FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 18th 2017

Wednesday Evening Edition

Week 7 Diamonds in the Rough

I’m pretty sure if Titan’s wide receiver Eric Decker was available this week on Waiver wires, he was a popular choice of the consensus. Afterall, Decker is coming off a nice Monday night performance; he was targeted 9 times and caught 7 passes for 88 yards. These were very nice numbers in PPR for Week 6.

For a couple of names that may have been overlooked this week, I give you my Week 7 Diamonds in the rough;

Over the past three weeks, Vikings running back Latavius Murray has yet to take advantage of the opportunity that has been presented. He’s carried the ball 34 times for only 80 rushing yards and zero touchdowns. Right now he’s being outplayed by running back Jerick McKinnon and it’s not close. This week Murray will get his second opportunity facing a Ravens defense that allows better than 4 yards per carry and nearly 125 yards on the ground per game. In two of their last three games the Ravens have allowed a 100-yard rusher (Le’Veon Bell 144 yards in week 4 and Jordan Howard 167 yards this past Sunday). This could be the matchup Murray needs to get going.

Digging a little deeper on the Waiver Wire, the Jaguars wide receiver Marquise Lee has an interesting matchup this week. Last Sunday many figured facing a tough Rams defense, in a run-heavy offense Lee would have little value. With the loss of Allen Robinson back in week one, Lee has emerged as the team’s best receiver. In 6 games Lee leads the team in targets (40), yards receiving (291), and is 2nd in receptions (20). Last Sunday Lee dominated the action in the pass game with 10 targets (good enough for 5 catches and 83 yards), nearest to him was only 3. It’s not a great matchup this week for Lee, but it’s not bad. The Jags will face the Colts in week 7 and over the past 4 weeks, the Colts secondary has surrendered the 5th most receiving yards to opposing wide receivers. If you’re digging, you’ll probably find Lee out there this week.

That's My Take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Evening Edition

October 25th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Week 8 Starts-Sits

My Favorites for Sunday

So as Sunday draws near, it’s another slate of games and another list of some of my fantasy favorites for week 8. I have several lineups going in season long leagues as well as many in the weekly plays; these are several of the names that dominate both.

RB-Jerick McKinnon

The Vikings rookie runner turned in a nice performance a week ago rushing for more than 100 yards against a good Bills defense. This could be an even better and bigger week for McKinnon facing the Buccaneers 25^th ranked rushing defense that is allowing 128.3 yards per game. The Bucs defense also allows the 7^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 8 total touchdowns. This could be a good week for McKinnon to find the end-zone; start him.

RB-Tre Mason

The Rams rookie running back is finally getting his chance and coming off an impressive 18-carry, 85 yards rushing with a touchdown performance a week ago would suggest he’ll be the hot hand to start this Sunday against the Chiefs. The Chiefs defense has not surrendered a lot of yards on the ground this season, but their 18^th ranked rush defense is allowing 4.7 yards per carry. This is one that might be a little off the radar, but I like Mason here; he looked very good last week, quick, elusive, and explosive. He should get first shot out of the gate and I would expect another solid performance. If you are weak at the RB spot, he could be a good start this week.

WR-Sammy Watkins

His 2014 season has not been a breakout thus far, but the kid has shown some flashes of great. Bills Quarterback Kyle Orton gives the position some stability and Watkins has benefitted with double digit targets in two of his last three games. The Jets defense is ranked 18^th versus the pass and it allows the 12^th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, including the 10^th most receptions and 8 touchdowns. Watkins is too great a talent for the Jets secondary; he’ll see plenty of opportunities and is a good bet to reach the end-zone. Start him this week.

WR-Mohamed Sanu

The Ravens may be on a roll coming off an impressive win over a stumbling Falcons team, but their secondary continues to get shreaded and surrender lots of yards (1,415 yards to WR-most allowed) and catches (112 receptions to WR-most allowed). With no AJ Green on Sunday, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu figures to see plenty of opportunities and could be in line for a big game. Since becoming the number one, Sanu is averaging 10 targets and nearly 6 receptions per game; he’s a must play.

TE-Zach Ertz

The Eagles tight end has yet to make much noise this season, but Sunday could be a big day for the Eagles pass catcher. Ertz faces a Cardinals defense this Sunday that allows the 7^th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including 11.8 yards per reception. Ertz is greatly under-utilized, but if the Eagles can get him heavily involved on Sunday he could be hugely productive. I like his chances and would play him ahead of players like Jason Witten, Travis Kelce, Jared Cook, and Heath Miller

TE-Dwayne Allen

With the news of wide receiver Reggie Wayne OUT for Sunday, that just means more balls to go around for the healthy receivers, including tight end Dwayne Allen. The Colts tight end has been consistent this season and ranks in the top ten for fantasy. His matchup this week against a Steelers defense that allows the 9^th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends would suggest a nice day. Allen has scored in 5 of his teams’ 7 games and with the Steelers having allowed 4 touchdowns to tight ends so far this season, number 6 could be this week. Allen is a strong favorite this week, play him.

Week 8 Sleepers

WR-Davante Adams

The Packers offense has a good matchup this week in a game that figures to feature a lot of offense. The last couple of weeks Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not needed to throw the ball a great deal to do significant damage. This Sunday could be different against a Saints team that is certainly capable of matching the Pack points for points. I am expecting Rodgers to put the ball in the air enough for Adams to see a nice share of targets; Adams is definitely a flex favorite this Sunday.

WR-Percy Harvin

Although there’s no real data to suggest Harvin could have a big Sunday, this is more gut feeling and trying to read between the lines. Harvin is an explosive talent, something the Jets offense has been in desperate need of; don’t expect Marty Mornhinweg to waste any time getting Harvin involved. He could be a nice sneaky flex play this week.

That’s my take for week 8.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Evening Edition

October 18th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest 

Week 7 Starts/Sleepers

My Favorites for Sunday

The past several weeks I’ve been devoting a lot of my time focusing more on the one week fantasy leagues and taking a closer look at the weekly matchups. Heading into Sunday’s games, there a handful of matchups and plays I am favoring a great deal.

RB-Ben Tate

The Browns are coming off a big win over the Steelers last week, led by their ground game (158 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns) and running back Ben Tate. The Browns ball carrier has been rolling since he returned to action in week 5; Tate has 202 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns in his last two games. This week with the Jaguars defense on the slate, Tate draws the league’s defense that allows the 4^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 7 total touchdowns. Ben is a must play today.

RB-Justin Forsett

The Ravens running back Justin Forsett has been solid all season and today gets a great matchup against the Falcons defense that allows the most yards rushing to opposing running backs and second most receptions this season. Forsett is coming off his first 100-yard rushing effort last week and with 23 receptions this season; he is the second leading receiver on the team. Forsett is a key cog in the Ravens offense and should be heavily involved on Sunday in a favorable matchup; get him in your lineup.

TE-Jordan Reed

A lot of folks like his skill set and physical ability, but his knock has always been his health. Reed is healthy this week and coming off a nice 8-catch, 92-yards receiving off 11 targets last week against the Cardinals. This Sunday Reed has a tasty matchup against the Titans defense that allows the 8^th most fantasy points, including 5 touchdowns to opposing tight ends. He’s a strong start today.

Week 7 Sleepers

RB-Jerick McKinnon

The Vikings running back will be making his second consecutive start today against a formidable Bills run defense, but his matchup could be a little more favorable than what most think. The Bills have done a good job against the run this season for the most part, but there have been signs of cracks in the armor. Running backs like Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, and George Winn all averaged more than four yards per carry against the Bills this season, suggesting that an elusive speedy back like McKinnon could have similar success. I like the Vikings rookie this Sunday if you are in great need at the position.

WR-Jermaine Kearse

With the sudden trade of wide receiver/return specialist Percy Harvin, the fallout in Seattle could be the rise of some hidden talent. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse has shown great speed on special teams, but in a limited role on offense fantasy owners have yet to see his true potential. With Harvin gone, we could see a more expanded role for Kearse this week. I like the possibilities; he’s worth watching on Sunday.

That’s my take for week 7.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Friday Evening Edition

September 26th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Talking Fantasy Strategy

Stash’em If You Got’em

After watching the Redskins tight end Niles Paul go down last night with a head injury (diagnosed with a concussion), fantasy owners should pay close attention to next week’s injury report and pick up tight end Jordan Reed. Reed is the natural starter in Washington, but has been out the past several weeks with a hamstring injury. He’s sounds likes he’s still a week away from returning, but when healthy he’s a dynamic pass-catching target in the passing game. He’s a target worth stashing if you have roster room.

Another target for fantasy owners looking for talent waiting to blossom is Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon. This one is a flier that fantasy owners will have to be patience with. McKinnon has play making ability the Vikings run game sorely needs, but he’s yet to see much action thus far this season. With current starter Matt Asiata averaging a paltry 3 yards per carry and just 81 yards on the ground, McKinnon’s time may come sooner rather than later’ stash him with lots of patience.

With the Rams on bye in week four, fantasy owners will have to wait and see what happens under center. The last call from head coach Jeff Fischer indicated he would turn the reigns back over to quarterback Shaun Hill when healthy; this despite the fact that 3^rd year quarterback Austin Davis has continued to improve. Davis is coming off a 327 passing yards, three touchdown effort in week 3 where he also completed better than 70% of his throws. His three touchdowns were his first of the season, but also a big indicator that Davis has potential. It will be interesting to see if the Rams move back with Hill or stay the course with Davis. In two quarterback leagues Davis may not be worth a deuce, but could be worth a stash.

In Cleveland I am liking the looks of running back Isaiah Crowell. In three games he’s averaging better than 5 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns; the kid is productive. The Browns may have to looks of a crowded backfield with running backs Ben Tate and Torrance West included, which is why Crowell would definitely be worth stashing (if your lineup is not in dire need) at this time until fantasy owners see how the carries will be distributed. Crowell has been too good to linger on the bench for too long, stay patient and the rewards will come.

Just some of my takes for week 4.

~David Ortega