For those who are looking for a tool to concentrate various web opinions into one location in order to help make fantasy football roster moves, IBM offers Watson's Insights as an unsupervised, quantitative supplement to the more in-depth, personalized analysis that you would normally expect from an ESPN analyst.
IBM Insights uses Watson artificial intelligence to analyze thousands of fantasy articles, blogs, websites and podcasts and provide support data to assist with fantasy football decisions. Watson outputs an estimated scoring range for each player, as well as projects the chances that a player will exceed the upside estimate (e.g., "boom") or fall short of the low-end estimate (e.g., "bust") in any given week.
The following article points out a few notable insights from Watson for Week 15 of the 2019 NFL season, as of early Friday afternoon.
Wide receiver decisions
While wide receivers can provide some of the best fantasy value in a given week, it can be difficult to decide beforehand which receivers to start. Because most of the 32 teams in the NFL regularly run three-WR sets, there is a plethora of options available each week with the potential to score -- even accounting for injuries. IBM Insights provides information that can help make these decisions easier. Let's take a closer look at a few of the wide receivers Watson projects with the best value for this weekend.
Projections higher than rank
Golden Tate, New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins
Weekly rank: 104, 33rd among eligible WRs
High projection: 27.5 fantasy points
Low projection: 3.6 fantasy points
Boom chance: 0.25
Bust chance: 0.19
Tate returned from a concussion Monday night against the Eagles with only a single reception. This week, he has been limited in practice due to a foot injury. On Friday, however, Tate returned to full practice and he is getting set to face a Dolphins defense that has allowed the third-most WR fantasy points for the season.
Watson's Insight: Watson tabs Tate as a potential WR2 this weekend in a great matchup against the Dolphins.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Weekly rank: 122, 41st among eligible WRs
High projection: 20.6 fantasy points
Low projection: 9.9 fantasy points
Boom chance: 0.26
Bust chance: 0.19
McLaurin has been the best of the Redskins' receivers as he plays with Dwayne Haskins, his former college quarterback. This weekend, he faces an Eagles defense that has allowed the second-most WR fantasy points this season. This same Eagles defense allowed another rookie, Darius Slayton, to catch five passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns Monday.
Watson's Insight: McLaurin will face a weak Eagles defense this weekend. Insights identifies him with a WR2 ceiling for teams looking for a risky upside play.
Most likely to go boom/Least likely to bust
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers
Weekly rank: 91, 27th among WRs
High projection: 19.8 fantasy points
Low projection: 9.6 fantasy points
Boom chance: 0.23
Bust chance: 0.08
Metcalf is now competing with both Tyler Lockett and Josh Gordon for touches, but he continues to hold his own. He has led the Seahawks in receiving yards for two consecutive weeks. On Sunday, he faces a reeling Panthers squad that ranks 20th against opposing receivers this season.
Watson's Insight: Metcalf has continued to finish his rookie season strong despite competing with other good receivers. Watson identifies him as having a good chance to outperform expectations and produce WR2 numbers this weekend.
Chris Conley, Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders
Weekly rank: 220, 56th among WRs
High projection: 18.3 fantasy points
Low projection: 6.1 fantasy points
Boom chance: 0.25
Bust chance: 0.09
Conley had averaged 3.8 receptions for 63.7 yards in the six games leading up to last weekend, but struggled to only one reception for seven yards against a tough Chargers secondary. This weekend, he looks like a good bounce-back candidate against the Raiders, who rank 26th against opposing wide receivers.
Watson's Insight: Insights identifies Conley as a solid WR2 prospect this weekend against a below-average Raiders defense.