:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51764785/617547332.0.jpg)
After a gutty win by the Fins last week over the Jets. Tannehill and company head to the west coast for a vital wild-card matchup with San Diego. Ajayi continues to wear down the best rush defenses in the league and the defense is increasingly forcing turnovers, which translates to solid fantasy points.
Note: The point projections are based on a standard PPR league scoring (0.5 PPR) with fractional points.
START
Jay Ajayi (RB) – Yahoo Fantasy Projection: 12.85 PTS
The J-Train is flying down the tracks after four straight weeks of scoring at least one touchdown and shows no signs of stopping. The health of the offensive line is directly tied to the rise of Ajayi as the feature back and a playmaker that Miami desperately needed. They have opened holes for Ajayi, but he continues to be a runner that wears through defensives making big late game runs that have been icing games for Miami. Miami is a run first offense and has really found its identity there, so Ajayi is a automatic start barring injury until we finish this season.
Jarvis Landry (WR) – Yahoo Fantasy Projection: 12.97
Landry has taken a step down in fantasy production with the emergence of Ajayi and the Dolphins running game. Landry had three catches for 33 yards last week, but I still believe he is a PPR must-start this week in San Diego. If Ajayi can get going early it will force San Diego to load the box and go to man coverage which we know Landry thrives in with his shifty slot routes. I expect a big reverse to Landry this week for 30-plus yards.
Dolphins Defense/Special Teams – Yahoo Fantasy Projection: 8.07
The defensive line looks impressive and is forcing turnovers on the ground and through the air recently. The defense grabbed two picks last week and Kenyan Drake ran back a game-winning touchdown against the Jets. With the threat of Drake AND Jakeem Grant (who also had a return touchdown that was called back by a block in the back) looming on special teams, the Dolphins now have big point potential in anyone’s defensive starting spot.
SIT
Ryan Tannehill (QB) - Yahoo Fantasy Projection: 16.64
Tannehill has been enjoying some nice passing pockets recently and not spending half the game on his butt with the healthy offensive line recently. The problem is with the transition to a run-first offense that keeps Tannehill upright more often, his fantasy numbers have been marginal. Tannehill has been hurt by dropped passes, but has been more conservative with his passing decisions. He may be hit or miss going through the rest of the year, I would advise caution on starting him after a cross-country trip.
Kenny Stills (WR) - Yahoo Fantasy Projection: 6.89
Stills had one catch for 11 yards and left the game last week with an illness. He followed up his season-best performance with a poor performance, but again this is a side effect of the rise of Ajayi. No receiver on the Dolphins other than Landry that you can trust in your starting lineup right now. That includes you DeVante Parker, who I forget is still on the team until I see him high five Ajayi after a big run.
Damien Williams (RB) – Yahoo Fantasy Projection: 5.90
Williams has put his clamps on the handcuff role for Ajayi, so if you have room on the roster he may be worth a waiver pick up. Williams has proven to be a solid pass catching threat out of the backfield and can benefit from Ajayi wearing down defenses late into the game.