Theo Johnson is thriving with Malik Nabers out. (Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images)
This week, Jacksonville and Cleveland traded cornerbacks, with Greg Newsome headed south to the Jaguars and Tyson Campbell now with the Browns; former first overall pick Baker Mayfield is emerging as an MVP candidate; and recently acquired QB Joe Flacco will be starting for the Bengals right away. Other Fantasy football stories we’re following include…
Theo Johnson Gaining Traction
Just over a month ago, we discussed the New York Giants’ offensive woes based on their Week One loss. Well, they figured out how to score in Week Two, only to lose in OT. And then it disappeared again in a third straight loss.
But then, the G-Men managed 21 points and beat the Chargers… really? So what happens in Week Five? Oh, they only put up 14 in losing to the Saints… really?
Yup, getting a handle on these guys is not easy. But one thing we’ve learned of late: since Jaxson Dart has taken over the offense, he’s built chemistry with TE Theo Johnson (see video below); in fact, Johnson’s target share with Dart at the helm is tied for the team lead, so bear this in mind as the Giants head into their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Eagles.
A dude that’s been off the Fantasy radar so far, Johnson pulled in a career-high six catches in Week Five, scoring two TDs (that’s three in the last two games). Emerging as a primary receiving option in New York, he’s already over halfway towards his reception total from his rookie season, a year in which he managed just one TD.
Johnson has a good build, offering versatility in his ability to line up in various locations along the line or in the backfield.
Expect him to surpass the over/under on both his receptions and yards on Thursday. And if you need help at tight end off the waiver wire, Johnson has been among the Fantasy scoring leaders at this position over the last couple of games. Consider him a strong flex option in Week Six.
San Francisco Surprises
In late-June, we talked about how important a bounce back season from Christian McCaffrey was to the San Francisco 49ers and their ability to have an offense good enough to get them back to the playoffs.
Well, the results are mixed so far. Yes, he’s healthy and a big asset in the pass game (39 receptions, career-high 9.9 YPR and three TDs), but his run game has been underwhelming (career worst 3.1 YPC with zero TDs).
Combine this with injuries to George Kittle, Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall and you’d probably assume that San Francisco was in real trouble as we enter Week Six.
But no… the ‘Niners are rolling along at 4-1, in first place in the division and the odds-on favourite to win the NFC West (-120 as per FanDuel).
Oh, did we mention that star pass rusher Nick Bosa tore his ACL in Week Three and is done for the year? Without him, San Francisco’s pass rush game has disappeared, and it’s not clear given the team’s self-imposed financial restraints whether it plans to make a deal to acquire help in this regard.
The unfortunate part here is that Bosa was enjoying a nice comeback season, with 2.5 stuffs already in just two games and less than a quarter to go along with a boatload of tackles, sacks, forced fumbles (and even a fumble recovery). The five-time Pro Bowler was in beast mode.
There are rumours the 49ers will trade for a replacement — perhaps veteran Cam Jordan from New Orleans — so keep your eyes on this situation.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
The late, great American soul/R&B singer Marvin Gaye was active from 1957 until his untimely and tragic death in 1984. In 1978, he released his 14th album, Here, My Dear, and the first single from this was “A Funky Space Reincarnation,” a Funkadelic-inspired track that reached No. 23 on the R&B charts.