Let’s start with a public service announcement: Bye weeks are about to make things hairy in fantasy football.
We had a nice reprieve in Week 8 with no teams on bye for the first time since Week 4. But the bye weeks are going to make things increasingly difficult for us over the next four weeks.
This week, we’ll have two teams on bye. Then, we’ll have four teams on bye in both Week 10 and Week 11. And in Week 12, it will be a six-team bye-pocalypse.
Here’s which teams are off in the next four weeks …
- Week 9: Pittsburgh, San Francisco
- Week 10: Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Seattle
- Week 11: Arizona, Carolina, New York Giants, Tampa Bay
- Week 12: Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New Orleans, New York Jets
Your roster might not be overly stressed this week with only two teams on bye (assuming you dodged the latest wave of injuries). But Weeks 10-12 will be arduous.
Savvy fantasy managers will prepare for the byes in advance and plan ahead. If you know you’re going to be without two of your starting receivers in Week 10, it might make sense for you to start shopping for replacements this week, when the level of desperation will be lower. In Week 10, a lot of people will be shopping for bye-week replacements, driving up FAAB prices.
It’s a little like doing your Christmas shopping early. It might feel weird to do it this early, but it beats the stress of last-minute shopping.
Let’s get started.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 9
Week 9 Waiver Grade: D
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Jaylen Warren (PIT): 46% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @WSH, BAL
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: This isn’t a good week to go RB-shopping on waivers. Unfortunately, we haven’t had a good week of RB-shopping all season. But do you remember what we said at the top of this article about getting ahead of the bye weeks? Warren is the type of player who could help you do that. Warren himself is on bye this week, so you might be able to get a FAAB discount on him. He has value as a committee back in Pittsburgh’s RB-centric offense. Entering Week 8. The Steelers were the second run-heaviest team in the league behind only the Eagles. Warren returned from a knee injury in Week 7 and played only five fewer snaps than Najee Harris in a 37-15 win over the Jets. Warren had 12-44-0 rushing and 2-15-0 receiving in that game. Harris is the starter and the “1A” in this backfield, but Warren looked like the better and more explosive player last season, and it’s entirely possible the Steelers’ backfield becomes something close to a 50/50 split between Harris and Warren (with a dash of Cordarrelle Patterson).
Isaac Guerendo (SF): 8% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @TB, SEA
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $10
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The suggested bids you see here are just a starting point, because there are a lot of moving parts in the San Francisco backfield. Guerendo played a major role for the 49ers Sunday night in their 30-24 win over the Cowboys, carrying 14 times for 85 yards and a touchdown after Jordan Mason left early with a shoulder injury. (Guerendo also had three receptions for 17 yards.) The 49ers have a Week 9 bye. Will Mason be able to play when San Francisco faces Tampa Bay in Week 10? And when will Christian McCaffrey return to the 49ers? CMC has been out all season with Achilles tendinitis, but reports suggest that he could return to practice during the team’s bye week and play in Week 10. But if McCaffrey doesn’t return in Week 10, and if Mason isn’t able to go after the bye, Guerendo would be the 49ers lead back against the Buccaneers in two weeks. That possibility makes Guerendo an interesting speculative add. Clearly, he’s more valuable to McCaffrey/Mason investors than to fantasy managers who don’t currently have a stake in that backfield.
Tyler Allgeier (ATL): 37% rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, @NO, DEN
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Allgeier is mostly a Bijan Robinson handcuff with some minimal stand-alone value. But that stand-alone value could kick in over the next two weeks thanks to a pair of favorable matchups. Atlanta’s next two games are against teams with wretched run defenses: Dallas and New Orleans. Going into Week 8, the Cowboys’ run defense ranked 29th in DVOA. The Saints’ run defense ranked 31st. Allgeier’s two best games of the season — and his only two usable games for fantasy purposes — were against teams with lousy run defenses. Allgeier gashed Carolina’s league-worst run defense for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 6. And in a Week 4 game against the Saints, Allgeier had 8-60-0 rushing and 2-20-0 receiving. Allgeier could be a decent RB3/flex option for the next two weeks.
Dalvin Cook (DAL): 24% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, PHI, HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: So much for Cook becoming the savior of the dismal Dallas backfield. With Rico Dowdle scratched from the Cowboys’ Sunday-night game against the 49ers due to a reported illness, Cook shared work with Ezekiel Elliott and finished with 6-12-0 rushing and 1-10-0 receiving. Cook was out-snapped by Elliott 28-17, per PFF’s Nate Jahnke. Cook was ineffective in 15 games with the Jets last season, averaging 3.2 yards per carry, and it’s possible that the 29-year-old Cook is (ahem) cooked. But Cook may have some low-level appeal to RB-needy fantasy managers. Cook might continue to have a role in Dallas, though neither Cook nor the Cowboys’ running game has given us much reason for optimism of late.
RB Stash Candidates:
Braelon Allen had double-digit carries for the second time this season on Sunday, carrying 12 times for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Jets’ loss to the Patriots. The talented rookie has considerable implied value as the backup to Breece Hall but very little stand-alone value since his usage has been unpredictable.
Blake Corum is purely a lottery ticket. He’s getting a handful of snaps in every game, but the Rams’ backfield is still the Kyren Williams show. Kyren is one of the most valuable assets in fantasy because of his heavy workload and his prowess at the goal line. Corum had a wildly productive college career at Michigan, and if an injury ever forced the Rams to plug Corum into Kyren’s role, Corum would presumably become a valuable asset himself.
Ty Chandler is a dual run-catch threat who’s one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy, backing up Aaron Jones in Minnesota.
Zach Charbonnet clearly isn’t going to steal work from Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III when Walker is playing so well. But Charbonnet is an effective downhill runner who also offers some utility as a pass catcher, which means he’d have immense value if Walker were to go down.
Rookie Kimani Vidal of Troy University has become the primary backup to RB J.K. Dobbins, who has overcome a major knee injury and a torn Achilles. The Chargers are one of the run-heaviest teams in the league, and if Dobbins were to incur additional injury misfortune, Vidal would stand to benefit.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Cedric Tillman (CLE): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, BYE, @NO
- True value: $12
- Desperate Need: $18
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: Tillman has been balling the last two weeks, earning a 22.5% target share while averaging 7.5 receptions and 90 receiving yards. He scored a pair of touchdowns Sunday against the Ravens. It has been wondrous. If you picked up Tillman last week and started him in Week 8, you’re likely moonwalking in your league chats right now. We’ll see if he can keep the hot streaking rolling, but one thing is certain: Tillman will be one of the pillars of this passing attack moving forward. The Chargers rank 16th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers. New Orleans is 16th in fantasy points per game given up to outside receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Keon Coleman (BUF): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @IND, KC
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Coleman has been an ascending player. Over the last four games, he has twice managed at least 49 receiving yards and a score, and in Week 7 he popped off with 125 receiving yards. We still haven’t seen what this offense can do with Amari Cooper as a full-time player, as Cooper split snaps with Mack Hollins in Week 8. Coleman has tough matchups in two of his next three games, but he gets a juicy secondary to feast on in Week 10, possibly. Indy has allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Josh Downs (IND): 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, BUF, @NYJ
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Downs had a monster game in Week 8, finishing with a 28.1% target share, 109 receiving yards and a score. That all looks amazing, but now we need to be real about his Week 8 performance. Downs had 69 of his receiving yards come from one big play. That isn’t meant to take anything away from Downs, but I’m stating it because if he didn’t manage that explosive play, his day probably would have been ugly like the rest of the Colts’ passing attack. Downs was the only Indy receiver to manage more than 20 receiving yards against the Texans, as Anthony Richardson struggled, completing only 31.2% of his passes. Richardson’s shortcomings as a passer have and will continue to affect this offense. We’ll see if Downs can overcome Richardson’s target quality in Week 9. If he can, he’s set up for a nice day against a Vikings’ secondary that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Elijah Moore (CLE): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, BYE, @NO
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Moore showed some pep in his step for the first time this season in Week 8 with a full game of Jameis Winston. Moore soaked up a 29.2% target share while finishing with eight receptions and 85 receiving yards. While those numbers are magical, don’t get carried away with bids for Moore. He is still likely third or fourth in the target pecking order. This was also the first game all year where he finished with at least 44 receiving yards. I don’t want to play him this week against the Bolts (seventh-fewest fantasy points per game allowed to slot receivers), but the Saints offer an interesting opportunity to flex Moore after the bye. New Orleans has allowed the third-most receiving yards per game to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jerry Jeudy (CLE): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, BYE, @NO
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In Jameis Winston‘s first start of the season on Sunday, Jeudy did Jeudy things, posting five receptions (19.5% target share) and 79 receiving yards. It was the third game this season where Jeudy has finished with at least five receptions and 70 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to pile on a touchdown with any of those stat lines. Jeudy hasn’t gotten into the end zone since Week 1. He will be an important part of this passing attack, but right now it looks as if the Browns’ passing game will flow primarily through David Njoku and Cedric Tillman. Jeudy isn’t in play for a flex spot in Week 9, but he’ll be an interesting WR3/flex against the Saints in Week 11. New Orleans has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jalen McMillan (TB): 49% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, SF, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In McMillan’s first game as an integral part of the Buccaneers’ game plan, he fell flat. McMillan earned a 14% target share and finished with four receptions and 35 receiving yards. It wasn’t the first step that anyone who picked him up off waivers last week wanted to see. TE Cade Otton and the Tampa Bay running backs took center stage as the biggest beneficiaries of the Bucs’ decimated receiving depth chart. The rookie could still take another step as we move through the season, and the runway is there for him to take off, so pick him up if you need a talented player with the upside to become a weekly WR3/flex if he can figure things out.
Ricky Pearsall (SF): 37% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @TB, SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Pearsall had a disappointing follow-up to his 2024 debut. Against Dallas, he had a 15.3% target share with more rushing yards (39) than receiving yards (38). Pearsall was shoved to third in line for targets, with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle leading the way. That will likely be the pecking order until Jauan Jennings returns, which could be as early as Week 9. Grab Pearsall as a bench stash with upside, but considering him to be anything more than that at this juncture is wishcasting.
DeMario Douglas (NE): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @CHI, LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Douglas’s season has been a rollercoaster. He’s had three games this season in which he has seen at least nine targets and finished with at least 59 receiving yards. Unfortunately, the other ugly side of that coin has been more prevalent, as Douglas has five weeks of failing to surpass 20 receiving yards. Douglas is worth picking up this week, as the talent and ceiling are there if this passing attack can find any consistency. He’s also worth stashing with juicy matchups incoming in Weeks 13 and 15 (IND, ARI).
Sterling Shepard (TB): 13% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, SF, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Shepard took over this week as Tampa Bay’s starting slot receiver (60%), but unfortunately, he didn’t wow us with his stat line. Shepard also got dinged up on Sunday. It’s encouraging that he came back into the game, but we’ll have to monitor his practice reports this week. Shepard only managed a 10% target share and 18 receiving yards in Week 8, but if he’s healthy enough to play in Week 9, he could be headed for a season-best stat line. The Chiefs have been a tough pass defense this season, but they have been quite vulnerable to slot receivers, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position (per Fantasy Points Data).
Christian Watson (GB): 49% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, BYE, @CHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Watson was on his way to possibly a huge game in Week 8, but it was derailed by Jordan Love‘s injury. With Malik Willis under center the rest of the game, the Packers turned run-heavy, and a lack of passing volume crushed Watson’s upside. He still tied for the team lead in targets (22.2% target share) in Week 8 while producing four receptions and 39 receiving yards. We’ll have to see if Jordan Love is able to suit up for Week 9. If so, Watson could pop off with a big day against the Lions’ two-high heavy coverage. Since Week 3, Detroit has deployed two high at the 10th-highest rate in the NFL (50.5%). Entering Week 8, Watson has been the Packers’ most efficient receiver versus two high, with 2.91 yards per route run and 0.125 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data).
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Derek Brown
Matthew Stafford (LAR): 39% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SEA, MIA, @NE
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back in Week 8, Stafford carved up the Vikings’ secondary, completing 73.5% of his passes with 279 passing yards and four scores. Entering Monday night football, Stafford was the QB4 in fantasy scoring for Week 8. He has wonderful matchups in two of his next three games (SEA, NE), facing pass defenses that have allowed the 13th-most and 12th-most fantasy points via passing (per Fantasy Points Data). Stafford will be a fringe QB1 in weekly rankings and a stout streamer in both matchups.
Bo Nix (DEN): 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, @KC, ATL
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Good lawd! Nix is on a roll. He has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in three of his last four games (QB8, QB9, QB2). Yes, if you are watching the games, it isn’t nearly as pretty as his fantasy scoring would suggest, but we care about fantasy points around here. Sometimes it’s function over fashion. This week, Nix gets to face the Ravens’ pass-funnel defense, which Jameis Winston just ripped in half. Entering Week 8, Baltimore had allowed the second-most fantasy points via passing and the most passing yards in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ): 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @ARI, IND
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: To say that Rodgers has been disappointing this season would be selling it short. The Jets are dancing on the edge of dumpster fire territory. The addition of Davante Adams hasn’t panned out as anyone had hoped to this point, but better days could be ahead in Weeks 10 and 11. Rodgers could finally surpass 19 fantasy points in one of these matchups, which he hasn’t done yet this season. The Cardinals and Colts field two of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. You can use Rodgers in one or both of those games as a streamer or bye-week replacement. Arizona has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points in the passing game, while Indy has coughed up the 11th-most fantasy points through the air.
Jameis Winston (CLE): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, BYE, @NO
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In Week 8, Winston did his best 2023 Joe Flacco impersonation in leading Cleveland to victory, as the Browns’ passing game came alive. Winston torched the Ravens’ pass-funnel defense with 334 yards through the air and three scores. While Winston is a feel-good story for Week 8, and his elevation to the starter’s chair means better days are ahead for these pass catchers, he’s not a high-priority streamer or pickup this week. While he has a juicy revenge game in Week 11 against New Orleans, Winston faces the Chargers this week (third-fewest fantasy points allowed via passing) and then has a bye. Also, his matchups in Weeks 12-15 are beyond brutal, with two dates with Pittsburgh while also squaring off against Denver and Kansas City. If you pick up Winston this week, it should be specifically with an eye toward his matchup with New Orleans. (Fantasy teams with Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield, I’m staring at you.)
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Hunter Henry (NE): 39% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @CHI, LAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Henry’s season has been a series of peaks and valleys, but it finally seems like we’re getting some consistency here. He has at least five targets and 41 receiving yards in each of his last three games. Yes, I know that’s not overtly sexy, but the waterline for TE1 production is low. If you toss in a touchdown with 40 receiving yards, you’re likely close to low-end TE1 production in any week. Henry remains on that TE1 fringe.
Noah Fant (SEA): 30% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAR, BYE, @SF
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Fant didn’t pick up the slack with D.K. Metcalf out for Seattle in Week 8, but against Buffalo, I never expected him to. Buffalo has been stellar at defending tight ends for multiple seasons. Don’t let it get lost in the sauce that Fant has at least four receptions and 63 receiving yards in two of his last three games. With or without Metcalf in Week 9, Fant could be headed for a banner day against a pass defense for the Rams that has allowed the third-most receiving yards and the most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Taysom Hill (NO): 30% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, ATL, CLE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The New Orleans Swiss Army knife returned to the huddle in Week 9 after dealing with fractured ribs that sidelined him for a few games. Hill’s entire skill set was on full display in Week 9. He played 40% of the snaps with a 9.5% target share (two receptions and 21 receiving yards). He also logged four carries with 20 rushing yards and completed his only pass for three yards. This week against Carolina, it’s not hard to imagine Hill putting on a show against one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL.
Zach Ertz (WAS): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, PIT, @PHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Ertz is the TE13 in fantasy points per game and is coming off arguably his best game of the season. He commanded a 28.9% target share against the Bears while rolling up a season-high seven grabs and 77 receiving yards. He has been a steadying presence for Jayden Daniels and hovers around TE1 status weekly. There’s no reason Ertz shouldn’t continue to do so for the rest of the season.
Mike Gesicki (CIN): 8% rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, @BAL, @LAC
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Gesicki stepped up with Bengals WR Tee Higgins out in Week 8. The veteran tight end played only 53% of the snaps, but he had a 21.6% target share, seven grabs, and a team-leading 73 receiving yards. Gesicki is a player I’ll likely try to scoop up for free after waivers run. Plenty of fantasy GMs have been burned by him this season, and his usage is tied to the possibility of Higgins missing Week 9. If Higgins is playing or trending in that direction, Gesicki likely heads back to obscurity.
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
New England Patriots: 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @CHI, LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: This is a terrible week to have to pick up and stream a defense. There aren’t many good defenses that are widely available, and the ones that are widely available have bad matchups. The widely available defenses with good matchups are of dubious quality. Like the Patriots, for instance. New England’s defense is averaging 3.9 fantasy points per game and ranked 30th in DVOA entering Week 8. This is most certainly not a vintage Patriots defense. But New England gats a favorable Week 9 matchup against Tennessee. The Titans rolled out Mason Rudoloph at quarterback last week, and he threw a pair of interceptions in a 52-14 loss to the Lions. Tennessee also lost a pair of fumbles in that game. The Titans have committed 16 turnovers in seven games. The Patriots’ defense is a reasonably decent matchup play this week.
New Orleans Saints: 33% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, ATL, CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Saints have not covered themselves in glory of late, giving up at least 26 points in five consecutive games. But the Saints get a tasty Week 9 matchup against the feeble Panthers, who are once again being quarterbacked by overmatched former No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young. With Andy Dalton dealing with a broken thumb, Young returned to the starting lineup and threw two interceptions in a 28-14 loss to the Broncos. In his three starts this season, Young has thrown five interceptions and has been sacked eight times, and the Panthers have averaged 9.0 points. One of those starts came against the Saints in Week 1. New Orleans sacked Young four times, intercepted him twice, and held him to 13-of-30 passing for 161 yards.
Cincinnati Bengals: 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, @BAL, @LAC
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Bengals have a Sunday date with the Raiders, who entered Week 8 having given up 13.0 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, second-most in the league. The Raiders have committed 17 turnovers and absorbed 25 sacks in eight games.
Washington Commanders: 12% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, PIT, @PHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: After turning in a respectable performance in a last-second Week 8 win over Chicago, the Washington defense draws a Week 9 matchup against the Giants. Going into their Monday-night game against the Steelers in Week 8, the Giants were giving up 10.0 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. In Week 7, the Giants produced only 119 yards of offense against the Eagles, and Giants QB Daniel Jones was sacked eight times. The loss of start left tackle Andrew Thomas to a season-ending foot injury was a huge blow to the Giants’ offense, which was completely dysfunctional against the Eagles without him.
Arizona Cardinals: 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, NYJ, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Arizona has been a middle-of-the-pack fantasy defense, averaging 6.3 points per game. The Cardinals get a decent home matchup against an inconsistent Bears offense led by rookie QB Caleb Williams. The No. 1 pick in this year’s draft has thrown fine interceptions and taken 22 sacks in seven games.
Tennessee Titans: 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: NE, @LAC, MIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Tennessee defense hasn’t been scoring many fantasy points, but it’s a respectable unit that ranked 11th in DVOA before its Week 8 game against the Lions. Tennessee draws New England this week, and it’s not clear who’ll be playing quarterback for the Patriots. Rookie Drake Maye sustained a concussion in Week 8 and was replaced by Jacoby Brissett, who had been the starter earlier this season. Both New England quarterbacks have been sack magnets this season, taking a combined 27 sacks in eight games.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Austin Seibert (WSH): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, PIT, @PHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Seibert (pronounced “SIGH-bert,” by the way) continues to be a scoring machine for the Commanders, hitting 23-of-25 field goals and 19-of-19 extra points in eight games. He’s consistently getting opportunities to put points on the board, courtesy of the Commanders’ rejuvenated offense.
Will Reichard (MIN): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: IND, @JAX, @TEN
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Reichard is on a heater, with multiple field goals in three consecutive games and four of his last five. He’s still perfect on the season, having converted 14-of-14 field goals and 20-of-20 extra points. Reichard also has a favorable stretch of schedule ahead, as his next three opponents — the Colts, Jaguars and Titans — were all among the teams that had allowed the most fantasy points to kickers entering Week 8.
Jake Bates (DET): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, @HOU, JAX
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Bates is an interesting case. He’s only kicked 11 field goals in seven games, but his sturdy fantasy floor is built on extra points. Bates has now converted 27-of-28 PATs. He’s booted 22 extra points in his last four games alone. It’s not ideal for Bates investors that Lions head coach Dan Campbell is hyper-aggressive about going for it on fourth down. But it’s always nice to have a kicker who’s tied to a prolific offense, and that’s certainly the case with Bates.
Chase McLaughlin (TB): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, SF, BYE
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Buccaneers’ offense didn’t shrivel up without injured WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Bucs generated 432 yards of offense in a 31-24 loss to the Falcons on Sunday. McLaughlin has been a top-10 fantasy kicker for most of the season. He’s drilled 13-of-14 field goals and 24-of-25 extra points.
Jason Myers (SEA): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAR, BYE, @SF
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Myers is averaging a respectable 8.1 fantasy points per game. He gets a home game in Week 9 against the Rams, who are allowing 11.0 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers.
Dustin Hopkins (CLE): 18% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, BYE, @NO
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Hopkins is a viable fantasy option now that QB Jameis Winston has pumped a little bit of life into the Cleveland offense. The Browns’ kicker hit three field goals and two extra points in a 29-24 upset of the Ravens on Sunday. Winston can be interception-prone, which might cost Hopkins some scoring opportunities. But with Winston and Nick Chubb bringing new respectability to the Browns’ offense, Hopkins becomes a streamable option.
FOOL’S GOLD
Trevor Lawrence scored a season-high 24.3 fantasy points in Week 8 and gets a decent matchup against the Eagles in Week 9. But Lawrence has had a topsy-turvy season, and Jaguars WRs Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis all sustained injuries on Sunday.
Demarcus Robinson had two catches against the Vikings last Thursday, and they both went for touchdowns. With Rams WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both healthy, Rudolph won’t see enough targets to be fantasy-viable.
Never mind that Mason Rudolph scored 21.5 fantasy points in Week 8 and has a decent Week 9 matchup against the Patriots. Rudolph threw a pair of interceptions against the Lions on Sunday, and one of the reasons he had a decent day for fantasy was because the Lions kept scoring quickly and handing the ball right back to Rudolph. There’s nothing to see here.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
Christian Kirk broke his collarbone Sunday while trying to haul in a deep ball against the Packers and will be out for the rest of the season.
Remember all those big catches Alec Pierce was making for the Colts early in the season? Well, Pierce isn’t clicking with QB Anthony Richardson these days. Over his last three games, Pierce has caught 3-of-13 targets for 26 yards. He’s not worth holding.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
None of the Colts’ receivers are playable in fantasy right now. Not even Michael Pittman, who had 109 catches and 1,152 yards for the Colts last season. Pittman has 28 catches for 336 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, but he has been much more productive with Joe Flacco at quarterback than with Anthony Richardson. Pittman’s next three matchups — against the Vikings, Bills and Jets — are not appealing. The only way you’d feel good about playing Pittman would be if the Colts reinserted Flacco at QB.
We’ve been telling you to hold Anthony Richardson. We can’t in good conscience continue to tell you that. There will probably be a couple of big rushing days coming from Richardson before the end of the season. But Richardson’s struggles as a passer give him a trapdoor floor for fantasy. Richardson has completed just 44.4% of his passes this season, with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. In five starts, his single-game high in passing yardage this season is 212. It’s time to cut bait.
Tyjae Spears looked terrific last season, and it’s possible he could still pop before 2024 is over. But Spears has missed time with a hamstring injury, and Tony Pollard is entrenched and playing well as the Titans’ lead back. Spears is nothing more than a handcuff, and it’s generally not worth handcuffing RBs who play in bad offenses.
Don’t drop yet:
Will Travis Etienne still have a meaningful role for the Jaguars when he returns from a hamstring injury, or has he been usurped by Tank Bigsby, who’s been one of the few bright spots in a dismal season for the Jaguars. It seems unlikely that Etienne will have any fantasy value in Jacksonville this season. But it’s not out of the question that Etienne could be moved to an RB-needy team before the NFL’s Nov. 5 trading deadline. It’s worth holding him until then. If Etienne is still with the Jags after the trade deadline passes, cut him.
