FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER

November 29th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Wednesday Evening Edition

The Wednesday Watercooler

Fantasy Football Free Agency

Looking for Week 13 help while chasing a playoff spot, with just a few weeks left to make your move, free agency still has some gems with fantasy appeal.

WR, Jayden Reed (Packers) Only rostered in 49.4% of NFL fantasy leagues and 39.5% of ESPN fantasy leagues, Reed has produced as a solid fantasy WR2 over the last three weeks. During this stretch he has totaled 13 receptions (on 19 targets) for 164 yards receiving, and two touchdown receptions, adding another 62 yards rushing and another score. With a Week 13 matchup against the Chiefs, Reed has flex appeal.

RB, Samaje Perine (Broncos) Only rostered in 31.5% of NFL fantasy leagues and 31.2 of ESPN fantasy leagues, has recently seen enough run to bring him into the flex conversation. Over his last two games Perine has averaged 66.5 yards of offense with 8 receptions and a rushing score. With a Week 13 matchup against the Texans, in what could be a high scoring affair, Perine could once again be a flex option.

WR, Noah Brown (Texans) Perhaps the forgotten man since being sidelined with injury after week 10, Brown still remains available in many leagues, rostered in 35.1% of ESPN fantasy leagues and 15.5% of NFL fantasy leagues. In his last two games Brown totaled 13 receptions for 325 yards receiving with a touchdown. If he plays he’ll have a tough matchup in Week 13 versus a surging Broncos defense, but with receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins also available, he could see favorable matchups and figure in as a flex play.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER

November 22nd, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Wednesday Evening Edition

The Wednesday Watercooler

Fantasy notes for Week 12.

Over his last three games, the Texans rookie quarterback CJ Stroud is completing 69.2% of his passes, while averaging 387.3 yards passing per game this season. Stroud is a low-end QB-1 against the Jaguars in Week 12.

Over his last three starts the 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is completing 77.8% of his passes, while averaging 331.3 yards passing per game this season. On the road this Thursday, Purdy is a QB-1 in Week 12 versus the Seahawks.

In his last four starts the Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been on a tear tossing 13 touchdowns and adding one rushing score, while averaging 317.8 yards passing per game. With a Week 12 Thanksgiving day matchup against the Commanders, Prescott will be a top-end QB-1.

The Texans running back Devin Singletary has averaged 26 carries over his last two games, while averaging 131 yards rushing and 5.0 yards per carry. With the potential return of running back Dameon Pierce, Singletary should be considered a back-end RB2/flex option this week.

The Bills running back James Cook ranks 5th among running backs with 269 yards rushing over the last 4 weeks and he's averaging 5.5 yards per carry during this stretch. With a Week 12 showdown matchup on Sunday against the Eagles, Cook figures in as a low RB2. 

Since week 8, the Ravens running Gus Edwards leads the NFL with 8 rushing touchdowns while rushing for 218 yards. Edwards will slot in this week as a strong RB2 play against the Chargers on Sunday night.

Since Week 8, the Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (fantasy RB11) has been targeted 21 times and leads all running backs with 19 receptions. Effective in the pass game, White should be considered a strong RB2 this week against the Colts.

Since Week 7, the Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs (fantasy RB6) has been targeted 26 times, registering 23 receptions and 189 yards receiving (ranks 4th among RBs during this stretch). Gibbs is locked in as a borderline RB1/RB2.

In Week 11, the Giants running back Saquon Barkley (fantasy RB9) turned 5 targets into 4 receptions, 57 yards receiving, with two touchdown catches. Barkley has 27 receptions for 162 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns this season. With a Week 12 tilt on Sunday against the Patriots, Barkley is locked in as an RB1.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE FRIDAY NIGHT (FF) WATERCOOLER

November 3rd, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Friday Late-Evening Edition

The Wednesday Friday Watercooler

Targets Equal Opportunities

Looking ahead to the weekend for the insight and information to help you set your fantasy football lineups. This is a list of the top targeted receivers out wide, from the backfield, and at tight end for Week 8.

Here are the weekly leaders for Receiving Targets;

Week 8

Top 10 WR

1. CeeDee Lamb - 14

2. Diontae Johnson - 14

3. DK Metcalf - 14

4. Tyreek Hill - 13

5. Garrett Wilson - 13

6. Michael Pittman Jr - 13

7. Jaylen Waddle - 12

8. Ja’Marr Chase - 12

9. Gabe Davis - 12

10. Terry McLaurin – 12

11. Stefon Diggs - 12

The Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (fantasy WR22) remains fantasy relevant averaging over 9 targets per game. A Week 9 matchup with the Chargers on Monday night looks like a promising outcome for Wilson and company. The Chargers secondary has allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receiver this season.

Week 8

Top 10 TE

1. Trey McBride - 14

2. George Kittle - 11

3. Sam LaPorta - 10

4. Cole Kmet - 10

5. Evan Engram - 10

6. TJ Hockenson - 9

7. Travis Kelce - 9

8. David Njoku - 8

9. Logan Thomas - 8

10. Dalton Kincaid - 7

11. Tyler Higbee - 7

12. Dallas Goedert - 7

The Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (fantasy TE1) has looked unrecoverable and unstoppable all season and his target share shows, quarterback Patrick Mahomes agrees. Kelce is averaging over 9 targets per game and has a 79.4% success catch rate this season. With 54 receptions, 583 yards, and 4 touchdowns he’s locked in every week.

Week 8

Top 10 RB

1. Breece Hall - 9

2. Austin Ekeler - 8

3. Christian McCaffrey - 7

4. Rachaad White - 7

5. Travis Etienne Jr - 6

6. Jahmyr Gibbs - 5

7. Alvin Kamara - 5

8. Saquon Barkley - 5

9. Bijan Robinson - 5

10. 6 more players tied with - 5

The Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been fantasy gold in ppr formats since returning to action in Week 4. Kamara has been targeted 44 times (8.8 per game) this season, most of any running back in the NFL recording 39 receptions and 228 yards receiving. He’s locked into lineups every week and is a DFS favorite this week.

Touches Are Fantasy Gold

Just like a receiver needs to be targeted, a running backs success leans heavily on how many times they touch (carries + catches) the rock.

Here are the weekly Touch leaders;

Week 8

Top 10 RB

1. Saquon Barkley - 39

2. Jahmyr Gibbs - 31

3. Javonte Williams - 30

4. Travis Etienne Jr - 27

5. Derrick Henry - 26

6. Austin Ekeler - 22

7. Alvin Kamara - 21

8. Gus Edwards - 21

9. Emari Demercado - 20

10. Joe Mixon - 19

For consecutive weeks now, Saquon Barkley has led all backfields with the most touches for the week. Heading out west this week to face the Raiders, Barkley figures to be prominent once again. He may not reach the 30 carry plateau this Sunday, but he looks like a strong bet to reach 20+ touches.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER

October 18th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Wednesday Evening Edition

The Wednesday Watercooler

Targets Equal Opportunities

The formula for success never changes. Fantasy gold for managers starts with chances and opportunities and in week six there were plenty players who found opportunity and cashed in. Players like the Bills receiver Stefon Diggs (66 targets this season) continued his high rate of usage, while in Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce (46 targets this season) proves even in his 11th season he’s still among the best at his position, and out of the backfield it’s the new kid on the block, Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson (32 targets this season) who is showing off his hands skills.

There are a lot of familiar faces on the lists this week and a couple of new ones. Take note because success starts here.

Here are the weekly leaders for Receiving Targets;

Week 6

Top 10 WR

1. Stefon Diggs - 16

2. Amon-Ra St. Brown - 15

3. Michael Pittman Jr - 14

4. Adam Thielen - 13

5. Ja'Marr Chase - 13

6. Drake London - 12

7. Garrett Wilson - 12

8. Keenan Allen - 11

9. Kendrick Bourne - 11

10. Terry McLaurin – 11

The Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is currently one of the highest targeted pass catchers in the league this season, especially over the last three weeks. Since Week 4, Chase is commanding a 36.9% target share and has turned his 41 targets into 28 receptions, 345 yards receiving, and three touchdowns. Currently on a bye this week, Chase will get a chance to continue his hot hand with the Bengals face the 49ers in Week 8.

Top 10 TE

1. Sam Laporta - 11

2. Travis Kelce - 9

3. TJ Hockenson - 8

4. Dallas Goedert - 8

5. Dalton Schultz - 7

6. Darren Waller - 7

7. Evan Engram - 7

8. Kyle Pitts - 6

9. Michael Mayer - 6

10. Mark Andrews - 6

Over the past three weeks only Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been targeted more than the Jaguars Evan Engram. The Jags pass receiving tight end has been targeted 23 times and recorded 18 receptions for 128 yards. While the production is a bit on the low side, his scoring has him as the fantasy TE9-tied over the past three weeks and still No.6 for the season. Even with a tough matchup this Thursday, Engram needs to be in lineups.

Top 10 RB

1. D'Andre Swift - 10

2. Alvin Kamara - 8

3. Bijan Robinson - 8

4. Zack Moss - 7

5. Tony Pollard - 7

6. Alexander Mattison - 7

7. Rhamondre Stevenson - 6

8. Isiah Pacheco - 6

9. Jonathan Taylor - 6

10. Austin Ekeler – 6

The Eagles running back D’Andre Swift has been a busy part of the passing game out of the backfield. Swift has been targeted (21 targets) the 3rd most of all running backs over the past three weeks collecting 18 passes for 101 receiving yards and a score. His pass receiving skills has him cracking the Top-15 (14th) fantasy scoring per game among running backs over the last three weeks. And while his rushing numbers have cooled, it’s his ppr scoring that has been carrying him recently. He’ll have a shot at improving both in a classic Sunday night showdown with the Dolphins this week.

Touches Are Fantasy Gold

Just like a receiver needs to be targeted, a running backs success leans heavily on how many times they touch (carries + catches) the rock.

Here are the weekly Touch leaders;

Week 6

Top 10 RB

1. Saquon Barkley - 28

2. Josh Jacobs - 27

3. Alvin Kamara - 26

4. Kenneth Walker - 22

5. Isiah Pacheco - 22

6. Alexander Mattison - 22

7. Travis Etienne Jr - 21

8. Tony Pollard - 21

9. Chuba Hubbard - 20

10. Raheem Mostert – 20

With 28 touches on Sunday night against the Bills, could Saquon Barkley be back? After missing several games due to an ankle injury, Barkley made his return. After a slow start in the first half, he looked pretty good on a couple of late runs. If the Giants can continue to feed him, he could be in for a big Sunday against the Commanders.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER

October 11th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Wednesday Evening Edition

The Wednesday Watercooler

Targets Equal Opportunities

5 weeks in and with week 6 on the horizon, there’s still one formula to success in fantasy football. Your guy needs to get the ball. In fantasy football luck will always play its part, but success is all about chances and opportunities. You can’t win if you don’t have the ball and your dudes can’t score fantasy points if they don’t have a chance.

Here are the weekly leaders for Receiving Targets;

Week 5

Top 10 WR

1. Ja’Marr Chase (19)

2. Adam Thielen (13)

3. Cooper Kupp (12)

4. Stefon Diggs (11)

5. DeAndre Hopkins (11)

6. Puka Nacua (11)

7. Zay Flowers (11)

8. DJ Moore (10)

9. George Pickens (10)

10. Jakobi Myers (10)

It looks like the Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp didn’t skip a beat in his week 5 return. But more importantly for fantasy owners, it appears the other Rams receiver Puka Nacua was able to continue his high volume assault in the passing game. Through five games Nacua leads the NFL with 63 targets.

Top 10 TE

1. Travis Kelce (11)

2. Logan Thomas (11)

3. Kyle Pitts (11)

4. Darren Waller (11)

5.Dalton Schultz (10)

6. Mark Andrews (10)

7. Dallas Goedert (9)

8. Chigoziem Okonkwo (9)

9. TJ Hockenson (8)

10. Evan Engram (8)

And just like that the effect of Pop-icon, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has not affected Travis Kelce’s game. Another strong performance from the Chief’s tight end in week 5, has him back on top of the fantasy tight end pedestal. Kelce ranks second among tight ends with 37 targets this season and over the past three weeks he ranks 1st with 23 receptions, 2nd with 196 yards receiving. His three receiving touchdowns is also tied for the league lead among tight ends.

Top 10 RB

1. David Montgomery (6)

2. D’Andre Swift (6)

3. Antonio Gibson (6)

4. Travis Etienne Jr (5)

5. Josh Jacobs (5)

6. Tyjae Spears (5)

7. Samaje Perine (5)

8. Tony Pollard (5)

9. Patrick Taylor (5)

10. Jaleel McLaughlin (4)

The Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is starting to look more and more like the league’s leading rusher from a year ago, but it is apparent he has elevated his pass receiving skills this season. It is evident with his 30 targets (most among running backs) and 23 receptions this season, he is also being featured more in the passing game. Last season Jacobs caught 53 balls and currently he is on a pass to exceed 75 catches.

Touches Are Fantasy Gold

Just like a receiver needs to be targeted, a running backs success leans heavily on how many times they touch (carries + catches) the rock.

Here are the weekly Touch leaders;

Week 5

Top 10 RB

1. Travis Etienne Jr (30)

2. Joe Mixon (29)

3. Derrick Henry (28)

4. Zack Moss (25)

5. Breece Hall (25)

6. Alvin Kamara (25)

7. Josh Jacobs (25)

8. D’Andre Swift (23)

9. David Montgomery (21)

10. Christian McCaffrey (21)

Over the past two weeks, since he returned to action following his three-game suspension, the Saints running back Alvin Kamara is averaging 24.5 touches per game (ranks 4th among running backs). As a result of this high-volume workload, Kamara has totaled 181 yards of offense, caught 16 passes, and scored one rushing touchdown, making him the fantasy RB8 in that span.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER

September 27th, 2023

David’s Daily Digest

Wednesday Evening Edition

The Wednesday Watercooler

Targets Equal Opportunities

Your fantasy players can’t produce without the ball and they need opportunities to produce. Week 3 was a big week for production, lots of yards totaled and points tallied, and undoubtedly a lot of the production was reflected in the opportunity that was there.

Let’s take a look at the Week 3 leaders in targets and touches.

Here are the weekly leaders for Receiving Targets;

Week 3

Top 10 WR

1. Davante Adams (20)

2. Keenan Allen (20)

3. Ja’Marr Chase (15)

4. Adam Thielen (14)

5. AJ Brown (14)

6. Justin Jefferson (13)

7. Deebo Samuel (12)

8. Stefon Diggs (12)

9. Jakobi Meyers (12)

10. Joshua Downs (12)

11. Romeo Doubs (12)

The Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, currently fantasy WR26 for the season, turned his 15 targets (most this season) in week 3, into 12 receptions for 141 receiving yards. By far this was his best output of the season and good enough for fantasy WR6. If this trend continues (26.4% target share), fantasy owners will start to reap the rewards from the draft capital they invested in Chase.

It’s really no surprise to see Adams (fantasy WR4) sitting near the top of the fantasy receiver tree. His 37 targets for the season ranks 4th, his 322 yards receiving ranks 5th, and his 25 receptions are tied for 4th. As long as he and Jimmy G (Garoppolo) can continue to connect at a high level (39.3% target share) Adams will remain a Top-5 fantasy WR.

Top 10 TE

1. Sam LaPorta (11)

2. TJ Hockenson (11)

3. George Kittle (9)

4. Kyle Pitts (9)

5. Evan Engram (8)

6. Travis Kelce (8)

7. Luke Musgrave (8)

8. Jonnu Smith (8)

9. Four players tied with (7)

The Vikings TJ Hockenson, also the No.1 fantasy tight end continues to be a Target Hog in the passing game. Hockenson is getting a 20.3% target share per game which is equating to 9.3 targets per. With that kind of volume it should not be surprising to see him at the top of the fantasy tight end tree. His 11 targets in week 3 were good enough to produce 8 receptions for 78 yards. With his current volume he’s Top-5 the rest of the way.

The Jaguars tight end Evan Engram has been trending in the right direction the past two weeks. With his 16 targets in that span, he has accumulated 13 receptions for 124 yards receiving, numbers good enough for fantasy TE4. For the year, he has 21 total targets which have him sitting as the No.3 fantasy tight end, behind LaPorta and Hockenson. This type of workload (18.6% target share) will keep him well inside the Top-10 fantasy tight end conversation.

Top 10 RB

1. Miles Sanders (10)

2. Raheem Mostert (7)

3. Kyren Williams (7)

4. Alexander Mattison (7)

5. Bijan Robinson (6)

6. Christian McCaffrey (5)

7. Travis Etienne Jr (5)

8. Josh Jacobs (5)

9. Antonio Gibson (5)

10. Six tied with (4)

Not only has the Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert been healthy this season, but he has been producing at an elite level. After three games Mostert is the top fantasy running back. He’s not only getting it done on the ground, but he’s contributing in the passing game with 10 receptions, 79 yards receiving, and a touchdown. His 17 touches per game, if this continues, will keep him in the RB-1 conversation.

Touches Are Fantasy Gold

Just like a receiver needs to be targeted, a running back’s success leans heavily on how many times they touch (carries + catches) the rock.

Here are the weekly Touch leaders;

Week 3

Top 10 RB

1. Zack Moss (32)

2. Tony Pollard (26)

3. Alexander Mattison (25)

4. Christian McCaffrey (23)

5. Travis Etienne Jr (23)

6. De’Von Achane (22)

7. Kenneth Walker III (21)

8. Josh Jacobs (20)

9. Rhamondre Stevenson (20)

10. Joe Mixon (20)

How good has the Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker been this season, he’s the fantasy RB7 through the first three games. Over the past two weeks, he’s been even better, totaling 140 yards rushing, 70 yards receiving, and four rushing touchdowns good enough for fantasy RB3. His 39 touches over the same span ranks tied for 5th. 

The Colts running back Zack Moss may only be renting the starting gig in Indy, but he’s looking like a permanent squatter at the moment. Over the past two weeks Moss has been the fantasy RB5 (tied with Jerome Ford). He has totaled 210 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving with 54 total touches (ranks 2nd). As long as the workload continues he’s a must-start, beyond week 4 we’ll have to see what happens with running back Jonathan Taylor.

That's my take!

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Wednesday Night Edition

September 19th, 2018

Wednesday’s Weekly Wrap Up 

and Other Non-sense

So Week 2 was a bounce back week in a big way for all of my fantasy teams, largely due to some big games from my studs; Stefon Diggs (9 rec/128 yds/2 tds), Michael Thomas (12 rec/89 yds/2 tds), DeAndre Hopkins, (6 rec/110 yds/1 td), and Brandin Cooks (7 rec/159 yds). Play your studs or start your starters.

I drafted heavy for top tier receivers and benefited greatly in week 2, but not every week is going to go to script. My early picks at the running back are quickly fading with players like rookie Royce Freeman, Dion Lewis, and rookie Ronald Jones. It’s only week 2, so I am not pushing the panic button with Jones or Freeman.

The situation for Jones in Tampa is a little muddled at the moment. With all the success they are having through the air, current starter Peyton Barber (50th ranked RB in PPR), while ineffective on the ground (only averaging 2.6 yards/carry) has been afforded more time to hold the job. Jones will have to earn his way onto the field and when he does, we will see.

In Denver, Freeman (37th ranked RB in PPR) is another concern for me. There’s no question it’s a full-blown committee approach and non-stop rotation. For fellow rookie team-mate, running back Phillip Lindsay (14th ranked RB in PPR), the rotation has not affected his hot hand. Fantasy owners who used an early 4th/5th round draft pick on Freeman will have to remain patient and see how this shakes out. That will be my approach.

In the meantime, with my current RB situation a little in flux, I am streaming guys like Tevin Coleman and Giovani Bernard as starters.

With most of my leagues in the middle of waivers, a couple of streaming options I may be looking at for week 3; with LeSean McCoy banged up, running back Marcus Murphy is drawing some of my attention, and with Leonard Fournette a little dinged up as well, running back Corey Grant (coming off 6 receptions in week 2) may have some flex value.

A couple of noteworthy stashes; I am holding Broncos rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton in a couple of leagues; his 11 targets in two games has me believing he could an interesting mid-season play. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is stashed nicely on one of my rosters; his week 2 performance has me believing who could be rediscovering his QB form.

That’s My Take

~David Ortega