In the unpredictable world of NFL fantasy football, fortunes can change in an instant. As the 2024 season unfolds, three surprising storylines have emerged that could reshape how managers approach their lineups. Patrick Mahomes, the once-invincible fantasy quarterback, faces the unthinkable prospect of being droppable. Amari Cooper and Davante Adams, two star receivers thrust into new offenses, are poised for a production showdown. And the Cleveland Browns, mired in a scoring drought, desperately seek to eclipse the 20-point threshold.
The Unthinkable: Is Patrick Mahomes Droppable?
Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ prodigious passer, has been a fantasy football cornerstone for years. His ability to rack up gaudy point totals made him an automatic starter in virtually all formats. However, the 2024 season has seen a stark decline in Mahomes’ fantasy output.
Through seven weeks, Mahomes ranks a lowly 22nd among quarterbacks in ESPN standard scoring. His 13.8 fantasy points per game pale in comparison to the 20+ point performances managers have come to expect. The Chiefs’ shift to a run-heavy offense, coupled with a lack of healthy receiving weapons, has severely capped Mahomes’ ceiling.
With challenging matchups on the horizon, including a Week 10 tilt against the stingy Denver Broncos, fantasy managers must confront a once-unthinkable question: Is it time to drop Patrick Mahomes? While his real-life impact remains immense, Mahomes’ fantasy value has cratered. Streaming options like Geno Smith or Jared Goff may offer more week-to-week upside at this point.
Cooper vs. Adams: A Tale of Two Trades
In a league defined by blockbuster trades, two high-profile wide receivers swapped teams before Week 7. Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers’ long-time favorite target, joined the New York Jets in a much-hyped reunion. Amari Cooper, meanwhile, landed with the Super Bowl-contending Buffalo Bills.
While Adams’ arrival in New York generated more buzz, it was Cooper who made the bigger fantasy splash in Week 7. The former Raider hauled in 4 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, instantly clicking with star quarterback Josh Allen. Adams, by contrast, managed just 3 receptions for 30 yards as he and Rodgers struggled to recapture their Green Bay magic.
“Amari gives us a true number one receiver,” a Bills team source reported following the game. “He opens up so much for our offense.”
Cooper’s seamless integration into Buffalo’s high-powered attack bodes well for his rest-of-season outlook. With the Bills’ upcoming schedule filled with exploitable secondaries, Cooper has a real chance to outproduce Adams from here on out. Fantasy managers should treat the former as a weekly WR1, while the latter may be more of a boom-bust WR2 until he and Rodgers rediscover their rhythm.
Browns Seek Elusive 20-Point Game
The Cleveland Browns’ offense, billed as a potential juggernaut before the season, has failed to launch in 2024. Quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled mightily before landing on injured reserve, submarining the entire unit’s productivity. Through seven weeks, Cleveland hasn’t cracked 20 points in a single game – a feat literally every other NFL and Power Five college team has accomplished.
With Watson sidelined, the Browns turn to journeyman Jameis Winston in hopes of sparking their dormant attack. The former No. 1 overall pick brings a gunslinger mentality that could unlock Cleveland’s deep threats. The return of bulldozing running back Nick Chubb from injury also figures to boost the Browns’ scoring potential.
- Cleveland averages the fourth-fewest rushing yards and passing yards per game this season
- The Browns and 2019 Bengals are the only NFL teams since 2000 to go the first seven games without a 20-point outing
A home date with the Ravens, who allow the 3rd-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, gives the Winston-led Browns a prime get-right spot in Week 8. If Cleveland can’t put up points here, their offense may be broken beyond repair. Fantasy managers should monitor this game closely to see if Winston, Chubb, and co. can finally deliver a passable point total.
The 2024 NFL season has already delivered its share of fantasy surprises. Patrick Mahomes’ decline, Amari Cooper’s resurgence, and the Browns’ offensive futility are three storylines that underscore the ever-changing nature of the game. As the season marches on, managers must remain flexible in their roster management. One week’s afterthought could be next week’s league-winner.
With challenging matchups on the horizon, including a Week 10 tilt against the stingy Denver Broncos, fantasy managers must confront a once-unthinkable question: Is it time to drop Patrick Mahomes? While his real-life impact remains immense, Mahomes’ fantasy value has cratered. Streaming options like Geno Smith or Jared Goff may offer more week-to-week upside at this point.
Cooper vs. Adams: A Tale of Two Trades
In a league defined by blockbuster trades, two high-profile wide receivers swapped teams before Week 7. Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers’ long-time favorite target, joined the New York Jets in a much-hyped reunion. Amari Cooper, meanwhile, landed with the Super Bowl-contending Buffalo Bills.
While Adams’ arrival in New York generated more buzz, it was Cooper who made the bigger fantasy splash in Week 7. The former Raider hauled in 4 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, instantly clicking with star quarterback Josh Allen. Adams, by contrast, managed just 3 receptions for 30 yards as he and Rodgers struggled to recapture their Green Bay magic.
“Amari gives us a true number one receiver,” a Bills team source reported following the game. “He opens up so much for our offense.”
Cooper’s seamless integration into Buffalo’s high-powered attack bodes well for his rest-of-season outlook. With the Bills’ upcoming schedule filled with exploitable secondaries, Cooper has a real chance to outproduce Adams from here on out. Fantasy managers should treat the former as a weekly WR1, while the latter may be more of a boom-bust WR2 until he and Rodgers rediscover their rhythm.
Browns Seek Elusive 20-Point Game
The Cleveland Browns’ offense, billed as a potential juggernaut before the season, has failed to launch in 2024. Quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled mightily before landing on injured reserve, submarining the entire unit’s productivity. Through seven weeks, Cleveland hasn’t cracked 20 points in a single game – a feat literally every other NFL and Power Five college team has accomplished.
With Watson sidelined, the Browns turn to journeyman Jameis Winston in hopes of sparking their dormant attack. The former No. 1 overall pick brings a gunslinger mentality that could unlock Cleveland’s deep threats. The return of bulldozing running back Nick Chubb from injury also figures to boost the Browns’ scoring potential.
- Cleveland averages the fourth-fewest rushing yards and passing yards per game this season
- The Browns and 2019 Bengals are the only NFL teams since 2000 to go the first seven games without a 20-point outing
A home date with the Ravens, who allow the 3rd-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, gives the Winston-led Browns a prime get-right spot in Week 8. If Cleveland can’t put up points here, their offense may be broken beyond repair. Fantasy managers should monitor this game closely to see if Winston, Chubb, and co. can finally deliver a passable point total.
The 2024 NFL season has already delivered its share of fantasy surprises. Patrick Mahomes’ decline, Amari Cooper’s resurgence, and the Browns’ offensive futility are three storylines that underscore the ever-changing nature of the game. As the season marches on, managers must remain flexible in their roster management. One week’s afterthought could be next week’s league-winner.
