By Winsto (11/05/2024)
There are a few names here to consider for Week 10 and beyond. Remember that Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas, and Seattle all have a Bye this week.
(The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Justin Herbert (QB-LAC)–In his 1st 4 games of the season, the most passing attempts he had in a game was 27 and most passing yards he had was 179. In his last 4 games, the fewest amount of passing attempts he has had in a game is 27 and fewest passing yards is 237. What does that mean? It means he is throwing the ball more, and he is scoring more fantasy points than earlier in the season. He also has a fairly favorable remaining schedule. He could push for weekly top 10 QB finishes down the stretch.
Bo Nix (QB-Ind)–Despite a bit of a rough game against Baltimore, I am sticking with Nix as an add. As I mentioned last week, it’s all about the rushing potential and remaining schedule here. Not only does he have 7 passing touchdowns in the last 5 games, he also has 3 rushing/receiving touchdowns. During that stretch, he is averaging 37 yards rushing and about 219 yards passing per game. He, like Herbert, has a favorable schedule for the remainder of the season.
For Deeper Leagues:
Aaron Rodgers (QB-NYJ)–This is the 4th week in a row I am mentioning him. He has some weapons here: Davante Adams (WR), Garrett Wilson (WR), Breece Hall (RB), and Allen Lazard (WR). He has been okay so far, but he has some favorable match-ups over the next several weeks: Arizona and Indianapolis. You could do worse.
Russel Wilson (QB-Pit)–As a Steelers fan told me, he had not seen the Steelers offense look this competent since the Ben Roethlisberger headed offense of years past. He has gone for 542 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, a rushing TD, and 1 fumble lost since taking over the starting role (2 games), and his remaining schedule is pretty nice! I still have some reservations regarding Wilson here, but that remaining schedule would make me strongly consider him. The addition of Mike Williams (WR) via trade also gives him a slight boost.
RUNNING BACK
Jaylen Warren (Pit)–This is the 2nd week in a row I am mentioning him. In Warren’s two games since returning from injury, Warren has seen substantial playing time (51% and 39% of the snaps). He ran 12 times for 44 yards and saw 2 catches for 15. He has also seen 7 Red Zone opportunities over that stretch. The Steelers offense looks like a competent offense. And more importantly, the Steelers after the Bye are going to be facing some strong offenses (Washington and Baltimore). Those games may put pressure on the Steelers offense to keep up. As Warren is the preferred pass catcher, he could be looking at more opportunities.
Tyler Allgeier (Atl)–Atlanta’s next is versus a New Orleans defense that is reeling. It is a bottom five defense in terms of rushing TDs and rushing yards per game allowed.
Handcuffs—These are players, rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, who I would grab if I had the space. They have little to no standalone value, but each could be a legitimate RB1 or RB2 if the opportunity presented itself. This is the order I would rank them as of now.
Blake Corum (LAR)
Zach Charbonnet (Sea)
Kimani Vidal (LAC)
Braelon Allen (NYJ)
Isaac Guerendo (SF)–He would leave this list if Christian McCaffrey (RB) returns.
Trey Benson (Ari)
Ray Davis (Buf)
WIDE RECEIVER
Jauan Jennings (San Francisco)–I assume he dropped to 50% rostered due to San Francisco’s Bye week in Week 09 as well as his hip issue. HE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE WAIVER WIRE!!! Brandon Aiyuk is done for the year. Deebo Samuel (WR) has a tendency to miss time. Ricky Pearsall (WR) has quickness, but his route running does not look quite ready for prime time, yet. Jennings is the player I want. He proved himself able to provide fantasy value in Week 03 with his 11 receptions for 175 yards, 3 TDs, and a 40% target share with Deebo Samuel missing that game. He has also led the WRs in receiving yards in 3 of the 6 games he has played, despite only playing a full-time role in 1 game this season. In other words, he is my priority add of the week.
Adam Thielen (Carolina)–Remember that he had a 1,000-yard receiving year in 2023 with Bryce Young (QB)? Diontae Johnson (WR-Bal) is now gone. He is close to a return. Someone has to catch the ball in Carolina, right?
TIGHT END
Taysom Hill (New Orleans)–I will continue to mention him. Yes, he has been injured a lot this season. He still has the potential to win a fantasy week for you. Given the landscape of the position, how many Tight Ends can do that?
Hunter Henry (New England)–Drake Maye has shown a solid connection with Henry. Henry has seen at least 5 or more targets for 41 or more yards in 4 straight games now. This connection looks like it will continue.
Mike Gesicki (Cincinatti)–This is more of a gamble, as it is hard to advise picking up a tight end who has barely topped 50% of snaps in two games this season. However, the tight end split just became less complicated, as fellow tight end, Erick All Jr., sadly tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. This could give Gesicki a boost in playing time. He has also 6+ targets in two straight games with 173 yards and 2 TDs total during that stretch. Just be mindful that much of his production has come while Tee Higgins (WR) has not played. When Higgins returns, that targets will probably decrease substantially.
IDP
Daiyan Henley (LAC)–I discussed Henley last week as well. After several weeks of a LB rotation, Henley has played 100% of the meaningful snaps over the last two weeks, putting up 23 total tackles (14-9). He has entered my circle of trust, and he could be a LB1 play from this point forward.
Jamien Sherwood (NYJ)–As I stated last week, Sherwood has been productive this season, but the question of when C. J. Mosely (LB) would return made Sherwood too risky of a play. At this point, Sherwood looks locked in at one of the ILB spots. He is averaging 10 total tackles per game over the last 4 weeks.