Trades always seem to release the most dopamine in my brain of any fantasy football action. The anticipation of finding out whether I made a brilliant move or a big mistake is a reward in itself, and each trade creates a storyline to follow. But what if you are in a league where people are reluctant to make trades? Another fun risk/reward move is the "sabotage drop", a term coined by my friend Paul Charchian.
What is a "Sabotage Drop"?
A Sabotage Drop is a player with:
- Strong name value/ADP
- Fantasy value that is dim/inconsistent enough to make you not want to consider them in any given week
That makes them a drop, but where does the sabotage part come in?
- Another team will spend significant FAAB or waiver priority
- Drop another potentially useful player and clog a roster spot
- Use that player in their lineup and find out why you were willing to drop them
- Maybe even in a matchup against you!
In other words, "sabotage drops" are players who have more value than the lower-end waiver pickups of the week, but are more likely to cause aggravation than help your fantasy team in the long run. The fantasy football conventional wisdom has been to hold this type of player on your bench to see if they come around, but by being decisive, we can create new ways to entertain ourselves in the context of our leagues! Now let's figure out who our sabotage drop of the week will be. We will also track how the previous sabotage drops are going each week as we take on this topic.
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." - Maya Angelou (RIP)
Previous SDotW Picks
Week 2: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR-HOU) - BYE
Week 3: J.K. Dobbins (RB-DEN) - 7 carries, 13 yards
Week 4: Jadarian Price (RB-SEA) - 10 carries, 29 yards, 4 targets, 2 catches, 8 yards
Week 5: Jalen Hurts (QB-PHI) - Placed on injured reserve (blood clots)
Week 6: Cam Skattebo (RB-NYG) - BYE
Week 7: TreVeyon Henderson (RB-NE) - Out (illness)
Week 8: Woody Marks (RB-HOU) - BYE
Nothing to regret here. Price was probably added after he came off injured reserve, only for folks to find out why he was a sabotage drop after the last game he played.
On Sabotage Drop Watch
Jordan Mason (RB-MIN) - The Vikings' blueprint for winning with their blitz-happy defense and two-headed backfield was blown up by the Lions and their actually good running game. Mason is the goal-line back, but he isn't on the field when the Vikings have to play from behind, and that could become a lot more frequent condition for the Vikings to overcome in the second half of the season.
Seth McGowan (RB-IND) - McGowan might not even be rostered in some short-bench leagues, but his visibility is rising with each story about Jonathan Taylor trade possibilities. The problem is that the Colts will be one of the worst offenses in the league, and we're not even sure McGowan will be the clear #1 back with DJ Giddens as the backup since the Colts will be in evaluation mode. Ideally, Taylor gets traded on Monday, and McGowan becomes a strong candidate to be the Week 10 sabotage drop of the week.
Tyler Warren (TE-IND) - Ten targets is great for a tight end, but four catches for 18 yards ain't getting it done for fantasy. We can get that off of the waiver wire every week from 5+ guys that are available. Daniel Jones could get traded, and Warren could suffer a third groin injury and get put on the shelf. He was close to being my sabotage drop of the week.
The Sabotage Drop of the Week is:
DK Metcalf (WR-PIT)
Metcalf has had two good fantasy weeks, both in games where the Steelers had to pass a lot to make up deficits in the second half. Now they are a ground-and-pound team, and Metcalf won't have any margin for error because his targets are drying up now that Aaron Rodgers isn't throwing almost 40 times a week like he was through Week 6. Speaking of error, Rodgers did find Metcalf open deep in Week 8, but Metcalf juggled the ball into Denzel Ward's hands for an interception. That's enough to be given your fantasy football walking papers during your bye.
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