Do you like fishing?
It’s not a sport for everyone. It requires a great deal of patience. If you demand instant gratification in most areas of your life, fishing probably isn’t for you. But if you’re OK with being in a tranquil setting, enjoying a bag of sunflower seeds and a beverage or two, and perhaps enjoying the company of a friend or a dog while waiting for a smallmouth bass to pay you a visit, fishing can be pure bliss.
We fantasy managers are fishing the waiver pond, and we’ve been sitting patiently for a long time. We’re out of beer and almost out of sunflower seeds, and we’re still waiting for that smallmouth.
There have been no grand prizes available on waivers for weeks. Some of you have been hoarding FAAB money or squatting on a No. 1 waiver priority, but there haven’t been any players worthy of a splurge. It’s as if the waiver pond has been completely fished out.
Well, not exactly.
There may not be any of those hard-fighting smallmouths to catch, but we can still fill our buckets with perch, sunfish and crappies, and eventually cook ourselves a tasty shore lunch. None of the players discussed in this article is worth 50% or more of your remaining FAAB budget (and please don’t blow that sort of money on Leonard Fournette or Keaton Mitchell). But there are decent fill-ins and depth pieces at every position.
The lake is not empty. It’s time to cast your line and see what’s out there.
Grade: C
Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.
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RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Keaton Mitchell (BAL): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, CIN, @LAC
- True value: $16
- Desperate need: $27
- Budget-minded: $10
Analysis: Remember another speedy back from East Carolina, Chris “CJ2K” Johnson? Keaton Mitchell exploded for 138 yards on nine attempts Sunday against the Seahawks and housed a 40-yard run. This is another exciting rookie breathing life into a stagnant waiver wire. He will be a serious candidate to supplant Justice Hill as the lightning to Gus Edwards‘ thunder.
Leonard Fournette (BUF): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, NYJ, @PHI
- True value: $14
- Desperate need: $23
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: Leonard Fournette wasn’t just lounging around before finally signing with Buffalo last week. Lenny looks spry and dangerous. Buffalo desperately needs a better back than Latavius Murray to balance with James Cook and spare Josh Allen some punishment in short-yardage scenarios. I will be aggressive to acquire the underrated vet, who’s been a productive pass catcher in recent years.
Zach Charbonnet (SEA): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: WAS, @LAR, SF
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: It was a miserable day for the Seahawks on Sunday against the Ravens. Charbonnet out-snapped Kenneth Walker for the second-consecutive game but only managed 13 yards from scrimmage on five touches. Calmer seas are not ahead on the schedule, but the UCLA product is more than a simple stash as long as he sees the field this often. The question is whether the uptick in Charbonnet’s usage will last, or if it’s temporary because of the calf issue Kenneth Walker has been dealing with.
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): 29% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BUF, MIN, CLE
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Similar to Mitchell, an explosive undrafted rookie RB has dislodged a veteran from his role through his performance. Jaleel McLaughlin has left Samaje Perine in the dust behind Javonte Williams on the Broncos depth chart. The upcoming schedule is anything but favorable for McLaughlin, so don’t go overboard.
Antonio Gibson (WAS): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SEA, NYG, @DAL
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $12
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: I am torn on Gibson. On one hand, he is a stellar pass catcher and can be a PPR weapon, as he was in Week 9. The other side of the coin is the inconvenience he seems to be to Washington OC Eric Bieniemy’s run game. Most serious fantasy leagues will have Gibson rostered and wallowing on the bench. In more casual leagues, you’d have to be in dire need of a warm body at RB to entrust him with a roster spot.
Roschon Johnson (CHI): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @DET, @MIN
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: The Bears have run the ball well this season. Unfortunately, it has been with the muddiest committee in the league. Outstanding rookie Roschon Johnson only earned three touches in Chicago’s Week 9 loss to New Orleans. He was overshadowed by D’Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans, which is troubling. I still want a piece of this backfield, and Roschon is easily the most talented one here.
Stash Candidates:
Ty Chandler was relegated briefly when the Vikings acquired Cam Akers from the Rams. Unfortunately, Akers suffered another Achilles injury on Sunday, putting the explosive young RB from North Carolina squarely back into the fray. I have long believed Chandler to be a better player than starter Alexander Mattison, so this is a sneaky stash indeed.
Rico Dowdle has been my preferred deep stash all season. He has rotated in for Tony Pollard and returned kickoffs to stay fresh. Pollard has also underwhelmed this season, giving Mike McCarthy some cause to employ more of a “hot hand” approach if he chooses.
Kenneth Gainwell and Tyjae Spears both have defined roles in their respective offenses that offer sporadic start-worthy production. Those roles would also stand to grow in case of an injury to the starter.
Kendre Miller is an intriguing stash behind Alvin Kamara. The rookie from TCU has seemingly broken a big play every week, even if his opportunities have been fleeting.
Elijah Mitchell is a pure stash. He would assume a monster role if anything ever happened to Christian McCaffrey, but Mitchell sits as cold as a corpse on the sideline with the future Hall of Famer CMC rolling like he is.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Tank Dell (HOU): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, ARI, JAX
- True value: $9
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: Dell crushed souls in Week 9. He tied for the team lead with a 26.1% target share. Entering Week 9, among 123 qualifying wide receivers, Dell ranked 30th in receiving grade and 22nd in yards per route run (per PFF). All of the size concerns and breakout age worries should be a thing of the past. Dell is a baller extraordinaire. Per ESPN analytics, Dell is fourth in open rate behind only Brandon Aiyuk, Keenan Allen and Garrett Wilson. I’m worried about his output against the Bengals’ strong secondary in Week 10, but then he has three cakewalk matchups against Arizona, Jacksonville, and Denver. Dell can be a stretch-run difference maker.
Demario Douglas (NE): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: IND, BYE, @NYG
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Douglas looks like the Patriots’ leading receiver moving forward. He tied for the team lead in targets in Week 9 (seven) while leading New England in receiving yards (55). Entering Week 9, among 123 qualifying wide receivers, Douglas was 28th in receiving grade and 29th in yards per route run (per PFF). The electric slot standout from Liberty has a 15.6% target share over the last three weeks. After his Week 11 bye, Douglas’s schedule opens up with matchups in Week 13 & 14 against the Chargers and Steelers, who have allowed the fifth-most and 11th-most receiving yards, respectively, to slot wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Quentin Johnston (LAC): 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, @GB, BAL
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Josh Palmer has been placed on the injured reserve. The Chargers have no choice now but to finally lean on their talented first-round draft choice. Last week, with Palmer ailing, Johnston had a 63% route run rate, a 15% target share, a 27.2% air-yard share, 1.92 yards per route run and a 15.4% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Catching passes from Justin Herbert is always a plus. We’ll see if Johnston can take advantage of the opportunity, but the talent is there for him to explode down the stretch.
Zay Jones (JAX): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, TEN, @HOU
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Jones has been plagued by a knee issue for most of the season. In his one fully healthy game, he finished as the WR18 for the week with 55 receiving yards and a score. Even in Jones’ limited duty, Trevor Lawrence has continued to prove that Jones is his main squeeze in the red zone. Jones has at least two red zone targets in each game he has played this season. If he can get healthy, look for Jones to take advantage of a soft upcoming schedule, with Tennessee and Houston on the docket in two of the next three weeks.
Khalil Shakir (BUF): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, NYJ, @PHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Shakir has taken over as the Bills’ starting slot receiver. When Shakir has been given opportunities, he has flashed, and we could continue to see that in the coming weeks. He has plus matchups in Weeks 10, 15 & 16 against secondaries that all rank inside the top ten in PPR points per target allowed to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). Shakir is a plug-and-play flex play in those weeks.
Jameson Williams (DET): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAC, CHI, GB
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Williams could ascend to a full-time role coming out of the bye. While he has played a part-time role since his return from suspension, his 25% target per route run rate and 15.1 average depth of target (per Fantasy Points Data) are intriguing. That downfield prowess could be on display this week against the Chargers, who have allowed the sixth-most deep passing yards and the fifth-highest depth-adjusted completion rate (per Fantasy Points Data).
Josh Reynolds (DET): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAC, CHI, GB
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Entering Week 9, among 123 qualifying wide receivers, Reynolds ranked 33rd in receiving grade and 43rd in yards per route run (per PFF). Reynolds has posted three top-36 WR weeks this season. With plus matchups against the Chargers, Bears and Packers incoming, Reynolds could add to his WR3 or better finish total.
Jayden Reed (GB): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, LAC, @DET
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: With Christian Watson slated to miss time due to injury, Reed should be the beneficiary of this unfortunate turn of events. Reed has been a high-cholesterol target vacuum in the Packers offense, which has led to four WR3 or higher weeks of fantasy scoring. He is tenth among wideouts in deep and red zone targets. While he saw a decline in his snap share last week (39%), that hopefully bounces back in Week 10 with the team now down a receiving option.
Noah Brown (HOU): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, ARI, JAX
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Brown has had a 16.7% target share over the last two weeks, including his Week 9 blowup against Tampa Bay. Brown body-bagged the Buccaneers’ secondary, hanging 153 receiving yards on them. Investing in the pass catchers tied to the golden arm of C.J. Stroud is wise, but Brown’s time in the starting lineup might be limited. Robert Woods has been sidelined with a foot injury. Once he returns, Brown is likely heading back to the bench, but Woods could miss at least another week. If you’re looking for a decent flex play in Week 10, Brown fits the bill.
Stash Candidates:
Kyle Philips is a deep-league stash after his Week 9 performance. Yes, Philips only played 30% of the snaps against the Steelers last Thursday, but that didn’t stop him from earning a 12.8% target share and leading the team in receiving yards. With Treylon Burks possibly looking at a one-week absence at minimum, Philips could get a snap share bump. We’ve already seen his ability to earn targets at a high rate. A bump in playing time could lead to flex viability for as long as Burks is sidelined.
Curtis Samuel has been dealing with a toe issue that forced him to miss Week 9. It’s time to consider stashing him before he returns to the lineup. His stretch-run matchups are the chef’s kiss for slot receivers. In Weeks 12, 13 & 15, he faces three secondaries (Cowboys, Dolphins, Rams) that all rank inside the top 13 in PPR points per target (fifth, 11th, 13th) allowed to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
The Browns have needed a competent WR2 to step up. Elijah Moore has not been up to the task. Cedric Tillman could be that guy. If Deshaun Watson can regain any semblance of his former passing prowess, Tillman could take advantage of some juicy upcoming matchups against the Steelers, Broncos, Rams, Jaguars, Bears and Texans.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Joshua Dobbs (MIN): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: NO, @DEN, CHI
- True value: $10
- Desperate need: $17
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The rocket scientist has become a beloved player in the fantasy football industry. Rolling off the bench for his fifth team in three seasons to vanquish Arthur Smith and the Falcons is the stuff of heroes. Dobbs has a tough matchup with New Orleans in Week 10, followed by two great ones against Denver and Chicago. We’re all rooting for the Vikings to make a run now, especially with Justin Jefferson‘s return to the field looming.
Will Levis (TEN): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, @JAX, CAR
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Rookie second-round pick Will Levis came back down from the stratosphere in Week 9, but he still looked impressive in Pittsburgh. The Titans have a nice QB-friendly stretch ahead of them, so fantasy managers could alleviate some anxiety by plugging Levis in as a long-term streaming option.
Taylor Heinicke (ATL): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, BYE, NO
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Heinicke wasn’t a world beater by any stretch of the imagination vs. Minnesota on Sunday. I will still grab him as a streamer against the overtly rebuilding Cardinals this week. If his head coach would quit sabotaging personnel rotations, Heinicke and Atlanta could easily win the NFC South.
Baker Mayfield (TB): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @SF, @IND
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: That shootout game with the Texans was an encouraging signal for those of us on the fence about rostering Mayfield. The veteran signal caller would have been a great story if not for the unbelievable performance of rookie C.J. Stroud. In any case, I am bullish on Mayfield as we approach the fantasy football playoffs.
Stash Candidates: N/A
Stream, don’t stash! Only pick up a QB if you plan on starting him. Save those precious bench spots for skill players.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Hunter Henry (NE): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: IND, BYE, @NYG
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Henry finished Week 9 with a 15.9% target share as he got into the end zone for the third time this season. Henry’s 88% snap share was his highest mark since Week 2. He’s a worthy streaming candidate before and after his Week 11 bye. Indy has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards to tight ends. The Giants have given up the second-highest yards per reception to the position.
Jonnu Smith (ATL): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, BYE, NO
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Smith will undoubtedly finish Week 9 with his fourth TE1 finish of the season after he said, “Kyle Pitts … who is that?” While Pitts’ managers will pull their hair out over this, we don’t need to let out our rage on Jonnu. He tied for the team lead with six targets, turning them into 100 receiving yards and a score. As infuriating as Falcons head coach Arthur Smith can be, Jonnu has been a nice piece of fantasy fallout from the wacky usage we see in Atlanta. He will continue to hover around TE1 status weekly.
Luke Musgrave (GB): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, LAC, @DET
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Musgrave looked healthier this week after an ankle issue has slowed him in recent weeks. He played 83% of the offensive snaps and made the most of his 15.3% target share by leading the team with 51 receiving yards and getting into the end zone. Jordan Love‘s level of play continues to be a concern for every pass catcher in the Green Bay offense, but Musgrave can continue to stack top-12 weeks if Love can get him catchable targets. The Chargers and Lions are wonderful matchups for tight ends, allowing the 12th-most and second-most fantasy points to the position.
Cade Otton (TB): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @SF, @IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Otton is coming off his finest game of the season. He destroyed the Houston Texans, but almost every tight end has done so this year. Prior to Week 9, Houston had allowed the third-most receiving yards per game and sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Still, Otton has been a fine streaming option. Including his banner performance in Week 9, he has had four games with at least six targets and has surpassed 40 receiving yards three times. He’ll remain on the streaming radar moving forward.
Stash Candidates: None
DEFENSES
By Pat Fitzmaurice
Seattle Seahawks: 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, @LAR, SF
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Seattle defense entered Week 9 ranked second in fantasy points per game (10.1), and in Week 10 it will face Washington, which has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. Commanders QB Sam Howell has taken 44 sacks and has thrown nine interceptions. The Seattle defense will also be playable against the Rams in Week 11 even if Rams QB Matthew Stafford is back from his thumb injury.
Las Vegas Raiders: 49% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @MIA, KC
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Las Vegas defense has scored double-digit fantasy points in two straight games, and the Raiders seemed rejuvenated last week following the firing of unpopular head coach Josh McDaniels. Vegas would only be a one-week addition because of difficult matchups against the Dolphins and Chiefs in Weeks 11-12, but the Raiders’ matchup against the Jets in Week 10 is an attractive one. The Jets are giving up 8.6 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. Jets QB Zach Wilson has taken 21 sacks in his six starts and has thrown multiple TD passes in only one game this season.
Carolina Panthers: 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, DAL, @TEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Carolina defense is a mediocre unit at best, but this is all about the Week 10 matchup. The Panthers will face the Bears, who entered Week 9 having given up the third-most fantasy points to team defenses. It’s not clear whether Bears QB Justin Fields will be ready to return from his thumb injury on Thursday night, but the Bears are an appealing matchup regardless of whether it’s Fields or backup Tyson Bagent. Fields is a sack magnet who was dropped an NFL-high 55 times last season and took 24 sacks in his first six games of 2023. Bagent has only been sacked four times in his three starts, but he’s thrown five interceptions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @SF, @IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Do you really want to consider streaming a defense that just gave up 470 passing yards and five TD passes to Texans rookie C.J. Stroud? The case for the Bucs is that they have another matchup against a rookie quarterback in Week 10. This time it’s Titans rookie Will Levis, who’ll be making his third NFL start. Levis has acquitted himself quite well in the first two, with 500 passing yards, four touchdowns, one interceptions and six sacks. But rookie quarterbacks can make mistakes in bunches, and Levis threw 23 interceptions during his 24 games at the University of Kentucky. Forget about what Stroud did to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He’s a unicorn. The Tampa defense is a very reasonable streaming option this week against a quarterback who’s still very green.
Indianapolis Colts: 23% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NE, BYE, TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Unfortunately you’re probably not going to get another two pick-sixes from CB Kenny Moore if you pick up and start the Indianapolis defense this week. But even without a double dose of Moore magic, the Colts look like a solid streaming option this week against the Patriots, who had allowed the second-most fantasy points to team defense entering Week 9. The New England offense ranks 26th in DVOA, and Patriots QB Mac Jones has thrown nine interceptions in nine starts.
Stash Candidates:
- Detroit Lions
If you have the roster space and want to plan ahead for Week 10, it might be worth stashing the Lions defense. The Detroit D won’t be a popular waiver wire target week because of an unappealing Week 10 matchup against the Chargers. But the Lions, who rank seventh in defensive DVOA, get a scrumptious home matchup against the mistake-prone Bears in Week 11. A $1 or $0 bid this week can set you up nicely two weeks down the road.
KICKERS
By Pat Fitzmaurice
Jake Moody (SF): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, TB, @SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The 49ers have lost three straight games, and Moody has missed three field goals during that stretch. Still, San Francisco is an offensive powerhouse that’s averaging 27.3 points per game and ranks second in offensive DVOA. Moody is averaging a respectable 8.5 fantasy points per game and has produced at least five fantasy points in all eight of his games so far.
Blake Grupe (NO): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, BYE, @ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Grupe entered Week 9 ranked ninth among kickers in fantasy points per game (9.6). He hasn’t been quite as accurate as you’d like, making 18-of-23 field goals this season. But Grupe has a big leg and has blasted four field goals of 50 yards or longer, including a 55-yarder Sunday against the Bears. Grupe gets a weather-proof indoor matchup against the Vikings this week.
Jason Myers (SEA): 39% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, @LAR, SF
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Seattle offense ran aground Sunday in a 37-3 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore. But the Seattle offense has been functional for most of the season, giving Myers ample scoring opportunities. Myers has a nice Week 10 matchup against Washington, which entered Week 9 having allowed 11 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, third-most in the league.
Nick Folk (TEN): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, @JAX, CAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Folk, who turned 39 on Sunday, is a perfect 19-of-19 on field goals and 16-of-16 on extra points this season. Like his coaching mentor Bill Belichick, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel appreciates the value of three points and isn;t especially cavalier about going for it on fourth down within field goal range. Rookie QB Will Levis has pumped new life into the Tennessee offense, so Folk should continue to have a good number of scoring opportunities. He’s averaging 10.0 fantasy points per game and has posted double-digit point totals in 6-of-8 games.
Matt Gay (IND): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NE, BYE, TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Gay entered Week 9 ranked 10th among kickers in fantasy points per game (9.5). He’ll have a pleasing Week 10 matchup against the Patriots, who were allowing 10.1 fantasy points per game to kickers going into Week 9.
Cameron Dicker (LAC): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, @GB, BAL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Dicker is very good at his job, having made 32-of-34 field goals and 43-of-43 extra points in his 18 NFL games. But the usual caveat applies with Dicker: His head coach, Brandon Staley, is hyper-aggressive about going for it on fourth downs, which will cost Dicker occasional scoring opportunities. His Chargers also face a pretty tough Detroit defense this week — although that can sometimes work in a kicker’s favor by stalling drives and facing opponents to settle for three points.
Stash Candidates: None.
FOOL’S GOLD
It’s very cool that Odell Beckham scored his first touchdown as a Baltimore Raven on his 31st birthday, and that he had a season-best 5-56-1 stat line on Sunday. But that was the first time all season that OBJ has cleared 50 receiving yards in a game. Only twice has he seen more than four targets in a game. Don’t be bamboozled by Beckham’s birthday bash. This pinata is empty, so put down the stick. There are better ways to spend your FAAB.
Aidan O’Connell might hold the Raiders’ starting QB gig for the rest of the season, but he might not be worth adding to your fantasy roster even as a one-week streamer in favorable matchups. O’Connell hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in either of his two starts, and he doesn’t add any value as a runner.
Although Darnell Mooney is a fine wide receiver, don’t add him based on his Week 9 stat line (5-82-0) against the Saints. Mooney is third in the Bears’ pecking order for targets behind D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet, and Chicago is not a team that’s going to have a prolific passing output most weeks.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
Cam Akers reportedly tore his Achilles on Sunday. It’s his second Achilles tear since coming into the NFL, and this one could be career-threatening. It’s been an unfortunate run of luck for a running back with an intriguing set of skills.
Apparently, Treylon Burks is OK after injuring himself late in a Week 9 loss to the Steelers while attempting to make a catch on a sideline throw. Burks was carted off the field, but there seem to be no concerns about a long-term injury. The short term is another matter, and this disrupts Burks’ bid to become a habitual contributor to the Titans’ offense. That hasn’t happened yet, and rookie QB Will Levis has locked on to veteran DeAndre Hopkins as his go-to receiver. It’s hard to imagine Burks becoming fantasy-relevant this season.
Daniel Jones reportedly has a torn ACL that will end his season. The Duke product had a storybook campaign in 2022, but the 2023 season has been a nightmare for him.
Elijah Moore moves from the “Droppable With a Change of Regret category to Droppable. The WR68 going into Week 9, Moore was targeted on just two of Deshaun Watson‘s 30 pass attempts on Sunday.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
The arrival of Leonard Fournette in Buffalo most likely portends the end of 33-year-old Latavius Murray‘s fantasy relevance.
Michael Thomas might be considered a mildly surprising entry in this section. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction to the Week 9 shutout that Thomas had (one target, zero catches). It’s more about Thomas not showing us much of a ceiling halfway through the regular season. Until he was blanked on Sunday, Thomas had produced at least 42 receiving yards in every game this year. But he hasn’t exceeded 68 receiving yards in any game, and he’s scored only one touchdown. He was the WR41 in half-point PPR scoring going into Week 9. In smaller leagues, Thomas probably isn’t worth holding.
Darren Waller has been placed on injured reserve, so he’ll miss at least four weeks. He hasn’t done enough this season to suggest that he’s worth holding through a month-long injury. Plus, when he eventually comes back, he won’t have Daniel Jones as his quarterback. It’s possible that Waller turns in a good game or two late in the regular season, but it’s time to move on.
Don’t drop yet:
We probably don’t need to tell you not to drop the fleet-footed rookie receiver. But some managers get impatient with players after a couple of disappointing games, and Flowers has had just 30 receiving yards over his last two games. Don’t get rid of a talented young player who’s on an 85-catch pace and is just getting warmed up.
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