How Much Longer Can You Keep These Underachievers?

       If you have been an owner of Chris Johnson this year, you have been very displeased with his effort this year.  Same would go for Antonio Gates, who hasn’t had much to talk about so far this year.  Many others would fit into this role and it is time to take a look at your fantasy team going into week five with some well-known players.  Here we take a look at players who are struggling, and how they project going forward.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee: Johnson thus far has been a disaster for fantasy owners, as he has only 27 points in a regular public league this year.  The next couple of games do not look very promising for Johnson either to drastically increase his total as the Titans face Minnesota and Pittsburgh.  The only games I would recommend playing Johnson is Buffalo, and both Indianapolis games.  Otherwise try to get him for trade bait with someone who believes Johnson will break out.

Ryan Matthews, RB, San Diego: Matthews is a bit of a mystery, mainly because he was injured throughout the pre-season and that hampered his early season stats.  Matthews only has 14 points in a public standard points league and the injury and the success has stalled Matthews.  The difference between Matthews and Johnson though is that Matthews will improve, and it won’t take long for him to.  This weekend is New Orleans, who is terrible defensively, and will play opponents like Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Oakland for him to get better stats.  If you still have Matthews, his outlook is very bright, assuming he stays healthy.

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago: Cutler is capable of producing games like he had against Dallas, but also games like he had against Green Bay.  I would expect against Green Bay, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco and Arizona to have everyone sit Cutler, but the other seven games that Cutler will rack up many points and is a high start priority.  In a short sentence, approach with caution to starting Cutler but as long as you play the matchups right and he keeps his head in check, he will be just fine for you.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona: It’s hard to picture Fitzgerald as a guy underperforming so far this year, but it has a lot to do with a lot of defenses doubling up on him and leaving others open in a suddenly high-powered Cardinals offense.  Even with Fitzgerald’s stats not being so high, I would not worried on this bit, he is one of the game’s best and will get points very soon and in bunches.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego: This is a double edged sword with Gates.  In many ways he is looked at defenses more since the Chargers lost Vincent Jackson over the off-season, so they have to look at different receivers to produce, so it is a mass amount of reasons why the tight end has struggled thus far.  I would not expect those struggles to continue much further as Gates is still one of the favorite targets for quarterback Phillip Rivers.  Keep him around and in the lineup and await the best.

Pittsburgh’s Defense: If you have a league where there are defenses then it would be very frustrating for an owner of the Pittsburgh defense to have the results they have had.  Only five sacks and three takeaways have been to show for this year for the Steelers.  They will get chances in the future as Philadelphia, Tennessee, and Cincinnati do not feature the best offensive lines, but they will need to get turnovers as three just is not enough.  I would approach with caution going forward with Pittsburgh’s defense.

By: David Folz