The least discussed and most important part of fantasy football is learning about the quality of work going on in the trenches.
Welcome to Week 4 of the 2024 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:
- Backup Running Backs of Value
- Fantasy Assets/Fool's Gold: QB Edition
- Offensive Line Liabilities (see below)
- Defenses to Exploit
Let's roll.
Bad Offensive Lines
Matt Waldman: Who are some offensive lines that are hurting the perception of skill talent in the league?
- Name the line
- Name at least one QB or RB whose lack of production makes them look worse than they are.
Go.
Andy Hicks: The Raiders, despite being ranked in the middle of the pack as an offensive line, are getting nothing from Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Most of us had low expectations from this unit, and they were disappointed even with that low outlook.
Head coach Antonio Pierce has expressed public frustration at the lack of a run game. White hasn't exceeded 44 yards in a game and looked flat doing so. Mattison? Even worse. His form in 2023 in Minnesota was average, but he looked better than he currently does in a Raiders uniform.
Gary Davenport: The entire Chicago offense is fascinating because the blame for its struggles is an infinity loop. The offensive line isn't good, which means fewer holes for D'Andre Swift on the ground and less time for Caleb Williams to throw the ball.
Jason Wood: Gary's point about an infinity loop certainly applies to the Los Angeles Rams. No team has endured more missed games on offense. With both star receivers—Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp—out, the Rams are already down at least five offensive linemen.
They've also been without starting tight end Tyler Higbee as he continues his rehab. It's hard to isolate the Rams' struggles to any one of these factors, but we can all agree the compounding effect is tough to overcome. Matthew Stafford ranks as the No. 26 quarterback through three weeks, and we know he's usually a top-15 option on a per-game basis.
The Patriots' run-blocking has been abysmal, and it's keeping Rhamondre Stevenson from looking like a star. Yes, he's ranked No. 23 among running backs and has two good weeks of production. Some may view him as delivering value, but the offensive line is doing him no favors.
New England's line ranks in the bottom five in most run-blocking metrics. Notably, the Patriots rank 30th in rushing yards per attempt before contact (0.55), but are second in yards per rush after contact (4.28).
Imagine how great Stevenson's numbers would look if he were getting another yard before he's forced to shake off tacklers.