Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been benched by the coaching staff meaning that Ryan Mallett will draw the start when the team takes on the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. In nine starts this season, Fitzpatrick had just 11 touchdown passes to go with eight interceptions.
Ryan Fitzpatrick benched, Ryan Mallett to start, fantasy owners should change things up too
The Texans’ veteran starter has been producing at a subpar level and the team has decided to go in a different direction. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Fantasy Impact: The Texans started this season with a 3-1 record, so perhaps in the early going no one envisioned a quarterback controversy in Houston. That’s especially true considering Fitzpatrick has always been more of a game manager of sorts rather than a game-changing quarterback.
In going with Mallett, the Texans are probably hoping he will be at least just as good as Fitzpatrick as he finally gets a chance to prove himself to be a legitimate NFL quarterback. He's always been thought of as having lots of potential, but being stuck behind Tom Brady in New England for years has meant a long wait for Mallett.
Fantasy owners should keep Mallett on the radar for a possible late-season or fantasy playoff pickup that could pay surprise dividends in the not too distant future.
