FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEEKLY WAIVER WIRE

October 24th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Late-Evening Edition

The Weekly Waiver Wire

This week’s Wire may look a little muddled, but if you can find clarity, there are plenty of moves to be made. Let’s start at the top of the Wire and head over to Cleveland where the Browns running back Kareem Hunt will likely be one of the top adds this week. Hunt is only owned in 46.8% ESPN leagues and figures to be the next man up with (RB) Jerome Ford expected to be sidelined 1-2 weeks.

After a strong Week 7 performance, Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid will be a hot pick up off the Waiver wire this week. The Bills rookie tight end was finally heavily involved in the pass game receiving 8 targets, catching 8 passes for 75 receiving yards, and he finished as the fantasy TE6 for the week. Kincaid is only owned in 31.3% of ESPN leagues, so this may be time to grab him.

The rest of the Week 8 Wire.

Gardner Minshew (Colts-QB) The Colts signal caller is coming off a strong Week 7 showing against the Browns. In what should have been a difficult matchup to avoid, Minshew put up nearly 30 fantasy points and finished the week as fantasy QB3. He’s on the radar with a date with the Saints in Week 8.

Mac Jones (Patriots-QB) A strong Week 7 showing has him on the watchlist as fantasy owners continue to manage their way through the byes.

Kenny Pickett (Steelers-QB) Pickett has both of his primary receivers now, with George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, he’s on the streaming radar during the byes.

Darrell Henderson Jr (Rams-RB) Owned in just 12.2% of ESPN leagues, Henderson should be considered a viable streaming option during the byes.

Royce Freeman (Rams-RB) Freeman ran well on Sunday against the Steelers playing behind Henderson. Owned in only 20.2% fantasy leagues, he’s a streamer in deeper leagues and should be rostered.

Emari Demercado (Cardinals-RB) The Cardinals running back is only rostered in 15.7% of ESPN leagues. He’s worth adding but could be a risky play considering the current tumultuous usage rate in the Cards backfield. Proceed with caution.

AJ Dillon (Packers-RB) Until Aaron Jones is a full-go, Dillon is back on streaming radar. Over his past two games Dillon is averaging 17.5 carries and 68.5 yards rushing per game.

  

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs-WR) The Chiefs wideout is rostered in only 7.5% of ESPN leagues. When you get an endorsement from your quarterback, that’s a good thing, but when he’s Patrick Mahomes fantasy managers should listen. MVS should be rostered.

Rashee Rice (Chiefs-WR) Part of the Chiefs prolific passing offense, the rookie is rostered in 48.7% of ESPN league and should be added. Rice has 13 receptions for 165 yards and two scores over his last three games.

Jake Bobo (Seahawks-WR) It’s too early to make a move here, especially with the JSN breakout game on Sunday, but Bobo (rostered in .4% of ESPN leagues) should be on your watchlist, even stashed in deeper leagues if you have the room on your bench.

Kendrick Bourne (Patriots-WR) The Patriots wideout is rostered in only 24.1% of ESPN leagues, it’s time to add him. Bourne has scored over 15 fantasy points in consecutive games.

Gerald Everett (Chargers-TE) Rostered in only 28.0% ESPN leagues; Everett should be considered a viable streaming option. Over the past two games he's the fantasy TE6.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FOOTBALL WINS

September 26th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Afternoon Edition

Fantasy Football Wins!

(NFL Week 3)

This is always one of the fun parts following the weekend, when I can look back at my successes. There will always be those players locked-in your lineups, but I consider some of these players as those that may or may not be in lineups; and they should be and shouldn’t be.

Cousins is fantasy gold.

QB-Kirk Cousins (QB4) - Despite the team’s lack of success in the win column, as long as Cousins is the starter and he has Justin Jefferson available, he’s a must-start in fantasy. The guy has been pure fantasy gold, finishing in the top each of the first three weeks.

The Cowboys running back continues to play like a star.

RB-Tony Pollard (RB13) - The Cowboys running back has been a star thus far this season. On Sunday he turned in another solid performance rushing for 122 yards. For the season Pollard is the fantasy RB9.

As expected, another quiet day.

RB-AJ Dillon (RB52) - The Packers desperately need Aaron Jones back. In the two games without Jones, Dillon has been a dud. In the two games without Jones available, Dillon has finished outside the Top-50 fantasy running backs. He belongs on your bench for the time being.

The Jets passing game is non-existent.

WR-Allen Lazard (WR59) - The Jets wide receiver caught three balls for 39 yards on Sunday. As long as the offense struggles, Lazard is going to remain fantasy irrelevant. For the season he’s fantasy receiver No.73. He can be dropped.

The Chiefs receiver room is a mess.

WR-Kadarius Toney (WR100) - The Chiefs wideout has clearly been a disappointment thus far this season. It’s still early in the season and his quarterback is Patrick Mahomes, but sitting at fantasy WR102 with just 7 catches for 35 yards to this point, he can’t be trusted. It’s safe to drop him.

The Texans rookie continues to play well.

WR-Tank Dell (WR6) - The Texans rookie wide receiver was big on Sunday, recording 5 receptions for 145 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown reception. This was the second straight week Dell has finished as a Top-20 fantasy receiver. He's a must-start at this point.

Another quiet day for Titans tight end

TE-Chigozeim Okonkwo (TE25) - The Titans 2nd year tight end is off to a slow start this season. On Sunday was more of the same, catching three passes for 7 yards. For the season, with just 10 targets in three games Okonkwo sits at fantasy TE44. He shouldn’t be owned and not worth streaming.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: WEEK 3 FF SITS

September 23rd, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Saturday Afternoon Edition

Fantasy Football Week 3

Sit’Ems

My week 3 Sits for Sunday and Monday.

Looking ahead to this weekend, I have a list of players that I am not dropping (if on my roster) ahead of Sunday, but rather going to navigate around. Whether it is the effect of weather, dealing with an injury, or just a bad matchup, I am looking to avoid the following players for Sunday and Monday of Week 3.

QB-Joe Burrow (Bengals) - The Bengals signal caller, Joe Burrow is dealing with a calf injury and his status for Monday night is not looking good. He has yet to live up to the draft capital invested in him, so it is concerning to hear he is less than 100 percent and may not play. The Bengals are in the late window, so waiting for game-time status would be tough. Unless I hear anything to the effect of remarkable improvement, I am going to avoid this situation and sit Burrow.

RB-AJ Dillon (Packers) - With the latest reports indicating running back Aaron Jones could return this week, I am looking to avoid Dillon for the time being. Even with Jones out last week, Dillon slotted in at fantasy RB33. Even if Dillon is again the lead back this week, he’s facing a tough 13th ranked Saints run defense. Through two games Dillon has 28 carries for 74 yards for a career low average of 2.6 yards per carry. Sit him.

WR-Allen Lazard (Jets) - If you were anything like me, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center, Lazard seemed like a nice late round pick in fantasy drafts. With the loss of Rodgers (achilles), Lazard is no longer starter worthy. He’s barely worth rostering, but for now I will hold him for another week.

WR-Kadarius Toney (Chiefs) - It’s hard to stay patient with Toney. Through two games this season he’s just been bad. Too many drops, just six catches for 36 yards on 10 carries. The Chiefs matchup this week looks favorable, but after these first two games I just don’t trust Toney. With Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback, it is likely that he’ll get this turned around at some point and sooner than later, but for now he’s on my bench.

 

TE-Chigoziem Okonkwo (Titans) - The Titans tight end is off to a rough start (No.43 fantasy tight end) with just 4 catches for 35 yards in two games this season. The Titans are not a high volume passing team, so Okonkwo’s chances will be limited and with just six targets in two games, I’ll need to see a greatly improved target share before I can trust him in my lineup.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 3rd, 2023
Sunday Morning Edition

2023 Draft Day: On the Clock

(12-Team, PPR format, Fantasy Calculator ADP)

 
TE-Evan Engram, Current ADP 8.04 - the Jaguars tight end earned a contract extension in the off-season with his 2022 play. Last season the Jags tight end finished the year as the No.7 fantasy scoring tight end, recording 73 receptions (tied for 3rd amongst TEs), 766 yards receiving (4th), with 4 touchdowns. With a new contract and a rising start at quarterback, Engram is poised to improve on those numbers in 2023. He’s currently coming off the boards around mid-8th round.

RB-AJ Dillon, Current ADP 8.09 - the Packer’s running back was the No.32 fantasy ball carrier in 2022, finishing the season with 770 yards rushing and 7 rushing touchdowns. Dillon is currently coming off the board as RB32. But with the Packers quarterback change in the offseason, the team figures to lean more on the run this season which should bolster Dillon’s ground game numbers. Dillon is currently coming off the draft boards in the late 8th round.
 
That's my take!
~David G. Ortega