Welcome to Week 8 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:
- Second-Half Slump Candidates
- Every Week, Bye Week, Fluke Week
- Vikings and Titans Passing Games (See below)
- Either/Or: The WR Edition
Let's roll.
Vikings and Titans Passing Games
Matt Waldman: Will Levis had a huge statistical debut. Jarren Hall will likely take over for Kirk Cousins while Joshua Dobbs unpacks and learns the offense.
Most had dour expectations for Levis. Many will change their minds after one week (tell those who remember Marcus Mariota's 4-TD NFL debut how wise that is).
Many will have similar expectations for Hall and/or Dobbs. Answer the following:
- Which WR or TE on the Titans and Vikings will retain the most viable fantasy value with these rookie QBs and explain why.
- Which WR or TE on the Titans and Vikings who had fantasy value before the QB changes will lose the most fantasy value?
- Which WR or TE on each team who didn't have fantasy value as at least a TE1 or WR3 has the most potential to gain viable fantasy value with their new QB?
Let's begin with the WR or TE on the Titans and the Vikings who will retain the most viable fantasy value with these rookie QBs and explain why.
Will Grant: For Tennessee, the easy answer is DeAndre Hopkins. He's averaging more than 40 offensive snaps a game and is far and away the most talented wide receiver on the team. Chigoziem Okonkwo will be a nice safety blanket, and his stats should remain relatively consistent. However, he's only averaging three catches for 20 yards a game so it's not like fantasy managers run out and grab him from the waiver wire, either.
For Minnesota, it just became a lot easier to double-team Justin Jefferson (when he's back) and Jordan Addison in his absence. TJ Hockenson should continue to perform at a high level, and may even see his stats bump a bit as a safe throw working the softer spots of the defense. Hockenson is good at finding ways to get open and has the physical talent to outrun bigger, slower defenders after the catch. He's currently the #2 fantasy tight end behind Travis Kelce, and I would expect that to continue the rest of the season, regardless of who is under center.
Andy Hicks: Rookie quarterbacks are likely to lock onto an early read. That will usually be their best receiver. Until Justin Jefferson is fit, that will be T.J. Hockenson for the Vikings and DeAndre Hopkins for the Titans. I would expect the next tier down to take the hit.
Ryan Weisse: Andy hits this on the head: Young quarterbacks will lean on the designed first read. Look at the other rookies this year; C.J. Stroud has targeted Nico Collins on 20% of his passes, Bryce Young to Adam Thielen has accounted for 26% of his throws, and Anthony Richardson went to Michael Pittman on roughly 29% of the few plays he passed this season.
It's clear that it will be DeAndre Hopkins in Tennessee; just don't expect 34 fantasy points every week. Minnesota is more challenging to answer. With Justin Jefferson out, it should be Jordan Addison or T.J. Hockenson. Still, it's hard to say either will retain their value. There is going to be a dip. Hockenson is likelier to survive that dip because fantasy tight ends don't score many points. It will be easier for him to remain in the top-5 conversation.
Gary Davenport: I’m not afraid of a little playful ridicule.
Waldman: That's because you're old school.