By Winsto (10/20/2022)
The Story that has Nothing to do with the game
According to Adam Schefter on Twitter, Christian McCaffrey (RB) is being traded from Carolina to San Francisco. What does this mean? For McCaffrey, it means he will actually be playing in a competent offense. He should actually have more opportunities for TDs. Simply put, the arrow for McCaffrey is pointing straight up. Look, it is not like he was not doing impressive things already. Now, the sky is the limit! As for what it means for this weekend’s match-up with Kansas City, McCaffrey may be limited some due to the new offense, but I cannot envision Kyle Shanahan not using him as much as he realistically can. Do not take him out of your starting line-up unless credible sources suggest he will not really play–which again, I simply cannot fathom that happening.
As for the Elijah Mitchell (RB) (when he returns), he is now more of a hand-cuff/bench stash. Until Mitchell does return, that same description applies to Jeff Wilson. Tyrione Davis-Price is probably someone you can part ways with if you are still holding on to him.
So what does that mean for the remaining players in Carolina? D’Onte Foreman (RB) and Chuba Hubbard (RB) will likely form a committee, with Foreman the more valuable for non-PPR and Hubbard the more valuable for PPR. I think if I HAD to choose, I would slightly lean toward Foreman. Still, negative game script may be a common theme, so keep that in mind as well. The reality is that this will be a committee on an ineffective offense, so the demand for these players will be dependent on how deep your league is and its scoring system.
Oh, and There was a Game Tonight, Also
In Arizona’s win over New Orleans, DeAndre Hopkins (WR) reminded us all why he is still NUK, as he went for 103 yards receiving (with a ridiculous 48 % target share and over 50% of the team receiving yards). With Marquise Brown expected to miss AT LEAST another three weeks, Hopkins should continue to be a target monster for Arizona and flirt with WR1 status for the time being. Eno Benjamin (RB) had a much better start this week compared to last, with 113 total yards and a TD (though owners who started him were probably screaming at the television when Keaontay Ingram (RB) vultured an earlier TD from him. Other than the Ingram vulture, Benjamin proved his value. However, James Conner (RB) looks to be close to returning, and also do not forget about Darrel Williams (RB) also missing the game. Thus, Benjamin is more of a stash after this week as opposed to someone you can start. With Hopkins back, Zach Ertz (TE)–2 receptions for 21 yards and Rondale Moore (WR)–1 catch for 31 yards both did very little. This may be a bit of a concern moving forward for these players, as Hopkins is gobbling up all the targets. Also, Robbie Anderson (WR) only saw 1 target, though his involvement in the offense should increase moving forward. As for Kyle Murray (QB), he had an okay day–204 yards passing, 1 TD, and 30 yards rushing. He is still a back-end to middle QB1 with some upside. And, if you started the Arizona DST, congratulations on the TWO INTS for TDs!
On the New Orleans side, Chris Olave (WR) went for 88 yards receiving, and his % target share was not too shabby, either. But again, this was without Michael Thomas (WR) and Jarvis Landry (WR). Still, Olave has the look of the alpha receiver for New Orleans, and I do not see why that won’t continue. He should continue to be a solid WR2 with upside. The quarterback situation in New Orleans, honestly, is in flux. Andy Dalton (QB) wound up with a solid fantasy day–361 passing, 4 TDs, and 3 INTs (along with 21 yards rushing. Still, he had 2 INTs returned for TDs, though one was not his fault. Jameis Winston (QB) may be starting the next game, but again, there is uncertainty. Alvin Kamara (RB) had a solid day, with 104 total yards. The only concern for Kamara owners is that Taysom Hill (TE) continues to be another option at the goal line, as he scored on short TD reception. Staying with tight ends, if you started Juwan Johnson (TE), then you were rewarded with TWO TDs and 32 yards receiving. He is a middle TE2 for me as of now, but I am keeping track of how he fares in the next few weeks.