FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 24th, 2016
Saturday Afternoon Edition

Fantasy Stock Watch

Stock Rising

With running back Danny Woodhead going down for the season, 2nd year back Melvin Gordon is likely to see his workload increase. He's off to a strong so far with 38 carries for 159 rushing yards to go with his 3 grabs for 18 yards. Owners can expect to see more Gordon going forward, as long as he can stay healthy he's a fantasy stock on the rise.

Like Gordon, the Lions running back Theo Riddick could see a significant spike in his workload and production with starter Ameer Abdullah expected to miss some time. While Riddick is not a big back, or built for between the tackles, the Lions friendly short passing game is a great fit for him. In the two games he has 9 receptions on 10 targets and with more time on the field those numbers could spike. He's a great PPR play and could offer some 

Heading into week 3, the Texans rookie receiver Will Fuller had a lot of flavor, but fantasy owners may want to stick to just just sipping the kool aid for now until we see more, especially after Thursday night's disappointing performance. Fuller shot out of the gate like a hot stock on the rise with two consecutive 100 yard performances, but cooled off against the Patriots. The rookie is still seeing plenty of opportunities with 7 targets on Thursday night, so this is a fluid stock that has great upside.

After missing all of the 2015 season, it looks like Raven's tight end Dennis Pitta could be back to his old form. He's coming off a huge productive Sunday with 9 catches off 12 targets for 102 yards. The big athletic tight end has had past success with current quarterback Joe Flacco and with his return this season, he could finish as a TE1 by season's end. Pitta is definitely a fantasy stock on the rise.

This is tight end Jacob Tamme's second season with the Falcons. With all the changes at the wide receiver position and lack of experience, the veteran tight end could see himself vulturing a lot of opportunities in the pass game. Through the first two weeks he's averaging 8 targets per game, most on the team and his 11 receptions also leads the teams passing game. For the moment, Tamme looks like a solid stock trend on the upside.

Stock Falling

The Dolphins veteran runner Arian Foster is coming off a serious injury from a year ago and with a history of being banged up, his prognosis for staying healthy does not look good. Already slated to miss Sunday Week 3, Foster stock is sliding fast.

The Chiefs running back, Jamaal Charles looks like he could be active this Sunday, but having missed the first two games and coming off a torn ACL from a year ago, fantasy owners should keep their expectations in check. Charles could see action, but there's no question right now, at best he'll be sharing duties with running back Spence Ware. Charles stock, for the price likely paid in most drafts is over-valued until we see something worthy of an early round draft pick.

Through two weeks, the Lions wide receiver Golden Tate has seen plenty of targets with 16, but his 9 receptions has only accounted for 54 yards. He's definitely an active target in the short passing game, unfortunately for owners he's not doing much after the catch and until that changes, his stock will continue to fall.

The Steelers wide receiver Marcus Wheaton has yet to see any action this season, but does look like he could be on the field this Sunday. Lets roll him out on the trading floor and see what he can do against the Eagles on Sunday, before we buy into any of stock. For now his value is flatlining.

That's my take for Week 3

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 21st 2016
Wednesday Evening Edition

Waiver Wire Wednesday

It's week 3 of the fantasy season and it's time to start looking for needed help for those owners that have yet to get out of the gate at 0-2. For those of you that have fared a little better, there's always room to improve and here are some names that can offer the needed relief.

The Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta showed up in week 2. He was probably a forgotten name during most drafts, but after his 9 receptions on 12 targets for 102 yards last Sunday owners will remember him again. Pitta had missed all of last season and had only played in 7 games in the prior two seasons before that. He's certainly has the size and familiarity with his quarterback and is definitely Wire Worthy this week.

In Carolina the Panthers are facing a change in their backfield with running back Jonathan Stewart expected to miss time and the next man up could be running back Fozzy Whittaker. The word is committee coming out of Carolina, but Whittaker looks like the best bet. Owners that are thin in their backfield may get some temporary relief, but this is not a long term solution with the Stewart likely to return sooner than later.

After his big passing performance (374 yards in the air) in week 2 on Thursday night quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is definitely one of the hottest players on the waiver wire this week. Fitz is loaded with talented receivers all around him and with a nice complimentary pass catching workhorse in the backfield, he's a potential top10 QB and a favorite of mine going forward. 

In Tampa, if starting running back Doug Martin is sidelined his back up Charles Sims will be he next man up, but could be a tough play in week 3. Sims is more of the prototypical size for running back at 6'0" and 215 yards, but he's yet to do much this season and facing the Rams on Sunday owners will need to proceed with caution.

Just before the season started there was some headlines in Baltimore when the Ravens released running back Justin Forsett, but then days later he was resigned. Forsett was reinserted as the starter when the season began, but his slow start may have landed him into fantasy free agency. Last week he came up with 17 touches and while his fantasy numbers are lagging at the moment he could be working his way back; definitely wire consideration.

That's my take,

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 20th, 2016
Tuesday Evening Edition

Sunday's Heroes

As I have done in the past, it's never a bad idea to take a quick glance at the weekend that just passed to see if we can find some hidden gems or diamonds in the rough. Week two was filled with more NFL exctiting and plenty of fantasy studs and Sunday Heroes worth noting.

These are some of the Sunday's less noticable, but most notable performers for fantasy owners to watch...

With an injury to Panthers starting running back Jonathan Stewart, back-up Fozzy Whittaker was the next man up and filled the spot nicely. The 4th year running back toted the rock 16 times for 100 yards and added three grabs for another 31 yards. If Stewart misses times, Whittaker should be a highly regarded Waiver Wire grab for week 3.

The Falcons signal caller Matt Ryan (730 yards passing, 5 passing touchdowns) is off to a nice start in 2016 as he continued his hot hand on Sunday against the Raiders. Ryan was absolutely magnificent completing over 75% of his throws on his way to nearly 400 yards passing and three scores. Ryan's fantasy value has dipped the past couple of seasons, so he's definitely worth a grab off the wire this week, should be still be out there.

It was not spectacular in volume, but you could not be more efficient than Raven's wide receiver Mike Wallace turning 50% of his grabs into scores. Wallace was targeted 6 times, grabbing four balls for 67 yards. His two scores now give him three on the year. He may still be available, but you can bet he'll be a waiver wire favorite this week.

After a quiet week one, the Titans tight end Delanie Walker showed his fantasy prowess in week 2 against the Lions. Walker was targeted 6 times snagging all 6 for 83 yards with a score. He and his second year quarterback Marcus Mariota have great chemistry, you can expect Walker to remain a TE1 the rest of the way.

After missing the entire 2015 season, Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is back with his large 6'5" frame to show the football world he's not lost a step. On Sunday the third year receiver was electric catching 7 passes for 108 yards and two scores. With 13 receptions, 199 yards receiving and three scores, he's a top 15 WR the rest of way.

On Sunday night under the lights, Vikings second year receiver Stefon Diggs showed is doesn't matter who throws the ball, as long as they throw it to him. Against the Packers Diggs was unstoppable putting on a show to the tune of 9 catches on 11 targets for 182 yards and a score. The Vikings receiver leads the league in receiving yards with 285 and is second in the NFL with 16 grabs. He's on his way to becoming an elite and possibly top 10 WR by years end.

Rounding out the rest of our Sunday heroes...

The Browns running game received a burst of life with Isaiah Crowell's 133 yards on the ground Sunday against the Ravens. Most of his damage was done on a single 85 yard run, so he could be fools gold, but Crowell does have 30 carries this season for 195 yards, so the work is there.

The Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme tallied 5 receptions for 75 yards and a score in week 2. He's averaging 8 targets per game, with that kind of volume it's not hard to imagine Tamme putting up similar numbers on a regular basis; he has the look of a low TE1 and could be a Waiver Wire steal this week.

With Keenan Allen out for the season, next man up was Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin and he did not disappoint. He may not be able to carry his 6 catch, 115 yards receiving, and two touchdowns line every week, but he's a top 25 wide receiver right now.

Until the Patriots starting tight end Rob Gronkowski is 100 percent and even when he is, number two tight end Martellus Bennett has value. His 5-6 targets per week will always give him a chance at 5 catches for 114 yards and a score, especially when quarterback Tom Brady returns. Bennett is a high-end TE2.

That's my take for Week 2

~David G Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 20th, 2016
Tuesday morning Edition

My Sunday Notes:

Pitt-Cin

Jesse James seeing targets
Big Ben slinging the rock
Antonio and AJ quest day

Det-Ten

Walker solid on Sunday
Marvin Jones the number one 8/118
Ebron makes noise; 4/53
Riddick 15 touches (Abdullah Q)
Det no run game, what's new

NE-Mia

Dolphins pass defense absent
The Three Amigos! (Edelman, Amendola, Hogan)
Jarvis Landry is a stud; big game.
Foster not reliable; going to miss time?


Bal-Clev

Pitta back? 6 first half grabs FA pu
Barnidge non-factor, offense sputtered
Forsett sees work; 17 touches
Duke still under used; 7 touches 56 yards
Corey Coleman interesting with big day; low WR3
Crowell has big day, but can he be consistent?

SF-Car

Newton-Olsen-Benjamin solid
Niners offense cold-hot late
whittaker has big day FA pu
Hyde disappears against solid D
Funchess with score, few grabs

Dal-Was

Prescott impressing
Dez solid with 100 yards
Cousin not solid, still a ?

NO-NYG

Giants D playing well
Saints D better today
Brees dink and dunk
Another Cruz sighting. 1-2 watch

HOU-KC

Texans defense no joke.
DeAndre is a Stud
Fuller a star, too early. But a deep league WR2
Osweiler looks capable; low QB2

Den-Ind

Bronco Defense solid
Siemian safe, reliable
CJ another score
Booker a legit handcuff?
DT nice game, but keep eye on injury
Sanders inconsistent.
Luck getting banged around, needs line help

Oak-Atl

Walford interesting; FA pu
Carr-Murray-Cooper Big three?
tough early matchups, but Raider defense shaky
Tamme is a TE1 going forward

Ari-TB

Palmer with plenty of gas in his arm
Fitz still the man
Cards defense dominant at home
Too early to crown Winston.
Jaron Brown impresses, deep league FA pu

SD-Jax

Jags still horrible.
Rivers big on Sunday, 4 Tds
Gordon's value on the rise
Benjamin looks good

LA-Sea

no offense here
Britt still has value, needs better QB play

(Thurs)

NYJ-Buf

Fitzpatrick worth grabbing FA pu
Jets receiving loaded, even Decker low WR1 in deep leagues?
Forte a workhorse; RB1
McCoy held in check.
Jets run defense solid

(Sun Night)

GB-Min

Rodgers slinging, but no deep threat yet
GB Packers are invisible
Nelson looking better
Digging Diggs; this kid is good
Vikings D for real
Starks better than Lacy?
Rudolph with a couple of grabs; low TE2
McKinnon next up, WW pu

These are my notes from Sunday Week 2

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 18th, 2016
Sunday

Sunday morning Game-Time

Starts-Sits Week 2

Start'em

Derek Carr - Love his match up today at home against a shaky Falcons secondary.
Philip Rivers - Nothing like home-cooking. He will miss Keenan Allen, but still has enough
Rashad Jennings - facing a defense the was shredded for 169 yards last week.
Jeremy Hill - Steel Curtain not the same curtain allowing 4.6 yards per carry.
TJ Yeldon - gets the start today against Chargers (allowing 4.4 yards per carry)
Arian Foster - He's the guy and will get plenty of touches.
CJ Anderson - a fantasy stud, should put in plenty of work today.
Victor Cruz - love his match up today against the Saints.
Mike Wallace - With Flacco's big arm, his speed is once again relevant.
Antonio Gates - still one of Rivers faves, should find the end zone.

Sit'em

Blaine Gabbert - traveling across the country to face a hungry Carolina defense.
Alex Smith - on the road against a tough Texans Defense
Chris Ivory - He's officially "OUT" today
Justin Forsett - losing touches to Terrance West.
John Brown - the Cards number three receiver too risky, plenty of other weapons on team.

That's my take

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 18th, 2016

Sunday

Sunday Spotlight

I am just spotlighting a couple of Sunday plays this week that I happen to fancy.

After his week one dud, fantasy owners are probably ready to toss the Browns big tight end, Gary Barnidge to the side, but hold on there. Last week was with Robert Griffin III under center and this week there has been a change. With the likely season-ending injury to RGIII in week one, the Browns will have journey-man quarterback Josh McCown under center this Sunday. For fantasy owners of Barnidge, with McCown calling the signals there is hope.

Last season with McCown throwing to him, Barnidge was a weekly top-10 fantasy play and a big reason for the tight end finishing as one of fantasy's top tight ends. Last week Barnidge was a big goose end only seeing two targets, owners can expect a big reversal this Sunday. He should be plenty involved in the pass game and his large frame makes him a solid red-zone target.

His Sunday line; 6 receptions, 75 yards and a touchdown.

The Giants will be playing host to the traveling Saints today and if you own any Giants get them in your lineups today; even the waterboy could get in for a score. While the popular plays will be the regular starters, one play I am high on is the return of wide receiver Victor Cruz.

Last week Cruz found the end zone against the Cowboys and this week I expect a return trip against the Saints. Cruz could see a few more targets than the four he saw last week facing a Saints secondary that was abused last week for over 300 yards in the air. With Odell Beckham Jr drawing a lot of the attention, I look for Cruz to slip into the top 20 this week with a solid receiving day.

His Sunday line; 5 receptions, 80 yards, and a touchdown

That's my take

~David G. Ortega