Who To Watch: Blake Bortles
(Jacksonville Jaguars, Quarterback)
Week 7
Many quarterbacks in the NFL start out in the top 5 in fantasy but slow down dramatically midway through the regular season. Rarely is there a quarterback that's not drafted in over 90% of standard leagues, begin the season as a top fantasy QB, remain a top 5 QB, and remain available in over 60% of leagues. This season has become very hectic for many fantasy owners. Unless you have Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Andy Dalton, or Carson Palmer, you have been skeptical of your QB starter. Quarterbacks, like Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, and Eli Manning, have struggled to become weekly starters and have become strong streamers in many leagues. Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger , and Ryan Tannehill were top QBs that have performed very poorly. For those of you that have been struggling at the QB position, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, Blake Bortles, has proven himself as a top 5, weekly fantasy starter.
Former UFC quarterback, Blake Bortles, was selected as the 3rd pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1st round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Jaguars, who have struggled in the past at quarterback, sought to develop him into their franchise quarterback. Putting it simply, CBS Sports writer, Ryan Wilson, writes, "The hope is that Bortles can do for the Jags what the previous franchise quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, never could." In his rookie season, he stepped into the starting role; starting 14 games. Bortles threw 280/475 for 2,908 yards, 11 TDs, and 17 INTs.
Entering into the 2015 season, Blake Bortles was simply overlooked. He was a true sleeper. No one projected that he'd perform at such a high level. In fact, the Jags' QB was only drafted in 3% of fantasy leagues. When many experts were looking at Blake Bortles' fantasy value, they knew he was talented. The problem was in the offensive weapons in Jacksonville. TJ Yeldon hadn't shown anything special; receivers, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, weren't very high on the fantasy radar; and with Julius Thomas's injury, it didn't look good for a young Bortles. In the Jags' week 1 matchup against Carolina, the quarterback threw for 183 yards and only 1 touchdown. It was a low fantasy week for him, and everyone decided that he'd finish as one of the lowest quarterbacks in fantasy.
From weeks 2-6, Blake Bortles has surprised the fantasy world. The rise of this young offense has jolted the quarterback to a fantasy QB1. Totaling 1,447 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, which is what we in fantasy call QB1 stats. He is currently ranked 8th overall with a total of 125 fantasy points. With offensive weapons in: Allen Robinson (WR), Allen Hurns (WR), Julius Thomas (TE), and TJ Yeldon (RB), Blake Bortles is on the road to having a top 5 fantasy season.
Blake Bortles is only owned in 45% of standard leagues. This is very surprising to me. He is a top 5 QB this season. There is no question that Bortles needs to be picked up in all leagues. He is a weekly starter for the rest of the season. Especially in daily fantasy leagues, Blake Bortles is a great start. While many players spend a ton on QBs, like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the Jaguars QB is only priced at $5,400. This can open up the door to affording better players at other positions, while still getting QB1 points from Bortles.
-Who Else To Watch in Week 7-
Josh McCown (CLE • QB) - Like I said last week, McCown has proven himself as a trustworthy, fantasy starter and great BYE week full in. Although Cleveland isn't winning many games, the veteran quarterback is having a fantastic, fantasy season. While struggling against the Broncos strong defense, McCown threw 20/39 for only 213 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs. Even though his production in real life led to a week 6 loss, McCown was still successful in fantasy with 13 points. Only 17% owned, the Browns' QB is a smart pickup and streamer for week 7's matchup against the St. Louis Rams. McCown's price on DFS is $5,200.
Brian Hoyer (HOU • QB) - Hoyer has been a very sneaky quarterback in fantasy this season. Through 6 weeks but only 4 games played, Hoyer has totaled 72 fantasy points; throwing 83/131, 1,073 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs, and 103 passer rating. Entering into week 7, we receive reports of head coach, Bill O'Brien, stating that the Texans will "commit" to Brian Hoyer as their permanent starter. With his recent production, the Houston quarterback has become a strong QB streamer. Facing a week 7 matchup against the Dolphins, the Texans' QB is a great BYE week pickup for all Rodgers and Dalton owners. Only owned in 7% of standard leagues, Hoyer is the perfect late-week pickup. For a boom or bust QB in daily, Hoyer's DFS price is $5,300.
Christine Michael (DAL • RB) - The Dallas Cowboys have always been known to cause headaches for fantasy owners. With Joseph Randle's poor performance, Darren McFadden's new offensive role, and Lance Dunbar's season ending injury, the Cowboys look to the star of their practice squad to try to ignite their backfield. Christine Michael is getting the "Cinderella-chance" to make a name for himself in Dallas. In only two weeks of practicing with the active squad, Michael is already the projected starter for Dallas' week 7 matchup against the New York Giants. Reports from DallasCowboys.com state that he (Michael) has been handling the majority of first team reps in practice this week. Although this breaks the hearts of many fantasy owners, Michael must be picked up by all Randle owners. Christine Michael is only owned in 40% of standard leagues but is quickly on the rise. In DFS, Michael is priced at $3,000. Boom or bust FLEX, if he continues to practice as the Cowboys' starting RB.
James Starks (GB • RB) - Green Bay has always been one of the top offenses in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have always played, what they call, their "hot hand." Whether it is a receiver that seems to catch everything or a linebacker that continues to get sacks, Mike McCarthy will ride the hot hand until it goes cold. This past week against San Diego, James Starks had the hot hand. He continued to play well, while Eddie Lacy watched from the sidelines. Lacy, known as the Packers' RB1, suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago and is still banged up. Starks, Lacy's handcuff, has stepped right in to fill the role. While Lacy owners hope that their first round draft pick isn't suffering from a more critical ankle injury, we must jump on 44's fantasy, bandwagon. We learned earlier in the season to pickup the backup RB when the starter goes down. Remember? Tevin Coleman was the starter in Atlanta, then he got hurt; that's when the fantasy prodigy, Devonta Freeman, began his rise to the top. How many Coleman owners didn't pick up Freeman? Only 29% owned and entering week 7 on a BYE, many owners might overlook Starks on the waiver wire. Not only should he be picked up by all Lacy owners, but James Starks should be added in all leagues.
Charles Sims (TB • RB) - Tampa Bay has been blessed this season at the running back position. The one-two combo of Doug Martin and Charles Sims has made Buccaneer football very exciting. Martin started out slow but has risen to the top in the past few weeks. Sims, a true handcuff for Martin, has remained successful as the 3rd down and goal line back. Coming off the Bucc's BYE week, Sims is owned in only 24% of standard leagues. In PPR leagues, the halfback is a great FLEX option for his week 7 matchup against a shaky Washington defense. He is a must add for every Martin owner. In DFS, Charles Sims is priced at $3,600.
Stefon Diggs (BAL • WR) - Diggs has become one of the most popular names in Baltimore. Mike Wallace, Ravens Wide Receiver, has played in the league for many years. He spoke highly about Diggs, comparing him to a young Antonio Brown. Stefon lit up the fantasy world with his performance last two weeks against a mediocre pass defense in Denver and a great Kansas City secondary. He has caught 13 passes for 216 yards; no touchdowns for the young receiver, but he has the potential to become the main playmaker in Baltimore. Many think that Diggs will slow down this coming week because of the return of Charles Johnson (ribs). I think it will be the complete opposite. Flacco loves throwing to the young man, and Charles is still a little banged up from his injury. Going up against a weak secondary in Detroit, look for Siggs to have another huge game. Only 23% owned in most leagues, it's best to snag him now before his fantasy value goes sky high. Priced at $4,200 in DFS, Stefon Diggs is an affordable WR3 with big play ability.
Rishard Matthews (MIA • WR) - Under the new direction of Dan Campbell, the Dolphins have put together a strong offensive scheme. Not only are they running the ball now, but they are passing the ball deep. This has brought Matthews' fantasy value way up. Keep in mind that we have only seen one week, but Rishard Matthews has shown potential to become a deep threat, offensive weapon for Miami. Matthews is currently owned in only 50% of standard leagues, which makes him a great pickup for any fantasy owner dealing with BYE week issues. Priced at $4,300, Rishard Matthews is a WR to keep in mind when setting your week 7 lineup.
Tavon Austin (STL • WR) - In a young offense, there are only two offensive playmakers, Todd Gurley (RB) and Tavon Auston (WR). No one else in their offense has continued to show their worth in fantasy. Gurley is a top 5 running back, no question. Auston has become a great multi tooled player for the Rams. In an offense that has solely depended on the run, Nick Foles has had to find a trustworthy target to throw to. Auston has fit that role. Getting targets and carries, Tavon has become a solid FLEX option in many deep leagues; also, making his way as a solid start in PPR leagues, the young receiver has gotten plenty of targets through 6 weeks. Racking up 16 receptions of 25 targets for 144 receiving yards. On the ground, 13 carries, 99 rushing yards, and 5 total TDs. Only owned in 46% of leagues and priced at $4,500, makes Tavon Auston an affordable and available FLEX with a ton of upside.
Jordan Cameron (MIA • TE) - In an offense that seemed to fall apart, interim head coach, Dan Campbell, turned things around pretty quickly. We knew that Lamar Miller was going to rise up after the coaching change, but many fantasy experts and players overlooked the fact that Coach Campbell was the tight ends coach. It should have been in giant bold letters; JORDAN CAMERON WILL GET A LOT OF TARGETS! Why? Because the TEs coach is calling the plays. In last week's matchup against the Tennessee Titans, the Miami TE had 8 targets, 3 receptions for 30 yards, and 1 touchdown. Cameron is only owned in 68% of standard leagues. He is a great pickup, especially for this week's matchup against the Houston Texans. Currently priced at $3,300 on DFS, Jordan Cameron is dirt cheap for a TE1.
By: Cameron Black
@GBCam_Black
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