Fantasy Football Panic Meter After Week 10: CeeDee Lamb, Jayden Daniels, J.K. Dobbins, Cade Otton and More

With another week of NFL play behind us, it’s time to revisit a couple fantasy football series. 

This one is the panic meter series, where we identify players who struggled this past week and then determine how panicked fantasy owners should be. Here’s last week’s story. Also be sure to check back for the one-week outlier or here to stay series.

Explore the best in-season fantasy football tool to manage your team and get league rankings with the Fantasy Assistant. Use our  trade analyzer and trade value charts to break down trade scenarios with Fair Trade ratings. Need a fantasy expert on call for waivers specific to your league? Our AI Fantasy Expert can break down any player for you inside the Fantasy Assistant.

Wide Receivers

CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson are the two wide receivers I want to discuss after week 10.

In the Cowboys’ first game without Dak Prescott, the offense was awful. Lamb still got 10 targets and six catches, but they went for just 21 yards.

Prescott is now out for the season, meaning either Cooper Rush or Trey Lance will be the Dallas starter the rest of the way. Rush was awful against the Eagles in week 10, but is getting another start in week 11. One more poor showing might open the door for Lance.

Either way, the Cowboys’ offense isn’t going to be very good without Prescott around, and that means Lamb’s fantasy outlook takes a negative hit. He’s still capable of racking up catches, and maybe scoring, but the big games we are accustomed to might be over for the season.

I’d put Lamb’s panic meter at a 7. I’m very concerned about his fantasy outlook moving forward, and would probably try to sell high before things get any worse. You aren’t going to get a great return for Lamb, but you might be able to get a player in return with more upside, or maybe flip Lamb for a couple depth pieces for the stretch run.

I’d be doing my best to get Lamb off my roster because I do not believe in Rush or Lance to get the Dallas offense going.

Jefferson had a rare off game in week 10, catching five of his nine targets for 48 yards. It was his first game under 50 receiving yards all season, and first time he hasn’t topped at least 80 yards since week 1.

Jefferson tied a season low in catches despite tying for his second-most targets. He was not only outproduced by T.J. Hockenson, but also Josh Oliver.

I’d put Jefferson’s panic meter at a 3. He’s been producing inside the Minnesota offense, but the unit hasn’t looked nearly as sharp over the past few weeks. I was scared coming into the season with Sam Darnold throwing to him, and the QB’s inconsistencies over the last month definitely have me a bit worried about Jefferson.

It might seem crazy to even consider trading Jefferson, but if you are worried about him too, now might be the best time to move him. He’s got a tough schedule ahead and could be in for some more below-average showings as a result. Jefferson is definitely talented enough to deliver against all defenses, but I also wouldn’t be against throwing his name on the trade block to see what kind of offers come in. 

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels are two quarterbacks worth mentioning this week.

Mayfield had a second-straight down showing. In week 10, he completed 18 of his 29 passes for 116 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. 

Mayfield has been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks this season, and this showing was the worst he’s had. Fantasy owners worried about him still producing without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and it might have just taken a bit longer for that to happen than expected. At the same time though, his two down showings came against the Chiefs and Niners, two of the better defenses in the league.

Taking everything into consideration, I’d only put Mayfield’s panic meter at a 2. It helps that he’s got more favorable games ahead, and with Evans coming back, I think Mayfield will be back to being one of the better fantasy quarterbacks every week.

If you roster Mayfield, do not bail on him, but if he comes available in your league, absolutely scoop him up. You should be able to plug him into your starting lineup for the remainder of the season.

Daniels has been fantastic in his rookie season, so much so that he’s a locked-in fantasy starter already. In week 10 though, the Washington QB struggled a bit.

He completed just half of his 34 passes for 202 yards. Daniels didn’t have a touchdown or interception, and he only added five rushing yards on three attempts. 

He was taking on a tough Pittsburgh defense, and because he’s delivered against tougher defenses in the past, I’m also putting his panic meter at just a 2.

He’s got a tougher schedule than Mayfield, but I like the rookie QB to get back on track in a hurry and remain one of the top fantasy options in the game.

Running Backs

J.K. Dobbins and Tony Pollard are the two running backs we’ll mention this week.

Dobbins rushed 15 times for 50 yards in week 10. He had three catches on as many targets for just five more yards. 

It was the second-fewest total yards Dobbins has produced in a game this season, but also the third time in four games that he’s been under 70 total yards. A few touchdowns in that span make Dobbins’ last month look a lot better from a fantasy perspective.

The more concerning thing from week 10 was that Gus Edwards outproduced Dobbins on the ground. Dobbins still led the way in snaps, 39-15.

I’d still put Dobbins’ panic meter at a 5. Edwards was just coming off injured reserve, and was the far more efficient player on Sunday. I’m not ready to write off Dobbins yet, but I’m definitely concerned about a committee potentially forming.

His panic meter would be even higher if not for a very favorable schedule ahead.

Pollard had 44 rushing yards on nine attempts and added 19 receiving yards on four grabs and targets in the same game this past week.

His backup Tyjae Spears had 47 rushing yards on seven carries, while catching all three of his targets for an additional four yards.

The snap distribution was a lot closer than the one in LA, with Pollard getting 29 snaps to Spears’ 25.

I’d put Pollard’s panic meter at a 5 as well. He’d been the clear workhorse with Spears out with an injury, but in Spears first game back, it was almost a 50/50 split. It could be just a one-game blip because of how the game went, but a rebuilding Titans’ team might also be looking to see what Spears can bring as they look toward the future.

Another favorable schedule ahead made Pollard’s panic meter a little lower than it really could have been. It’s definitely a bit concerning, and I would definitely consider dealing Pollard if you too are worried about Spears moving forward.

Tight Ends

Cade Otton and Jake Ferguson are the tight ends I’d like to discuss.

Otton had been Mayfield's favorite target with Godwin and Evans out, but he came back to earth in week 10. He got eight targets and five catches, but for just 35 yards.

Otton had been over 75 yards in three straight games, and had three combined TDs in that span. This was certainly a step back, and now he might lose targets to Evans, if the wideout is ready to play again.

I’d still only put Otton’s panic meter at a 3. There’s some tougher matchups coming too, but even with Evans back, Otton is still the second option in the passing game for the Bucs.

I’d continue to confidently start Otton every week. If he has another weak showing, then we might have to revisit things.

Ferguson was another Cowboy who struggled with Prescott out. Ferguson had 24 yards on four receptions and five targets in week 10 - he also lost a fumble.

You can throw all his past numbers out the window, as a new starting quarterback is a fresh start for a pass catcher. He’s also probably the No. 2 option in the passing game for his offense, but with a shaky and uncertain quarterback situation in Dallas, I’m more concerned about Ferguson.

I’d put his panic meter at an 8. We’re probably one more poor showing away from maybe dropping him in standard leagues (depending on your TE situation and what’s all available). I’m definitely concerned, but not ready to bail yet, especially with some favorable matchups on the horizon.