XANDAMERE’S SHOWDOWN SLANT
Week 4 closes out with the Seahawks visiting the Giants for a healthy 47 total game with Seattle favored by 1.5 points. So, reasonably high total, close spread, and two defenses that have struggled to stop anything so far. The Giants have given up an insane 98 points so far, though some of that was to opposing defenses, while the Hawks have given up 88. After what feels like a plethora of gross island games, this looks like a fun one.
New York
On the Giants side, Saquon Barkley is doubtful with some limited practices this week. I’m going to guess he does NOT play and write this up as such, as generally players require more than one week to heal from a high ankle sprain. If we get news indicating otherwise early enough, I’ll update the article, but if he’s a game-time decision, best to hop in Discord to talk about the situation. Matt Breida stepped into the lead back role last week, playing 82% of the snaps (!) but only seeing seven opportunities (four carries and three targets) as the Giants got absolutely dusted by the 49ers. In a game with a closer spread, we can safely project Breida for a much more robust role, and because of last week’s obliteration, Breida’s price is just $6,400. He will share some work with Gary Brightwell, who saw the same number of opportunities on just 18% of the snaps. In a closer game, I have a very strong lean to Breida as the better on-paper play. Of course, Daniel Jones will take carries himself. The Giants don’t run things like the “butt scoot” or whatever it’s called that Philly does, but last year Giants running backs combined for 29 carries inside the 10 against 15 for Jones. So, still a threat to vulture, but not to the extent of, say, Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts. At $6,400, Breida is clearly underpriced for his role, while Brightwell fills the “RB2s with actual roles are always viable in Showdown” slot.
Showdown Ownership Projections!
Ownership updates automatically
In the passing game, the Giants have a whole lot of dudes. Darius Slayton leads all pass catchers in offensive snaps played, and though it has not translated to fantasy production yet, he has at least five targets in every game. At $5,200 and in a strong matchup, that’s a great value. Preseason favorite for the WR1 role Isaiah Hodgins is next in snaps but has just nine targets to show for it, and he’s more expensive than Slayton. Parris Campbell is next in snaps and routes and has a healthy 16 targets, though just for 47 yards (averaging 4.3 yards per catch, jeez) in a possession receiver role. At $2,800, he’s a reasonable value option. Jalin Hyatt is an interesting rookie who will fill some perimeter snaps running mostly deep routes, giving him a volatile profile; he only has three targets on the season and has put up 0 points in Weeks 1 and 3, but put up 10.9 DK points in Week 2 on a 2/89/0 line. That’s about what we should expect from Hyatt – he’s a good tourney option (at just $2,000) and he’s already shown ceiling for his salary, and his role should be expected to increase as the season goes along. Finally, we have Wan’dale Robinson. Robinson is a very, very solid talent who has spent much of his young career injured; he returned last week to play just 22% of the snaps but earned five targets. When he’s on the field, he’s going to be a primary option, and I expect his snap count to increase as his injury falls further into the rear-view mirror. Robinson’s snaps came at the expense of Sterling Shepard, who barely played last week, and I expect as his role continues to grow that it will be Campbell who gives up snaps in return. Wan’dale won’t project well based on his snap count, but he’s one of my favorite options in this game, though just recognize it’s a pretty risky profile. At tight end, we have the Giants real leading pass catcher in Darren Waller. Waller leads the team in targets and is second only to Slayton in offensive snaps amongst the pass catchers. We know he’s elite when healthy, and he seems healthy, and he’s only $7k . . . he’s an awesome play. Finally, we have TE2 Daniel Bellinger, who is on the field plenty but is mostly a blocker with just two targets on the year. With price considered, my ranking of Giants pass catching options are Waller, Robinson, Slayton, Hodgins, Hyatt, Campbell, and Shepard.
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