Thursday Night Football Ravens at Dolphins
Embed from Getty ImagesBaltimore is on the road this week in this edition of Thursday Night Football as a favorite against Miami. All signs point to the Ravens being able to handle business against a injury riddled and less talented Dolphins team. The players listed below are ranked in where they would play in my starting fantasy lineup if I had them.
Locked in Starters:
- Lamar Jackson
- Marquise Brown
- Mark Andrews
- Mike Gesicki
Flex Worthy:
Embed from Getty ImagesRashod Bateman
A feature on my waiver wire article for week 10. Bateman has not had his official breakout, but that is coming. Baltimore has been having better days throwing the football the last couple of weeks and Bateman has received 6, 6 & 8 targets in the last three games. That equals 23%, 19%, and 19.5% target share, respectively. He is only entering his 4th professional game and the stock is rising.
Devonta Freeman
The only running back worth any fantasy value is Devonta Freeman. His value is almost only touchdown dependent, but he has demonstrated he is the best option out of the backfield. The last four weeks he has seen an average of three targets per game while Le’Veon Bell has seen three targets total in four games played.
Jaylen Waddle
Waddle is far and away the best receiver on this team. He has almost twice the number of targets as Davante Parker, who is on IR for another two weeks. The next wide receiver is Mack Hollins with 17 targets… Waddle is averaging 10.5 targets per game over his last four games, though he does not have a 100 yard receiving game yet. His time will come for a monster game and it could very well be against a Baltimore defense that let Kirk Cousins throw all over them last week.
Myles Gaskin
Last week, Gaskin saw a season high in carries against the Texans. If that usage continues, he can be a viable weekly starter. The only problem is, he fumbled and lost it. Even if the rushing volume declines, the receiving value is there. He is consistently targeted out of the backfield (at least four in every game but one). If you are in a PPR league Gaskin is an automatic start and is flex worthy in half point settings.
Bench Spots
Sammy Watkins
Injury issues have kept Watkins off the field since week 5. He commanded about seven targets a week before going down against Indianapolis, but since then rookie Rashod Bateman has returned from injury and looks very good. Coming off a hamstring injury there are better options out there.
Le’Veon Bell, Latavius Murray, Ty’Son Williams
Bell is the second option behind Freeman and the third if you count Lamar Jackson. Ty’Son Williams has been very disappointing and may even be a healthy scratch. Latavius Murray is offically declared out.
Jacoby Brissett
Not a great matchup for a backup QB. He will probably throw for enough to support Waddle and Gesicki but not enough to sustain a QB2 level.
Preston Williams/Mack Hollins
Great player last year. If he can get past injuries he could play a vital part within this offense. It seems he has to work his way back onto the field after being a healthy scratch the last two weeks. Hollins might get a couple endzone looks after defenders prioritize Waddle, Gaskin, and Gesiski. Not worth the risk.
Notable Injuries
- Tua Tagovailoa – OUT
- Davante Parker – IR short term
- Will Fuller V – IR short term