Fantasy Football Week 4: Fact or Fiction?

Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Football Fact or Fiction! Each Tuesday, I’ll be examining a few fantasy football questions based on what transpired the previous week. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @BenMcD_Sports to let me know if you agree or disagree with my takes! Thanks for reading!

Fact or Fiction? It’s time for Kareem Hunt owners to hit the panic button.

Fact. A consensus first round pick in fantasy football drafts, Kareem Hunt is the biggest disappointment this side of David Johnson. Hunt seems to be the only player on the entire Kansas City Chiefs offense who hasn’t benefited from the off-season change to make Patrick Mahomes the starting quarterback. In an explosive offense predicated on pushing the ball downfield, Hunt has essentially evolved into a touchdown dependent, two down back who is only averaging 3.2 yards per carry.

The lack of production doesn’t concern me nearly as much as the lack of opportunity. So what should you do with Kareem Hunt? It’s too early to completely give up on a first round pick, and you should probably just hold onto him and hope things turn around. However, if your team has been bitten by the injury bug, it might be a good idea to see what type of return you could get from an owner who is still living in 2017.

Fact or Fiction? Rob Gronkowski is still in a tier above all other tight ends.

Fiction. Who would you rather have for the rest of this season? Gronk or Kelce? Gronk or Ertz? Gronk or Rico Gathers? Okay, just kidding on that last one. As a Cowboys fan, I just want Rico to happen so bad. But seriously, if you think Gronk over Kelce or Ertz is still a no brainer, you haven’t been paying attention. Take a look at how each player ranks in targets per game in 2018.

• 11 TPG – Zach Ertz 14.2 PPG
• 8.7 TPG – Travis Kelce 17 PPG
• 5.7 TPG – Rob Gronkowski 12 PPG

One thing that jumps off the page is the volume Ertz has received. The highest TPG average among tight ends over the last 5 years came in 2013 when Jimmy Graham averaged 8.7 targets per game. With Wentz back under center, Ertz could have a historic year if he continues to see that type of usage. Of course, the sensational play of Mahomes also makes a historic year seem within reach for Kelce as well. The Patriots offense is bound to improve, Gronk will get his looks, and he could still end up as the top scoring tight end in 2018. He just no longer has the top-tier all to himself.

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Fact or Fiction? Ezekiel Elliott‘s production will suffer in the stagnant Dallas Cowboys offense.

Fiction. Lost in the conversation of how terrible the Cowboys offense has been this year, is that Ezekiel Elliott is actually off to the hottest start of his young career. Take a look at his fantasy PPG through weeks 1-3 of each season of his career (PPR).

• 2018 – 17.4 PPG – #8 RB
• 2017 – 14.5 PPG – #14 RB
• 2016 – 15.0 PPG – #16 RB

If the last 3 weeks are a sign of things to come, Elliott could easily finish with career marks in multiple stat categories. What’s crazy to think about, is that Elliott has played so well despite the typically strong Cowboys offensive line being so compromised due to injuries. If Travis Frederick is able to make his way back this year, we could see Elliott’s numbers skyrocket.

Elliott has been consistent this year, scoring 17.6, 19.7, and 14.8 points in 3 games. We have yet to see him receive 20 carries in a game and erupt for multiple scores. I like that to happen in week 4 in a home match-up with the Detroit Lions in what is shaping up to be a must win game for the 1-2 Cowboys.

Thanks for reading, Fantasy Football Week 4: Fact or Fiction?!