FSH NOTEBOOK: SATURDAY (FF) QUICK TAKES

October 28, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Saturday Afternoon Edition

Fantasy Football Quick Takes

Rams vs Cowboys Matchup

The Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (fantasy WR7 - ppr) has collected 58 receptions for 752 yards receiving this season. He's a must-start every week.

Vikings vs Packers Matchup

The Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison is averaging 5.3 receptions for 71.7 yards and better than a touchdown over his last three games. He's a must-start every week.

Falcons vs Titans Matchup

The Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder has been the fantasy QB7 over the last three weeks averaging 295 yards passing, 1 touchdowns, and 22 yards rushing per game. He's in play in 2-QB and deeper leagues.

Saints vs Colts Matchup

The Saints running back Alvin Kamara is averaging 26 touches and 118 yards of offense over his last three games played. He's the fantasy RB3 during this stretch. A must-start matchup for Week 8

Patriots vs Dolphins Matchup

The Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has totaled 53 receptions for 902 yards receiving and 7 scores this season. He is the fantasy WR1. He's forever locked in.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FRIDAY'S FANTASY FIXX

October 27th, 2023

David’s Daily 

Friday Late-Evening Edition

Friday’s Fantasy Fixx

TGIF, it’s Friday night and once again time to talk fantasy football Week 8. We’re still in the middle of the byes, but fantasy managers get a brief pause and a break from the chaos with a full slate this weekend. This week has a full schedule of 16 games and lots of fantasy options on the table.

We’ve already had one game played on Thursday night and hopefully you were lucky enough to have Stefon Diggs (16 fantasy points - ppr) Dalton Kincaid (17.5 fantasy points), or Chris Godwin (17.8 fantasy points) in your lineups to start the week. If not, perhaps you were clairvoyant enough to play wide receiver Khalil Shakir (15.2 fantasy points). Either way, we still have a full slate on Sunday and plenty of options to fill out the lineup card.

If you are looking for some options for Sunday that might have appeal, these five players are all trending in the right direction leading into Week 8.

The Trending Five

Desmond Ridder (Falcons, QB) The Falcons quarterback has been playing well of late, averaging nearly 300 yards passing his last three starts. He has also accounted for five total touchdowns (3 pass, 2 run) while adding 66 yards rushing over this stretch. 

Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions, RB) The Lions rookie running back has missed a couple of games, but returned to action in Week 7 and did not disappoint. Gibbs was shifty and explosive totaling 126 yards of offense (68 run, 58 receive), adding a rushing score and 9 grabs. He’s a must play in Week 8.

Jordan Addison (Vikings, WR) Another trending must-play for Week 8 is the Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison. The kid has been on a tear of late catching 16 passes for 215 yards receiving, and 4 touchdowns over his last three games.

Josh Downs (Colts, WR) A  lot of youngsters on this list, so we continue with the Colts rookie wideout Josh Downs. Over his last three games he’s been the fantasy WR13, registering 16 catches for 243 yards receiving and two touchdowns. He’s in play this week.

Kyle Pitts (Falcons, TE) Coming on in recent weeks as one of Ridder’s dependable targets, Pitts has been the fantasy TE9 over the last three weeks. The 3rd year tight end has totaled 14 receptions for 177 yards receiving and a touchdown during the three-game stretch.

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

FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FOOTBALL WHIFFS

September 26th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Morning Edition

Fantasy Football Whiffs!

(NFL Week 3)

So week 3 was an unforgettable week for fantasy owners, filled with some generational performances that will go down in history. If you had players like Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, and Davante Adams in your lineup, you are probably smiling looking at your week 3 outcome.

If by chance you had any of these players in your lineups, your happiness does not exist. These were my Week 3 whiffs.

Ridder has a rough time in the Motor City.

QB-Desmond Ridder (QB26) - The Rookie quarterback could not take his show on the road to Detroit. The Lions defense stepped up and gave him lots of trouble, sacking Ridder seven times. After a strong week 2 performance (fantasy QB12), Ridder posted a dud on the road passing for 201 yards, no touchdowns and a fumble lost.

Following his Week 2 dud, definitely expected better.

QB-Trevor Lawrence (QB17) - It wasn't a terrible day for the Jaguars signal caller, but his 279 yards passing with one touchdown pass and pick for the QB17 spot is not good enough for owners that drafted him as a fringe QB1. 

With the matchup he had, expected better numbers

RB-Najee Harris (RB34) - The Steelers running back plodded his way to 65 yards on the ground on 19 carries. He recorded zero catches and was only targeted once. It’s almost time to leave Harris on your bench, almost.

Did not expect the team’s leading receiver to disappear.

WR-Nico Collins (WR66) - After two weeks, Collins was starting to look like a locked-in WR1. On Sunday he was only targeted three times. Catching 2 passes for 34 yards, which is a little concerning. At this point he still needs to be in lineups.

Still getting the targets, just not the numbers.

WR-Calvin Ridley (WR58) - After laying an egg at home in Week 2, the Jaguars offense came back and laid another in week 3. Ridley followed up his week 2 disappointing stat line with another on Sunday. Ridley only registered three receptions for 40 yards, but he was targeted another 7 times. His production has been anemic, but the opportunity is there.

Wasn’t expecting the top spot, but Top-12.

TE-Hunter Henry (TE25) - After consecutive weeks finishing as the fantasy TE1, Henry came back to earth. The Patriots tight end only registered two receptions in week 3 on 5 targets. His 3.7 fantasy points finished outside the top 20 for the week.

Expected Schultz to play a bigger role in the passing game.

TE-Dalton Schultz (TE43) - The Texans tight end was only targeted three times on Sunday, recording a single catch for 9 yards, in a game the team won. I certainly didn’t expect this low output from Schultz. This was a big whiff in week 3. 

I was expecting Hayden to be more involved.

TE-Hayden Hurst (TE37) - The Panthers tight end was quiet on Sunday recording one catch for 11 yards. This was the second straight game where Hurst has finished outside the top-30 fantasy tight ends. He can be dropped.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega