FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEEKLY WAIVER WIRE

October 24th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Late-Evening Edition

The Weekly Waiver Wire

This week’s Wire may look a little muddled, but if you can find clarity, there are plenty of moves to be made. Let’s start at the top of the Wire and head over to Cleveland where the Browns running back Kareem Hunt will likely be one of the top adds this week. Hunt is only owned in 46.8% ESPN leagues and figures to be the next man up with (RB) Jerome Ford expected to be sidelined 1-2 weeks.

After a strong Week 7 performance, Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid will be a hot pick up off the Waiver wire this week. The Bills rookie tight end was finally heavily involved in the pass game receiving 8 targets, catching 8 passes for 75 receiving yards, and he finished as the fantasy TE6 for the week. Kincaid is only owned in 31.3% of ESPN leagues, so this may be time to grab him.

The rest of the Week 8 Wire.

Gardner Minshew (Colts-QB) The Colts signal caller is coming off a strong Week 7 showing against the Browns. In what should have been a difficult matchup to avoid, Minshew put up nearly 30 fantasy points and finished the week as fantasy QB3. He’s on the radar with a date with the Saints in Week 8.

Mac Jones (Patriots-QB) A strong Week 7 showing has him on the watchlist as fantasy owners continue to manage their way through the byes.

Kenny Pickett (Steelers-QB) Pickett has both of his primary receivers now, with George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, he’s on the streaming radar during the byes.

Darrell Henderson Jr (Rams-RB) Owned in just 12.2% of ESPN leagues, Henderson should be considered a viable streaming option during the byes.

Royce Freeman (Rams-RB) Freeman ran well on Sunday against the Steelers playing behind Henderson. Owned in only 20.2% fantasy leagues, he’s a streamer in deeper leagues and should be rostered.

Emari Demercado (Cardinals-RB) The Cardinals running back is only rostered in 15.7% of ESPN leagues. He’s worth adding but could be a risky play considering the current tumultuous usage rate in the Cards backfield. Proceed with caution.

AJ Dillon (Packers-RB) Until Aaron Jones is a full-go, Dillon is back on streaming radar. Over his past two games Dillon is averaging 17.5 carries and 68.5 yards rushing per game.

  

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs-WR) The Chiefs wideout is rostered in only 7.5% of ESPN leagues. When you get an endorsement from your quarterback, that’s a good thing, but when he’s Patrick Mahomes fantasy managers should listen. MVS should be rostered.

Rashee Rice (Chiefs-WR) Part of the Chiefs prolific passing offense, the rookie is rostered in 48.7% of ESPN league and should be added. Rice has 13 receptions for 165 yards and two scores over his last three games.

Jake Bobo (Seahawks-WR) It’s too early to make a move here, especially with the JSN breakout game on Sunday, but Bobo (rostered in .4% of ESPN leagues) should be on your watchlist, even stashed in deeper leagues if you have the room on your bench.

Kendrick Bourne (Patriots-WR) The Patriots wideout is rostered in only 24.1% of ESPN leagues, it’s time to add him. Bourne has scored over 15 fantasy points in consecutive games.

Gerald Everett (Chargers-TE) Rostered in only 28.0% ESPN leagues; Everett should be considered a viable streaming option. Over the past two games he's the fantasy TE6.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FF SOMETHING WORTH NOTING (WK5)

October 10th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Tuesday Evening Edition

Fantasy Football: Something Worth Noting

Looking back, at what was Week 5, I have several takeaways that not only define the week, but also provide some fantasy football implications owners can take with them into week 6.

Patriots are awful (both sides)

Right now the Patriots are a mess and look terrible on both sides. The offense is in shambles, no production from any of the skill positions and the defense looks like a house of cards ready to fall at the first site of a strong wind. Avoid Patriots starters for now and start any team defense facing New England. If you have any running backs (ppr) matched up against the Patriots defense, they should be considered a safe play.

Broncos have worst defense, absolutely awful vs run

I don’t think I’ve seen any other team nearly as bad against the run this decade, as the Broncos have been this season. The Dolphins massacre may have been considered an outlier that slightly inflates the numbers, but after their performance in week 5 against the Jets, the numbers are true and you are what your record says; yards per carry allowed ranked last, rushing yards allowed per game ranked last, rushing yards allowed this season last, and rushing touchdowns allowed second to last.

George Pickens is a stud - just give Pickett time.

He was one of my pre-draft targets this season, although I was only able to get him in two of my six drafts. Pickens has great hands, crazy athletic ability and if the Steelers O-line can just give quarterback Kenny Pickett time, good things happen. Pickens is the fantasy WR19 at the moment, but trending in the right direction. Three of his last four games have been 75 yards receiving or more with two over 125 yards. Just give it time.

The Giants may have found Waller.

I just can’t figure out what the objective is when the Giants have the ball. All preseason the tales just continued to grow about Waller and Jones, but so far this season there’s been little evidence. That is until week five, where Waller was targeted a season high 11 times and recorded 8 grabs for 86 yards. I’d like to think the Giants have found possibly their best pass catcher, but this is a tough read for fantasy owners. Jones was knocked from the contest late and the Giants were trailing by multiple scores late. Regardless I’m just hoping the Giants watch the tape and realize they have Waller.

The Joe Cool and Chase show is back

It took five weeks, but well worth the wait. I admit, I jumped the gun and believed I had to look elsewhere and move off Joe for week 5. Now I never entertained the idea of dropping Joe, just wanted to wait until he plays better and looks healthy. He definitely looked great, threw the ball incredibly well and when Chase has his buddy Joe slinging it, great things happen. It’s safe to say, keep rolling with Joe Cool and JC.

Kupp and Nacua - the new Dynamic Duo

There was little doubt in my mind that a Sean McVay offense could support both Nacua and Kupp. I’d say my only hesitation was how much workload would Kupp be ready to handle. I’d say 12 targets would indicate nothing to worry about. And his teammate Nacua saw 11 of his own. Both receivers finished fantasy WR11 (Nacua) and WR12 (Kupp). They look like the new dynamic duo.

Justin Fields forever Moore.

There’s something happening in Chicago. The past two weeks have been a big indicator and I am believing that Fields has found his go to in Moore and fantasy owners can expect to see more of this going forward. Over his past two games Moore has caught 16 passes for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s also scored a touchdown in three straight games. Fields, now the fantasy QB4 has tossed 8 touchdowns with one pick in his last two starts and his 11 total touchdowns passes ranks tied for 2nd this season. Both are must-starts going forward.

The Niners are the best team right now

I don’t think I need to announce this to anyone who watches the NFL. But after their week 5 Sunday night dismantling of the Cowboys, it’s really hard to not recognize the Niners as the best and most complete team. As impressive as they are with weapons on offense like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, etc., they are equally impressive on the other side. IDP studs would include Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw. They may not run the table, 17 games is a long season, but they are going to be a tough out in the playoffs for whatever unlucky team has to face them.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 3rd, 2023

Sunday Evening Edition

2023 Breakout Players

(12-Team, PPR format, Fantasy Calculator)

George Pickens, WR-Steelers / ADP 6.10 - The Steelers wide receiver has displayed his incredible talent and receiving prowess throughout training camp and the preseason. He has great athletic ability and great hands. He showed plenty of flash as well in 2022, setting up what could be a breakout campaign in 2023. 

Jahan Dotson, WR-Commanders / ADP 7.01 – Dotson has been one of those players this preseason that has been the talk of Fantasy Radio. He showed some flash in 2022, scoring a touchdown in 3 of his last 5 games while totaling 344 yards receiving with 21 receptions. Dotson is could be on the verge of a big 2023 season.

Garrett Wilson, WR-Jets / ADP 2.04 – When future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers calls you special, you know that’s something. Last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Wilson could be the piece that was missing from Rodgers derailed 2022 fantasy season. The talk is Wilson could be a top-5 fantasy wide receiver, currently being drafted as WR10.

Aaron Rodgers, QB-Jets / ADP 9.08 – Last season Rodgers overall numbers dipped quote a bit, but he didn’t have his Alpha receiver Davante Adams who had moved onto the Raiders. Traded to New York in the offseason, Rodgers may have found his new Alpha (receiving) weapon in 2nd year receiver Garrett Wilson. The benefit of having a receiver of Wilson’s caliber could return Rodgers to fantasy relevance as a top-6 fantasy quarterback.

Kenny Pickett, QB-Steelers / ADP 13.09 – The Steelers 2nd year quarterback has looked sharp in the preseason and although we don’t want to read too much it’s a good sign. Another big sign is the weapons he has in Pittsburgh, with receivers Diontae Johnson and Pickens, add a trusty tight end like Pat Freiermuth and Pickett is a favorite of mine to outperform his current QB20 draft position.

Jordan Love, QB-Packers / ADP 14.04 – Just like Pickett, I really like the Packers quarterback to outperform his current QB24 draft position. He’s been sharp in camp this season completing over 60% of his throws and tossing three touchdowns. And although the sample size is small, this is Love’s 4th season in Green Bay and I believe he’s primed and ready to breakout.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega