Last week was a bizarre one in the red zone. There were 12 players who had three or more red zone targets for a total of 40 targets and 25 catches. From those 25 catches just three resulted in a touchdown. That’s a BRUTAL result for fantasy owners. Where have all the red zone studs gone? Boy, Rob Gronkowski takes off one week and everything goes to hell! Hopefully Week 10 will be more productive.

Here’s the Red Zone recap:

TARGET MONSTERS:

Leading the charge this week was Stefon Diggs of the Vikings who was 5-for-5 in red zone targets. This is a good omen for his owners as the change in OC created a higher overall volume for Diggs in the offense. He’s may be their only weapon at this point and it’s time to ride him into the ground, if necessary.  Brandon Marshall is still getting chance (2-for-4 in the red zone), but isn’t converting at nearly the rate he did in 2015. Eric Decker’s absence has hurt his value more than we could have anticipated; not to mention the poor QB play. The only other player with four red zone looks last week or more was Eagles RB Darren Sproles. He caught just one of the four targets, but like Diggs, it’s encouraging to see him having those opportunities. The Philadelphia backfield now belongs to Sproles, but to be honest I still see Sproles’ most effective role as being a “change of pace/complimentary back” rather than a lead guy. He will most assuredly have the opportunity down the stretch to prove otherwise and his PPR value at this juncture is quite strong. They also don’t have an in house back who really differs drastically from the Sproles model so it’s hard to imagine him being usurped barring injury.

MOST EFFICIENCT:

You can argue that Jimmy Graham is the Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year in 2016. Let’s face it, he was left for dead in many leagues and even a waiver wire add in some. However, last week he was a perfect 2-for-2 with two touchdowns in the red zone. What is, perhaps, even more impressive is that he’s been this productive with a bruised and battered Russell Wilson. Rishard Matthews was also 2-for-2 with two touchdowns and may be finally finding a groove with QB Marcus Mariota.  Matthews has five touchdowns over his last five games very quietly and Mariota has made strides in recent weeks with DeMarco Murray at less than 100-percent. If you’re looking for a sneaky acquisition at wide receiver, he’s it. Matthews may even offer some DFS appeal down the stretch as a WR3/FLEX option.

The third and final 2-for-2 with two touchdowns was the Bucs Cameron Brate who’s been a poor man’s version of Gary Barnidge in 2016. Brate is still a tad touchdown dependent, but then again wasn’t Tyler Eifert too? And folks loved him last year. Greg Olsen got back into action with one catch on one red zone target for a touchdown, and the same line for Mark Ingram against the 49ers fighting for his job. There may be carryover for Ingram in Week 10 as the Broncos defense has been lackluster against the run all year. There may be enough for both him and Tim Hightower for at least for one more week.

ONES TO WATCH:

 

I know the Vikings are a sound defensive unit, but their offense is putting way too much stress on them. Jameson Crowder has a shot to take advantage of this fact this weekend after back to back 100 yard games. Michael Thomas is another slightly contrarian play, but with Drew Brees in that building no defense is safe. With Jeremy Maclin and Larry Fitzgerald questionable health wise, there’s opportunity for J.J. Nelson and Tyreek Hill to see a No. 1 wide receiver workload. Both have GPP appeal with the lean towards Nelson. Cole Beasley also has a favorable matchup versus the poor defense of the Steelers. Beasley has been productive with and without Dez Bryant and one of the most consistent WR 3’s you’ll find around. You must also remember that with Jay Cutler back in action, Alshon Jeffrey is once again a significant red zone threat.

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Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17) is the eight-time best-selling author of the Fantasy Black Book Series for baseball and football. He hosts On Target Fantasy weekdays at 12 non est, The Fantasy Black Book Tues and Thurs 8-10pm est and Sunday Game Day 8-11am on FNTSY Network Radio