Nick Foles: 2013 Fantasy Football Week Six Outlook

Howard Smith – USA Today Sports

Let me start this one off by saying that I’m a fan of Nick Foles. I think he has enough potential that the Philadelphia Eagles should at least consider a Michael Vick trade, but that topic is for another article. With news emerging from Philadelphia that Vick is unlikely to play this week, Foles looks to get the start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. What can fantasy football owners expect from Foles this Sunday?

The Bucs defense is solid. They allow the 13^th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, third fewest points to wide receivers and fewest points to running backs. Conversely, the Eagles are ninth in passing offense, first in rushing and sixth in total offense. Which one will give?

Despite some solid games from the Eagles wide receiver corps, the only true receiving threat they have is DeSean Jackson. Jackson will draw Darrelle Revis in coverage. Revis is as good as they get in the league and while Jackson is fast enough to get by Revis, I doubt that Jackson is a WR1 this week. Jimmy Graham is the only player to catch over 100 yards against the Bucs this season. Dashon Goldson is more than capable of covering the second read in Foles’ progressions.

Foles likes to check down to the running back when he doesn’t like what he sees downfield. LeSean McCoy will benefit from this, and he is a must start each week. As mentioned, the Bucs are allowing the fewest points to running backs this season, and held Darren Sproles to only 36 receiving yards out of the backfield in week two. McCoy’s role in the passing game is similar to Sproles’ and while McCoy has a higher ceiling than Sproles, similar production could be a reasonable expectation, especially with the Bucs front not having to account for quarterback runs like they would with Vick.

I think with Chip Kelly’s fast paced offense, Foles could still be a high end QB2 simply on volume. The Eagles are ninth in the league in offensive plays with 344 (68.8 per game average). Jackson and McCoy have tough matchups, but are still good enough to make big plays. Foles has played well this season, albeit against the New York Giants. I don’t see the Eagles lighting up the Bucs defense (who have allowed 20 or fewer points in three of four games this season) but there will probably be a long play or two.

Foles is owned in only 11 percent of Yahoo! leagues. If you are in a deep or two quarterback league Foles could be worth a start, but don’t expect top tier numbers. If you are in a shallower or one QB league, there are probably better options available.

As always, I welcome your comments. If you think I’m wrong, I’m willing to listen. Just back it up with some facts and solid evidence. Thanks for reading and good luck this season.

Dustin Manko is an author at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustinManko, ”Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google