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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.
Kareem Hunt, Chiefs
| Start pct. | 16% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at 49ers |
| BetMGM line | 49ers -1.5 |
| BetMGM total | 47 points |
| BetAlytics projection | N/A |
Remaining humble, self-deprecating and accepting of one’s losses is what every living, breathing human being should strive to achieve. Of course, certain silver spoon fed individuals who sit on an imaginary golden throne would vehemently disagree, but when it comes to fantasy prognostications, taking lumps is part of the gig.
This silly little hobby has been and always will be an inexact science. Influential data points can push content creators into logical directions, but the human element is largely unquantifiable. Weird (expletive) happens. Unpredictable events are what ratchets the fun — and frustration.
Take, for instance, Hunt.
Three weeks ago, this wannabe fantasy soothsayer steadfastly believed Carson Steele would head up a full-blown RBBC between the Browns castaway and Samaje Perine. A loose committee has emerged, but the recently reacquired Kareem has been a dream.
Turning back the clock to his early K.C. career days, the running back, who ranked dead last in YAC per attempt with Cleveland in 2023, has exhibited eye-catching evasiveness. On 41 attempts, he’s forced an impressive 10 missed tackles.
Though still outside the top 40 in yards created per touch and YAC per attempt, Hunt has shown measurable improvement in both categories compared to last season. Most importantly, he’s encountered eight or more men in the box only 7.3% of the time, the fourth-lowest amount of any RB in the league. Thank you, Patrick Mahomes — even in a down year.
San Francisco ranks No. 17 in both rush EPA defense and fantasy points allowed to running backs. In total, the Gold Panners have surrendered only 3.95 yards per carry, but they have given up 149.0 total yards per game and five touchdowns to RBs.
Add in Hunt’s snap and touch share domination in Weeks 4 through 5 — against the Chargers and Saints, he racked a combined 202 yards and a touchdown — and he’s a firm RB2 in 12-team leagues.
Don’t be intimidated by the opponent or swayed by Mahomes’ average play. This Hunt-er gatherer is all about scoring points and redeeming readers for misguided viewpoints.
Fearless Forecast: 15 carries, 76 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 13 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.9 fantasy points
Week 7 Bonus Flames
Austin Ekeler, Commanders
| Start pct. | 39% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Panthers |
Sure, he’s no longer the indispensable RB1 of yesteryear, but the man can still do one-armed pull-ups without breaking a sweat. For that reason alone, he’s worth weekly FLEX consideration. Crossing paths with the craptastic cats from Carolina, Ekeler is in the RB2 conversation, with or without Brian Robinson Jr. (knee). Battered repeatedly on the ground, the Panthers are No. 29 in rush EPA defense, conceding 4.59 yards per carry, 165.3 total yards per game, 13 combined TDs and the most fantasy points to RBs. Contingent on Robinson’s availability, Ekeler could return to an 8-10 touch role. Ranking No. 2 in yards created per touch and No. 1 in yards per touch (8.6), he could make the most out of limited opportunities. At worst, he’s FLEX-y sexy material in 12-team receptions friendly leagues. After all, the game total sits at a sky high 51.5.
Fearless Forecast: 7 carries, 35 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions, 22 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 13.2 fantasy points
Chase Brown, Bengals
| Start pct. | 41% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Browns |
I-L-L! Seemingly seizing the upper hand in the Cincinnati tandem with Zack Moss, the more explosive Brown — after nearly a costly fumble late in the fourth quarter Sunday at the Giants — bolted up the gut for a game-clinching 30-yard TD scamper. His late-game heroics salvaged an otherwise forgettable effort for all Bengals not named Tee Higgins or Ja’Marr Chase. Now RB32 in 0.5 PPR per game average, Brown is starting to deliver on the summer hype. He’s played at least 39% of team snaps in three consecutive weeks, netting 14.7 touches per game. Most outstandingly, he ranks top-10 in both fantasy points per opportunity (1.09) and yards after contact per attempt (3.67). Resembling a gazelle at times compared to the dawdling Moss, Brown is building more and more trust. In a battle with the Browns for intrastate bragging rights this Sunday, he’s a firm RB2 in 12-team leagues. On the year, Cleveland is a bland No. 19 in rush EPA defense, allowing 4.47 yards per carry, 113.5 total yards per game and six combined scores to RBs. On another double-digit grips, the Canadian import earns his maple syrup.
Fearless Forecast: 12 carries, 54 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 receptions, 13 receiving yards, 13.7 fantasy points
Season record: 10-7