FSH NOTEBOOK: THE SATURDAY WATERCOOLER

December 9th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Saturday Evening Edition

The Wednesday  Saturday Watercooler

Week 14 Free Agency

With less than 15 hours until NFL Sunday week 14 kickoff, there’s still plenty of time to make some moves to improve your lineup and secure that playoff spot. These are some of my Week 14 favorites widely available in many leagues.

RB, Keaton Mitchell (Ravens) The rookie runner emerged in weeks 9 and 10 as a flex play with consecutive weeks scoring a touchdown. He’s been quiet since, but following a Week 12  performance where he out-snapped starter Gus Edwards 33 to 19 and out gained him 89 yards to 37, he is trending in the right direction. For those desperate for help in the backfield Mitchell is only owned in 34.3% of ESPN fantasy leagues and 26.1% in NFL.

WR, Romeo Doubs (Packers) The Packers wideout is only owned in 39.2% of NFL fantasy leagues and 41.0% of ESPN leagues. Over his past four games played Doubs has been scoring in the mid WR-3 range, with 15 receptions on 20 targets for 193 yards receiving and two scores. With Christian Watson ruled out and a great Monday night matchup against the Giants (5th worst against WR), he should be added.

WR, Noah Brown (Texans) Before his return to action last week, in his last two games Brown had collected 13 catches for 325 yards receiving and a score. He returned last week, but was very quiet. With the loss of rookie receiver Tank Dell, Brown will have an opportunity to make an impact. Brown is only owned in 26.4% of NFL fantasy leagues and 42.7 of ESPN, and although it will be a tough matchup in Week 14 against the Jets, he’ll still offer flex appeal.

WR, Zay Jones (Jaguars) If he’s healthy, with the absence of wide receiver Christian Kirk, the stage is set for a big opportunity for Zay Jones to fill in and play big. Jones is only owned in 9.3% of NFL fantasy leagues and 25.8 of ESPN, without an injury designation this Sunday, he’s a low end flex with a tough matchup against the Browns.

TE, Isaiah Likely (Ravens) The Ravens young tight end has yet to turn any heads, but at the one position that is very shallow in fantasy, Likely has value. Only owned in 39.8% of ESPN fantasy leagues and 15.3 in NFL, Likely is coming off  a 4-catch, 40 yards receiving (on 6 targets) performance in Week 12 (fantasy TE18) and facing the 8th worst defense versus fantasy tight ends. A part of a heavy run offense may limit opportunities, but he still has a chance to be a fringe TE1 for Week 14.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEEKLY WAIVER WIRE

November 7th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Late-Evening Edition

The Weekly Waiver Wire

Noah Brown (Texans) The former Cowboys wide receiver had a welcome to the party kind of game on Sunday blowing up for 153 yards receiving with a score. Brown is barely owned in ESPN Fantasy Leagues (0.9% rostered) and should be considered a stash candidate and low end flex option with a potential high ceiling.

Keaton Mitchell (Ravens) The Ravens rookie running back had the hot hand on Sunday and exploded for 138 yards rushing on just 9 carries. He’ll figure to see more opportunities going forward and only owned in 1.0% of ESPN Leagues; he's another stash candidate (especially in Dynasty).

Tank Dell (Texans) The Texans rookie wide receiver Tank Dell is owned in just over half (55.7%) of ESPN Leagues), though he seems to be a true boom or bust fantasy play, if he’s available he has a tremendous ceiling and should be owned.

Tyler Boyd (Bengals) The Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd is only owned in 47.7% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues and over his last three games he’s been a solid fantasy WR3. With the Bengals offense starting to heat up and Ja’Marr Chase coming out of Week 9 a little dinged up, Boyd should be on fantasy rosters.

Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) Even though it may not have looked pretty, the Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been playing in fantasy starter territory over the past several weeks. During his past three starts Mayfield has averaged 259 yards passing with 5 touchdowns. He’s only owned in 45.4% of ESPN Leagues and offers some streaming value through the remaining Byes.

Odell Beckham Jr (Ravens) After finally reaching paydirt for the first time this season the Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr turned in his best game. OBJ hauled in 5 passes for 56 yards receiving and a touchdown. OBJ is only owned in 42.4% of ESPN Leagues and should be owned. As he starts to look more like the old OBJ, he has a chance for better games being a part of the Ravens 4th best offense in the league.

Jonnu Smith (Falcons) The Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (fantasy TE14) blew up on Sunday, recording 5 catches for 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. After a quiet couple of games Smith found his mojo in Week 9. Smith has seen at least 5 or more targets in 6 of his last 8 games this season. He remains involved in the Falcons passing game and only owned in 27.1% of ESPN Fantasy games, he should be owned.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots) Targeted 7 times on Sunday, the Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had his busiest game this season, since Week 1. Smith-Schuster finished as the fantasy WR25 for the week.  JuJu is only owned in 29.9% ESPN Fantasy Leagues and while his Week 9 performance wasn’t a breakout, he may offer some relief as a streaming option through the Byes.

Demario douglas (Patriots) The better option out of Foxboro is the Patriots rookie receiver Demario Douglas. Only owned in 21.9% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues, Douglas has been seeing a steady diet of at least 6 or more targets over the past three weeks. His ceiling has not been exceptionally high, but his floor has been steady and safe as a flex play.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega