Welcome back to for another NFL week, as we have now made it to week 9 of the NFL season! First off, Happy Halloween! As always, this is the “in case you missed them” Thursday waiver article. On Monday, there were plenty of good options thrown out by Dan Malin, including Kenyon Drake, Jaylen Samuels , Josh Reynolds , and Darren Fells . If you were not able to snag any of those guys from the wire, here are a few more you could look for as we head into this week’s slate of games.
QB
Ryan FitzMagic (5% (+1) YAHOO – 2.8% (+1.5) ESPN)- It was almost as if the Dolphins were planning on losing last week’s clash with the Steelers at Heinz Field, after going up by two early scores, everything just seemed to come crashing down after that. However, Fitz was still “serviceable” as he went 21 of 34 passing with 190 yards, with two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Fitz is somewhat like Jameis Winston , he has upside, but it always comes with a price when you literally try to sling any pass into tight, double, triple coverage. Of course, if you are needing a starting QB due to bye in a 2-QB league, or injuries have hit you, Fitz is the best option at the moment, even though they are facing the Jets this week.
Matt Moore (8% (+0) YAHOO – 7.4% (+7.3) ESPN)- Moore could more than likely see another start in the absence of star QB Patrick Mahomes this week. Mahomes still seems to be nursing a dislocated kneecap, and will likely be out another week or two. In Moore’s first start against the Packers, he threw for 267 yards through the air on 24-of-36 passing, and connected for two touchdowns on the day with no interceptions. I hate to say it, but this week he will not have such an easy task as the Chiefs will host the Vikings at home on Sunday afternoon. If all else fails, Moore should likely be available for a plug-and-play.
RB
Tra Carson (6% (+6) YAHOO – 1.9% (+1.8) ESPN)- Carson was claimed by the Lions off waivers after being let go by the Green Bay Packers before last week’s slate of games. With the injury to starting RB Kerryon Johnson , everyone was under the assumption that reserve Ty Johnson would be the main back after. This was not the case, as Carson starting the game in the backfield for week 8, while also receiving the most carries on the day of the RBs at 12 totes. However, he was not targeted in the passing game, and that looks to still be Ty Johnson’s role, as it was somewhat when Kerryon was healthy. With the limited number of option on the wire right now for the RB spot, Tre is nothing more than a spot-start, last resort type play, and hope he gets a touchdown this week against the Raiders.
Rashaad Penny (32% (+1) YAHOO – 41.5% (-8.5) ESPN)- Rashaad Penny was somewhat “showcased,” this past week in terms of merely being on the trade block, however there was only one trade in the NFL on trade deadline day. This means that Penny is staying with the Seahawks, and will continue to be Chris Carson ’s immediate backup. For one, he is the hand-cuff, so if you have Carson, he should be on your bench, but he did also receive eight carries this past week against ATL, and turned that into 55 yards on the ground. Obviously, Carson is the lead guy and will get more than the lion-share of work for the Hawks, but Penny is a decent roster stash, if not a cuff.
Rex Burkhead (11% (+1) YAHOO – 23.2% (-4.3) ESPN)- Burkhead made his return to the field last Sunday and only saw three carries and one target on the day. The Patriots didn’t have much trouble with the Browns, to say the least, so he wasn’t exactly needed. Burkhead will continue to be a part of this backfield, and we know how much Bill loves him, so I would say he could be a nice pick-up this week as the Patriots travel to BAL to take on a decent defense, in which he could be more utilized.
WR
Chris Conley (21% (+18) YAHOO – 15% (+5.1) ESPN)- Conley was the most added WR left on the wire after the Wednesday wire close, and for good reason. Conley has put up 13.30 and 20.30 fantasy points in his last two outings. Both contests resulted in seven targets each, and Conley topped 83 yards and 103 yards with one touchdown during the two as well. As long as Dede Westbrook is hampered with injury, Conley will be a nice streaming option.
Anthony Miller (12% (+1) YAHOO – 12.3% (+1.3) ESPN)- Miller has been somewhat of a target magnet over the past three weeks seeing seven, nine, and three in the Bears last three games. Miller has also topped 64 yards in the prior two games, although he hasn’t reached pay dirt yet. Either way, he has turned into a viable option under starting QB Mitchell Trubisky , and Nagy said they will not make a QB change; thus, making Miller a decent option once again if you need a WR to play. They face an Eagles defense that is allowing the 5th most receiving yards, the 9th most per game, and the 6th most receiving TDs so far on the season.
Marvin Hall (0% (+0) YAHOO – 0% (+0) ESPN)- This is a pure flier play here, but Hall is a boom-or-bust type play. Hall has now seen six or more fantasy points in the Lions last four games, with 11.90 in their most recent game after catching a 49-yard bomb for a touchdown. Again, I am not condoning that you play Hall in expectations that he will do that once again, but we know that Stafford has his highest aDOT for the season since he entered the league, and that means he is taking shots down-field. With that said, Hall could continue to see those long targets, resulting in big plays and hopefully touchdown(s).
TE
Jason Witten (48% (+1) YAHOO – 46.5% (-12.4) ESPN)- Witten gets to face a familiar foe this weekend as the Cowboys take on their long-time NFC East, the New York Giants. Witten has actually put up a pretty decent campaign this season after returning from retirement. He has averaged around 7.5 fantasy points per game, and has seen at least four targets every single game. These targets haven’t really translated into touchdowns, as he only has two on the season; however, he is still the safety blanket for starting QB Dak Prescott . If you are needing that stream at TE for bye weeks, and just looking to get 5-10 points, this is your guy this week against a bad NYG defense.
Jack Doyle (17% (+2) YAHOO – 23.6% (+2.7) ESPN)- Doyle continues to be the more targeted TE for the Colts. Doyle paced the team in targets last week against the Broncos, as he caught four of five balls for 61 total yards (Brissett only threw 15 passes). Doyle now has 10 targets in two games, but has yet to record a touchdown since week 5 against the Chiefs. Either way, if you find yourself with your back against the wall at TE again this week, Doyle is a viable stream against the Steelers.
D/ST
New York Jets- Looks like everyone on Yahoo took notice to the remaining schedule for the New York Jets. They face a turnover-prone Miami Dolphins team this week that is starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick once again, and we know he is going to throw a pick or two. If you haven’t eye-balled the rest of their schedule in terms of defense facing, go ahead and do so and if you need a D/ST, these are your guys ROS.
Cleveland Browns- The Browns haven’t been the greatest, however they get a nice matchup this week as they travel to Mile High to play the DEN Broncos. It is not a secret; the Broncos are not good. Now, they are going to be starting a back-up QB in Brandon Allen as Flacco will be side-lined for 4-6 weeks with a herniated disk. I would expect the Browns D to create lots of pressure on the spot-start QB, and this could easily translate into mistakes.