Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be 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 – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR).
Quinshon Judkins, Browns
| Start pct. | 37% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Vikings |
| BetMGM line | Min -4.5 |
| BetMGM total | 37.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
Just six weeks ago during the peak fantasy football draft season, Judkins' value was trapped in a purgatorial state.
Roaming the virtual landscape aimlessly, the perceived worth of the Browns’ coveted Round 2 pick wandered to and fro.
On one hand, a bright light beamed down upon him. Without much competition for touches and a presumed backfield fixture on a strong D-supported club, he owned an RB2 path.
However, on the other hand, a looming suspension and zero training camp development painted a very hellish picture. Questions whether he would play a single snap were legitimate.
Doubts tied to the latter continue to hang in the shadows -- he could still face a suspension at some point this year pending an internal NFL investigation -- but, in the meantime, the sun steadily shines down upon him.
Four games in, the rookie rusher has solidified his standing among elites. He’s RB3 in yards after contact per attempt (4.18) and ranks handsomely in missed tackles forced (RB24, 8). Commanding the opportunity share, Judkins has quickly developed into a reliable three-down back. He'll be heavily worked with rookie Dillon Gabriel inserted into the starting lineup.
The Vikings, who played across the Irish Sea in Dublin last week, own the time-adjustment advantage. Staying overseas the entire week, they have a foot firmly forward. Still, their Purple People Greeters side should get exposed. So far this season, Minnesota is No. 25 in rush EPA D, allowing 4.38 yards per carry, 134.5 total yards per game and three total touchdowns to RBs.
Adding to the argument, the Browns bullying defense pumps support. Lapping Cleveland is quite the chore. Competitive scripts only offer an assist to the ground game.
At the butt crack on Sunday, mow down that order of bangers and mash and watch the numbers roll in.
Get Union Jacked! In Week 5, Judkins notches a heavenly return.
Fearless Forecast: 18 carries, 76 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 receptions, 12 receiving yards, 15.8 fantasy points
Kendre Miller, Saints
| Start pct. | 2% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Giants |
| BetMGM line | NO -1.5 |
| BetMGM total | 40.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
Doing backstrokes in a deep cesspool, the Saints are hurtling toward supreme futility. Winless on the season and a likely underdog in all but two of their remaining matchups (This week and Week 15 vs. Car), there's a sizable chance they become the sixth completely beaten team in NFL history. This century, the Lions (2008) and Browns (2017) reached the unwanted "feat," hopelessly rolling around in pig (expletive) from start to finish. Kellen Moore and company could soon join the poopy party.
Yes, there aren't many redeeming fantasy football qualities about the Fleur de lis. Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara and Juwan Johnson are the only real weekly starting lineup staples and their employment is mostly limited to 12-teamers or deeper leagues where multiple FLEXes are required. Miller, though, is worth consideration in those challenging formats.
The once written-off running back is starting to earn his keep working in concert with Kamara. Last week in a very surprising competitive affair against the Bills, the third-year back played 41% of first half snaps, showing excellent contact balance, burst and break-tackle ability. Overall, he finished with an impressive 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Most outstanding, his 4.82 YAC per attempt and five missed tackles logged in Western New York both finished top seven at the position.
With Kamara potentially on the trade block ahead of the November 4 deadline, Miller's opportunity share could continue to grow. And if the incumbent were dealt in the coming days, the young back's catbird seat promotion would sit him at the RB2 table in 12-team and deeper leagues. Keep in mind, New Orleans has the sixth-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy RBs.
This week's home entanglement with the Giants is one reason why 'Nawlins' remaining slate is spectacular.
The Giants are DEAD LAST in rush EPA defense four weeks in, yielding an astronomical 6.04 yards per carry, 148.8 total yards per game, five total touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs. Appetizing.
New Orleans' No. 28 slotting in run-blocking efficiency per Pro Football focus is a concern. But, as Miller's No. 2 ranking in average time behind the line of scrimmage (3.12) implies, he's had suitable opportunities to read, react and find creases. Given the visitor's fallibility in the trenches, another FLEX-y SEXY performance is in the offing.
With bye weeks beginning in earnest this week (Bears, Falcons, Packers and Steelers), crack open a can of Miller. Here's to him tasting great, but being MOST filling.
Fearless Forecast: 9 carries, 48 rushing yards, 1 reception, 6 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 11.9 fantasy points
Deep league dish: Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (5% started) vs. Chiefs - With four teams on a one-week siesta, Jacksonville's clear second fiddle is someone bye-week plagued gamers are clearly hoping will strum the strings. Tuten only booked 12 snaps in Jacksonville's upset out West win versus San Francisco. LaQuint Allen continues to stunt his playing growth. Still, his stellar production in several advanced metrics warrants mangers' attention. He's RB3 in fantasy points per opportunity (1.11), RB6 in yards created per touch (5.16) and RB14 in yards after contact per attempt (3.57). Only another 6-8 touches are likely in Week 5. However, given KC's shocking squalor on run defense -- they're No. 31 in rush EPA D on the season -- he has sound odds of crossing the chalk for the third time in four weeks. The Chiefs have allowed 5.18 yards per carry, 131.8 total yards per game, four total touchdowns and the 10th-most fantasy points to RBs. Again, in a week deep leaguers would kill for a promoted bench stash to score 10 points, Tuten is worth consideration. (FF: 6-33-1, 2-10-0, 11.3 fantasy points)