In each addition of Fantasy Analysis, sports genius  Mike Renzulli  will analyze players that you should either keep, acquire or trade away. 

Hey everyone, this is the first installment of the Love/Hate column. I just want to say I’m thrilled to start this column and I hope you guys enjoy.  Now, let’s get to it!

Love:

          Kirk Cousins-  I love Captain Kirk for the remainder of the season. Even though he faces a very stingy Vikings defense after this week, he has a lot of plus matchups against Green Bay, Dallas, and also a very easy schedule in the fantasy playoffs. He plays the Eagles; whose secondary is very susceptible. He then goes on to face Carolina, Chicago and the Giants, of whom are all in the bottom half of pass coverage defenses. Cousins has seemed to turn a corner in production as of late too, posting at least 15 points or more in standard scoring, becoming more consistent.

                   Cam Newton- Cam has been a huge disappointment for people that climbed the ladder and drafted him in the 3^rd round on draft day. However, he has a bevy of tasty matchups to come. During fantasy playoff time (weeks 14-17) he faces the Chargers, Redskins, Falcons and Buccaneers. The Chargers defense is atrocious, ranking 31^st in covering wide receivers. The Redskins just gave up 300 yards to Andy Dalton and the Falcons are yielding the second most fantasy points among defenses to opposing quarterbacks. Key number for the Buccaneers defense: 513. That’s how many yards they gave up just LAST WEEK to Derek Carr. They are giving up the 4^th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

                   Matt Stafford-  Stafford has been very inconsistent this year, putting up jaw dropping numbers. However, he has had many weeks where he’s been nonexistent as well. His remaining schedule is very enticing, as he faces aforementioned defenses in the Cowboys, Giants, the Bears and the Saints. Look for Stafford to effectively execute Jim Bob Cooter’s efficient offense against these very subpar defenses.

Hate:

Derek Carr- Look, I’m a bigger fan of Carr than the next guy. I believe he’s one of the best young quarterbacks in the game right now. However, in the playoffs he has two very hard matchups. He faces the Broncos and Chiefs both on the road, but has a break in that Colts and Chargers are sandwiched in between those games. I feel as his total output through those four games can be matched by someone with less relevancy and is a more cost effective play.  I would sell high on Carr right now and look for a possible running back or wide receiver to strengthen your roster.

Russell Wilson– He hasn’t been the consistent Russell Wilson we have all known this year. He has been hampered by knee injuries all season and hasn’t produced at the level we have been accustomed to. He has lost his mobility and rushing ability fantasy owners covet, as he is on pace for the lowest total in his career. If I was Wilson owner, I would sell high as he has a daunting schedule ahead and has two very formidable opponents in the fantasy playoffs with the Rams and Cardinals as well.

Running Backs I Love:

Devontae Booker:

I love Booker for the rest of the season. With CJ Anderson sidelined the rest of the fantasy year, Booker is the do-it all running back that owners salivate for in all formats. I really don’t think Juwan Thompson will vulture many touchdowns, as I think that was situational circumstance as Booker broke off a long run. He will receive a large volume of carries and touches this season, probably around 25 per game.  He is a prime buy candidate in fantasy leagues.

Spencer Ware

I love Ware to continue with his success when healthy since he has no one vying for touches and he will have a heavy workload. Ware is a low end running back 1/high end running back 2 in my estimation due to his volume and his underrated ability to catch passes out of the backfield, providing more worth in PPR leagues.

Jay Ajayi-

                    Ajayi has earned my respect, churning out three straight 100 yard performances. He even tallied 111 yards against a stout Jets front, who have bottled up the likes of Lesean Mccoy and David Johnson this season. Ajayi is the clear workhorse for this Dolphin offense who always looks to establish the run. While Ajayi doesn’t have the most coveted playoff schedule, I think sustaining what we saw last week versus the Jets is very Attainable for the rest of the season.

Hate-

Todd Gurley–

I really think Gurley has been plagued by a poor offensive line this season, however, he needs to be sold right now. Gurley actually doesn’t have much upside as he plays for a very paltry offense and is only averaging a measly 2.8 yards per carry this season. I think the O-line issues won’t resolve in this fantasy season, therefore the lackluster production will continue.

Below are others that I feel won’t sustain the value they showed in the earlier part of the season.

Others to hate: Latavius Murray, Mark Ingram and Isiah Crowell

Receivers to love:

Alshon Jeffery

Deandre Hopkins

Allen Robinson

Randall Cobb

Receivers to Hate-

Brandon Marshall

Demaryius Thomas

Kelvin Benjamin

Marvin Jones

Well, my second column will cover more in depth of wide receivers I love and hate, also it will cover defenses and tight ends that I love or hate as well. Hope you guys enjoy and that this advice will propel you to the fantasy championship!