FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WAIVER WIRE

October 3rd, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Late-Evening Edition

The Waiver Wire

The fantasy football season is a long and arduous trek with plenty of peaks and valleys throughout. The best owners can hope for is that the valley doesn’t run too deep and that they peak at the right time.

One of the best methods for team improvement is the weekly ritual of working the Waiver Wire. Every week fantasy owners are looking for way to improve their team and looking for that diamond in the rough to turn their season around.

Here are this week’s diamonds.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Options

QB, CJ Stroud (Texans) - It may seem a bit premature to go all-in on Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, but he is putting up one heckuva argument to do so. For the season Stroud has been the fantasy QB11 and over the past three weeks he has more passing yards (970) than any other quarterback with six touchdowns and no picks. It may be risky to insert him as your every week starter, but few quarterbacks are playing as well as Stroud; he needs to be owned.

QB, Joshua Dobbs (Cardinals) - Over the past two weeks, Dobbs has been an effective starter posting solid fantasy numbers; 454 yards passing and three touchdowns. He’s been the fantasy QB10 his last two starts and can be considered a possible streaming option during the bye weeks that start in week 5.

RB, Jaleel McLaughlin (Broncos) - The Broncos starter Javonte Williams exited the team’s week 4 game, but is not expected to miss much, if any time. That being the cash, his departure opened the door for rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin. He showed plenty of flash in the ground and air attack, totaling over 100 yards. It’s hard to determine what his usage will be going forward, but he’s definitely stash/(cuff) worthy and flex consideration.

RB, Jaylen Warren (Steelers) - The Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has been steady playing behind starter Najee Harris, but over the past three weeks he has been the more productive back. Warren has 78 yards rushing to Harris’ 179, but he also has 13 receptions for 115 yards receiving (to Najee’s 2 for 32). In a ppr format, Warren is a borderline RB2/RB3, so he’s definitely in the flex conversation

WR, Tyler Boyd (Bengals) - With starter Tee Higgens expected to miss time, Boyd steps up into a starting role and needs to be picked up. Over the past three weeks he has averaged 8 targets per game, with Higgins out his workload will increase.

WR, Michael Wilson (Cardinals) - Over the past two weeks the Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson has been targeted 10 times and caught 9 passes for 162 yards receiving with two touchdowns. He has been the fantasy WR13. He’s a worthy add this week with flex appeal.

Watchlist

These are some names fantasy owners should have on their watchlist for possible pickups in the near future, Chubba Hubbard (Panthers), Melvin Gordon III (Ravens), Allen Lazard (Jets), Darnell Mooney (Bears), and Curtis Samuel (Commanders). Keep an eye on their production and usage in the coming week or two.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FF SOMETHING WORTH NOTING

October 3rd, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Evening Edition

Fantasy Football: Something Worth Noting

With week 4 in the books, a quick look back at what transpired might offer some hints as to what is to come and what could be. I don’t have a crystal ball nor am I able to read any tea leaves, but after watching the games on NFL Sunday week 4, I can offer some observations to consider moving forward.

Raheem Mostert fumbles twice

It’s interesting to note the two fumbles, considering the rookie De’Von Achane’s star is not only on the rise, but it is a fireball barreling towards earth. Achane has been an explosive and dominant runner. Achane has been a part of the rotation the past two weeks and has totaled 304 yards rushing; his season total of 309 yards leads the AFC. He has been the dynamite in the Dolphins backfield, with the loudest bang. I am not a betting man, but I would be willing to wager that week 5, it will be Achane getting some early work and dominating the usage on the ground. 

McLaughlin effective on Sunday

For the Broncos, not a lot has been going right for them this season, but they did squeak out a win in week 4. And although their starting running back Javonte Williams exited the game with a hip injury, the Broncos found a silver lining in rookie Jaleel McLaughlin. The rookie runner finished the week as the fantasy RB10, registering 104 yards of offense, averaging over 10-yards per touch. He was more than an effective fill-in, and after playing as well as he did McLaughlin has likely worked himself into a fixed role in the offense, and even greater should Williams miss any time. He’ll be hot pick up off the Waiver wire this week.

Jones on pitch count

Last week Packers running back Aaron Jones was obviously on a pitch count playing in just 20 snaps (35.1% of the available snaps). His appearance last week was a disaster for fantasy owners that were not aware of the snap count limitation. Jones totaled just 14 yards with one reception for the evening. Fantasy owners will need to see him back as a full participant in practice before they can trust him on Sunday. Since the Packers played on Thursday, Jones will have a few extra days to continue to heal up and return closer to 100%.

Cam Akers runs well in cameo appearance

There wasn’t much to note in the Vikings matchup with Carolina on Sunday. A non-prolific day for Cousins and the passing game, but of course even when Kirk struggles, Justin Jefferson still has a JJ Fantasy day. In the backfield however, it is worth noting one of the newest Vikings, running back Cam Akers, did see the field. Akers was on the field for 14 snaps and was featured in half with 7 touches, averaging over 7 yards per touch. It’s too early to make much of this, especially since starting running back Alexander Mattison had another solid outing. For now Akers is worth stashing as a cuff to Alexander.

Jonnu is more productive

The Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (20 targets in 2023) has been a fantasy surprise this season. While he pitched a donut in week one, he has been a Top-10 fantasy tight end since, overshadowing his teammate Kyle Pitts (21 targets in 2023). Over the past three weeks, Smith has caught 15 passes (ranks tied for 3rd most among tight ends) and registered 179 receiving yards (ranks 3rd most). During this span Smith has been the fantasy TE8, while Pitts is fantasy 29. For the season Smith has more receptions and yards receiving (than Pitts) and should be the tight end owned in fantasy. 

Olave just one catch on Sunday

The Saints offense just looked bad on Sunday and it was apparent that quarterback Derek Carr was not quite right. As a result wide receiver Chris Olave was a non-factor in week 4, being targeted six times and recording a single catch for 4 yards. Fantasy owners can’t afford to sit Olave (just too much talent and ceiling there), so they need to check the practice reports on Carr this week. He needs to be healthy before they can expect Olave to return to his rightful place among fantasy starters.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega