D.J. Chark and Other Week 9 Fantasy Busts

by Granola Jeremy ·

While we were wrong about Zach Ertz‘s Week 9 rebound, our Week 8 bust article highlighted Russell Wilson‘s small buy-low window. Well that window is officially shut, but the buy-low window on Ty Johnson is still open. All in all, the advanced stats and metrics on PlayerProfiler can help us sift through the busts to find out who to sell, cut, add or buy (*cough cough* D.J. Chark).

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers (10.9 points, QB24)

After back-to-back top-three finishes, including a 43.8-point game in Week 7, Aaron Rodgers put up a dud. Even with 35 attempts, the Los Angeles Chargers held Rodgers to 161 yards and a lone touchdown.

https://youtu.be/W4cqKEOzuno

Though Rodgers is certainly capable of shredding any defense with his 19 (No. 2 among qualified quarterbacks) Money Throws and 109.6 (No. 5) True Passer Rating, caution is advised. His upcoming three weeks include a home game against Carolina, a Week 11 bye and an away game against San Francisco.

If possible, attempt to sell Rodgers and his name-brand for another team’s quarterback plus a FLEX with upside such as Ty Johnson.

Gardner Minshew (7.8 points, QB26)

Unfortunately, Uncle Rico failed us. Gardner Minshew, in a great matchup against Houston with breakout receiver D.J. Chark, failed to throw a single touchdown.

He did throw for 309 yards., but Houston hurried him 12 times and he led the Jaguars to a measly three points.

Check out Gardner Minshew on PlayerProfiler’s Updated Weekly Rankings and Projections:

The good news is that Minshew is top-ten in attempts, red zone attempts, Deep Ball Attempts, passing yards, Money Throws and rushing yards. However, he also ranks third in Danger Plays, fourth in Interceptable Passes and 26th in True Passer Rating.

Worst of all, Minshew has been benched for Nick Foles after putting up 7.8 points with his job on the line for all intents and purposes.

Wide Receivers

Stefon Diggs (2.6 points, WR82)

In his previous three weeks, Stefon Diggs caught 21 passes for 452 yards and three touchdowns. Against Kansas City though, with Adam Thielen exiting after the first series, Diggs went cold.

While Kansas City may seem like a chalk matchup, Charvarius Ward‘s +22.5 (No. 24) Coverage Rating stifled Diggs. Next up is Dallas, Denver and then a bye.

Even with the rough outing and schedule, Diggs ranks top-five in:

  • Production Premium (+43.5) (No. 5)
  • Target Accuracy (8.07) (No. 4)
  • Target Quality (8.3) (No. 3)
  • Yards Per Pass Route (3.46) (No. 2)
  • Yards Per Target (13.4) (No. 1)
  • Yards Per Reception (18.7) (No. 4)
  • Deep Targets (16) (No. 5)

With Kirk Cousins at quarterback and Dalvin Cook in the backfield, Diggs is a deep threat with huge upside. His schedule and recent bust performance makes him a perfect buy-lowish candidate.

D.J. Chark (7.2 points, WR58) 

Through nine weeks, this past game was D.J. Chark‘s first time outside the top-50 wide receivers. Beginning with Week 1, he’s ranked WR11, WR13, WR20, WR43, WR4, WR45, WR35, WR10, WR58.

It’s obviously been a breakout campaign for Chark, evidenced by his 16.7 (No. 12) Fantasy Points Per Game. Though there’s now uncertainty surrounding Chark because he gets a new quarterback and he has a Week 10 bye.

https://youtu.be/szbgW6ZwyIM

Now is the time to strike with Chark owners. Capitalize on the fear because he is top-10 in:

Trade for Chark now before owners realize he faces Tampa Bay in Week 13, Oakland in Week 15 and Atlanta in Week 16.

Running Backs

Aaron Jones (3.9 points, RB44)

From Week 8 to Week 9, Aaron Jones‘ fantasy output fell 37.7 points. He went from rocking the world with 41.6 points to gaining 29 yards on 12 opportunities.

For comparison’s sake, Jones is similar to receivers such as Will Fuller, Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins. They all have high Weekly Volatility ratings.

Jones’ 15.8 Weekly Volatility ranks first among running backs and is why he’s the most frustrating bell-cow. The Packers offense, along with Jones’ touches and output, waxes and wanes like the moon.

LeSean McCoy (1.9 points, RB56)

After seeing at least a 41.1-percent Snap Share and a minimum of 10 opportunities from Weeks 6-8, LeSean McCoy‘s role diminished in Week 9. He garnered three carries, one target and an 11.3-percent Snap Share.

On the other hand, Damien Williams commanded a 75.5-percent Snap Share and 14 opportunities with three red zone carries. He ripped off a 91-yard touchdown that silenced the Shady supporters.

https://youtu.be/c7OURIT8t2g

Although 31.3 years old, McCoy still ranks top-ten in:

Nonetheless, opportunity is king for running backs. Kansas City turned to Williams and left Shady watching on the sidelines.

It’s best to roster him as a handcuff if Williams gets hurt or plays poorly again. After all, this is the Kansas City offense with a +2.50 (No. 5) Game Script rating and Mahomes returning soon. Roster any applicable player possible.

Tight Ends

Darren Waller (7.2 points, TE21)

First off, it’s great that seven points is Darren Waller‘s floor. Few tight ends can claim that.

Still, it was disappointing to only see two targets go Wallers way. However, he still ranks top-five in:

  • Targets (60) (No. 5)
  • Deep Ball Targets (5) (No. 5)
  • Target Share (24.6-percent) (No. 2)
  • Receptions (48) (No. 3)
  • Receiving yards (548) (No. 3)
  • Yards After Catch (277) (No. 2)
  • Red Zone Receptions (6) (No. 4)
  • Fantasy Points Per Game (15.2) (No. 3)
  • Yards Per Pass Route (3.06) (No. 4)
  • Catchable Target Rate (90.0-percent) (No. 4)
  • Production Premium (+22.8) (No. 5)
  • Fantasy Points Per Pass Route (0.68) (No. 5)

https://youtu.be/g2Z1dPE7bpI

Waller is a locked in TE1 the rest of the season. He’s a volume vacuum, athletic and an efficient producer in a crapshoot of a position.