Week 3 vs Eagles
Ryan FItzpatrick looks like, well Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has averaged 212 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the first two weeks. We know Fitzpatrick can make some plays, so you take the mistakes he makes in stride. More importantly, the Jets are 2-0, which gives him some job security for now.
Fitzpatrick has a good matchup this week against a struggling Eagles defense, but it's still not enough to push him into a fantasy starting role. We will categorize him as a solid QB2 for Week 3.
Week 2 at Indianapolis
The Jets had an easy time last week against Cleveland, so it's hard to judge what Ryan Fitzpatrick will do when he is pressured more, or the game situation doesn't favor New York. His numbers were that of a game manager - 15 of 24 for 179 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
The Colts are the Jets opponent for Week 2 and have been pretty good against opposing QBs, dating back to the beginning last season. We don't expect much difference in those numbers throughout the season. Fitzpatrick should remain on fantasy bences for Week 2, as he should for most of 2015.
Week 1 vs Browns
Nobody had any fist fights over Ryan Fitzpatrick at draft parties this season. Although he can be a gunslinger and have a big game here or there, we don't like the matchup against Cleveland's pass defense and overall, we don't think he is going to put up good numbers most weeks. Keep him on the bench for Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
Geno Smith is in front of Ryan Fitzpatrick on the depth chart. That could give him playing time sooner rather than later. And he has done some good things as a starter during his career.
Fantasy Downside
Fitzpatrick will throw three TDs one week and turn the ball over four times the next. He is not afraid to sling the ball around the field, but that has equated to a lot of turnovers during his career.
Bottom Line
There is not much value for Fitzpatrick until he becomes the starter, which might not happen right away. If Geno Smith fails, Fitzpatrick could be decent depth in deep leagues. Most likely, he would become the featured QB the rest of the season.
UPDATE:
With Geno Smith sustaining a broken jaw, Ryan Fitzpatrick steps into the starting role for New York. This does not make Fitzpatrick an option for your fantasy team, but it is something to keep an eye on early in the season. At this point, he would only be valuable in leagues where you need to carry more than two quarterbacks. Plus if he doesn't perform, Smith could get the job back for the second half of the season.
Week 15 – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Indianapolis Colts
After throwing six TDs in the previous game, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for only 135 yards on 19 attempts and no scores last week in Jacksonville. He did run for 19 yards, including a four-yard TD. In the Week 6 home loss to the Colts, Ryan threw for 212 yards and was sacked five times. He is a low QB2 play, especially with Andre Johnson questionable after suffering a concussion last Sunday.
Week 14 – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
After throwing only 11 TDs in his first nine starts of the season, Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career day against the Titans last week. He was 24-of-33 for 358 yards and six TDs. Over 230 of his yards went to DeAndre Hopkins, as the duo has had a good connection for most of the season. The Jaguars yield 254 yards per game through the air, but Fitzpatrick is still only a low QB2 play, despite coming off of the huge performance.
Week 13 – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Tennessee Titans
Now that Ryan Mallett is done for the season, the Texans will again turn to Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead them. In the first nine games of the season, he threw for just under 2,000 yards with 11 TDs and eight INTs. Ryan’s thrown for over 250 yards just three times this season. In Week 8 at Tennessee, the Houston ground game dominated the Titans, with Fitzpatrick throwing for 227 yards and a TD to Arian Foster. In the rematch at home, he makes for no better than a QB2 play.
Week 9 – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t turn the ball over last week in Tennessee, allowing Arian Foster and the ground game to control the clock. In the win, Ryan completed only 54 percent of his passes (19-of-35) for 227 yards and a short TD to Foster. He was sacked five times and has passed for less than 250 yards in five of the eight games this season. In the past three contests he’s done a good job of taking care of the ball, throwing four touchdowns versus just one INT along the way. The Eagles defense allowed two long TD tosses from Carson Palmer last Sunday and are giving up 267 yards per game through the air. Fitzpatrick still makes for just a QB2 play at home given the Texans propensity to run early and often.
Week 8 – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Tennessee Titans
In the loss to the Steelers on Monday night, Ryan Fitzpatrick ended up with 262 passing yards, but a lot of those came with the Texans playing catch up in the second half. He tossed two TDs and has thrown eight in seven games this season. Ryan’s second quarter INT contributed to the spiral effect that helped Pittsburgh score three touchdowns in less than two minutes. The Titans are allowing 248 yards per game through the air, but there has to be a better fantasy option at QB. Fitzpatrick is a QB2 play on the road this week.
Week 7 – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Thursday in the home loss to the Colts, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 212 yards and a TD to Andre Johnsno. He was sacked five times and committed a costly fumble in the waning seconds with the Texans needing a touchdown for the win. With a healthy Arian Foster in the lineup Ryan doesn’t throw as often, so his yardage total is lower as a result, averaging only 211 passing yards per game. This Sunday he’ll be facing a Steelers unit that yields only 226 yards per game through the air, so Fitzpatrick makes for no more than a QB2 play.
