Some things I know, some things I suspect and some things I have no idea.
* I know I made a good trade hours before kickoff Sunday – at least for one week – when I dealt Terrance West and Russell Wilson for Jay Ajayi, Alex Smith and Spencer Ware. I didn’t play the other owner this week, but my new players outscored his 65.53-8.2 (silly scoring rules with decimals).
I’m not trying to show off – much – but there’s a lesson to be learned here. I was questioned by another owner for trading Wilson, whom I chose with the fourth overall pick (it’s an eight-team league that starts three quarterbacks, so they’re at a premium). My response was, he isn’t playing like the fourth overall pick. In our scoring system, Wilson ranks 28th among quarterbacks.
We’re halfway through the fantasy regular season. It doesn’t matter where anyone was drafted anymore. It’s all about production. If you don’t like the direction a player is trending, find someone who does. Knowing when to cut bait is tricky, and I might be wrong about Russell in the end. But I didn’t want to waste any more time to find out.
* I suspect Ware will continue to play a key role in the Chiefs’ offense, regardless of whether Jamaal Charles is 100 percent healthy. In the three games Charles has played, Ware has rushed for 82, 131 and 77 yards and Charles seven, 33 and zero yards.
Granted, coach Andy Reid said Charles’ surgically repaired knee became swollen last week, so he decided to play it safe and give Charles two snaps (one carry). But he also admitted to sticking with the hot hand. Ware is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and is playing a bigger role in the passing game than he did last season.
So even if Charles starts taking carries away from Ware (a big if at this point), don’t fret too much. He’s proving he can make the most of what he gets.
* I have no idea what’s going on with Bengals running back Jeremy Hill. Here are his weekly standard-scoring totals this season: 9, 5, 21, 7, 1, 3, 24.
Yes, he exploited a favorable matchup against the Browns on Sunday with 168 yards, 74 of which came on a touchdown run. But Giovani Bernard still outcarried him 17-9, and in a tasty matchup against the Dolphins in Week 4, Hill needed 21 carries to get 71 yards.
He’s such a hit-and-miss player, I wouldn’t even bother with him unless Bernard gets hurt. If you have Hill, consider him a low-end RB2 – and consider selling high.
Follow me on Twitter @JeffreyA22.
Email: jagrest@suntimes.com
WEEK 8 OUTLOOK
Byes: Rams, Dolphins, Giants, Steelers, 49ers, Ravens.
STOCK MARKET
RISING
Broncos RB Devontae Booker: His role is growing, and his next three games are against teams that rank in the top 10 in most points allowed to RBs per game.
Packers WR-RB Ty Montgomery: The team’s decimated backfield has turned him into a running back. His value is enhanced if he’s eligible at both positions in your league.
FALLING
Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon: He’s averaging only 3.2 yards per carry, he has a bum ankle and Matt Asiata has been more involved the last two games.
Jaguars WR Allen Robinson: In back-to-back favorable matchups (Bears and Raiders), he totaled four points. The entire offense has taken a huge step backward.
MATCHUPS
STUDS
Buccaneers RB Jacquizz Rodgers: He’s the man with Doug Martin (hamstring) still out, and the Raiders rank 28th in run defense.
Jets WR Brandon Marshall: Don’t fret about his last two games (6 catches, 109 yards combined). He’ll exploit the Browns’ 29th-ranked pass defense.
DUDS
Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin: He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1, he has zero 100-yard games and the Colts have allowed only 20 points to WRs the last two weeks.
Bears running backs: The backfield appears to be muddled again with Ka’Deem Carey taking carries from Jordan Howard. Plus, the Vikings rank third in run defense.
