Tank Dell’s fantasy football stock is on the rise again

On By Yukito

It’s hard to function in today’s social climate without having strong opinions about… well, everything. Any hot take is better than “I don’t know.”

But also hear us out for a moment, what if you don’t know? Or at least what if you don’t have a strong opinion? What happens if options A, B, and C all have their advantages and disadvantages, and when you measure all the factors, there is no longer much of a difference?

In some ways, that’s where Madman was in our preseason evaluation of Texas wingers.

We liked Nico Collins because he was the best producer on the team last season. However, it was also the most expensive. We like Stefon Diggs because he’s the biggest achievement of his career. However, he had the most uncertainty because he was the oldest and youngest in the squad. We liked Tank Dell because he has the highest ceiling after a strong rookie season, but he also had injury concerns and was most likely missing targets.

So how do you reconcile these competing factors when constructing your lineup primarily based on the draft? In the face of such uncertainty, we prefer the guy we can find the cheapest – because the less belief we have, the less we are willing to pay.

In this situation, that player was Tank Dell. Of the three, he was the newest in the draft, so he became our preferred target of the three. And because he was an easy target – he took it shortly after someone picked Diggs – he ended up getting a lot of it.

Unfortunately, sometimes you get what you pay for, and Dell has been underwhelming this season, posting just single-digit PPR scoring in three of four games and missing another.

One of our concerns – his lack of speed in an offense full of playmakers – has come true. Both Diggs and Collins have twice the targets, more than twice the receptions, more than twice the yards and all six touchdowns scored by Houston receivers.

Dell’s season was a downer. But… now there is reason for hope, although it comes at a price. Collins was placed on IR this week with a hamstring issue, meaning he will miss at least the next four games.

Houston Texans #3 Tank Dell catches a pass from Byron Murphy Jr. No. 7 of the Minnesota Vikings. Getty Images

That’s how long Dell should need to return to the top of its debut production. Dell was a top-10 WR in Weeks 9-12 before suffering a season-ending fractured fibula.

This season, Collins has been the WR2, Diggs the WR8, so there is plenty of room in this offense for two productive WRs. Dell should now get these numbers #2.

This is great news for those of us who have written a lot about Dell. But before you pull out your pompoms and start with “Give me a tank!” cheers, hit the brakes for a second.

The Texans play the Patriots this week. This won’t necessarily be a matchup, as the Pats rank just 19th in opposing receivers. However, they start with rookie QB Drake Maye. They also have a paper mache offensive line – they were ranked worst in the league by Pro Football Focus before the season and gave up the second-most sacks.

Texas receiver Nico Collins (12) runs with the ball after a reception. Images Troy Taormina-Imagn

Therefore, we don’t expect the Pats offense to be fierce, so the Texans don’t need to shoot much to win. That’s why we don’t expect a lot of fantasy points from the Texans this week.

The tank is coming guys, it just might not arrive this week. But in the coming weeks, Dell will give its opponents hell.

Big weeks

Daniel Jones QB, Giants vs. Bengals (FanDuel $6,800/DraftKings $5,300)

Don’t look now, but Jones has scored more than 18 fantasy points in three of his last four games. His opponents on Sunday will be the Bengals, who rank 28th against opposing fantasy QBs and have given up an average of 25.7 over the last three weeks.

Caleb Williams QB, Bears, vs. Jaguars (N/A)

The Jags are the worst in the league against fantasy QB opponents and have given up a lot of passing TDs over the last three weeks.

Caleb Williams of #18 Chicago Bears passes a pass against the Carolina Panthers. Getty Images

Bucky Irving RB, Buccaneers, at Saints (5,700 FD/5,400 DK)

Yes, we know, we praise it often. However, Rachaad White was demoted from ‘limited’ to non-training at the end of the week, which is never a good sign. Bucky Week is coming. It might be this one.

Tre Tucker WR, Raiders vs. Steelers (5,400 FD/4,200 DK)

Davante Adams is expected to miss the game again, and Jakobi Meyers missed practice this week with an ankle problem. It could be the Brock Bowers & Tucker Show with Adian O’Connell at QB.

Small Weak

Baker Mayfield QB, Buccaneers, at Saints (7,900 FD/6,500 DK)

The Saints have lost one TD passed by a QB all season. They also played some good fantasy QBs – Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins ​​and… is Patrick Mahomes still eligible?

Are you betting on the NFL?

Brian Robinson Jr. RB, Commanders, at Ravens (7700 FD/6400 DK)

Missing a lot of training because of a knee injury is not ideal. Austin Ekeler’s health doesn’t help. Facing the 5th stingiest defensive RBs against fantastic RBs doesn’t help.

Alec Pierce WR, Colts, at Titans (5,800 FD/5,400 DK)

Following the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. someone should turn up the volume. Except the return of Anthony Richardson pushes Joe Flacco to the sidelines and means there’s no room for any WR. Pierce and other Colt WRs will need a long TD. Not worth the gamble.

Dallas Goedert TE, Eagles vs. Browns (7,000 FD/5,200 DK)

AJ Brown and Devonta Smith are on track to return this week. Remember those single-digit games for Goedert to start the season? Expect more.