Fantasy Football 2015 Patience or Panic: Mike Evans, Alfred Morris, Lamar Miller, Golden Tate

I am back with another Patience or Panic post. I did not write one last week because the players I mentioned in my initial post carried over into Week 4.

Last week I recommended cutting bait with Andre Johnson and Week 4 only validated the belief that Johnson is simply no longer an impact fantasy player. Definitely not one who should be rostered in leagues at this point.

This week I add some new names many are concerned about and help you distinguish whether you need to be patient or panic. I also added a new twist with a panic player, but who isn’t quite to the point of cutting yet.

Many of the players in Week 3’s post are still in the patience, but worrisome category. Players like C.J. Anderson plummeted even more after Week 4’s performance. He managed to get 7 fantasy points but there is clearly a time share, and Ronnie Hillman continues to make bigger plays.

Each week I will be naming some players who are struggling and whether fantasy owners should Panic or be Patient.

Related: Week 4 NFL Fantasy All-Dud Team

Good luck this week everyone, and be sure to keep checking AthlonSports.com for all the fantasy guidance, rankings, injury updates, DFS content and Start/Sit posts your little hearts desire.

Patience or Panic?

1. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Averaging 7.73 fantasy points per game)

Evans appeared to be on the upward trend in Week 3, hauling in seven passes for 101 yards. But along the lines of the goose egg he posted in his Week 2 season debut, he again plummeted back to disappointing levels in Week 4.

The question should not be whether Evans is a talented receiver as much as can he and quarterback Jameis Winston develop a special relationship in the passing game, and if Winston will continually improve over his rookie season.

The Verdict: Patience

If you drafted Evans you likely paid a steep price for him, or kept him as a keeper. As I mentioned above his talent should not be a question and he could just be off on a slow start because of his early injuries. You have to wait on him for two reasons, he can rebound in a big way, and most importantly you simply will not get a solid return for him at this point.

2. Alfred Morris, RB, Washington (7.43 FPPG)

Morris had a solid start in Week 1 with 121 yards on the ground, but then Matt Jones came in to the picture. Whether Morris' confidence was shook, or he simply isn’t playing with gusto he has been averaging a meager 5.9 fantasy points per week since the opener. Definitely not borderline RB1, or even RB2 numbers.

The Verdict: PANIC

This is definitely a panic situation, but not a cut bait-type of panic, at least yet. Morris does need to be benched, as it appears, barring an injury to Jones in the future, Morris is in a dreaded timeshare. Even worse he is not known for his pass-catching abilities so the likelihood of him playing on third downs is diminished as well.

3. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins (6.7 FPPG)

Jonas Gray has been eating in to Lamar Miller’s carries and overall touches, but the Dolphins also have been playing putrid football as of late. In fact their head coach was fired after another loss in Week 4, and many in the industry believe that will benefit Miller.

The Verdict: Patience

Miller showed what he can do as a feature back in 2014 and if given the opportunity again in 2015 he should be able to reproduce his numbers. He may not average the whopping five yards-plus a carry, but Miller seems to be a gameflow back. With opportunity comes production.

4. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions (7.9 FPPG)

Tate hasn’t been terrible, but nowhere near the consistent double-digit-points fantasy asset he was last year. He has yet to record a touchdown in 2015, and needless to say he is bench-worthy at this point for most options. He also was drafted higher than he is producing, making him a wait-and-see player for now.

The Verdict: Patience

Tate is a reception fiend like his teammate Calvin Johnson. The Lions' offense may just be off to another slow start and should pick it up sooner than later. Tate had just three catches (on four targets) for 29 yards Monday night against Seattle, but hopefully better games are ahead. Keep in mind, however, that this week Detroit returns home to play Arizona, which has a very athletic and active secondary. The breakout Tate owners are looking for could still be another week or so away.

— Written by Chris Meyers, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and a member of the FSWA. Meyers' work appears on many other sites, including socalledfantasyexperts.com. Follow him on Twitter @FantsyChillpony.