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).
Romeo Doubs, Packers
| Start pct. | 20% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Bengals |
| BetMGM line | GB -14 |
| BetMGM total | 44.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
On Sunday, fantasy managers who employ the receiving Shakespeare's services can only hope he’s carving up the bumbling Bengals on various catches all over Lambeau Field.
Easy to spot sporting a protective Guardian cap, Doubs has broken away from Green Bay’s WR committee in one valuable area: red-zone work. He’s No. 6 among all wideouts in total targets inside the 20 (6), generating 30,0% of the team’s target share on those looks. In other words, when Jordan Love aims to spin a pass for six, No. 87 is his weapon of choice.
Also noteworthy, when Love locks in on Doubs, he’s posted a 137.9 passer rating, the fourth highest of any QB-to-WR connection. Ranking WR11 in fantasy points per route, the under-appreciated WR currently slots just inside the WR2 ranks in per game average in 12-team formats.
Matthew Golden is beginning to emerge and Christian Watson is inching his way to a return, but if there’s one consistency king in the Packers corps, it’s the Nevada product. He’s scored at least 10 fantasy points in two of his last three contests.
The Queen City Cats are sitting on a throne of despair. Trading for Joe Flacco earlier this week -- a crustified passer who is sure to be the victim of elder abuse working behind a broken offensive line -- they are desperately trying to find their footing.
Defensively, they’re an opponent who generously serves up points. They rank middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to WRs (14th), but eight wideouts have achieved fantasy flame status against them. Overall, they’re a very vulnerable No. 24 in dropback EPA D, giving up 7.65 pass yards per attempt.
Peeling back the curtain, Doubs is slated to receive a heavy dose of CB Cameron Taylor-Britt in coverage. The hospitable DB has surrendered a staggering 71.4 catch%, 141.4 passer rating and two touchdowns to his assignments. Attractive.
Juliets with Nico Collins and Justin Jefferson on a one-week siesta could pen poetic numbers with Doubs. Even the most staunch Capulet concurs.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 46 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 12.6 fantasy points
Troy Franklin, Broncos
| Start pct. | 7% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Jets |
| BetMGM line | Den -7.5 |
| BetMGM total | 43.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
It might succulent. It might be downright delicious. It might be the Michelin-rated restaurant's signature dish. However, ordering the chef's special foie gras -- no matter how delectable it sounds -- isn't highly recommended. You don't want to upset Oregon's costumed quacker.
Yes, Indiana/Oregon will be a wonderful Saturday appetizer for the waterfowl minded, but Sunday's main course in New York featuring a pair of Eugene products -- Bo Nix and Franklin -- could be most fantasy satisfying.
On pass defense, the Puddle Jumpers are a single-engine Cessna. No defense -- not one -- ranks lower in dropback EPA D through five weeks. Steve Wilks’ wayward group has given up 7.65 pass yards per attempt and the 11th-most yards to wide receivers. In total, eight WRs have totaled at least 10 fantasy points against them. Franklin, who’s achieved flame status in only one of five game this season, is a sneaky top-shelf option in competitive leagues with FLEX requirements.
Nix typically spreads the love. Franklin, however, has averaged a healthy 6.8 targets per game. Most promising, he’s WR8 in yards after the catch and WR11 in average separation yards per target among qualifying wideouts. Not too shabby.
Slated to face a mixture of Brandon Stephens (129.2 passer rating allowed) and Malachi Moore (118.8) in coverage splitting time outside and in the slot, he’s a highly debatable start for the upside chasers in attendance.
Go with the filet mignon instead.
Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 57 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.7 fantasy points
Keep it tight (TE play): David Njoku, Browns (at Steelers, 44% started) - With the shot clock nearing zero, chuck a rainbow from 35 feet and watch it splash through the cylinder. The celebratory TD stomper is a zone buster. Considering the Steelers deploy the second-highest zone coverage rate of any team in the league, he's a top-10 TE play in Week 6. Yes, Dillon Gabriel will likely remain a fixture under center with Bronze Aged quarterback Joe Flacco now in Cincinnati, but it’s a positive development for Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. moving forward. Last week in the Land of Crooked Teeth, Njoku was targeted a season-high nine times against the Vikings, catching six passes for 67 yards. More of the same is likely on the immediate horizon. Pittsburgh is fresh off the bye, but it’s a downtrodden No. 23 in dropback EPA defense on the season. Specifically, the Steelers have given up the 13th-most yards to plus-sized weapons, allowing 62.5 receiving yards per game. Bang home a W with the Brown. (FF: 4-51-1, 13.1 fpts)