DFS: Four Elite to Avoid - Week 9
In retrospect, Aaron Rodgers would have been an ideal fade in Week 8. He laid a stallion-sized egg against the Denver Broncos elite defense - the only reason that team is undefeated - which was uncharacteristic of Rodgers. He usually rises to meet his competition, but the Packers couldn't do a thing.
Rodgers has another tough contest against the Panthers in Week 9, but he's not the top QB to avoid, though it might still be advised.
QB Andrew Luck, Colts (vs. Broncos)
Two weeks in a row for Luck. After the dismantling of Rodgers, it's best to look the other way when quarterbacks have to go up against Denver. If Rodgers, arguably the best in the game, can't have even a mediocre week then Luck shouldn't fare much better.
And Luck hasn't been among the best in the game, anyway. He might be playing hurt, and he did miss time earlier in the season. While Luck likely hasn't turned into a pumpkin, and could very easily return to elite status down the road, he might need some rest and healing. Fade him until the matchup is favorable or he shows he can perform like his expectations suggest he will.
RB Adrian Peterson, Vikings (vs. Rams)
Like Luck, Peterson finds himself the top fade candidate among elite players at his position for the second week in a row. Looking at his competition, though, it doesn't make sense to fade anyone else. Devonta Freeman is set to run through the 49ers awful defense and Todd Gurley has run for well over 100 yards in four consecutive weeks.
Peterson isn't matching up, yet his DFS price suggests he should. He did, finally, crack 100 yards on the ground in Week 8 against the Bears but the Rams should provide a considerably more difficult challenge. After a couple of hiccups early in the season, the Rams haven't allowed 100 yards rushing in a game since Week 4. There are superior options to Peterson yet again.
WR Dez Bryant, Cowboys (vs. Eagles)
It's simple: don't pay big bucks for guys coming back from severe injuries. Granted, the Eagles pose less of a defensive concern than the Seahawks, who Bryant made his return against in Week 8, but the other options at WR are too juicy to roll the dice on him.
Julio Jones gets the 49ers, Odell Beckham gets the Buccaneers, Julian Edelman and the Patriots host Washington and Antonio Brown is at home against the Raiders. None of those defenses are anywhere close to shutdown against receivers. The Eagles have been picked apart by quarterbacks, but Matt Cassel is still the one behind center, too. Avoid Bryant indefinitely.
TE Jason Witten, Cowboys (vs. Eagles)
Witten may not be injured, but this follows some of the same logic behind being wary of Bryant: Matt Cassel is the Cowboys' quarterback.
On his own merits, Witten hasn't caught a touchdown pass since Week 1. Considering the injury to Bryant, it seemed inevitable that Witten would become the primary end zone target. This did not happen. He has piled up some decent yardage, but without the TDs the asking price is way too high.