As fantasy players, we understand the risk behind playing each year, and if you participated this year the inherent risk was even larger. It’s exactly what most fantasy analysts predicted, a rough uphill climb to a championship. It may seem like players are being injured more frequently this season, but this was expected due to a lack of offseason preparation. Players’ unexpected absences from games were also expected, and hopefully, you followed fantasy advice from across the industry about adding IR and extra bench spots for just this scenario.
To be the champion of your league you have to deal with the bumps in the road, and this season’s newest hill is Cam Newton unexpectedly being designated OUT after testing positive for COVID-19 a day before his game with the Chiefs. If you are in a Superflex league, and without depth, at the quarterback position its time to assess your roster. Are you a contender or pretender, and do you need to enter full rebuild mode? Post any questions on Twitter or in the comments and our team will let you know what we think. Unfortunately, it is so late in the week and waivers have already run perhaps you can scramble to your waiver wire, and add Brian Hoyer as the backup in the meantime. If you have any options from other teams however it might be safer to pivot to another matchup entirely seeing that the league postponed the Tennessee game in a similar fashion before moving it all together.
In single quarterback leagues, there should be an option in the free agency pool. I personally recommend Ryan Fitzpatrick since he is facing the Seattle Seahawks and should be pressed to throw in a game against Russell Wilson. In the wake of Cam not being able to play I hope that you don’t have to start anyone from the Patriots’ side of the ball. Rex Burkhead is coming off of a hot game with three touchdowns, but James White is set to return limiting the entire backfield’s upside. Hoyer will most likely start if the game proceeds and perhaps adds a boost to all receiving options since they’ll more than likely be playing catch up. Start Julian Edelman regardless of who is throwing the ball at this point since he is guaranteed to be a cog in this offense as long as he is on the field. Bench N’Keal Harry and simply keep waiting for his day to come. If you have James White you more than likely have another option at this point so I’d leave him on your bench for this week as well. If someone like Jeff Wilson is still available scoop them up immediately to continue limping through the season like the rest of us.
Going forward this season you must have a backup plan for every player because when we all thought our lineups were ready to go this weekend, Cam Newton has to bow out of the competition leaving us all in a lurch. Follow me @DFF_MattBull and let me know if you have any specific questions regarding your team, and let Dynasty Football Factory win you a championship this year. When other players quit we will #AlwaysBeBuilding…
