Week 3 Fantasy Flames RB: Juggernaut Javonte is really here

Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week (Scoring thresholds – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR). 

Javonte Williams, Cowboys

More of a joke than the proclaimed juggernaut this convinced scribe thought he would be in Denver, Williams has ascended in his first two games in Big D. 

His rise is likely to continue. 

The putrid Poohs are downright pathetic in the trenches. Chicago DC Dennis Allen is trotting out nothing but plush loveables on the D-line. Through two weeks, the Bears are No. 20 in rush defense EPA, surrendering 5.02 yards per carry and 155.5 total yards per game to opposing RBs. So cute. So cuddly. 

At RB2 in rusher scoring two games in, Williams has paid an instant dividend for bargain shoppers who grabbed him in the middle rounds. As his stellar 78.2% opportunity share shows, he’s light years ahead of Miles Sanders and steadily scratched rookie Jayden Blue. 

Transparently, Williams’ advanced profile did lend pause after Week 1 versus Philadelphia. However, after last Sunday's stellar showing in the wild OT toppling of the Giants, he vaulted in several categories. Through two games, he's an impressive RB9 in missed tackles (5) and RB16 in yards after contact per attempt (3.36).

Cranking the cursory, Dallas’ main man has masked inefficiencies via across-the-board volume and red-zone conversions. As long as the ‘Boys exhibit competitiveness, he should continue to yield steady double-digit fantasy results. Really, he’s quickly becoming this year’s Kyren Williams, a workhorse who will conquer now long in the past metrics. 

Bottom line: The Bears have their head lodged in a beehive. Unless a dramatic about face occurs, Chicago’s out-of-tune orchestra will only continue to make ears bleed. 

Thriving away from Denver, Williams is finally starting to live up to prior sky-high expectations.

Fearless Forecast: 15 carries, 72 rush yards, 3 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 16.1 fantasy points 

BONUS FLAME 

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

For TreVeyon Henderson investors who donated a left testicle to acquire the rookie early in drafts, there simply isn't enough Blue Chew on hand to conquer the flaccidness. 

In a tale as old as time, fantasy managers who sank a Round 4 pick in the Ohio State product are feeling duped. Some first-year players are producing, but many are being brought along slowly. Reporter stories building hype about usage and presumed immediate impacts are firmly in the rearview. Eventually the script could flip, but as it stands now, Mike Vrabel has a Stevenson preference. Last week, the veteran holdover out-snapped the newbie 31-to-16.

Hiking concern to a five-alarm level, Henderson has resembled a plump pug with the ball in his hands. On rushing opportunities, he's racked an abysmal 1.63 yards after contact per attempt, a mark good for DEAD LAST among qualifying backs. He's also forced only one missed tackle and totaled an uneventful 49 yards created (RB25). 

If not for his somewhat reliable role as a pass catcher (8 tgts, 8 recs, 54 yards), he would be complete roster rubbish. Still, until Stevenson suffers a significant setback whether caused by the menacing injury imp or the vet's own slippery fingers, Henderson will continue to perform on the B stage. Keep in mind, Rhamondre has notched an outstanding 4.00 YAC per attempt and caught 7-of-8 targets for 100 yards. The incumbent has completely outshined the lustrous new toy. 

Pittsburgh's exploitability in the trenches is a surprise through two games. Yes, SAMPLE SIZE, but the Soft Curtain's No. 28 standing in rush EPA defense is rather shocking. Overall, TJ Watt and friends have allowed 4.53 yards per carry, 150.0 total yards per game, two TDs and the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs. Again, unexpected. 

The Patriots' No. 32 ranking in run-blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus makes this suggestion risky. But Stevenson's defined role plus Pittsburgh's deficiencies on D raise his Flame potential. 

All you can do is wait, Henderson backers. 

Fearless Forecast: 10 carries, 43 rush yards, 1 rushing TD, 3 receptions, 13 receiving yards, 14.1 fantasy points 

Season record: 2-5

Deep League Dish: Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (2% started, at Panthers) - At 52 years young, Atlanta throwback Jamaal Anderson could still cross the chalk and do his vintage Dirty Bird versus Carolina. The Panthers are the weakest of weak sauce defending the run. Though currently ranked considerably higher (No. 21) than where they finished in rush EPA D a season ago (No. 32), Brad Idzik's frontline remains quite flimsy. Two weeks in, the Panthers have yielded 5.67 yards per carry and 143.0 total yards per game to opposing rushers. Derrick Brown is their highest ranking interior defender versus the run at No. 73 according to PFF. Allgeier is a clear second fiddle to fantasy Goliath Bijan Robinson, but he's still earned a sizable 34.5% opportunity share. His 80 combined yards and a touchdown last Sunday night in Minnesota could be replicated. Yes, his 2.38 YAC per attempt (RB40) and 1.70 yards created per touch (RB45) don't illicit excitement, but the matchup undoubtedly does. FLEX him in challenging formats.