Welcome to the “Panic Meter”!
Each week we highlight several players who are underperforming and assign them a grade that corresponds to the appropriate panic level for that player/performance. Below you’ll find a scale with grades ranging from 0 to 4 and a strategy that correlates with each grade.
Without further ado, let’s get to this week’s fantasy football panic meter.
| Panic meter degree | STRATEGY/ACTION PLAN |
| 0 | Last week was not ideal, but it could be described as an anomaly. There is no need to panic. |
| 1 | Panic sets in. It’s not time to raise the alarm yet, but it’s something to be aware of. The player in question should still be considered a regular, but is now under observation. |
| 2 | Officially panicking, taking things week by week, considering a plan B, looking at trading options, or possibly bank a more reliable option. |
| 3 | Fire sale. Actively seeking a trade while the player in question is still valuable. He is no longer a reliable starter. In some cases, a borderline candidate for departure. |
| 4 | Disconnect everything. Press the drop button hard enough to drop the man into the Shadow Realm. |
Fantasy Football Panic Meter
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL) | Panic meter: 0
Henry played just 46% of the snaps in Week 1 and finished with a disappointing 10.6 PPR points. There’s no need to panic, though. Game play was the culprit, as the Ravens trailed for most of the game. Don’t expect that to be an issue this year. Although Henry didn’t play with the Hurry-Up Offense, he still took over 13 of the 14 Ravens RB runs in Week 1. Despite being used as a receiver, Justice Hill is no threat to affect Henry’s runs. There will be plenty of room for players to play in the future. Hit the snooze button on the panic alarm.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI) | Panic meter: 1
In a game that totaled 62 points and over 600 yards of offense, Harrison managed just one catch for four yards. It was a blow to the managers who drafted him in the second round, and a little panic is warranted, but the sample size is too small to make hasty decisions right now. After all, it wasn’t exactly a passing day for the Cardinals; top receiver Greg Dortch managed just 47 yards. Despite the failure, Harrison undoubtedly has the highest potential of any pass-catcher in Arizona. For now, the rookie gets the benefit of the doubt and should stay in the lineups.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET) | Panic meter: 1
Most likely, St. Brown’s Week 1 performance (three catches, 14 yards on six targets) was nothing more than a fluke. In fact, you would have to go back to Week 7 of the 2021 season to find the last game in which St. Brown played at least 50% of the snaps and finished with fewer than 5.0 PPR points. But with Jameson Williams finally showing up, it’s fair to get a little panicked about the Sun God’s target share. There’s nothing to worry about right now, but the situation is worth keeping an eye on.
Drake London (WR – ATL) | Panic Meter: 2
If you drafted London in the second round, no one can blame you for panicking. Two catches for 15 yards on three attempts would be a concerning stat for most. And considering the sample size of him as a player with a career average of 10.7 PPG, the panic about London breaking out of the scheme is justified. The reality is that it may take some time for the Falcons’ new-look offense to work out the kinks. In the meantime, London’s breakout season may not be as certain as many expected. Have your panic button ready.
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL) | Panic Meter: 1.5
Andrews’ managers have every reason to panic after he fell behind fellow tight end Isaiah Likely, who delivered an explosive performance in Week 1 with nine catches, 111 yards and a TD on 12 targets. Likely was an integral part of the Ravens’ passing attack and had two end zone targets on the final plays of the game. Andrews, on the other hand, was more of an afterthought with two targets and two catches for 14 yards. We could be witnessing a changing of the guard in Baltimore. For now, Andrews is still a must-have, but the panic alarms have gone off.
Cutlist | Panic Meter: 4
