FSH NOTEBOOK: FRIDAY'S FANTASY FIXX

October 20th, 2023

David’s Daily 

Friday Late-Evening Edition

Friday’s Fantasy Fixx

(Week 7: Best Matchups/Plays)

With an exciting Thursday night game just concluded, could this be a preclude of what is to come this weekend? Fantasy managers can only hope for it as we all try to navigate our fantasy lineups through a heavy dose of byes this week. 

The Thursday night matchup did bring a little relief for many as there were plenty of fantasy winning plays last night. If you had Alvin Kamara (29.3 fantasy points), Travis Etienne Jr (22.7 fantasy points), and Christian Kirk (19 fantasy points), you had to be happy with their outcomes. Even both quarterbacks, Trevor Lawrence and Derek Carr, were serviceable along with the Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13.2 points) and the Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (9.5 points).

Looking forward to this weekend, which players will bring fantasy delight to our lineups? These are some of the plays that I believe will bring more solace to our Week 7 fantasy matchups. They can also work for your DFS plays.

Geno Smith (Seahawks-QB) It’s been a bit of an up and down season for Smith and the Seahawks, but a home tilt should bring some good home cooking and strong play. The Cardinals defense is allowing the 5th most fantasy points and 4th most passing yards to quarterbacks and this could be just what the fantasy doctor ordered.

Kenneth Walker (Seahawks-RB) The Seahawks running back has been on a roll, scoring at least one rushing touchdown in four straight games. He’ll have a great shot at number five facing a Cardinals defense that’s allowing over 5 yards per carry for the last four weeks. Expect another solid outing for Walker this week.

Aaron Jones (Packers-RB) Coming off the bye, Aaron Jones could finally be healthy enough to return to the Week 1 form when he totaled 127 yards and scored twice. The timing could not be any better, in a Week 7 road tilt facing a Broncos defense that has been the worst against the run and has allowed 8 rushing touchdowns. Expect a score or two for Jones on Sunday.

Rashee Rice (Chiefs-WR) The rookie receiver seems to be trending more and more towards becoming a reliable receiving option in the Chiefs passing game. Rice has averaged 4.5 targets, 4 receptions, 52.5 yards receiving, and .5 touchdowns the past two weeks and has seen a 46% or more snap share in 3 of his last four games. In Week 6 Rice finished third among the Chiefs receivers with 35 snaps. Facing the Chargers this week, this one feels like a breakout game. 

Curtis Samuel (Commanders-WR) The Commanders wide receiver has been steady the last three weeks, he’s the fantasy WR12, with 17 catches, 15 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. Up next for Samuel is the Giants secondary that has allowed the 8th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers over the past 4 weeks.

Tyler Lockett (Seahawks-WR) The Seahawks receiver is off the injury report and ready to take advantage of the Cardinals defense that has allowed the 4th most fantasy points and 2nd most reception to opposing receivers the last 4 weeks.

Kyle Pitts (Falcons-TE) The Falcons 3rd year tight end has been starting to come alive the past couple of weeks. In his last two games Pitts has caught 11 passes for 130 yards receiving, and one score. His recent production has him flirting with fantasy starter status. Pitts feels like a safe play in this one, being featured as much as he has, 17 targets over the past two weeks.

Saquon Barkley (Giants-RB) After seeing Barkley (28 touches) finish up the Sunday night game against the Bills in Week 6, his health is trending in the right direction as he faces a familiar foe he’s had past success against. Barkley should see a full workload once again and could be in for a highly productive afternoon.

Seahawks (DST) This Seahawks defense has been one of the better scoring defenses (2nd) the past four weeks, with 19 sacks and 7 takeaways. At home this week, this defense is a safe play.

Strong plays to consider for DFS as well.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEEKLY WAIVER WIRE

October 17th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Late-Evening Edition

The Weekly Waiver Wire

The Fantasy Football season can be tumultuous at best and this season has been no different. The past couple of weeks have seen some big names go down, names that include Justin Jefferson, De’Von Achane, Anthony Richardson, Christian McCaffrey, and Justin Fields. 

As fantasy managers find a way to navigate through the wilderness that is fantasy football season, the Week 7 waiver wire does offer some relief. The pickings aren’t plentiful but the Wire has some value.

The Niners running back Jordan Mason remains the top of the list for pickups this week. Rostered in only 1.5% of ESPN leagues, he definitely looks like the Pickup of the week, especially for Christian McCaffrey owners. When CMC went down on Sunday Mason was inserted as the featured back handling backfield duties, out-snapping teammate Elijah Mitchell 15-7. Mason figures to be the first in line for work if CMC misses any time.

Rostered in only 30.4% of ESPN, the Chiefs rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice should remain a high priority on this week’s waiver wires. Over the past four weeks he has separated himself as the top receiver in KC with 16 receptions (21 targets) for 196 yards receiving and a score. The production continues to increase and he’s part of the Chiefs offense. He’s coming off a 4-receptions, 72 yards receiving performance and has a date with the Chargers in week 7.

Desmond Ridder (Falcons-QB) The Falcons 2nd year quarterback has been playing well of late. The past two weeks he's been the fantasy QB5, averaging 318 passing yards and two touchdowns per game. Consider him a solid play to fill the bye week.

Sam Howell (Commanders-QB) Another bye week filler, the Commanders quarterback has been very good over the past three weeks. Rostered in only 19.1% of ESPN leagues, Howell has been the fantasy QB5 averaging more than 275 yards passing and 2 touchdowns in his last three games.

Craig Reynolds (Lions-RB) With the Lions losing running back David Montgomery for multiple weeks, Reynolds is expected to slot in what will likely be a committee with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (once he returns). For Montgomery owners, Reynolds can offer some relief as an RB3 or possible flex play.

Latavius Murray (Bills-RB) - Murray seems to be in a full blown timeshare with starter James Cook (30 snaps each in Week 6). While there still seems to be a disparity in production between the two, Murray is closing the gap in opportunities 15 touches to Cook’s 23 the past two weeks. For now Murray remains a cuff, he has yet to reach standalone value.

Curtis Samuel (Commanders-WR) Only rostered in 28.6% ESPN leagues, Samuel is the Commanders leading receiver with 10 receptions, 107 receiving yards and two scores over the last two weeks. Over the past three weeks he’s seen a steady diet of targets (19) so his prospect of continued success looks good. At the very least a nice streaming option to get thru the byes.

Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants-WR) The Giants receiver is quickly becoming relevant, with 18 receptions for 120 yards receiving over his last three games. He’s worthy of flex value, but the continued increased usage and production and low ownership (5.2% of ESPN leagues) means he should be grabbed now.

Luke Musgrave (Packers-TE) Prior to the Packers Week 6 bye, the rookie is coming off one of his better showings this season. Musgrave seems to be a boom or bust candidate catching 6 passes in week 3 & 5, but just one in week 4. He’s likely a stash at the moment and more of a flier play through the byes in deeper leagues.

Michael Mayer (Raiders-TE) Finally utilized in the passing game in Week 6, Mayer collected 5 passes for 75 yards receiving on 6 targets. He should be on fantasy manager radars.

James Robinson (Packers-RB) Just signed by the Packers this week, Robinson’s addition sounds like a call to bench running back AJ Dillon. Starter Aaron Jones is still on the mend and Dillon has not been the answer in his absence. The team could just be adding depth, but Robinson could offer some value at the moment. It's a little too soon to start hyping him up, so he’s a stash candidate for now.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega