Each week Ray Flowers will give his thoughts on a serious of fantasy football players. Should you hold on to the guy? Should you be moving on from the player? Is his recent run of success sustainable? Why does he stink so bad – will he rebound? Ray will break it all down before rendering his verdict on the player. There are some big name players in this week's edition.
QUARTERBACK
Matt Ryan, Falcons
Ryan is on pace for 4,600 yards and 30 touchdowns. Last season he threw for 4,515 yards and 26 touchdowns. The year before that it was 4,719 yards and 32 scores. The pace Ryan is operating at this season is the same as it's been the last two years. The O-line is an issue, but the Falcons should be able to figure it out and Julio Jones and Roddy White are still plenty good.
Verdict: BUY
Mark Sanchez, Eagles
Seriously? Everyone is convinced Sanchez is a QB1 because he's now running Chip Kelly's offense. I wrote about Sanchez in Waiver Flavor this week. For more on Sanchez listen to my thoughts in this audio clip. By the by... in the SiriusXM Experts League do you know where Nick Foles ranked on a point per week basis? How about 20th. #JustSaying
Verdict: SELL
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RUNNING BACK
Mark Ingram, Saints
Blown up the last two games rushing for 272 yards and three scores. Production wise he will never have a higher value. He has a tough matchup this week with the Niners, but it's as much about the backfield situation with the Saints as it is about Ingram. When Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson are healthy can we expect more than 15 touches a week for Ingram? He's an RB2, but if someone thinks he's an RB1, then you know what to do.
Verdict: SELL
Ryan Mathews, Chargers
The Chargers lead back has returned to the practice field and is likely to play in Week 11 (he's been out with a knee issue). Branden Oliver has run for 55 yards on his last 26 carries, and it's very likely he will fill a role similar to that of Danny Woodhead last year. That means Mathews is a weekly top-20 option, if he can stay healthy. How good is Mathews? See his Player Profile.
Verdict: BUY
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Listen to the video above for my thoughts.
Verdict: ???
Charles Sims, Buccaneers
Doug Martin (ankle) may or may not play this week and Bobby Rainey, while never being labeled as an elite talent, can get some things done. Into this mix comes Sims, the rookie who has missed all the game action to this point with an ankle issue. The coaching staff spent a third round selection on him in the 2014 Entry Draft, and they have raved about his pass catching ability. Still, we've never seen him on an NFL field. The club just made a chance to Josh McCown under center. Anyone noticed that the Bucs have run for 89.8 yards a game this season, the 4th worst mark in football?
Verdict: SELL
WIDE RECEIVER
Martavis Bryant, Steelers
On SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio Wednesday, true story, there was a caller who asked about starting Dez Bryant or Martavis? Honestly. That's the type of hysteria that Martavis is generating. Given that, it would be idiotic not to sell on a guy who has seen 10 targets in three games and who has been held to less than 45 yards twice, no? I mean seriously folks.
Verdict: SELL
Josh Gordon, Browns
If you've waited this long why would you be selling? If you're trying to add him in a trade, what do you give up to get him? What is he worth? The Browns will welcome back Gordon in Week 12, and you have to think he has WR1 potential. But note. (1) Mike Pettine is in his first year as HC with the Browns. (2) Kyle Shanahan is in his first year as OC with the Browns. (3) The Browns lost their best lineman for the year (Alex Mack). (4) The club wants to run, but hasn't been able to the last few weeks. (5) It's not like Brian Hoyer instills confidence. If you have to pay to add Gordon as if he's a WR1 then you're taking a lot of risk on.
Verdict: SELL
Donte Moncrief, Colts
Duh. Of course this was gonna happen, though I know you didn't listen. Reggie Wayne returned and Donte went from 12 targets in Week 8 to one in Week 9. One. To emphasize... he scored a touchdown in Week 8 but had one target in Week 9 (two yards). Through the first 42 minutes of game action in Week 9 Moncrief saw only nine snaps. Maybe he hasn't even passed Hakeem Nicks after all.
Verdict: SELL
Wes Welker, Broncos
In 2011-12 Welker caught an average of 120 passes. He dipped to 73 last thanks in part to missing three games, but he scored a career best 10 times so no one noticed. This year he's continued to miss game action do to injury, and he's scored just once in six games. He's also seen barely five targets a game. For his career he's averaged six receptions a game. He's been dreadful of late with nine receptions and 94 yards in his last four games. It can't get any worse, and there's still a role in the offense for him.
Verdict: BUY
TIGHT END
Dwayne Allen / Coby Fleener, Colts
Allen is really good. In fact, the term "excellent football player" might be aptly applied to him. Does that make him an excellent fantasy football play though? Allen has no games of 65 yards this season. He hasn't caught more than four passes in a game and is averaging less than three receptions a contest. Allen is also averaging just 4.4 targets a week - not catches, but targets. Sooner or later the scores will dry up leaving him with no upside. Fleener has five more targets this season than Allen, and he's coming off a 4-77-1 effort. An intriguing talent, with Allen stealing all the red zone work Fleener is more of a hail mary option.
Verdict on Allen: SELL
Verdict on Fleener: SELL
Charles Clay, Dolphins
(1) His quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, is performing well. (2) Clay has caught at least four passed for 55 yards and a score in two of the last three weeks. (3) Allen has gone 4-55-1 how many times this year? Twice.
Verdict: BUY
Make sure you tune in to the Drive at 7 PM EDT, Monday through Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius210, XM87), to hear Ray Flowers pontificate about the world of sports.