Do you remember Y2K? It was a fun time to be alive in retrospect. There was a small sense of this could be the computer crash that would set our economic system back to zero. A Chuck Palaniuk fantasy in real life… Thankfully 1999 passed into 2000 with everyone partying and the panic of a crash was a false alarm. There are several similar scenarios through out our lives, and they will continue into our future. Why would this perpetuate in any society looking to achieve their perception of utopia? The answer is people (as a whole) are addicted to panic. Empty shelves in moments of panic, sales that one feels overwhelmingly inclined to be a part of, waking up in the middle of the night to make sure you did some nominal task around the house, and the new age panic with a talon like grasp on society. A massive fear of missing out, more specifically a collective fear of missing out on the panic. The trick to several situations in life is rising above.

Four games, at minimum, could be a serious blow to several fantasy football players, but not all. In the Mano Y Mano Top 40 series Kenneth Walker’s 2022 numbers of 1,215 scrimmage yards, 9 TDs, and 27 receptions were achieved in 11 games started, Jonathan Taylor’s numbers last year in 11 total games were 1,004 scrimmage yards, 4 TDs, and 28 receptions. Is it that far fetched to think Taylor misses five games, starts twelve and outproduces his numbers from last year? The answer is absolutely not. The Colts offensive line is going to have a better year, if only because of the pride of Quenton Nelson. He made the Pro Bowl, but that is almost a slap in the face for the four time All-Pro. The offensive line play will improve under new Head Coach Shane Steichen and Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Not only that the true leader of the Indianapolis Colts, Shaquille Leonard, is set to return and should provide a much needed attitude adjustment.

So if you are one of the owners who has fifty shares of Jonathan Taylor or have only one, DO NOT PANIC! The NFL season is long, what seems like a chore can become a privilege, and what seems like a curse could be a blessing. For the sake of healing, let’s say JT misses five games to start the season. That means he would come back against the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars, the favorite to win the division. It would be the second match up of the season and it would be in Jacksonville, but JT with fresh legs could have a 100+ yard and 1 TD. Not too shabby. He would then have four more games before the Indianapolis Colts bye week, allowing for rest after five games returning from an injury. Then games against the Buccaneers, Titans, and Bengals to wrap up the fantasy football regular season. The fantasy football playoffs would consist of the Steelers, Falcons, Raiders. Excluding the Bengals all of those teams gave up 20.4 or more points per game last year. JT will have relatively fresh and healthy legs for a playoff push, the time running backs win fantasy football championships.

Yes, J. Taylor cost somewhere between a late second round to an early fifth round pick depending on the size and scoring of a league. That is a bargain for the guy that was the #1 Consensus draft pick in all redraft and best ball formats of 2022. Let that really set in like a 95% sale. The person that was the consensus #1 pick is available with the 45th overall pick. He is on the final year of his rookie contract, and even if he wants out displaying he is still an elite running back should be a part of the resume package. Players have pride in what they do, and Jonathan Taylor is one of the best at what he does.

The final reason to not panic is simple. Ask any 2022 Dameon Pierce owner and they would tell you they would have rather he missed the first four weeks of the season as opposed to the last. Pierce carried several teams to the playoffs, only to have the wheels fall off on the final laps of the season. By the time you get to week 15 the RBs available are as thin as Gene Steratore’s index card. Having four (or five) less games on your fantasy RB is a great advantage. Look at James Starks 2010 season, specifically the playoffs if you want a reference.

Rise above the initial panic, and the fear of missing out (of what everyone else is doing… panicking). Best ball drafters should be taking advantage of this massive dip in his average draft position (ADP). Redraft leagues that haven’t draft, scoop him up before your opponents. Dynasty diehards take a look at the cheapest you will get Taylor for the next three to five years. Some might say zig while others zag, another way to think about it is to rise above the cesspool of stupidly and take advantage of the situations presented to you.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Ignacio ‘Iggy’ Gilbert