Daily Dr. Roto—October 31, 2018
Waiver Wire for Week 9
Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick — Ftizmagic has been named the starting QB in Tampa after Jameis Winston’s ultimate breakdown in Cincy last Sunday. I think that Fitz is doing it with smoke and mirrors, but he is unafraid to take chances downfield which endears him to receivers and fans alike. In a week where there are so many teams on BYE, Fitz might be the perfect guy to slot in as your QB1.
Dak Prescott — I think that the Cooper trade will help Dak more than anyone else. Although Cooper is not a stud, he is a good enough route runner to get open and give Dak a primary target downfield. Up until this point, Dak has been playing with the likes of Hurns and Beasley-Cooper is a huge upgrade and will even make the running game more of a threat.
Derek Carr — If you were like me you probably decided to cut all your Raiders after the Cooper trade and Lynch injury. Then last week they kept the game competitive against the Colts, and Derek Carr looked — dare I say it — good. You know they will be playing from behind in every game, so there should be plenty of garbage time points to go around which means Fantasy points for Carr.
Josh Rosen — New OC Byron Leftwich has installed the Bruce Arians playbook which means more passes to Larry Fitzgerald and more touches by David Johnson. This can only help a young QB like Rosen moving forward.
Running Backs
Doug Martin — With Lynch out, Martin took control of the Raiders running game and looked surprisingly good against the Colts. I wouldn’t expect him to dominate every week, but he has a plus matchup against the 49ers on Thursday and is well worth rostering.
Peyton Barber/Jacquizz Rodgers — Ronald Jones is expected to be out for a few weeks with a sore hamstring which means that Barber will once again be the lead RB and now Jacquizz Rodgers will be the third down receiving back. The Bucs defense is horrible, so you know that their games will be high scoring which works in favor of both players.
Elijah McGuire — McGuire is expected to be activated from the IR this week, and it might be only a matter of time before he is named the Jets new starting RB. Isaiah Crowell had the one substantial 200-yard game, but outside of that one game, he has been very mediocre. At the very least, McGuire will take over Bilal Powell’s third down back role.
Josh Adams — The Eagles did not make a trade at the deadline meaning they will be going with Clement, Smallwood, Sproles, and Adams the rest of the way at RB. Adams looked the best in the team’s most recent game in London, which should guarantee him touches in Week 10.
Mike Davis — This is just a hedge in case Chris Carson should get hurt. The Seahawks are a run-first team, and their starter would have lots of value.
Wide Receivers
D.J. Moore — Moore is one of my favorite pickups at this point of the season. I have mentioned him in this article over the past few weeks as I think he is thisclose to breaking out and becoming a top target for Cam Newton. Take a chance on Moore — he might be a game changer moving forward.
DeVante Parker — Watching Parker play so well against Houston last week reminds me of how frustrated I get with Dolphins HC Adam Gase. Once Gase puts a player in his doghouse, it’s almost impossible to get out. Parker has all the tools to be a top NFL receiver, but he is still very immature and a constant headache to his coaches. Buy into the skills and hope he keeps his head on straight.
Courtland Sutton — Demaryius Thomas’ trade to Houston opens the door for Sutton to come in and be the Broncos WR2. I think he will do a fantastic job. He’s tall, fast, and catches the ball well in traffic. Broncos fans will forget DT very soon after watching Sutton dominate in the coming weeks.
Danny Amendola — With Albert Wilson out for the season, Amendola has the slot all to himself and so long as he stays injury free he should be good for 12-14 Fantasy points.
David Moore — Moore is like a modern-day Cris Carter — all he catches are TDs. Seriously, Moore has earned Russell Wilson’s trust and has the size and speed to continue to be the Seahawks primary red zone target. Get him now while you still can.
Michael Gallup — Gallup still has a lot to learn, but I am hoping that with Cooper now with the team, he will have more one on one opportunities. He’s nothing more than a flyer, but there are good skills here.
Rashard Higgins — Higgins should be returning from injury soon, and when he does he might find himself inserted back into the Browns starting lineup. He is probably one to two weeks away, so he is more of a stash and cash than anything.
Tight Ends
Chris Herndon — Sam Darnold seems to have found a weapon in Herndon and so long as Enunwa is out, it looks like Herndon is well worth playing. Week 9 is a killer for BYE week issues, so use Herndon against the Dolphins and hope for the best.
Ed Dickson — Dickson returned from injury last week and scored a TD in his first game back. Many might recall Dickson being a decent replacement for Greg Olsen in Carolina last season. Russell Wilson is passing less now than ever before, but he has always shown a willingness to throw to his tight end which gives Dickson a modicum of value.
Hayden Hurst/Mark Andrews — The Ravens love to throw the ball to their tight ends, and it looks like Hurst and Andrews have emerged over Boyle and Williams as the two players to own. Hurst probably has more upside in dynasty leagues, but right now he seems to be struggling a bit with his route running. Andrews is not much of a blocker, but he has done a solid job thus far of getting open and making plays.
