We’ve reached the quarter pole in the 2019 fantasy football season. Four weeks in the books. So….what have we learned so far?

Owners that faded Ezekiel Elliott because of worries that he’d hold out for most of the season was a mistake. He’s back and better than ever.

James Conner was overdrafted. Losing Big Ben in the Steelers’ offense hurts, but Conner is not the electric playmaker others were in the early rounds. He was more a product of being in a great situation last year. The situation in 2019 isn’t as great and Conner’s stats have suffered accordingly.

Todd Gurley is a bust. Owners who drafted him in the 1st or 2nd round expecting him to be a steal are finding out why he was so cheap. His knees are shot and his bell cow days are over. However, his teammate Cooper Kupp is defying the odds and making fantasy owners pay who passed on him. A mere ten months removed from reconstructive knee surgery (which is unbelievable) and he’s been a force. Most people who rehab from a torn ACL take two years to feel normal- not Cooper. He could bring a championship cup to owners that took him.

Dalvin Cook is a star. Despite playing with a subpar offensive line and average QB he looks electric. He’s fully recovered from his knee injury. If he stays healthy he’ll deliver 1st round value. However, the run heavy offense that’s helped Cook has hindered his teammates WR Adam Thielan and WR Stefon Diggs. They’ve been 3rd round busts so far.

Joe Mixon has been a disappointment. The Bengals’ offensive line has been ravaged with injuries stopping Mixon despite his immense talent. Owners who drafted him in the 2nd round would like a mulligan.

Pat Mahomes is legit. Even after losing Tyreek Hill to injury it’s clear the Chiefs’ offense is a juggernaut. The analysts who thought regression was a given and that he was a reach in the 2nd/3rd round outsmarted themselves. In addition, Mecole Hardman, Sammy Watkins, and Demarcus Robinson have all helped owners by being the beneficiaries of Mahomes talent while Hill is recovering.

David Montgomery has been a 3rd/4th round bust. He’s shown flashes of talent, but the Bears offense has been a train wreck. Mitch Trubisky hasn’t taken the next step and Monty has been in a bigger timeshare than anyone anticipated which makes for a bad combo.

Chris Godwin has been a godsend for owners. He’s had monster weeks and is ranked 3rd in WR rankings. At the same time his teammate TE O.J. Howard has been a bust. He’s been underutilized and Godwin’s success has come at Howard’s expense. The consensus 4th ranked TE back in August was dropped in my home league- a dramatic fall from grace for such a young talent.

RB Miles Sanders has been a fantasy bust in the middle rounds. The RBBC committee in Philadelphia is too much for the rookie to overcome.

Speaking of busts that applies to any Dolphins’ player. Kenyan Drake finally got his opportunity, unfortunately, he has no line in front of him to help him despite his electric speed. Miami is the lowest scoring team in the league and there’s no hope in sight for this offense turning around in 2019.

The Kyler Murray hype train shot up to the moon in the summer for many pundits. Unfortunately, the Air Raid offense has been grounded for the most part. The Cardinals offensive line has capped Murray’s potential. He’s been running for his life instead of into the end zone.

Lamar Jackson has been a star. His combination of running and passing to rookie WR Hollywood Brown has made him the top ranked QB. If he can stay healthy the sky is the limit. Michael Vick 2.0.

Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement caught many off-guard including a local analyst who shall remain nameless- ahem me. Luck was a MVP candidate before shocking the world two weeks before the season. Although he’s not at Luck’s talent level, Jacoby Brissett has done a good job filling his shoes and is flying under the radar so far.

Reports of LeSean McCoy‘s demise were greatly exaggerated by many analysts (note- not this one). Most wrote McCoy off for dead after the Bills cut him, but he still has gas left in the tank. McCoy’s talent combined with playing on the most potent offense in the league has made Shady a factor again.

Antonio Brown’s issues has turned one of the game’s elite WRs into one of the biggest free falls of all-time. Brown is now out of the league after being waived from Oakland and New England respectively. Reaping the benefits of his absence in Oakland have been WR Tyrell Williams and TE Darren Waller. Williams is the only WR to score a TD in every game this year. As for Waller he’s been a star which is why the Raiders let TE Jared Cook walk in free agency. In the barren wasteland of TEs Waller has been a major sleeper. His size and speed combo make him a nightmare for defenders to cover.

Finally Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew, aka Uncle Rico (a reference to the character from the movie Napolean Dynamite) has thrown for 7 TDs in 4 games. His “stache” and moxie has made him a favorite among fans. Uncle Rico can throw a football a quarter mile- clear over them mountains. Back in high school if coach had put Gardner in the game, his team would have been state champions- no doubt. No doubt in my mind.

Hey, can I ask you a question- have you ever looked into time travel? If you do bring these tips, go back to August, and redo your draft. You’ll be a 2019 fantasy football champion. No doubt in my mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL-VX3WbA9U

Mark Ringo