Is Dez Bryant always in your starting lineup? What about
Andre Johnson? Brandon Lloyd? Antonio Brown? Steve Smith, maybe?
If you answered yes any of these questions, then I pose
another to you: What do all of these players have in common?
Answer: They all have fewer fantasy points this season than
Buccaneer WR Mike Williams.
As a matter of fact, Williams is tied with Miles Austin,
Julio Jones, Eric Decker and Larry Fitzgerald with 9.8 fantasy points per game
(standard), good for 16th at the wide receiver position. Yet, of
every name I have listed so far, Williams is the only one who is not owned in
100% of all fantasy leagues. He is owned in 54%.
So now the question becomes: “Should a player tied for 16th
in the NFL in points make your fantasy starting lineup?” I simply answer, “Yes,
yes he should.”
Fantasy owners will remember Williams’ 2010 rookie campaign
where he pulled down 65 receptions for 965 yards and 11 touchdowns. An
underwhelming 2011 season led to him falling off the fantasy radar, being
drafted as little more than a bench filler this year. But over the last two
games, heads are beginning to turn as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers show that they
are not afraid to take to the air. In those two games, Mike Williams has 8
receptions for 228 yards and a score.
As Josh Freeman and the Buccaneer offense open up the
passing game, Mike Williams has seen an his reception numbers rise, which
points to him becoming a more consistent target as the year goes on. Of his 15
receptions so far this season, eight have come in the last two games.
But the main reason why I vote yes to Mike Williams being
placed in your fantasy lineup is what the man is able to do with those
receptions. Seven of his catches have been for more than 20 yards. He is tied
for the NFL lead with three of the receptions going for more than 40 yards. And
he is averaging more than 22 yards per catch. Of players with 10 or more grabs
so far this year, only Cleveland’s Josh Gordon has a higher number.
So when setting your lineup for Sunday’s game, thank about
making some room in that second receiver or flex spot for Mike Williams. It’s
time to start using all of those points that have been accumulating on your
bench.
I picked him up before even seeing this post. Ive got Brandon Lloyd who has really disappointed me this year and Im starting Williams over him. Especially with that tantalizing matchup against the terrible Saints defense.
ReplyDeleteSo my starter Matt Ryan is on bye, wondering who I should start from FA -
ReplyDeleteCutler, Hasselback, Ponder, Palmer, Freeman, Fitzpatrick, Weeden,
Bradford, Smith? Your expert advice as soon as possible would be much
appreciated. Thank-you.
Hey GHL,
ReplyDeleteI was just offered Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Turner for Eric Decker and Leshoure. Fitz and Decker are pretty even and Skelton should throw it Fitz's way a little more and although I like Leshoure's upside with how shoddy the lions pass game has been I think Turner is an upgrade. What do you think?
Agreed. Should be a big game... hopefully Freeman can manage more that 15 completions this game.
ReplyDeleteTurner has been surprising this year to me. I thought he'd be a complete dud. I think its alright. I like Fitz better than Decker, and agree that the Lions offense has a lot of work to do before any kind of good running game will come out.
ReplyDelete