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Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.
Tony Pollard, Titans
| Start pct. | 37% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Jets |
| BetMGM line | Jets -4 |
| BetMGM total | 42 |
| BetAlytics projection | 48.2 rush yds, 0.39 TDs |
Last season with Dallas, Pollard was the Raygun of the fantasy football world. Though his hilarious discombobulated break-dancing moves didn’t break the internet, he slithered and slunk to underwhelming numbers in a top-10 Cowboys offense. With Pollard joining Tennessee this past offseason, the lingering bitter taste of 2023 turned off many on draft day. The presence of Tyjae Spears in a full-blown 50-50 timeshare only fueled avoidance.
Then Week 1 happened.
Against an opportunistic Chicago defense, a unit many pundits projected to be a top-10 overall unit, Pollard craftily strung together a top-10 output in 0.5 PPR leagues. Overall on 19 touches, he totaled 82 yards and a touchdown. Most notably, Spears registered only eight touches.
Pollard’s opportunity share is sure to vary week to week, but he is the more proven producer in Tennessee’s somewhat unpredictable backfield. For the numbers nerds in attendance, his 4.44 YAC per attempt, 25.0% missed tackle rate and No. 8 standing in rushing yards per over expected per attempt are strong indicators he’ll continue to own the upper hand.
Coming off an embarrassing second-half meltdown in the Windy City, the Titans welcome a Jets defense that crashed and burned in San Francisco on Monday night. Against backup RB Jordan Mason, Robert Saleh’s D bottomed out by giving up 5.3 yards per carry and 147 rushing yards. Not surprisingly, the Jets ranked No. 26 in rush EPA defense in Week 1.
New York’s defensive backfield is one of the game’s stingiest, but questions about its flimsy front were realized. What occurred by the Bay was no anomaly.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan told the media earlier this week he wants the backfield distribution “a little more even.” Still, Pollard’s hot hand is likely to force touches in his favor. He’s just the more talented YAC back.
Chasing points from Week 1? Nope. This is all about maximizing the matchup.
Fearless Forecast: 13 carries, 58 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.4 fantasy points.
Week 2 Bonus Flames
Chase Brown, Bengals
| Start pct. | 8% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Chiefs |
The I-L-L product was an undeniable dud featured in this space last week. Blame Cincinnati’s team-wide incompetence against New England. However, this masochist won’t let a one-game sample completely quell his excitement over Zac Taylor’s primary change-of-pace option. Brown is far too explosive not to spark. The Canadian import is worth the Loonies this week. Kansas City’s sketchy short-field coverage from last year has carried over. Justice Hill’s productive line through the air (8-6-52) was just one example. Yes, Brown was out-snapped 33-17 by Zack Moss, but in a game where his electricity will be needed, Brown should play a sizable role on designed screen and swing passes. Of his 17 snaps in Week 1, 14 were in passing situations. He has FLEXY sexy appeal in 12-teamers.
Fearless Forecast: 5 carries, 21 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 4 receptions, 28 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 12.9 fantasy points.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders
| Start pct. | 33% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Giants |
The bruising Commanders back is the preferred option in the nation’s capital. Austin Ekeler will supplant him occasionally, but as Robinson’s 17-8 snap advantage in Week 1 showed, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will lean on him most often. In a high-scoring affair against Tampa Bay last Sunday, the underappreciated rusher tallied a RB1 line in 12-team formats, amassing 89 total yards and a TD on 15 touches. He didn’t move the meter under the hood as his 2.23 YAC per attempt and two missed tackles forced show, but he is far and away the better three-down option compared to his tag-team partner. Set to gash a Giants defense that’s No. 23 in rush EPA D and allowed 159 combined yards and a TD against Vikings RBs last Sunday, Robinson is a highly employable RB2 even in 10-team leagues.
Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 62 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 3 receptions, 17 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 15.4 fantasy points.
Season record: 1-2