The 2024 fantasy season is being defined by injuries — more specifically, by a lopsided position distribution of injuries.
Wide receivers are dropping like infantrymen on a medieval battlefield. Running backs seem to be encased in Iron man armor.
Week 9 brought more injuries to high-quality receivers. Chris Olave was carted off with a concussion. CeeDee Lamb sustained a shoulder injury. Drake London injured his hip. A.J. Brown left with what appeared to be a knee injury.
The WR position has been ravaged this season. It’s hard to find a fantasy manager who hasn’t lost at least a few man-games due to injury.
We’ve had some major season-ending injuries to receivers: Rashee Rice, Brandon Aiyuk, Stefon Diggs, Chris Godwin, Rashid Shaheed.
Numerous other receivers have missed multiple games: Nico Collins, Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Mike Evans, Malik Nabers, Tee Higgins, D.K. Metcalf.
Meanwhile, the running backs have come out relatively unscathed so far (knock wood).
Sure, Christian McCaffrey investors would like a word. But that was a summer injury, not an in-season injury. Isiah Pacheco has missed significant time with a leg injury he sustained early in the season. Jonathan Taylor missed a few games with an ankle injury.
But, for the most part, we haven’t gotten many significant RB injuries thus far in the 2024 regular season.
This strange injury phenomenon is going to affect fantasy drafts in 2025. The Zero-RB strategy will look less attractive because the fading of early-round RBs has backfired, while early-round WRs have been crushed by injuries. We’ll see more running backs and fewer wide receivers selected in the first two rounds of 2025 drafts.
And of course, the unusual distribution of injuries has had a major effect on waivers — mostly in a negative way.
With so few RB injuries, we’re not seeing lightly rostered running backs suddenly become coveted fantasy assets. In a normal year, we’d have some major and minor injuries to RBs, and fantasy managers would throw FAAB dollars at the injured players’ replacements. We haven’t had good ways to spend our FAAB dollars at the RB position this season, so there’s more unspent FAAB money than usual.
Once again, there are few attractive running backs available on waivers. And unfortunately, the prospects aren’t much better at the other positions this week. That’s bad news with a four-team bye week dead ahead.
Our advice: Spend frugally when patching roster holes this week. Get out the needle and thread rather than buy new clothes.
(Before we get started, a hat tip to Nate Jahnke of PFF for some of the snap data included in this article.)
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 10
Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Week 10
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
Week 10 Waiver Grade: D
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Jaylen Warren (PIT): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WSH, BAL, @CLE
- True value: $9
- Desperate Need: $16
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The 2024 season has not resembled 2023 one bit for Jaylen Warren. He has fallen from favor under Arthur Smith, who prefers to hammer inside zone into the back of his line with the bigger Najee Harris. Warren is still valuable and has better efficiency metrics than Harris. As a receiver, he offers more burst and big-play potential. The Steelers face a brutally difficult schedule for running backs through the rest of the season. I expect that to be harder on Najee than it will be on the more versatile Warren.
Isaac Guerendo (SF): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, SEA, @GB
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Until Jordan Mason aggravated his shoulder injury against Dallas, we had all but written off Guerendo as nothing more than a deep stash. Christian McCaffrey‘s return looms in Week 10, but Kyle Shanahan would be proven a fool if he allowed his veteran superstar to bear a heavy load early on. CMC’s return to form is another topic. Guerendo has a unique combination of size and speed, though his peripheral skills are underdeveloped. San Francisco’s upcoming schedule is favorable for running backs. Guerendo offers upside as a change of pace from CMC and as a stash.
Tyler Allgeier (ATL): 39% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, @DEN, BYE
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: One very important change in Atlanta’s offense has simultaneously depreciated Tyler Allgeier‘s fantasy value and made the Falcons operate at a higher level. They are giving Bijan Robinson the ball a lot more than when the season started. Robinson is a mega-star, but Allgeier is more than serviceable. He scored a touchdown against Dallas in Week 9 despite earning only six carries. The former BYU linebacker should see some more work in the weeks to come as the Falcons manage Bijan’s workload entering the playoff push. He has innate touchdown upside as the team’s unquestioned short-yardage thumper.
Ray Davis (BUF): 21% rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, KC, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: I haven’t the foggiest idea why it was Ty Johnson who saw the field before Ray Davis in Week 9 to spell James Cook. Nothing against Johnson, but Davis exploded for 17 fantasy points on six touches. His 67-yard touchdown reception was electric and exhibited Davis’ penchant for shaking off tackles and his underrated long speed and agility. While it probably isn’t feasible to expect this sort of game every week from the rookie from Northern California, he has everyone’s attention as another key weapon on the high-octane Bills.
RB Stash Candidates:
UCLA alum Zach Charbonnet is among the best backup RBs in the NFL. His under-utilization in Seattle is a ticking time bomb. Kenneth Walker is a stud but has already been dinged up this season. Charbonnet is a versatile player with a bit less juice than Walker, but he is a premium stash.
Poor coaching has hamstrung the talented Chicago Bears offense. We were all afraid of the detriment that Shane Waldron could be for Caleb Williams and his weapons. Unfortunately, the former Seahawks offensive coordinator has been a disaster calling plays. Roschon Johnson, an extremely talented running back, only earned five touches in the Bears’ Week 9 loss to Arizona. The Bears failed to score a touchdown against a defense that had been giving them up in bunches. Johnson is still a great handcuff with touchdown equity behind a diminutive starter, D’Andre Swift.
The Bengals traded for Khalil Herbert, signaling concerns about the health of Zack Moss, who missed Week 9 with a neck injury. Herbert becomes the new tag-team partner for Chase Brown, who had an 80% snap share and 32 touches last Sunday vs. the Raiders. It remains to be seen whether Herbert will have any stand-alone value in Cincinnati, but he’ll certainly offer more fantasy value than he did with the Bears, who hadn’t given him a carry since Week 3.
The Ravens’ offense is downright scary. The league’s best scoring offense has all the weapons and an offensive coordinator in a nice groove (Todd Monken). Justice Hill has negligible value as a secondary or tertiary flex starter, but his worth would skyrocket if Derrick Henry were to miss any time.
The Broncos were rolling along nicely until they ran into a buzzsaw in Baltimore. Javonte Williams has been a pleasant surprise in the Denver backfield to support rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Jaleel McLaughlin is the satellite back with great hands and elusiveness in space. Rookie Audric Estime averaged seven yards on his five carries, but didn’t touch the ball until the fourth quarter when the game was already decided.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Quentin Johnston (LAC): 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, CIN, BAL
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: We need to start taking Johnston seriously at this point. This is his third game of the season with at least 44 receiving yards and a score. Sunday against the Browns, Johnston played 68% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps, seeing an 18.5% target share and producing 118 receiving yards and a score. Johnston should be a strong flex moving forward, especially against Cincy and Baltimore. The Bengals and Ravens have allowed the seventh-most and the most fantasy points per game, respectively, to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
DeMario Douglas (NE): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, LAR, @MIA
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Douglas has proven to be a solid WR3/flex with Drake Maye under center. In two full games with Maye starting, Douglas has seen a 24.3% target share, averaging 6.5 receptions and 63.5 receiving yards. Douglas’ upcoming matchups aren’t great, but he should keep getting target volume from Maye despite the rough road. Douglas should be able to produce solid box scores as a flex option in PPR leagues over the next three weeks.
Parker Washington (JAC): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIN, @DET, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Washington might not have finished with a stellar box score in Week 9, but his performance was solid, all things considered. He earned a 19.3% target share and finished second on the team in receiving yards (41) despite facing one of the league’s best young nickel corners (Philadelphia’s Cooper DeJean). Better days are ahead, and they begin in Week 10. Washington is the best wide receiver to add this week on a point-per-dollar basis. Many people will gravitate to other names this week, but I WANT YOU to bid on Washington this week. The next two matchups he has coming are a slot receiver’s dream. Minnesota has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers, while Detroit has given up the most fantasy points per game to the position (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jerry Jeudy (CLE): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @NO, PIT
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: While Cedric Tillman has grabbed the headlines (for good reason), Jeudy needs some respect after two solid games with Jameis Winston under center. Jeudy has turned in two solid WR3-ish stat lines, managing a 21.8% target share while averaging six receptions and 76 receiving yards per game (zero touchdowns). If it weren’t for his debilitating allergy to the end zone, the spotlight on these box scores would be brighter. After the bye, Jeudy faces a Saints secondary that has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jalen Coker (CAR): 14% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, BYE, KC
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Last week was a letdown for Coker hive, no doubt, but please spread the word that we are back up. Carolina cut Coker’s snap share last week in order to highlight Jonathan Mingo for trade purposes, and it worked. Dallas sent the Panthers a fourth-rounder (which is hilarious) in exchange for Mingo’s services. Now, the runway is clear for Coker to resume his duties as the team’s primary starting slot receiver. Adam Thielen’s impending return doesn’t really concern me, considering where he’s at in his career and his target-drawing ability. In Week 8, Coker had a 15.8% target share, a 34.1% air-yard share, 2.60 yards per route run, and a team-leading 22.2% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Those market shares are closer to what I expect for Coker moving forward, as I’m willing to chuck Week 8 in the garbage. Coker has solid slot matchups with the next three opponents in the Giants (11th), Chiefs (seventh), and Bucs (third), all ranking inside the top 12 in terms of most PPR points per target allowed to slot receivers.
Xavier Legette (CAR): 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, BYE, KC
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Legette has walked the tightrope the last two weeks. He has seen a 20.6% target share over that span, with Bryce Young under center, finishing with nearly identical stat lines. Legette’s four receptions with 34 receiving yards and a score this past week looked eerily similar to his numbers from Week 8 (four receptions, 33 receiving yards, one score). Legette is a decent plug-and-play flex this week against a Giants secondary that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Mike Williams (WR): 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WAS, BAL, CLE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Williams’ move to Pittsburgh immediately makes him relevant in fantasy football. Yes, it’ll take him time to learn the playbook and earn a full-time role in the passing offense, but there’s an easy avenue for volume here running opposite George Pickens. None of his per-route metrics are pretty, so I won’t waste your time with them. If we’re going to forgive those numbers to an extent, we know Aaron Rodgers leans toward receivers and players that he has a rapport with. Allen Lazard had the inside track all along in that regard, with Williams limited early as he was recovering from injury and Rodgers’ offseason activities, which included skipping mandatory minicamp. Stash Williams now. He has some juicy matchups left on the stretch run schedule, including two games against both Baltimore and Cleveland and a rendezvous with the Bengals.
Sterling Shepard (TB): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, BYE, @NYG
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Shepard has taken over as Tampa Bay’s primary slot receiver (64% slot usage) over the last two games. It hasn’t equated to heavy usage (11.1% target share). However, Shepard should still be competing with Rachaad White and Bucky Iriving on a weekly basis for the No. 2 spot in targets weekly behind Cade Otton (until Jalen McMillan is back). After Tampa Bay’s bye, Shepard has an advantageous run against secondaries that has allowed production to opposing slot receivers. The Giants have allowed the 11th-most PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data). Carolina (16th-most) and the Raiders (second-most) look favorable, too.
Jalen McMillan (TB): 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, BYE, @NYG
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: McMillan missed Week 9 as he tends to a hamstring injury. It’s not certain he’ll be back for Week 10, so adding him this week should be done with a long-term aim. In Week 8, McMillan had an 82.4% route share, a 14% target share, a 30.4% air-yard share, 0.83 yards per route run, and a 21.2% first-read share against Atlanta (per Fantasy Points Data). He didn’t get the “Chris Godwin role” many had hoped for, as he played 71.4% of his snaps from the perimeter. He’s worth a stash, with the hope that the rookie figures it out down the stretch because the Bucs desperately need him.
Elijah Moore (CLE): 14% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @NO, PIT
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Well, after two games of the Jameis Winston experience, Elijah Moore has earned consistent volume. Now, we can discuss his relative inefficiency in Week 9 (three receptions and 28 receiving yards). Regardless, Moore is drawing targets in this new-look passing attack. Over the last two weeks, Moore has had a 24.1% target share, averaging 5.5 receptions and 56.5 receiving yards. Winston has done a good job with keeping the target tree narrow, so we should expect Moore to sniff somewhere in the neighborhood of a 20% target share in Week 11 against the Saints. New Orleans has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data), so we should expect to see Moore’s efficiency with Winston return in Week 11.
Ricky Pearsall (SF): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, SEA, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In Pearsall’s two games as a starter before the bye, he didn’t really do much to get excited about. He had a 76% route share, a 15.8% target share, 1.11 yards per route run, a 16.2% first-read share, and 29.5 receiving yards per game. If Jauan Jennings is back in Week 10, Pearsall will fall to fourth in the target pecking order, and that could easily be fifth if Christian McCaffrey is back. Pearsall is just a bench stash at this point.
Ray-Ray McCloud lll (ATL): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, @DEN, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: McCloud could be a decent flex play this week if Drake London is out. McCloud got into the end zone last week after London was knocked out of the game early, but he has flashed upside before Week 9. McCloud has four games this season with at least three receptions and 42 receiving yards. If he posts a stat line like that in Week 10 and gets into the end zone again, plenty of Fantasy GMs would be happy with starting him, and it’s possible. New Orleans has been dreadful at defending the slot, allowing the third-most receiving yards per game and PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, IND, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Relax. The Jets are far from out of contention after their win over the Texans in Week 9. Aaron Rodgers and his merry band of cayenne water drinkers have two winnable games against Arizona and Indianapolis coming up before their Week 12 bye. Each provides a favorable matchup for the future Hall of Fame quarterback as a fantasy streaming option. The Jets are a talented team that might be gelling at the right time. They could be dangerous in the AFC if that happens.
Justin Herbert (LAC): 44% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, CIN, BAL
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The grin on my face is probably permanent. My favorite Oregon Duck ever is starting to cook in his new offense. Jim Harbaugh’s arrival seemingly put the kibosh on Herbert’s fantasy value, but the last three games have shown that to be a farce. Herbert is an elite talent and has elevated his young and inexperienced receiving corps. The running game is working. Not only does J.K. Dobbins‘ effectiveness create fantasy points, but it frees up Herbert to hit shot plays. I wouldn’t mind adding Herbert as a streamer until the end of the fantasy season with his favorable upcoming schedule.
Russell Wilson (PIT): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WAS, BAL, @CLE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Hardly anyone started Russell Wilson when he torched the Jets in his season debut. We rushed to grab him on waivers for a nice matchup with the Giants in Week 9. He wasn’t terrible, but only one touchdown pass and 13.49 fantasy points left those streamers wanting. I believe Wilson’s future production falls somewhere in the middle. His floor is safe, but Arthur Smith’s ultra-conservative scheme requires some good fortune on the shot plays like in Week 8 to see a spike performance from the quarterback. There are better streaming options available if you’re seeking upside.
Daniel Jones (NYG): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, BYE, TB
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: We finally saw the Danny Dimes fantasy upside versus the Commanders on Sunday. Great news! There’s a good chance it continues next week against Carolina. Jones tossed two touchdowns and ran in another for 24.36 fantasy points, though it looked ugly as usual. Streaming Jones is not for those with weak constitutions, nor for those who look beyond a box score.
Bo Nix (DEN): 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, ATL, @LV
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: We got more modest numbers from Bo Nix on Sunday. He still put up a respectable 17.72 fantasy points despite not scoring a single touchdown. The Ravens’ defense stiffened up for the first time in weeks. A date with the division-rival Chiefs at Arrowhead seems like a tough test for a rookie, but his rushing upside provides a safe floor if you’re low on FAAB.
Drake Maye (NE): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, LAR, @MIA
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: I want to offer you a hypothetical situation. You’re up a creek without a paddle at QB and are running low on FAAB. All the good quarterbacks are rostered in your league. You need a cheap streamer who can run. May I interest you in Drake Maye? He looked horrendous passing against Tennessee, so how did he manage 15.74 fantasy points? A whopping 95 rushing yards is how. Even against a brutally difficult Chicago defense this week, the rookie from North Carolina can pop off and win you a matchup. He’s a wild child, but that Jameis Winston style of play can be fantasy gold if you’re feeling frisky enough for the risky.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Mike Gesicki (CIN): 13% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, @LAC, BYE
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: With Tee Higgins out in Week 9, it was wheels up for Gesicki. Prior to his meeting with the Raiders on Sunday, in the three games without Higgins, Gesicki effectively operated as the team’s WR2 with a 20.6% target share, a 21.9% air-yard share, 2.98 yards per route run, and a 25.3% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). In Week 9, he continued this trend with a 15.3% target share, 100 receiving yards, and two scores. The tight end could keep up this amazing run in Week 10, as Tee Higgins isn’t a lock to return, and Gesicki has another smash matchup. The Ravens have allowed the second-most receiving yards per game and the ninth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Jonnu Smith (MIA): 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, LV, NE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Smith has retained a strong supporting role in the Miami offense with the return of Tua Tagovailoa. Over the last two games, Smith has had an 18.1% target share while averaging 4.5 receptions and 33 receiving yards per game. Smith could be a TE1 in Week 10 with a wondrous matchup with the Rams incoming. Los Angeles has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the fourth-most receiving yards per game to tight ends.
Taysom Hill (NO): 37% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, CLE, BYE
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: King Taysom returned to fantasy prominence in Week 9. He played 45% of the Saints’ offensive snaps with nine opportunities, 60 total yards, and a score. He should be heavily involved again in Week 10 with Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller dinged up. Oh, lookie lookie! Hill gets the Falcons this week. In his last meeting with Atlanta, Hill had six carries, 24 rushing yards, and two scores. If you need the upside shot at tight end this week, Hill should be near the top of your streaming list.
Hunter Henry (NE): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, LAR, @MIA
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Henry has danced around the TE1 area code with Drake Maye under center. With Maye chucking the rock, Henry has had a 19.8% target share, averaging six receptions and 63 receiving yards per game. He should keep the train rolling this week as a mainstay in the passing attack.
Grant Calcaterra (PHI): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DAL, WAS, @LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Calcaterra has been solid with Dallas Goedert out. With Goedert still not practicing last week, I don’t project that he will be back in time to face off against Dallas this week. Entering Week 9 in relief of Goedert, Calcaterra had seen a 78.6% route share, a 13.3% target share, 2.36 yards per route run, and a 10% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Against the Jaguars on Sunday, Calcaterra secured all five of his targets (20.8% target share) with 30 receiving yards. He should flirt with TE1 numbers again this week against a Dallas defense that has allowed the most yards per reception to tight ends.
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Detroit Lions: 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: @HOU, JAX, @IND
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Consider spending an extra buck or two on the Lions, since you could potentially ride them for the next three or four weeks. Detroit gets a Week 10 matchup against Houston, whose offensive line has crumbled. The Texans have allowed 14 sacks over their last three games, including eight last week against the Jets. Then, the Lions face the hapless Jaguars in Week 11. Week 12 brings a matchup against the Colts and immobile, interception-prone QB Joe Flacco (assuming Indy hasn’t turned back to error-prone young QB Anthony Richardson by then). And in Week 13, the Lions get a pretty good matchup against the erratic Bears. The Detroit defense entered Week 9 ranked sixth in fantasy points per game at 9.4, then got an interception return for a touchdown against Jordan Love and the Packers.
New York Giants: 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, BYE, TB
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Giants’ defense has been a respectable unit this season. It went into Week 9 tied for 10th in fantasy points per game at 7.5 and has piled up 35 sacks. This week, the Giants draw the Panthers and beleaguered second-year QB Bryce Young. Carolina has averaged 12.5 points per game in Young’s four starts, and Young has thrown six interceptions. The Giants are a peachy one-week matchup play for anyone looking to stream a defense in Week 10.
Atlanta Falcons: 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, @DEN, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: This is strictly a matchup play. Atlanta’s defense has recorded only 12 sacks all season and was averaging 4.8 fantasy points per game entering Week 9. But the Falcons have a Week 10 meeting with the division-rival Saints, whose passing game is in bad shape with WR Rashid Shaheed out for the season with a knee injury and WR Chris Olave highly unlikely to play in Week 10 after being carted off the field on Sunday with a concussion. New Orleans had given up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing defenses entering Week 9.
Arizona Cardinals: 3% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, BYE, @SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: After sacking Bears QB Caleb Williams six times on Sunday, the Cardinals will now face 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who’s been sacked 20 times this season and has thrown seven interceptions.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Chris Boswell (PIT): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WSH, BAL, @CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Boz has been on a tear lately. He’s 11-of-11 on field goals and 8-of-8 on extra points over his last three games, averaging 15.0 fantasy points per game over that stretch. With Pittsburgh’s defense among the best in the league, the Steelers sometimes seem content to play conservatively on offense and settle for field goals.
Jake Bates (DET): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: @HOU, JAX, @IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: If there’s such a thing as a high-floor, low-ceiling kicker, Bates is it. He has a high floor because he’s tied to Detroit’s prolific offense and has booted 30 extra points in eight games. Bates’ ceiling is low because Lions head coach Dan Campbell is hyper-aggressive about going for it on fourth down, and because the Lions have been excellent at finishing off drives with touchdowns. Bates has attempted only 12 field goals this season — and has made all of them. Bates just kicked outdoors for the first time all season, hitting a 27-yard field goal and three extra points in rainy, windy conditions in Green Bay. He won’t kick outdoors again until the Lions visit the Bears in Week 16.
Jason Sanders (MIA): 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, LV, NE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The return of QB Tua Tagovailoa from a concussion has reinvigorated the Miami offense, which has produced 27 points in each of Tua’s first two games back. Sanders was 2-of-2 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points in both of those games. He gets an indoor matchup against the Rams in L.A. this week, followed by a Week 11 matchup against the Raiders, who were giving up 12.3 fantasy points per game to kickers entering Week 9.
Will Reichard (MIN): 26% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, @TEN, @CHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Reichard finally missed a kick after starting the season 14-of-14 on field goals and 20-of-20 on extra points. Then, after an errant 53-yarder in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Colts, he donked a 31-yard chip shot off the upright a short time later. Not a good night for Mr. Reichard. But the Minnesota kicker gets a friendly Week 10 matchup against the Jaguars, who have given up 28 or more points in four of their last five games.
FOOL’S GOLD
Mack Hollins took advantage of Amari Cooper‘s Week 9 absence and caught all five of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. Hollins is No. 4 on Buffalo’s WR depth chart. Move along. Nothing to see here.
Theo Johnson, the Giants’ rookie tight end, had 3-51-0 on six targets Sunday against the Commanders. You might remember that Johnson tested off the charts at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. He’s had 30 or more yards in four of his last five games and is an intriguing growth stock in dynasty leagues, but Johnson isn’t ready to help redraft teams yet — not with WRs Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson hogging targets for the Giants.
Demarcus Robinson was marvelous for the Rams on Sunday, with six catches for 94-yards and two touchdowns — including a one-handed 39-yarder that gave the Rams an overtime win over the Seahawks in Seattle. One reason the Rams needed a big contribution from Robinson was because Puka Nacua had been ejected earlier in the game for throwing a punch at a Seattle defender. But as long as Nacua and Cooper Kupp are both healthy, Robinson isn’t going to get a steady diet of targets.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
For some reason, Tyler Conklin is still being rostered in more than 20% of Yahoo leagues. In the three games since WR Davante Adams joined the Jets to form a dynamic duo with Garrett Wilson, Conklin has 8-46-0 on 10 targets.
Ezekiel Elliott was held out of the Cowboys’ Week 9 game for disciplinary reasons. He’s averaging 3.1 yards per carry and looks like he’s toast. In Zeke’s absence Sunday, Rico Dowdle strengthened his grasp on the Cowboys’ lead-RB job by amassing 107 yards from scrimmage and scoring a touchdown on an acrobatic catch. Feel free to throw Zeke overboard.
Antonio Gibson is inexplicably being rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues. Rhamondre Stevenson is dominating snaps and touches in the New England backfield when healthy, and Gibson is competing with JaMycal Hasty for leftover scraps.
Isaiah Likely had zero catches on one target Sunday while playing only 33% of the Ravens’ offensive snaps. He’s produced 27 or fewer yards in seven of his last eight games, and the arrival of WR Diontae Johnson in a trade last week bodes ill for Likely’s target outlook going forward.
Dontayvion Wicks failed to catch any of his three targets against the Lions on Sunday and continues to be plagued by drops. Wicks has averaged 17.6 receiving yards over his last five games.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Keon Coleman has freaky ball skills and a bright NFL future, but can you comfortably throw him into your fantasy lineup in any given week? The rookie hasn’t drawn more than seven targets in a game this season. In Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, he had a single 21-yard catch on two targets — despite the fact that Amari Cooper was out for the Bills, and despite the fact that Josh Allen threw 39 passes. Coleman will occasionally pop off with some big plays, but his production is going to be sporadic. With four teams on bye this week, fantasy managers are going to have to make some tough cuts in order to obtain Band-Aids. Coleman might be one of those tough cuts.
Cole Kmet has had two huge games this year — a 10-97-1 performance against the Colts in Week 3, and a 5-70-2 game against the Jaguars in Week 6. In his other six games, Kmet has averaged 2.0 catches and 22.7 yards, with zero touchdowns. With rookie QB Caleb Williams performing inconsistently, there haven’t been enough balls to go around for Kmet and WRs D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. If Kmet has been your starting TE, it’s time to find a new answer at the position. If Kmet has been a backup TE for you, find a better way to use that roster spot.
Zack Moss could be out for a while with a neck injury, and he’ll probably be a backup upon his return. Second-year RB Chase Brown seems to be getting better and better each week for the Bengals and is likely to be Cincinnati’s feature back going forward.
There’s no need to keep Devin Singletary on your roster unless you want him as a handcuff. The Giants’ backfield officially belongs to rookie Tyrone Tracy, who out-snapped Singletary 47-18 on Sunday and out-touched him 17-7.
Don’t drop yet:
Dalton Kincaid has been a mild disappointment this season, averaging 3.6 catches and 36.9 receiving yards per game. But Kincaid did have a season-high 10 targets last Sunday. The Bills’ next two games are against the Colts and Chiefs, both of whom have been generous to tight ends this year.
After averaging 21.3 touches a game over a three-game stretch from Week 6 to Week 8, Mattison had just 9-36-0 rushing in the Raiders’ Week 9 loss to the Bengals and didn’t draw a single target in the passing game. Zamir White got a couple of goal-line snaps for the Raiders early in the game and had a 1-yard touchdown run. It’s hard to tell if Week 9 was just an anomaly or if Mattison’s workhorse usage is evaporating. Try to hold Mattison through the Raiders’ Week 10 bye if you can. A lead-RB role might mean less on the Raiders than it would on other teams, but it would still make Mattison a useful depth piece at minimum.
In fairness, most D.J. Moore investors probably haven’t considered dropping the Bears receiver despite his sleepy start this season. But no doubt a few DJM stakeholders have considered dropping Moore in a fit of pique. Moore has been a consistent producer for most of his NFL career, though he wasn’t able to get on the same page with Baker Mayfield when they were together in Carolina. Maybe Moore is having a similar chemistry problem with Bears rookie Caleb Williams. But don’t part with Moore just yet. If the light suddenly flicks on for Caleb, we could see a dramatic spike in Moore’s numbers, because talent has never been an issue for the star receiver.
