I am taking part in my first Movember and it’s not pretty – meaning the facial hair. You can check out my progress by hitting that link. While the mustache is not up to standards, folks have donated over $700 so far and it’s only Movember 2nd.
I chose mental health and suicide prevention because I have struggled with depression my entire life. When I saw that Calvin Ridley had bravely elected to step away from football to take care of his mental health I was glad. I thought about Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka and how they had helped normalize prioritizing mental health over sport. And I thought about all the other athletes who have suffered in silence under the guise of sucking it up, playing through the pain, even though that pain was not physical.
Sports culture, especially football, constantly praises toughness, so displaying the vulnerability to admit problems with your mental health is laudable. But one of the reasons Movember exists is to help people that don’t have the means to step away from work and focus on their mental health. It’s wonderful that Osaka, Biles, and Ridley all have those means, and have earned them through achieving greatness in their respective sports, but depression and suicide afflict the wealthy and the less fortunate, and can be even more deadly when combined with food and shelter insecurity, homelessness, or just the simple stress of living paycheck to paycheck.
The Movember movement seeks to raise awareness of men’s mental health issues, and encourage men to seek help when they need it, which requires admitting they need help. Reducing the stigma of depression and suicidal ideation is crucial. It isn’t easy, but the more it gets talked about the easier it becomes for millions of men to deal with their issues as Ridley has.
Movember is also investing in research-based interventions to help improve mental health and reduce suicides. Encouraging physical fitness and community-based intervention programs can go a long way to beating depression by making it more manageable and providing treatment and interventions that work.
The money you and others donate (if you can, if not please share this so it can reach more people) will go towards these important steps that if implemented widely can not only normalize admitting being depressed and needing help, but actually fund programs that can save lives.
Huge thanks to everyone that has donated to any campaign supporting mental health, and to those that both inspire and encourage others to admit having a problem and seek help.
Week 8 may not have been the worst injury week in terms of quantity, but it definitely was in quality.
Derrick Henry has a foot injury requiring surgery that will most likely end his record-breaking season. Calvin Ridley, a top-5 wide receiver in ADP, is walking away from football to take care of his mental health (and good for him, I hope he gets where he needs to be). Jameis Winston suffered a season-ending torn ACL, a major setback on what was slowly becoming a successful reclamation project.
Of course these departures do mean opportunity for others, as sad as they may be for the departing.
Waiver Wire Quarterbacks Week 9
Taysom Hill, 3% rostered, 80% FAAB
According to saintswire Hill is expected to clear the concussion protocol prior to this week’s game against the Falcons. The severity of this concussion can’t be understated – it has kept him out since October 10, and the Saints needed him despite Winston starting. We likely won’t have clarity on him vs Siemien for this week until after waiver clear, but Hill is your top add at the position regardless. An average passer but effective runner, Hill will provide a safe floor every week.
Justin Fields, 22% rostered, 70% FAAB
Another guy who emerged as viable this week is Justin Fields. It’s hard not to let correlation stand in for causation as Fields looked night and day better without Nagy in the building. Still developing as a passer, but Fields finally looked loose and comfortable using his legs to produce on the ground. The further Nagy distances himself from this team, the better they seem to perform. Maybe there’s something there? Anyway Fields is still developing but turned in a plus week. Might be more to come.
Mike White, 2% rostered, 35% FAAB
White actually turned in a decent game before this weekend, as he threw for 202-1-2 while coming in cold off the bench for Wilson. After a week with the 1s White went for 405-3-2 and the interceptions weren’t totally his fault. That one performance was leagues better than anything Wilson has done this year. Also, he helped create one of the most memorable betting stories I’ve heard in a while.
That’s $125,000 on a $1,000 bet. If this guy is willing to risk a grand on him, you should be willing to risk your fake FAAB. And if he plays like this again and the Jets win, is there really a reason to rush Wilson back?
Jimmy G, 11% rostered, 20% FAAB
Jimmy just turned his best performance of the year by far, but anyone who watched the game will tell you the Bears defense gave up. At one point in the second half the Niners got 7 consecutive first downs. I don’t think Jimmy will have this much luck against the Cardinals or Rams, and by that point the Niners are likely going to be 3-5. I think Jimmy’s final chance to retain his starting job is beating both teams, and I just can’t see that happening.
Drops: Jameis, Ben, Zach Wilson, Keenum
Waiver Wire Running Backs Week 9
Jarret Patterson, 2% rostered, 55% FAAB
Patterson got 11 carries to Antionio Gibson’s 8 and was just as effective running the ball (4.2 ypc to Gibson’s 4.3). Gibson has been playing hurt all season and it simply doesn’t make sense for a floundering 2-6 team to continue playing one of their best assets while he’s hurt. I could easily see Patterson taking over this backfield the rest of the way very soon, possibly as soon as their next game, which unfortunately is not until week 10.
Jeremy McNichols, 9% rostered, 50% FAAB
Before we go crazy blowing whatever is left of our FAAB on this guy, realize that there is no replacing Derrick Henry. Henry was running through walls all season. Henry is hulk-sized and amazingly fast. His vision is superb and his stiff-arm is a destroyer of worlds. McNichols will see his share of the pie increase, but it takes a village to replace Derrick Henry. Expect geriatric Adrian Peterson to sap his value, and Mekhi Sargent could as well. Plus his next two opponents are the Rams and the Saints, two good defenses against the run.
Derrick Gore, 2% rostered, 5% FAAB
Gore looked good last night against the Giants, running decisively north when given the opportunity. Problem is that opportunity is likely to get a lot smaller with CEH returning as soon as this week. And Reid running the ball just goes against his genetics. It was encouraging and the Chiefs do need to run the ball more to win, but I don’t see a 33% share (which is the best Gore can hope for absent injury) being enough to be productive, and a 10-15% share is more likely. Intriguing enough for speculation but don’t drop anyone with a solid role for him.
Ty Johnson, 5% rostered, 5% FAAB
Johnson has now turned in two good receiving performances with White under center. Problem is he is only averaging about 30% snap share in those two games, and Carter is outplaying him. I think his production is dependent on the increased passing game volume and efficiency under White, but really, do the Jets have any reason to rush Wilson back?
Drops: Henry, Gainwell, David Johnson, Perine
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers Week 9
Van Jefferson Jr., 13% rostered, 40% FAAB
I have no idea how this guy is only on 13% of rosters. He playing for the best offense in the NFL, one of the best QBs, and he’s getting almost as many chances as Woods and Kupp. The last two weeks he has been in on offensive snaps 94% and 84%, and last week he saw only 2 fewer snaps and 3 fewer targets than Woods and Kupp. Grab this guy, legit WR3 the past two weeks.
Jamison Crowder, 19% rostered, 20% FAAB
Crowder was one of the beneficiaries of the increased passing volume from Mike White. I don’t see that changing for any reason so Crowder should be a safe bet for about 6-8 targets a week. Not a major talent, but knows how to get open.
Elijah Moore, 16% rostered, 20% FAAB
Moore is the more intriguing Jets WR to benefit from Mike White. Now, White did almost all of his damage less than 20 yards downfield, as the chart shows, and Moore is more of a go-route type of guy. So he may not benefit immediately, but he has the edge on talent and could be an interesting guy to own towards the end of the season.
Mike White didn’t find success by throwing deep
Jamal Agnew, 2% rostered, 10% FAAB
I would say I wonder if Laviska Shenault banged Meyer’s wife but based on recent events I’m not sure that would be enough to get him into the doghouse. But for whatever reason, Agnew got 12(!) targets last game. He caught 6 for 38 yards and a TD, but probably worth a dart throw to see if this sticks.
Darnell Mooney, 42% rostered, 10% FAAB
Rivaling only Kenneth Gainwell in WW yo-yo status, I’m sure Mooney has been picked up and dropped several times in your league. There are some rumors the Bears could be trading Robinson today, none substantial enough to bear repeating, but it would make sense and would likely funnel more targets Mooney’s way. If Nagy can be traded as a throw-in that would increase Mooney’s stock even more. He saw 9 targets last week and it was the best Bears offensive performance since Fields took over.
Drops: OBJ, Peoples-Jones, Sterling Shepard
Waiver Wire Tight Ends Week 9
Obviously if Ertz is available still grab him. Engram could get traded today so he’s worth a look if available, but I don’t think his problem in New York has been lack of opportunity.
Dan Arnold, 5% rostered, 15% FAAB
Arnold saw 10 targets (8-68), second on the team to Jamal Agnew (?). There’s no reasoning out what is happening in Jacksonville because Urban Meyer is not a reasonable or smart man. But Arnold for whatever reason is higher in the pecking order than Shenault.
Pat Freiermuth, 11% rostered, 10% FAAB
Big Ben can’t throw downfield anymore. Honestly it’s like watching a formerly great race horse trying to lug his way down the track when clearly he should be out to pasture. Well, maybe Pat benefits from Ben’s aging arm and he certainly has had the opportunity the last two games, getting 7 targets a piece and catching a TD pass last week. Also had a 78% snap share up from 60% week 6.
Drops: Jonnu Smith, Jared Cook
Streaming DST Week 9
New Orleans Saints vs the Falcons, 47% rostered, 1% FAAB
New Orleans is coming off a really impressive win against the Bucs, where they sacked Brady 3 times, picked him off twice, and scored a touchdown. If the Falcons are reverting to their uber-conservative ways as they did in week 8, this should be a solid play.
Miami Dolphins vs the Texans, 14% rostered, 1% FAAB
I don’t really think they are worth 1% but every team that has played Houston this year has done well. Watch news reports on Tyrod, if he’s in might not be a good play.
Since this is a Superflex site I focus on all QBs in a sit/start format every week and you can find that here. You can also check out my week 8 rankings for every player.
Running Back Starts
Joe Mixon at the Jets
The Jets are starting Mike White against one of the better defenses in football. Mixon should see north of 23 carries and an additional 3-4 receptions in what figures to be an absolute route. RB7 for the week.
Elijah Mitchell vs the Bears
The Bears are turnover prone and they are also likely to be without Khalil Mack. Jimmy G is not a quarterback to feature, even with less pressure, so expect the Niners to use Mitchell heavily to move the ball. I’m betting he benefits from a couple Bears turnovers that lead to easy scores. RB15 this week.
James Robinson at Seattle
Fresh off a bye facing the team that just allowed Kamara to go off for a career day in receiving. Robinson should be good for about 120 total yards and 2 touchdowns. RB10 for the week.
Running Back Sits
Nick Chubb vs the Steelers
There’s really no reason to feed Chubb 20+ carries his first game back with D’Ernest Johnson setting the world on fire last week. With so many injuries already, smart coaching would recommend a 50/50 split between the backs on carries with Felton handling most of the passing game work. RB12 for the week.
Darrell Henderson Jr. vs the Texans
This should be a plus spot for Henderson but last week should have been as well. With Tyrod back I bet the Texans don’t just roll over and we see usage a lot like last week. Low yardage and no scores. RB16.
Antonio Gibson at the Broncos
This should be a plus matchup but Gibson is playing hurt and that is severely limiting his production. I don’t expect things to get better for him until he shuts it down and heals. Before D’Ernest shredded them last week, the Broncos were only giving up the 4th most rushing yards. Bad week for Gibson; RB22.
Wide Receiver Starts
Terry McLaurin at the Broncos
It’s fine to chase points here as Heinicke has zeroed in on him and he seems to be over his injury. Broncos secondary is overrated. WR9
Chris Godwin at the Saints
No Antonio and a revenge game for Tom mean good things for Godwin. I counted him out against the Bears and he still delivered with over 100 and a touch. Expect more of the same this week, good for WR10.
Adam Thielen vs the Cowboys
Thielen is coming off a monster game (11-126-1) in which he absolutely destroyed one of my teams. I expect Jefferson to draw the Diggs coverage, which means Cousins should be looking for Thielen in what I expect to be a high-scoring game. I don’t expect a repeat but think 6-75-2 is a real possibility which should be good enough for WR17.
Wide Receiver Sits
DJ Moore at the Falcons
Moore is unfortunately caught in the #DarnoldSpiral and hasn’t topped 80 yards or caught a TD in three straight. Darnold got the dreaded vote of confidence last week after being yanked for XFL star PJ Walker. Unfortunately for Moore neither one looks remotely competent. WR24 this week.
Tyler Lockett vs the Jaguars
There is one word for Lockett and that is spoiled. Russel Wilson’s perfect moon balls which fell right into his arms as he was running down the field have ruined him for normal quarterbacks, and Geno Smith is not quite up to that billing. It was perfectly displayed on a ball that Geno threw to him in coverage and because it did not drop perfectly into his hands he couldn’t field it. Sit Lockett until Russ comes back. WR48.
Allen Robinson vs the 49ers
I don’t think it’s going to click for Fields this year. I was wrong, Nagy was right. Allen Robinson is looking at a lost season here folks, and it’s not going to get any better. Best his (remaining) owners can hope for is for Andy Dalton to start. Puke emoji. WR49
Tight End Starts
Robert Tonyan vs the Cardinals
Holeeeee shit Robert Tonyan. Adams, Lazard, and MVS are all out. That leaves Tonyan, Cobb, and untested rookie Amari Rodgers as the only viable pass-catchers. Tonyan should blow up this week, take advantage. TE5.
Dalton Schultz at the Vikings
Shcultz has been a main focal point of the Dallas offense all year and Dak is coming off a 400+yard game before the bye. Schultz should feast even though the Vikings are decent against TEs.
Rob Gronkowski vs the Saints
I think this is a week to start all Bucs, even Gronk in his first game back. The Saints are middling against tight ends and I think he is good for at least one touchdown. Brady holds grudges. Take advantage. TE7
Tight End Sits
CJ Uzomah at the Jets
There is no way this game is competitive, meaning the Bengals are going to lean on the run and barely pass, at least if this season is a good reference point. The Bengals could decide to buck the trend, and can basically choose how they want to beat the Jets, but the most probable course is on the ground. TE12.
Tyler Higbee at the Texans
Higbee just isn’t a focal point of the Rams offense and I don’t see big things for him even though I expect the Rams to pass a lot. TE11.
Ricky Seals-Jones at the Broncos
I feel like the guy in Big. I just don’t get it. Where is the fantasy love coming from for this guy? He must be doing a lot of great things that don’t show in the box score because his box score sucks. His best game the past four weeks is 4-58-1, and that’s his only TD. I’d play Evan Engram and Hunter Henry over him easy. TE15
Week 5 marked the beginning of the Kyle Pitts era at tight end. Week 7 made it official. While guys like Kelce, Waller, and eventually Kittle will continue to post top-five numbers, Pitts is a completely different type of tight end.
His size makes him a tight end, but he runs routes, uses his body and hands much more fluidly than most tight ends, like a wide receiver. He isn’t asked to block meaning his routes run are high. He can beat corners with his size and speed down the sideline.
You don’t normally see tight ends break 160 yards on less than ten targets. Darren Waller saw only 109 yards on 19 targets week 1. Kelce tops out this year with 109 on eight targets. Mark Andrews came close on Monday night against the Colts with 147, but needed 13 targets. Pitts gained 119 yards week 5 on just 10 targets. Week 7 he got 163 on 8. Pitts has the ninth-highest total receiving yards in a game this season, and every single person on the list in front of him is a wide receiver.
Andrews and Waller are both on bye, and Kittle is out, leaving the top tight end slot for week 8 to a battle between Kelce and Pitts. I’m betting Pitts, who has yet to really be utilized in the red zone. On to Tight End Rankings Week 8.
Name
Opp
Notes
Kyle Pitts
vs CAR
New no 1 in town
Travis Kelce
vs NYG
MNF, two TDs easy possibility
T.J. Hockenson
vs PHI
Back on track
Mike Gesicki
@ BUF
Quietly TE3 on the year
Dalton Schultz
@ MIN
TE5
Rob Gronkowski
@ NO
At least a TD, maybe 60+ yards
Robert Tonyan
@ ARI
Soaking up Adams red zone looks
Dallas Goedert
@ DET
Hurts too erratic
Zach Ertz
vs GB
Caught TD, should have had another 1st game
Noah Fant
vs WAS
Just inconsistent and marred by poor coaching
Tyler Higbee
@ HOU
Not a focal point of offense
C.J. Uzomah
@ NYJ
On a hot streak but Bengals only pass a lot when they need to
Guess how many wide receivers with top 10 ADPs are currently in the top 10 in fantasy scoring through 7 weeks? Three: Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, and Justin Jefferson.
Surprise insertions into the top ten in average fantasy points scored in ppr are Deebo Samuel, Ja’Marr Chase, Cooper Kupp, and Mike Williams to name a few.
Last week Chase pretty much stole the ring as the WR1 in dynasty. I couldn’t imagine anyone trading him for Lamb or AJ Brown right now. For Wide Receiver Rankings Week 8 I’ve got Tyreek on MNF in my top spot and AJ Brown, Hopkins, and Diggs are rounding out the top five.
Wide Receiver Rankings Week 8
Name
Opp
Notes
Tyreek Hill
vs NYG
Perfect spot to get back on track
Cooper Kupp
@ HOU
Even against Houston lock for 100 and a touch
A.J. Brown
@ IND
Best momentum in all of NFL
DeAndre Hopkins
vs GB
TD dependent but TDs are coming steady
Stefon Diggs
vs MIA
WR24, but great spot against beatable secondary
Deebo Samuel
@ CHI
Only passing option, Bears offense will hang out defense, Mack Q
CeeDee Lamb
@ MIN
Lone star in Dallas passing game
Ja'Marr Chase
@ NYJ
Opponent too weak for top performance
Terry McLaurin
@ DEN
QB issues, but still good for top ten
Chris Godwin
@ NO
Start all Bucs
Justin Jefferson
vs DAL
Travon Diggs
Mike Evans
@ NO
Start all Bucs
Mike Williams
vs NE
Little nervous about role reduction but should be fine
D.K. Metcalf
vs JAC
Geno Smith + Pete Carroll
Brandin Cooks
vs LAR
Tyrod back
Cordarrelle Patterson
vs CAR
Adam Thielen
vs DAL
Maybe week 6 (11-126-1) sign of things to come but doubt it
Diontae Johnson
@ CLE
Ben sucks
Courtland Sutton
vs WAS
Like this play but is Teddy healthy?
Kadarius Toney
@ KC
If fully healthy this could be way too low
Calvin Ridley
vs CAR
Still need to see more involvement
Keenan Allen
vs NE
Hasn't topped 50 yards since week 2
Michael Pittman Jr.
vs TEN
D.J. Moore
@ ATL
Caught in the #DarnoldSpiral
Amari Cooper
@ MIN
Averaging just 5 targets per game over last five
DeVonta Smith
@ DET
Hurtsing his value
Robert Woods
@ HOU
Jaylen Waddle
@ BUF
Not the deep threat we were looking for
Jerry Jeudy
vs WAS
First game back, low floor high ceiling
Marvin Jones Jr.
@ SEA
7-100-1 last time out week 6
Chase Claypool
@ CLE
Odd fit as possession receiver
Julio Jones
@ IND
Should do better but can't be trusted
Emmanuel Sanders
vs MIA
Targets too low to rank higher
Cole Beasley
vs MIA
Should soak up Dawson Knox vacated targets
Tee Higgins
@ NYJ
Great targets last game but low passing volume expected
Kalif Raymond
vs PHI
Tough to trust but probably a great play
Laviska Shenault Jr.
@ SEA
Just not being used in the right way
Jakobi Meyers
@ LAC
TD drought must end sometime, right?
Christian Kirk
vs GB
Always risky low-floor, best-ball league star
Van Jefferson
@ HOU
Sneaky low-floor flex play - great offense
Sterling Shepard
@ KC
Decent play if healthy
Antonio Brown
@ NO
on crutches, likely out
Darnell Mooney
vs SF
Fields too inconsistent
Jarvis Landry
vs PIT
Perpetual injury risk
A.J. Green
vs GB
TD dependent WR3
Corey Davis
vs CIN
Mike White starting, avoid
Robby Anderson
@ ATL
#DarnoldSpiral
Tyler Lockett
vs JAC
Simply can'
t play with anyone but Russ
Allen Robinson II
vs SF
Fields too inconsistent, lost season
Marquez Callaway
vs TB
Jameis too inaccurate, targeting lesser WRs too often
Randall Cobb
@ ARI
Sneaky play but low-floor. Tonyan safer
Mecole Hardman
vs NYG
Not until we see this offense humming again
Odell Beckham Jr.
vs PIT
Doesn't care anymore - borderline droppable
Tyler Boyd
@ NYJ
Not enough targets
Tim Patrick
vs WAS
Jeudy back
Rondale Moore
vs GB
Not enough targets - could blow up any week but which one?
