Week 6 Fantasy Busts: Shanahan's blindness darkens Carlos Hyde's value

Brad Evans
Week 6 Fantasy Lames: Hyde, Evans, Jordy to take their licks

Each week the Noise highlights 10 somewhat un-obvious names whom he believes are destined to implode leave egg on his face. To qualify, each player must be started in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week using the scoring system shown here (Thresholds – QB: 18 fpts, RB: 12 fpts, WR: 11 fpts, TE: 10 fpts). If you’re a member of TEAM HUEVOS, reveal your Week 6 Lames in the comments section below.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pit, QB (53 percent started; Yahoo DFS: $29)
Matchup: at KC

“Maybe I don’t have it anymore.” Next day: I’m still “one of the best” quarterbacks in the league. Are you #TeamHuevos or #TeamRaisins? What is it, Ben? Clearly, Roethlisberger, presumably with thoughts of retirement on the mind, is in the midst of a career crisis. Visions of days lounging by the beach or relaxing hammock swings are understandable. Battered and bruised over the years and with the Steelers traveling down a road to nowhere, no one would shame him for walking away. However, he remains Pittsburgh’s starting QB, a brand name who’s essentially morphed into a stream-only option. His rapid decline in completion percentage (’16: 64.4; ’17: 61.5) and yards per attempt (7.5, 6.5) are quite alarming. So is his continued nonfulfillment away from Heinz Field. In his last seven road contests, including the playoffs, he failed to eclipse 20 fantasy points in a game. Antonio Brown is the game’s best receiver, but until Martavis Bryant awakens from his slumber and Le’Veon Bell starts breaking runs, the sluggishness will only continue. KC’s pass defense is exploitable. Marcus Peters, Terrance Mitchell and Phillip Gaines have allowed a combined seven TDs and 99.4 passer rating to their assignments. In total, the Chiefs have conceded a 7.5 ypa and the seventh-most fantasy points to passers. But Arrowhead is a deathtrap for any struggling QB. Don’t expect the hands of the rusty clock to suddenly tick with precision.

Fearless Forecast: 254 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 3 turnovers, 11.2 fantasy points

Carlos Hyde, SF, RB (85 percent started; Yahoo DFS: $23)
Matchup: at Was

Injury related or not, it’s foolhardy to force Hyde into a “hot hand” situation. He ranks top-15 in total evaded tackles, yards after contact per attempt and yards created. Additionally, he’s an accomplished blocker and receiver netting a 78.3 catch rate. Yet, here we are. Frankly, it’s asinine. Shanahanigans are alive and very, very well. Hyde is still the first option, but unless he tears out of the gates, Matt Breida, a talented yet inferior rusher (RB68 in yards created per touch), could receive opportunities. It’s possible this is a cover for Hyde’s tender hip or a “let’s just tank” move, but, again, based on the evidence, it’s an Eminem-level diss track. Yes, the offensive line, which ranks No. 17 in run-blocking efficiency according to Player Profiler, is much improved, but given the risks attached, Hyde is a dicey RB2 proposition in 12-team leagues, even in a bye-heavy week. In its last game before a brief vacation, Washington played its finest defensive performance in recent memory. It disgraced a solid Oakland offense, bottled up the run and forced numerous errant throws by Derek Carr. Additionally, Ryan Kerrigan, Zach Brown and Jonathan Allen, who each rank well above average in run defense per Pro Football Focus, have excelled in gap coverage. As a team, Washington has given up only 3.84 yards per carry, one rushing TD and 110.8 total yards per game to RBs. Throw in the blowout downside and Hyde is a marginal option in 12-teamers.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 57 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 8.8 fantasy points

Christian McCaffrey, Car, RB (84 percent started; Yahoo DFS: $14)
Matchup: at Phi

The booming buzz McCaffrey built during the Preseason has lowered to a whisper. As feared, touchdowns are few and far between, but, surprisingly, he’s underwhelmed in multiple efficiency categories. Outside of last week’s double-digit output against Detroit and an extraordinary PPR performance versus the woeful Patriots, McCaffrey’s alleged specialized playbook has yet to pay major dividends. You could say it’s a blueprint for a wonky contraption Wile E. Coyote would follow, deploy and, when it failed, inevitably land on the canyon floor attached to. Through five games, he’s scored once and ranks outside the top-60 in several advanced metrics, including breakaway run rate, juke rate and yards created per touch (0.9). The Panthers’ suspect offensive line is mostly to blame (No. 21 in run-blocking efficiency according to Player Profiler), but it seems the coaching staff has lacked creativity. He’s too explosive and elusive to be kept under wraps long term. Still, the rookie is an average at best option in Week 6. Philadelphia, which welcomes back space eater Fletcher Cox, has bottled up the run consistently. On the year, the Eagles have allowed 3.46 yards per carry, 93.4 total yards per game and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position. They’ve surrendered 5.4 receptions per game to RBs, but it seems doubtful McCaffrey crosses the chalk in consecutive weeks, especially with Cam Newton reprising his goal-line gremlin role.

Fearless Forecast: 8 carries, 32 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 42 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.9 fantasy points

Mike Evans, TB, WR (97 percent started; Yahoo DFS: $31)
Matchup: at Ari

The term “shutdown corner” is generally overstated. Each year, only a rare few truly place their assignments in the stocks. This year, Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and Jimmy Smith have earned the reputation. Once again, so has Patrick Peterson. Asphyxiating like an anaconda, the feared corner has squeezed WR1s. In fact, top targets have averaged just 31.9 yards per game against Arizona this season. Specifically, Peterson, thrown at a mere 16 times, has conceded seven receptions, 82 yards and a TD … in five games. Suffocating. T.Y. Hilton (4-49-0), Dez Bryant (2-12-1), Pierre Garcon (4-36-0) and Alshon Jeffery (3-31-0) are just a few top options who barely made a peep against him. Evans, who is very familiar with the corner, will be his latest victim. Last season when the adversaries squared off in Week 2, Peterson limited Evans to three catches for 38 yards on eight targets. The wideout, who was shifted about to exploit soft spots away from No. 21, finished with a 6-70-1 line in the end. A similar outcome is possible, but unless Jameis Winston suddenly throws strikes (57.1 cmp% last two), Evans could post his third lackluster effort in four games.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 69 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 9.4 fantasy points

Jordy Nelson, GB, WR (98 percent started; Yahoo DFS: $34)
Matchup: vs. Min

At a bar in Kenosha, someone just dropped a perfectly fried cheese curd at the mere sight of Jordy on the “Lames” list. Featuring arguably one of the most feared red-zone weapons in the league, a player who’s scored at least a touchdown in every full game played this season and ranks No. 2 in fantasy points per game, in this space indeed toes the line of insanity, but I have my reasons. For starters, Nelson is rather unhealthy. Limited last week in Dallas, he lured just four targets, catching a pair of passes for 24 yards and a score. Most noticeably, he vanished during the Packers’ final game-winning drive. He insists his delicate hamstring is “good,” but his various lower-body ailments are piling up. Remember, he quickly exited a Week 2 contest against Atlanta with a non-contact quadriceps setback. With the prized receiver operating at less than 100 percent and likely to tango with elite corner Xavier Rhodes, it could be a crestfallen week for his owners. Rhodes, targeted 24 times, has surrendered a 12-126-0 line to his assignments. His resulting 65.6 passer rating ranks inside the top-15 among all defensive backs. Jordy dusted the Vikes to the tune of 14-227-3, but in light of the circumstances and his condition, Davante Adams, Martellus Bennett and others could be Aaron Rodgers’ points of emphasis. Allot your DFS dollars elsewhere.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 51 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 7.1 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 6 LAMES

#TEAMHUEVOS PICKS OF THE WEEK

Each week one fortunate guest prognosticator will have a chance to silence the Noise. Following the rules stated above, participants are asked to submit their “Lames” (1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 D/ST) by midnight PT Tuesdays via Twitter @YahooNoise. How large are your stones?

Reader Week 5 Results: 4-3 (Season: 12-23)
My Week 5 Results: 6-4 (Season: 34-16) (W: DeMarco Murray, Jordan Howard, Martavis Bryant, Keenan Allen, Sammy Watkins, Houston D/ST, ; L: Cam Newton, Joe Mixon, Jason Witten, Michael Crabtree)

Want to bull rush Brad? Follow him on Twitter @YahooNoise. Also check out his TV show, “The Fantasy Football Hour,” now available in 75 million households on Fox Sports Regional networks and his new podcast, “The Fantasy Record.”