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Wes Welker does things like this, and it drives those who own him in fantasy football crazy. At the start of the 2012 season, Welker was outplayed early on by Julian Edelman, panic ensued, people overreacted, Welker was dropped and many owners got a gem off the wire. Welker would go on to finish seventh in wide receiver scoring in standard formats.
This season, right now, Welker is in a similar situation. After scoring eight touchdowns in his first six games, Welker only has one in the other six. After averaging 13.65 fantasy points per game in standard scoring formats up to the bye, he is only averaging 4.5 in the four games since. After notching 555 receiving yards prior to the bye, Welker only has 162 yards since.
I’m sure many fantasy owners are at least considering leaving Welker on the bench this week based on the recent funk. The Denver Broncos host the Tennessee Titans this week, and Tennessee comes into the game allowing the least fantasy points per game to wide receivers, along with the seventh best total passing defense in the league. Those owners are going to regret that move, as this should be the week that Welker breaks out of his slump.
If there is one thing Peyton Manning does well, it is spreading the wealth. Manning knows how to keep his receivers happy, and just when you think one has become a bust, that is when Manning feeds him the ball and said receiver has a huge game. Before Eric Decker went off for over 40 fantasy points in week 13, remember he hadn’t scored since week 7 and averaged 4.25 fantasy points over those last four games. Sound familiar?
Don’t be surprised if Welker returns to the end zone this week. Everyone knows that the only thing defensive assistant coach Gregg Williams likes more than putting bounties on players is sending the blitz. Welker is the quick out for Manning when that blitz inevitably comes. While the Titans have been solid against the pass down the sidelines, defensive backs Alterraun Verner and Jason McCourty play the outside, leaving Welker in likely single coverage against linebacker Moise Fokou. There are a few linebackers that can hang with Welker, but Fokou shouldn’t be one of them. I doubt that the Titans would gamble on bringing Bernard Pollard down to cover Welker for fear of leaving the deep shot open.
Unless you are loaded at wide receiver, I would start Welker this week. I have him in the 15-18 range on my wide receiver ranks, ahead of guys like Michael Floyd, Riley Cooper and Jordy Nelson. I know it is tough to finish your regular season or start your playoffs with a guy who is only getting about 40 yards per game over the last month and hasn’t scored since week eight, but as we all saw last week with Eric Decker, as soon as you think one Broncos receiver is a bust, that receiver usually has a huge game.
As always, I welcome your comments. If you think I’m wrong, I’m willing to listen. Just back it up with some facts and solid evidence. Thanks for reading and good luck this season.
Dustin Manko is an author at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustinManko, ”Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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