RADIO
This late in the season, it’s difficult to bench anyone you drafted early, as if this sudden failure will seep into your lineup. Honestly, it’s not about then, but about now. How affective can a player be for you now, regardless of performances in previous weeks?
T.Y. Hilton leads the Indianapolis Colts in targets but has been unable to capitalize. He’s underperformed in six of eight games this season, has found the end zone only three times, and has only been relatively effective in PPR-formatted leagues. Hilton’s average season is simply a product of his environment, partly blamed on the not so healthy Andrew Luck, who will again miss several weeks of action. In comes Matt Hasselbeck, who has played fairly well in two weeks of relief but is obviously not the same quarterback as Luck. Hilton has also been nursing a lingering ankle injury, one that has hopefully subsided with extra rest during the Colts’ Bye Week.
The past two season, Hilton has emerged as one of the top receivers in the league, posting two straight 1,000-yard campaigns. He does have 703 receiving yards on the season, but a mere 43 catches on a bloated 88 targets. Despite the numbers, Hilton doesn’t belong on the bench, not even in Luck’s absence. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief has been on the decline as well. Hilton is still the go-to in Indy. The Colts also face an Atlanta Falcons defense that has given up the second fewest fantasy points to receivers, according to Yahoo! Sports. Still, unless your lineup is stacked with receivers and have no interest in trading him, he needs to be plugged in as a WR1.
Calvin Johnson is on a bad team. It’s hard to say much else about Megatron; a really likable guy on the field and in fantasy lineups. He has produced this season but has had one 100-yard receiving games and three touchdowns; uncharacteristic numbers for the big man. He too has had his fair share of targets (89) but hasn’t been able to reel in as many catches as he has in the past (54 receptions.)
Megatron just hasn’t seemed like Megatron this year. Fumbling inside the one yard-line against the Seattle Seahawks Week 4. Bobbling an easy onside kick recovery against the Green Bay Packers last week. But expect Johnson to bounce back this week against an Oakland Raiders secondary that have allowed four 100-yard receivers this season. Johnson is listed as questionable and did not practice on Wednesday, but is set to take the field.
Like Hilton, it is nearly unthinkable to sit Johnson. Because, let’s face it, who else do the Detroit Lions have? Johnson is a WR1 this week and will be the rest of the way.
