Notable Injuries:
- Kendre Miller (Hamstring)
- Tyrone Tracy (Concussion)
- Jordan Mason (Shoulder)
- Stefon Diggs (ACL)
- Deebo Samuel (Ribs)
- DK Metcalf (Knee)
- Sterling Shepard (Hamstring)
- Christian Kirk(Collarbone)
- Brian Thomas Jr. (Chest)
- Gabe Davis (Shoulder)
- Jordan Love (Groin)
- Drake Maye (Concussion)
Teams on a BYE week:
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- San Francisco 49ers
Waiver Wire Targets:
Tyrone Tracy (Rostered in 46.3% of ESPN leagues)
Tracy has dominated the backfield in New York. On Sunday he rushed for 145 yards a touchdown putting up 23 fantasy points. Important to mention that Tracy went down with a concussion late in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. With a slightly shorter week to recover, he may be a healthy scratch against the Commanders so keep an eye out for that. Regardless, when healthy, Tracy is the lead back and needs to be rostered.
Cedric Tillman (Rostered in 16.0% of ESPN leagues) Genius Pick of the Week
I missed out on adding Cedric Tillman to this list last week but he lit the fantasy world on fire going for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 of 9 targets. You won’t find Jameis on this list because of the tough defense matchups the Browns face coming out of their BYE but Tillman should continue to see a lot of work in this offense moving forward. He has slotted in as the number 1 and is already developing a quick chemistry with Winston. Tillman is a must add if available.
Josh Downs (Rostered in 48.6% of ESPN leagues)
With Joe Flaco back at the helm, Josh Downs is a must have. Through weeks 4-6, where Flaco was slinging the rock, Downs saw an average of 10 targets. He also had 3 double digit fantasy outings. Add Downs if he’s available.
Michael Wilson (Rostered in 12.5% of ESPN leagues)
Michael Wilson has had a fairly inconsistent year when it comes to scoring fantasy points. 8 games in and he has just as many double digit outings as single digit ones. Unless you watch Cardinals games or are a fan you also may not hear about him very often. There is also a guy named Marvin Harrison dominating their WR1 position. “Well then why is he on the list?” you might ask. Great question. Injuries to the wide receiver position across the league keep piling up and at this point in the year sometimes all you need is a boom or bust kind of flex play. Wilson fits that requirement. Wilson is averaging just about 5 targets a game operating as the number 2 wide receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr. However, as the number 2, Wilson is on the field for more snaps than any other Cardinals pass catcher. He also has one more reception on the year than Harrison and completes catches at a higher rate (69% to Harrsion’s 52%). By no means am I saying he is the better receiver, I just like his involvement in the passing attack. Consider Wilson a flex play if needy at the WR position.
Jalen McMillan (Rostered in 41.2% of ESPN leagues)
The Buccaneers lost Chris Godwin for the year and Mike Evans is out for a few weeks. In his first game this year without those two, McMillan brought in 4 catches for 35 yards. He also rushed for 17 yards bringing his fantasy point total to 9.2. While that doesn’t leap off the page, he did see 7 targets which was encouraging. Cade Otton saw the biggest bump in production but McMillan still stands to see a lot of work moving forward. It is also worth mentioning that the wide receiver got even thinner as Sterling Shepard suffered a hamstring injury. A potential shootout against the Chiefs adds value to McMillan.
Parker Washington (Rostered in 0.1% of ESPN leagues)
Washington makes this list purely because the Jaguars have a decimated wide receiver core. Christian Kirk (Out for season), Gabe David and Brian Thomas Jr. all left Sunday’s game due to injury. Outside of Evan Engram, there is not much left for Trevor Lawrence to throw to. Washington could be an interesting flex play against the Eagles.
Adam Thielen (Rostered in 21% of ESPN leagues) Xavier Legette (Rostered in 24% of ESPN leagues) Jalen Coker (Rostered in 0.1% of ESPN leagues)
News broke today that Diontae Johnson has been traded to the Baltimore Ravens. This presents an immediate increase in potential production from both Legette and Coker. Legette is the more obvious pick between the two but Coker has been a sneaky play for the Panthers and is averaging 10+ yards a catch. Adam Thielen is set to return in the next week or two from IR and could dominate the target share similar to last year (at least some may hope). The Panthers suck but there is value available when, more than likely, they will be playing from behind and throwing a lot.
Sam Darnold (Rostered in 46.4% of ESPN leagues)
It’s hard to imagine that Darnold is not rostered in more leagues at this point. He has performed way better than I think most expected and is currently QB 15 on the year. Darnold’s next 3 matchups are against teams all in the top half of most fantasy points allowed to QBs this year. I also have learned to not bet against Justin Jefferson. Consider Darnold a startable option this week and beyond.
Bo Nix (Rostered in 36.7% of ESPN leagues)
Bo Nix absolutely torched my Carolina Panthers on Sunday throwing for 284 yards and 3 touchdowns. He even ran one in for a score. Next up is the Baltimore Ravens who have been susceptible to the pass prompting another fantasy relevant game from the rookie. While his point total should come down to Earth a little bit, I like Nix as a startable option in week 9.
Joe Flaco (Rostered in 2.1% of ESPN leagues)
News broke this afternoon (10/29) that the Indianapolis Colts are benching former first round pick Anthony Richardson and are elevating Joe Flaco into the starting role. In his 3 weeks as the starter (1 injury replacement, 2 starts) Flaco threw for 716 yards, 7 touchdowns and 1 interception. Talking heads will probably hammer Richardson all week about tapping out to take a breather and what this means for his career. None of that matters except that Flaco will air the ball out more and has shown to be able to put up more fantasy production when given the opportunity this year. Flaco is a good startable option.
Russell Wilson (Rostered in 28.3% of ESPN leagues)
The Steelers head into their BYE week fresh off a Monday night win over the Giants. On a night where Wilson only scored 13.82 fantasy points, I like him as a waiver wire addition and I’ll tell you why. If you didn’t watch the game and only looked at the point outcome, sure, I get it. I wouldn’t want him either. What the point total doesn’t tell you is that Wilson had 2 touchdowns called back due to penalties. Both happened to be to George Pickens who seems to have a great connection with Wilson. The offense seems to be clicking and the defense is pretty solid. All of this bodes well for Wilson moving forward. Some favorable matchups to close out the second half of the year make him even more appealing. I like Wilson as a sneaky stash option in a week where some may not want an unplayable player.
*Point totals mentioned assume full point PPR scoring
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