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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.
Dyami Brown, WR, Commanders
| Start pct. | < 0% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Saints |
| BetMGM line | Commanders -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 43 points |
| BetAlytics projection | N/A |
This one is for the heavily-projected underdog who snuck into the fantasy playoffs and is angling to stun their league mate with a completely unexpected postseason upset — the very definition of #TeamHuevos.
What can Brown do for you? In short, the Washington wide receiver can deliver tasty goodies sure to satisfy numbers-craving appetites. Well … that’s the prayer.
The product of newly anointed Belichick U (North Carolina) has rarely moved the meter in his three-year NFL career. However, with Noah Brown sidelined due to a season-ending ribs injury and given the attention Terry McLaurin typically draws, the in-the-dark wideout could emerge from the shadows.
Brown’s underlying profile offers little to no encouragement. This season, on only 34.8% of the Commanders’ snap share, he’s attracted a mere 2.1 targets per game, averaging a pedestrian 10.3 yards per catch. Even more damning, he’s tallied 10 or more fantasy points just once in 13 games. In Week 5 against Cleveland, he caught two passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Whether analyzing the deep dive or surface data, Brown offers about as much fantasy upside as the inflated Frosty currently hanging out in your front yard. However, the matchup is arguably one of the most advantageous around.
Brown is likely to log ample snaps opposite Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor, who has surrendered the most receiving yards of any defensive back in the NFL. In 13 games, Taylor has given up an enormous 803 yards. To put how horrendous that is into perspective, No. 2 on the yardage allowed list is Cincinnati’s Cameron Taylor-Britt, who’s yielded 138 fewer yards in the same number of games.
Taylor also has allowed three touchdowns, a 71.3% catch rate and a passer rating of 111.6. Magnanimous.
Admittedly, this play is for the ultimate riverboat gamblers in attendance. However, based on his elevated role and primo matchup, Brown may not scramble dice rollers’ huevos.
Fearless Forecast: 3 receptions, 59 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.4 fantasy points
Week 15 Bonus Flames
Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers
| Start pct. | 31% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Cowboys |
Pull the lever on the resurgent slot machine, and instant riches may follow. Bryce Young, who reeked terribly earlier this season, has applied a layer of Old Spice and turned a major corner in his development. More comfortable and accurate in Dave Canales’ adjusted scheme the last few weeks, Young is starting to deliver on his No. 1 overall pick promise. Thielen, who’s become the young QB’s weapon of choice, is a big reason why. Targeted 21 times the last two weeks, the Panthers slot receiver has caught 17 balls for 201 yards and a touchdown. Inside the top 20 in yards per target (9.9), average yards of separation per target (1.95) and contested catch rate, Thielen is still dealin’ even at 34 years old. Most promisingly, he’s slated to mostly face Dallas’ Jourdan Lewis, who has allowed the 14th-most yards of any slot cornerback along with a 70.0% catch rate and 101.6 passer rating. Lean on the Carolina crutch.
Fearless Forecast: 6 receptions, 68 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.8 fantasy points
Stone Smartt, TE, Chargers
| Start pct. | 1% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Buccaneers |
As his porntastic name suggests, Smartt is an erotic play for those with a TE need in deeper leagues. Last week while filling in for shoulder-dinged Will Dissly against the Chiefs, the 2022 undrafted free agent from Old Dominion occasionally flashed. On nine routes, he was targeted three times, caught all three passes and tallied 54 yards. Playing on only 9.6% of the snap share this season, the Chargers tight end has flown way under the radar. In the 98th percentile in burst score per PlayerProfiler, he has the speed, route savvy and catch radius to inflict damage. Most importantly, he has a forgiving opponent to exploit. Tight ends have performed 28.6% above the league average against the Buccaneers. Overall, they have surrendered 5.8 receptions per game, 70.5 yards per game, five touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to the position. Be a wise guy and start Smartt.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 42 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 12.2 fantasy points
Season record: 19-20