Is Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill a viable bye week fill-in?
Now that he has been named the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans for Week 7 and the foreseeable future, is Ryan Tannehill a viable bye week fill-in?
Tannehill made his Titans regular season debut in Week 6 in place of the struggling Marcus Mariota, and completed 13-of-16 passes for 144 yards and one pick. Prior to his entrance into the game against the Denver Broncos in Week 6, Mariota completed just 7-of-18 passes for 63 yards and two picks.
On top of better numbers, Tannehill showed better accuracy, and he was more decisive and showed better pocket presence. Overall, the Titans offense was clearly moving the ball better once Tannehill took over.
Now, this isn’t to say that Tannehill is an every-week starting option by any means. The Titans still have other issues, such as putrid offensive line play, dreadful play-calling, and a group of pass-catchers that have dropped the second-most passes in the NFL in 2019.
Still, when looking ahead to some of the quarterbacks who are on bye in the coming weeks, Tannehill is an intriguing option, especially when you consider his valuable fantasy trait of being able to run with the football and having the best group of pass-catchers of his career.
Here’s a list of the quarterbacks with bye weeks coming up.
Upcoming bye week QBs
Week 7: Kyle Allen (Panthers), Baker Mayfield (Browns), Mason Rudolph (Steelers), Jameis Winston (Bucs)
Week 8: Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Week 9: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams), Drew Brees/Teddy Bridgewater (Saints)
Week 10: Joe Flacco (Broncos), Deshaun Watson (Texans), Gardner Minshew (Jaguars), Tom Brady (Patriots), Carson Wentz (Eagles), Case Keenum (Redskins)
Week 11: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Daniel Jones (Giants), Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Week 12: Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Philip Rivers (Chargers), Kirk Cousins (Vikings)
Ryan Tannehill’s upcoming schedule (with pass defense ranking)
Week 7: vs. Chargers (5th)
Week 8: vs. Buccaneers (32nd)
Week 9: at Panthers (9th)
Week 10: vs. Chiefs (19th)
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. Jacksonville (16th)
Week 7 is by far the weakest slate of fantasy quarterbacks on a bye, which is a good thing considering Tannehill draws a tough matchup with the Chargers.
In Week 8, owners with Jackson, who is one of the best fantasy quarterbacks this season, will have to find a solution. Prescott is also another quarterback who could leave owners looking for answers. Tannehill could be the guy there, as the Titans will have a home game against the worst pass defense in the NFL this season in the Bucs.
Week 9 will be a busy bye week for QBs, but that isn’t a spot to turn to Tannehill. The Titans QB draws a tough Panthers pass defense on the road.
Week 10 has shootout potential for Tannehill at home against the Chiefs. Watson, Minshew, Brady and Wentz will all be on byes, thus the former Miami Dolphins quarterback could become a hot name on the waiver wire, assuming he’s still there by then.
All three quarterbacks out of action in Week 11 are fantasy assets, but sadly Tannehill will be on a bye himself that week.
Last but not least, Week 12 presents a situation in which four viable fantasy starters will not be playing. While the Jags steamrolled the Titans’ offensive line in Week 3, Mariota, who was the starter at the time, still managed to throw for 304 yards. That matchup also looks better now that Jalem Ramsey is playing in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The best weeks to give Ryan Tannehill a shot will be in Week 8 and Week 10. You could roll the dice in Week 12, but that might put you in a situation in which you are trusting Tannehill to save your season and get you into the playoffs against the same defense that sacked Mariota nine teams in Week 3. However, that matchup does look a lot better than it did the first time around.
You’ll probably want to avoid Tannehill in Week 7 and Week 9, as you’re looking for the best matchup possible when streaming a quarterback for a week. The Chargers and Panthers don’t qualify as such for Tannehill and Co.