with three performances for 5.4 points or fewer in three of his last four games. He finished yesterday with 3 catches for 24 yards on 3 targets in a favorable matchup against a struggling Jets secondary. The entire Rams’ passing offense struggled with Matthew Stafford only throwing for 110 yards. Kupp has taken a backseat to Puka Nacua in the passing attack resulting in volatility in his performances this season. Next week Kupp hopes to turn around his play against the Cardinals who rank 17th against opposing receivers in fantasy football.
Travis Kelce
Panic Meter: 1.5
Travis Kelce has not been the same player this season as he is on pace for a career-low in average depth of target and receiving touchdowns. The struggles have resulted in Kelce ranking as the TE6 with 11.5 points per game. Kelce still owns a 24% target and air yards share which put his expected fantasy points at 16.7 games suggesting some positive regression. The Steelers rank 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, making them one of the more difficult matchups. Although Kelce is not the same player he once was, his healthy target share and positive regression suggest a better performance in the championship.
Isiah Pacheco RB (KC)
Panic Meter: 3.5
The Chiefs have adopted a three-headed running back committee between Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco on early downs with Samaje Perine as the only third-down back. Hunt had the best day of the bunch last week going for 15.9 fantasy points while Pacheco continued to struggle since returning from injury. It won’t get much easier for Pacheco as the Steelers have been good against running backs this season ranking 10th in points allowed even after giving up over 200+ rushing yards last week. With a decreasing workload and a tough matchup, Pacheco should be nowhere near starting lineups this week.
Najee Harris RB (PIT)
Panic Meter: 3.5
Najee Harris has struggled mightily during fantasy’s crucial weeks, with his only notable performance being a short touchdown against the Browns in Week 14. Without that score, we’d be looking at three straight performances below 5 points. Harris has also been non-existent in the passing game, with just one reception over his last three contests. Jaylen Warren has also eaten into Harris’ snap share as he played a season-low 28% of snaps last week. On top of all of the struggles in the last three weeks, he has a matchup against the toughest matchup for running backs in the Chiefs. Harris should be nowhere near starting lineups this week.
Cut List | Panic Meter: 4
C.J. Stroud QB (HOU)
Matthew Stafford QB (LAR)
Kimani Vidal RB (LAC)
Cedric Tillman WR (CLE)
Kyle Pitts TE (ATL)
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