Week 11 Fantasy Flames RB: Harvey to reach peak elevation

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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 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).  

RJ Harvey, Broncos

Evidenced by several first-year players’ sluggish starts and/or stalled midseason production, it’s imperative not to overspend on the unproven hype in August drafts. 

Sure, you could’ve scored Emeka Egbuka at what will inevitably be a discounted price, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaleb Johnson, Tetairoa McMillan and -- up until last week’s merciful breakout -- TreVeyon Henderson were all terribly overvalued. Due to the excessive reaches, painful shoulder dislocations ran rampant throughout Fantasyland. 

Scribble a note and commit the following to long-term memory: Don’t overreach next draft season. Don’t dare do it, you gullible bastard. 

Denver’s Harvey was another player who caused subluxations. During the peak picking season, his ADP was RB21 in average exercises, oftentimes going top-50 overall in half-point PPR.

Currently, RB36 in points per game in the format, he hasn’t exactly turned a profit. Most egregious, gamers could have selected George Pickens (WR7), Patrick Mahomes (QB2), Jaylen Waddle (WR17) or Rome Odunze (WR12) at a similar position. 

Would’ve. Could’ve. Should’ve. 

Harvey has, however, started to wash away the disdain. He’s scored four times in his last four games. His yardage totals have remained insignificant, but he isn’t exactly shift manager at the local Dunkin. 

With JK Dobbins seeking a second opinion about his wounded foot -- a setback that places his Week 11 availability in jeopardy -- Harvey could be in line for a massive workload share. Given his reliable hands, break-tackle ability and open-field shake, he could make the most of the golden opportunity in a game with enormous AFC West title implications. 

It hasn’t been smooth, but Kansas City has rediscovered its groove -- at least on offense. Defensively, though, more fine tuning is needed. 

Entering the week, Andy Reid’s overly publicized bunch checks in at an eyebrow-raising No. 25 in rush EPA defense. This year, they’ve given up 4.42 yards per carry, 111.3 total yards per game and five touchdowns to RBs. More specifically issuing 4.2 receptions and 33.7 receiving yards per game to rushers, multidimensional weapons have occasionally caused them fits. 

In order to avoid yet another stagnant start, Sean Payton must creatively deploy his true ‘joker.’ Assuming Harvey receives 15-plus touches, bank on him finally churning out a fantasy performance most investors expected weeks ago. 

He has a sizable hill to climb to deliver on his draft day cost. Still, it’s finally time for the rookie to rise. 

Remove the kid gloves, Payton. 

Fearless Forecast (w/no Dobbins):12 carries, 44 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.5 fantasy points 

Sean Tucker, Buccaneers 

(UPDATE: Out of nowhere, Bucky Irving received handoffs in practice and participated in the team's walkthrough on Wednesday. His potential return would push tucker to the third row of backseats.)

Waltz into just about any gym at 6 AM and there’s a protein powder-fueled dude squatting an absurd amount of weight, grunting loudly as he pumps reps. 

Tampa’s squatty back is a well-known workout warrior. Standing at 5-foot-9 and tilting the scales at nearly 210 pounds, he’s thick, durable and downright punishing. Really the antithesis of finesse cohort Rachaad White, he routinely barrels through arm tackles, gaining appreciable ground yards in the process. Over the last two weeks against the Saints and Patriots, he generated 53 yards after contact on 21 carries (54.7% of his production). 

White, a converted wide receiver, is the preferred pass-down option, but Tampa’s pads-cracking chain mover could see increased usage in Week 11. 

This season, only the Bengals and Giants rank below the Bills in rush EPA defense. Josh Allen and the club’s lack of a true WR1 have shouldered some blame for their underachievement, but the team’s trench stench is the real reason why it’s chasing New England in the AFC East. This season, Buffalo has given up a staggering 5.36 yards per carry, 117.2 rush yards per game, 12 touchdowns and the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs. Unsurprisingly, not a single Bills defender ranks inside the top-25 in run stops on Pro Football Focus. 

Game script, of course, will ultimately determine Tucker’s usage. If the Bucs aren't sent to Davy Jones’ locker in short order, he should earn double-digit carries. If that kind of workload materializes, look for him to smash and mash to considerable yardage in 12-team leagues. 

Yes, he’s one one-hundredth what Jonathan Taylor is, but for those digging deep for a suitable bye week stopgap, he could reward risk takers with 10+ fantasy points. 

Throw an extra plate on the bar, grip it tightly and power through. Tampa’s mound mover could push his way to suitable numbers. 

Just, please, no excessive guttural noises. 

Fearless Forecast: 10 carries, 46 rush yards, 1 receptions, 3 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 11.4 fantasy points 

Deep league dive: Chris Rodriguez, Commanders (at Mia, <1% started) - Affectionately known as "Bill," Jacory Croskey-Merritt hasn't profited for those who sunk a pretty penny into the overhyped back last August. Fully immersed in a complicated RBBC, JCM has only briefly captivated attention spans. Slotting outside the RB2 fantasy points per game ranks in 12-team leagues, he isn't the sure-fire stats accumulator many were expecting. Washington's collective regression, Jayden Daniels' absence and Dan Quinn's insistence on a rotational backfield have all contributed to the RB's deflation. Making matters worse, Rodriguez is receiving an extended look. In Week 10's hammering issued by Detroit, JCM only out-snapped the backup and Jeremy McNichols 24-to-18-to-17. A tough between-the-tackles runner, C-Rod is likely to again earn a healthy share. Miami enters Week 11 No. 16 in rush EPA D, allowing 4.94 yards per carry, 112..6 rush yards per game, seven total TDs and the 10th-most fantasy points to RBs. Presumably on 8-12 carries, the Commanders' second fiddle, who's scored in three of his last for games, could pluck a pleasurable tune at the FLEX in challenging formats. Keep in mind, his 3.44 YAC per attempt -- the 11th-best among qualifying rushers -- projects potential fruitful production. (FF: 10-42-1, 10.2 fpts).