Six weeks are in the books and a trend has already appeared in my weekly picks. It appears that the majority of my picks decide to break out a couple weeks after I select them as my deep sleeper for a particular week. For instance, in Week 1, Benjamin Watson was selected as a potential deep sleeper only to break out for almost 20 points in week 6. OK, that one's a stretch. But what about Allen Hurns, another Week 1 selection, who's turned into a top-20 receiver in a surprisingly decent offense.
Now, right out of the gate for Week 6, I learned that last week’s picks were not at all what I anticipated them to be. Two out of my three picks (Brandon Coleman, Jacob Tamme) were all hyped to go off for big games on Thursday Night Football, and they both flopped. My third pick (Theo Riddick) did not have a bad game, but it could have been bigger given the fact Matthew Stafford threw for 400 yards. Oof. If the trend continues, those three will be great grabs come Week 10.
Let’s see what fame and fortune or torture and misery my selections for Week 7 bring the world.
1) Brandon Oliver – RB, SD vs. OAK
Owned in 8% of Fleaflicker leagues
This one may be my wildcard pick of the week. San Diego’s backfield in recent years has always been quite crowded. Last year, Oliver’s rookie season, the team went through several running backs, including Ryan Mathews, Donald Brown, Danny Woodhead and Ronnie Brown. This season, only Woodhead returned of that quartet. Additionally, the team expected first-round pick Melvin Gordon to dominate the early-down work. It has not gone as planned. This past week against the Green Bay Packers, Gordon finished the game with two fumbles and was eventually pulled from the game. With Woodhead already operating as the goal-line and passing-down back, this leaves room for Oliver to become the early-down workhorse, especially if Gordon gets punished for his rough start to the season. Look for Oliver to see more work and find the endzone this week against the questionable Oakland Raiders defense.
Prediction: 60 total yards, 1 rushing touchdown
2) Stefon Diggs – WR, MIN vs. DET
Owned in 9% of Fleaflicker leagues
With 13 catches for 236 receiving yards in the past two games in the absence of Charles Johnson, Diggs has all but solidified himself as the number-one option for Teddy Bridgewater. With these numbers, I pose a simple question: why is Diggs only owned in less than 10% of Fleaflicker leagues?
With Johnson still questionable for this week’s matchup, Diggs will continue to work with Wallace in two-receiver sets and will likely force Johnson to see the field only in three-wide formations. Diggs has been known as a special talent even before his time at the University of Maryland. It also helps that Detroit is coming into this game after giving up over 120 yards and TD to Alshon Jeffery. Expect the rookie Diggs to find the endzone for the first time in his career.
Prediction: 7 receptions, 80 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
3) Crockett Gillmore – TE, BAL @ ARI
Owned in 19% of Fleaflicker leagues
Injuries and a couple bad weeks have pushed Gillmore into the small pool of tight ends on the waiver wire. Let’s not forget that Gillmore had his coming out party against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2, posting six catches and two receiving touchdowns in that game.
Joe Flacco has made it clear in his career that he enjoys involving his tight ends in the passing game, regardless of who it is. Todd Heap, Owen Daniels, Dennis Pitta and now Gillmore have all become Flacco favorites. This adds to the fact that the only other viable option in the passing game is the injured and aging Steve Smith Sr. (no offense, Kamar Aiken), meaning Gillmore will continue to see the targets needed to make him fantasy relevant. While he may not score this week, he will be a worthy option based on pure volume.
Prediction: 4 receptions, 50 receiving yards
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