These players don’t have to be benched. Each individual team is different and league context matters. The matchups are more difficult than usual and if possible, seeking a better start is recommended.
QB Deshaun Watson @JAX
Watson has taken a beating. He’s getting hit on 15.8 percent of his dropbacks and has been sacked 24 times. He was hurting last week since he barely ran and reports say he had a broken rib and collapsed lung against Dallas two weeks ago. Watson was averaging 40 yards rushing per game and had two rushes last week, and one was taking a knee. He has one touchdown in each of his previous two games. Watson had four consecutive games of at least 310 passing yards and was held to 177 last week by the Bills. The Jaguars have held every quarterback except Patrick Mahomes to 234 passing yards or fewer, including three to 183 yards or fewer.
RB Nyheim Hines vs. BUF
Just when it appeared Hines had a solidified role in the offense, it changed with Marlon Mack back last week. Hines had at least ten touches in three straight games, including at least five receptions in each before seeing a reduced role last week against the Jets. He played 43.5 percent of the snaps and had three carries for 14 yards and two catches for 21 yards on three targets. In the other game Mack played, Hines had five touches. The Colts are a home favorite against the Bills, and if it plays out that way, Hines might see few targets again.
RB Isaiah Crowell vs. MIN
Crowell has been challenging to figure out this season. He had a 219-yard rushing game and a 102-yard game and been held to 40 yards rushing or fewer in four games, including one with zero. The Vikings have allowed the fourth-fewest Fantasy points to running backs and allowed their first rushing touchdown to a running back last week. They limited Todd Gurley to 83 yards on 17 carries in Week 4 and haven’t allowed a total of more than 90 yards rushing to running backs this season. If the Jets play from behind, it will mean more Bilal Powell, too.
WR Nelson Agholor vs. CAR
Agholor doesn’t see as many targets with Alshon Jeffery back. The offense is heavily concentrated on Jeffery and Ertz. Jeffery had 12 targets last week, Zach Ertz had nine and Agholor five. After getting 22 targets in the first two games of the season, Agholor has five or fewer in three of the last four games. Agholor has reached double-digit points in PPR formats one time in the last four games. He has nine targets over the last two games and the Panthers defense slot receivers well.
WR Will Fuller @JAX
We knew Fuller wouldn’t score a touchdown in every game after a great run with Deshaun Watson. Fuller scored a touchdown in his first three games this season but hasn’t scored in the last two, and the targets are decreasing. Fuller might still be dealing with a hamstring injury, and Watson isn’t getting time to throw deep. Fuller has 11 targets over the last two games. He had two catches for 15 yards on three targets against the Cowboys two weeks ago and had two catches for 33 yards on three targets last week against the Bills. The Jaguars have allowed the fewest Fantasy points to wide receivers.
TE Greg Olsen @PHI
It’s difficult to bench any tight end right now since the position is thin. Olsen did play 59 snaps in his return from a foot injury last week and wasn’t limited. He caught four passes for 48 yards on seven targets. The Eagles allowed the fewest Fantasy points against tight ends, and they have faced some good ones. They have allowed 19 catches for 230 yards and one touchdown to tight ends over six games.
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