Don't Believe the Fantasy Hype - Week 7
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here are four players who have been overhyped for fantasy purposes heading into Week 7:
RB Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins
Likely to be the most popular waiver wire add after Week 6 - even this fantasy writer added him - it's reasonable to believe Ajayi will fail to duplicate his production last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ajayi's 25 carries was easily the highest single-game total of his career, a mark he established the week prior when he ran 13 times against the Tennessee Titans.
Lack of opportunity, and perhaps trust within the scheme, has limited Ajayi's skills and output to date. With Arian Foster getting healthier, Ajayi's opportunity is far from guaranteed. Running for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per carry, will garner warranted attention both from within the team and beyond, but he's far from a sure thing.
Ajayi, prior to Week 6's explosion, had rushed only 31 times for 117 yards over five games. Sunday's game raised his per-carry average from a mild 3.7 yards to an otherworldly 5.7. Roster him if someone is expendable, but don't rush - and do not expect Ajayi to rush for 200 yards in a single game the rest of the season.
QB Case Keenum, Los Angeles Rams
Keenum threw three touchdown passes and tallied 321 yards against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Expectations cannot possibly rise too high, but owners with otherwise ineffective quarterbacks may be briefly tempted to take a flier on him because of these results and the Rams' cushy schedule over the next several weeks. Don't do it.
It's debatable whether Keenum should even be starting over No. 1 pick Jared Goff, but even if you buy that Goff is better suited to watch from the sidelines, Keenum cannot be appealing simply because he's there. It's the interception at the end of the game that cost the Rams a chance at a comeback that people should be focusing on as that's more indicative of what to expect.
It was only the second time in his career Keenum has thrown for 300-plus yards in a game. The three scores gave him one more TD than interceptions on the season and now he's traveling to London. Don't get blinded by one week or the upcoming slate of opponents. It would be better to go for Rams WR Kenny Britt, who won't be hurt by Keenum's INTs.
WR Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans
Titans QB Marcus Mariota has had a couple of effective weeks in a row, throwing six TDs compared to a single interception. He tallied 133 yards on eight completions to Wright in Week 6 alone, including one of those six touchdowns.
Wright's spike in targets does not ensure continued usage. It was only his third game of the season, and prior to Sunday, Wright was only targeted four times, catching three for 23 yards. It's also no surprise that Mariota's two most effective games of the season came against the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. He was only 13-for-29 against Houston in Week 4.
Even against the Indianapolis Colts' leaky pass defense, Mariota and his whole passing game can't be trusted in any format. If there is a member of the Titans passing game to focus on, it's still TE Delanie Walker. Wright and anyone else can too easily be rendered moot.