It dawned on me a couple of days ago while going through the Week 6 schedule that we have a very underrated reunion story taking place this week. Unfortunately, it is during one of the least compelling and meaningful games on the schedule from a “real” standpoint.
I am speaking, of course, about Torry Holt, one of the greatest players in Rams history, who will be hosting his former team this weekend as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even though it is not a game getting much attention, that doesn’t mean the game won’t be very meaningful from a fantasy standpoint.
In fact, quite the contrary. When the Jaguars and Rams meet up this weekend, with their two combined victories and zero percent chances to make the playoffs, I propose that the events could dictate the outcome of many a fantasy matchup this week. Why?
23rd and 30th.
Those are the overall defensive ranks of the Rams and Jags, respectively.
Which brings me to Torry Holt as a sleeper selection for your Week 6 lineups.
First, let’s look at a few raw numbers for Torry Holt.
Through five games, Holt has 22 catches and 306 yards while failing to reach the end zone. So an average Sunday afternoon for Holt this season has netted about 4 catches per game and 60 yards. These are not world-beating totals.
But one thing Torry Holt does have going for him is consistency. He has not had a game below three catches or 42 yards this season. In a PPR league, there is still at least some value there. And Holt is coming off of his best game of the season, a 7-catch, 95-yard performance while stealing some of the passes usually meant for the deactivated Mike Sims-Walker.
I don’t think Holt is much more than an emergency injury fill-in for the majority of weeks this season; this week, though, is a week when I would recommend starting him in the right situation.
St. Louis is giving up 237.2 passing yards per game and has given up 8 TDs so far this year. Yes, Mike Sims-Walker is back this week, and has proven to be a more likely candidate for TD catches, but don’t you think Torry Holt might be having a conversation or two with David Garrard about paying extra attention to him in the red zone?
It doesn’t sound like Holt is bitter about his exit from St. Louis, but it’s still his former organization and many of his former friends on the other side of the field. It’s human nature to have a little extra hop in your step and a little extra motivation when you’re competing against guys you used to play with. Even if you harbor no particular ill will towards them, you want them to know that you’ve still “got it.”
Add up the porous defenses of the Rams and Jaguars and you have a recipe for a shootout. While Holt is the third option on the Jags’ offense, behind MJD and MS-W, he still brings value because of his consistency and the extra motivation factor.
I would still start Mike Sims-Walker over Holt (and am in one league), but would consider Holt a solid start as a #3 WR or flex play depending on league depth. Feel free to pose a comparison in the comment section and I’ll assess it.
Just make sure you don’t sleep on Torry Holt this weekend specifically if you’re looking for a WR. He could surprise you with a very solid afternoon that reminds us all of his Greatest Show on Turf days.
Torry Holt Week 6 projection: 6 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD
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* – Torry Holt photo credit: Tom Gannam / AP via NBC Sports
About Jerod Morris
