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. Below is the official Blitz Sports Media panic meter discussing the reasoning behind each panic meter level.
Let’s get into all of the players who made this week’s version of the panic meter.
Dak Prescott QB (DAL)
Panic Meter: 3
Prescott posted a season-low 3.2 points in the blowout loss to the Lions in week 6 lowering his season total to 15.1 points per game. On the season, he only has 1 game topping 17 points despite having the 2nd most passing attempts in the NFL. It has been a combination of things that have led to a slow start for Dak Prescott in fantasy. The Cowboys have no consistent run game, he has struggled, and they lack a true weapon in the passing game outside of CeeDee Lamb. Prescott has become borderline droppable in fantasy football. If he has another rough week against the Commanders in week 8, it is time to drop him.
CeeDee Lamb WR (DAL)
Panic Meter: 1
CeeDee Lamb currently ranks as the WR17 in fantasy football, averaging 12.7 points per game to start his 2024 campaign. Everything points to bigger stats coming from Lamb after the Cowboys bye week. The Cowboys still have the 4th highest pass rate in the NFL while Lamb currently ranks 3rd among all receivers in targets. Outside of Lamb, the Cowboys lack weapons on offense meaning his volume in this offense is going nowhere. Last year we saw Ceedee Lamb start slow and then pick it up in the 2nd half of the year finishing as the WR1.
It is noteworthy to mention that he is currently expected to average 18.8 points per game, putting him at the WR7. Now is not the time to panic about Ceedee Lamb; instead, it is the best time to buy low on him before he starts to turn the corner in fantasy.
Kyler Murray QB (ARI)
Panic Meter: 3
Murray is averaging a career-low 197.7 passing yards per game and is pacing for the worst average points per game in his career in fantasy at 17.3. Two major concerns for Murray are his lack of goal-line touches and his struggles passing over 10 yards. This season he has 0 rushing attempts inside the 10-yard line limiting his rushing upside in fantasy. On throws over 10 yards, he is currently averaging 5.6 yards per attempt with a 1:2 touchdown to interception ratio. The Cardinals also do not have a matchup against a defense ranked outside of the top 6 in QB fantasy points allowed until week 12. It might be time to explore trade options with Murray.
Sam LaPorta TE (DET)
Panic Meter: 3
LaPorta had his best week of the season in fantasy finishing with 12.2 PPR points in the blowout win against the Cowboys. The concerns come with all of his points coming from his 52-yard touchdown and that scripted play being his only target in week 6. LaPorta is still one of the best tight ends in football ranking 1st in passer rating when targeted and 1st in yards per reception among tight ends. With too many mouths to feed in Detroit, it has dropped his target share from 21.1% in 2023 to 10.1% in 2024. Barring any injuries on the offensive side of the ball, LaPorta is bound to be inconsistent for the rest of 2024. It is time to find a trade partner and get some value out of him after a good performance.
Calvin Ridley WR (TEN)
Panic Meter: 4
Ridley is starting to regret his decision to come to Tennessee. In the last 3 games he has played, he has 2 catches for 14 yards despite having 14 targets after a solid start to the season. Analytically speaking it gets even worse. Ridley is 96th in QB rating per target (33.1), 90th in target accuracy, and 95th in catchable targeting rate. All of these stats can be attributed to Will Levis struggling mightily this season and below I attached a video of all of his targets last week. On the bright side for Ridley, he is 2nd in average target distance and 6th in air yards share suggesting that if Levis plays better he will have bigger weeks in fantasy.
Josh Jacobs RB (GB)
Panic Meter: 1
The volume is there for Jacobs in Green Bay, but the lack of efficiency and touchdowns have held him back from being an RB1 in fantasy. Despite only averaging 12.3 points per game, he is due for positive regression soon in fantasy. His 7.1 utilization score historically puts him at a 71% chance of being at least a RB2 in fantasy. With managers frustrated with Jacobs, I believe now is the time to buy low instead of panicking. Despite his positing regression, another reason to not panic is the Packers currently have the 4th ranked offense in the NFL and score touchdowns at a 25% clip. Better days are ahead for Jacobs.
Cut List | Panic Meter: 5
Keon Coleman WR (BUF)
Tyler Conklin TE (NYJ)
Dontayvion Wicks WR (GB)
Justin Fields QB (PIT)
Isaiah Likely TE (BAL)