Welcome to Week 14 of the 2023 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Skittish about December (see below)
- System or Player? The WR Edition
- Old or Prime? Aging Top Producers in 2024 Redraft Leagues
- For Real/Fool's Gold - RB Edition
Let's roll.
Skittish about December
Matt Waldman: In this week's Top-10, I examined Miami's offense and realized on film and the box score that Tua Tagovailoa's production has dipped against defenses that have a strong enough front four to generate a quick pass rush and/or provide challenging coverages that either confuse the QB or make him attempt throws beyond his paygrade.
The Jets and Ravens are two opponents with that potential against Tagovailoa during the fantasy playoffs. While I'd certainly continue starting the Dolphins' receiving corps, I'd be more hesitant about rolling with Tagovailoa, this year's QB10 in a 12-team league, if I had an equal or more compelling option available.
With this example as a guide, tell me about a starter in a 12-team format with lineups that allot for 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, and 1 TE whom you're having doubts about their playoff schedule, and you're considering taking the risk with a different option on your bench or waiver wire.
Ryan Weisse: While Brian Robinson Jr has been a remarkable story in 2023, with his schedule and now injury concerns, he may be best left on the bench for the fantasy playoffs. In Weeks 15 and 17, the Commanders square off against the Rams and 49ers, who each give up bottom-10 points to fantasy running backs. In Week 16, Robinson faces the Jets, who look like a good matchup but just held Bijan Robinson to 10 fantasy points and tend to get beat by backs in the passing game, where Robinson cedes work to Antonio Gibson. Throw in a new hamstring injury and the risk of reoccurrence, and you probably have a safer option on your bench.
Sam Wagman: I would be extremely skittish to start Chris Godwin down the stretch. He has not surpassed ten fantasy points in over a month and now draws a few less-than-amazing fantasy matchups down the stretch in Atlanta, Green Bay, and New Orleans to close out the season. The coaching staff has mentioned wanting to get him more involved, but they have also involved Trey Palmer plenty and Rachaad White has taken a large passing-down role. With Mike Evans putting up his usual stat lines, can Baker Mayfield still find Godwin in all that?