
Week 10 Madness: These Players Are IMPOSSIBLE to Rank
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Fantasy.
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You're in the 06010 Focus Fantasy. Fantasy. Focus. Hello and welcome into Fantasy Focus Football, presented by. Yes, Field J.
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Keep going. Little Toxic Attack, presented by Little Caesars.
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My name is Daniel Dopp here with Mike Clay and Field Jesus. Yes, I know we got no TVs in here. Yes.
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But time out. Time out.
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What's going on?
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I've got some news here. This is courtesy of Adam Schefter. Oh, the jets have traded MetLife Stadium.
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Oh, no way. Wow.
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For three first round picks.
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That's a good.
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All right. Yeah, they're, they're going to get a haul to get a quarterback in one of these drafts.
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We want them to have a new field. Right. We do that field.
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So it might be.
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I know differently. But yes, we do feel like MetLife Stadium and George Kittle, who was mad about it on Sunday after the game after Mikel Williams tore his ACL as well for the fortnighters. But guys, I know this is a fantasy football podcast. We will talk for 59 minutes about fantasy football. What a day yesterday.
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What a trade deadline.
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Holy cow.
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NFL getting in on the action. NFL never misses anything, right? If they're lacking in some sort of area, like they're not getting the coverage, they'll find a way to get it, whether it's the NFL draft going to prime time all the way. The schedule has changed over the last few years, adding holiday games and now actually having some action at the trade deadline, which is a product of moving it a little bit later. It used to be earlier and teams were not ready to give up on the season. So. So you think about it. A couple weeks ago, the jets, maybe they don't, maybe they don't make these moves. Maybe they think, hey, we could still get in the playoffs.
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Totally. Yeah. The NFL actually moved the deadline back by a week last offseason or the offseason prior to that. And really there are some people that want it to be even later because think about some of the teams that are teetering right now. What if you're the commanders and you lose again this upcoming week and you have no Jaden Daniels? You probably will. The Daniels Lions like you might be selling off pieces. I'm not saying Deebo Samuel would fetch you a haul, but a guy in the final year of his contract, could you find someone to give you a six round pick to offload that salary? Anyways, we digress, but there were some trades that involved fantasy relevant players yesterday.
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Yeah, let's dive into that. Where do you want to start? With this, I think I'm going to start with the Seattle Seahawks. You good with that?
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That sounds good to me. Yeah.
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New Orleans Saints end up moving Rashid Shahid to the Seattle Seahawks. Remember everything I said yesterday about Torrey Horton? It's out the window now. Forget about it. Unless we're in Dynasty. We got someone here working in the studio. Apologies if you just saw that.
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We need our TVs.
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That's right. Be able to see it.
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So you're welcome because we gave you a curveball here on the show.
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Exactly. There you go. How you feeling about Rashid Shahid with the move now to a Sam Darnold led offense?
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Okay, so big winner here in this deal, at least in my opinion, is Rashid Shahid himself going to Seattle. Who for those that don't recall, he reunites with Clint Kubiak, who was the offensive coordinator last year in New Orleans. Now he's the offensive coordinator with the Seahawks doing an incredible job. Now, Sunday night I was thinking to myself, I might have found myself a gem in Torrey Horton, but I think Rashid Shahid goes to Seattle and and immediately becomes the number two wide receiver in this offense. His pace last year, do you have the pace he was on prior to getting hurt last year?
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I mean, he had four like four 15 plus point games and two duds.
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Yeah, he was a good start. He was really, really strong last year to begin the season prior to hurting that knee injury. He's an incredibly explosive player. It definitely helps the Seahawks. Seahawks offense only helps boost the value a little bit of Sam Darnold who has been exceptional. But I think that Shahid went from not particularly desirable flex play in a deeper league to a potential flex option and maybe even a 12 team league.
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Yeah, no doubt. I have him 37th already this week because I expect him to step right into a role in this offense against Arizona, even in New Orleans, a team that is an offense that's struggled for the most part to score touchdowns. I mean, he's at least had four plus catches in every game so far this season. The production has been inconsistent obviously in that offense. I will say this, we love Shaheed. He's almost like a like a cult player or something on like football Twitter. Like everyone loves him to break out for years. He's 27. He's never had a top 40 fantasy season. So let's not get too carried away here. Yep, he's probably a wide receiver three sort of flex option. Remember, this is a very low volume offense. Sam Darnold is not even top 20 in pass attempts. So it's not a high level.
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Yeah, yeah.
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And there's a guy soaking up like what, 40% of the targets?
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Yes, there is a guy there.
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I think this has no impact on jsn.
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Nope.
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I think the Cooper cup, to the extent that he was even on the flex radar, probably gone. Tory Horton, who I thought was awesome this past Sunday night, unfortunately, probably gone as well. I think this is a team in Seattle that is not saying we are desperate for wide receiver help, but a team in Seattle that is saying we might be good enough to win the Super Bowl. Yeah, let's go make a push and add a dynamic play.
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No doubt about it. Yeah.
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Let's go to this. How about the New Orleans side for you guys?
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I mean, finally that Devon Vale trade pays off.
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Gets some ability to get out on the field.
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Anything here at all. Like, are we. I mean, can you get excited about any receiver not named Chris Olave? Does it help Chris Olave?
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I don't think it makes it any better.
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I don't.
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It doesn't change the needle for me on Chris Olave.
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They. He has a very tough schedule going forward. I believe the Saints have the hardest schedule for receivers. He's going to have more pressure on him a little bit now. You're going to see a little Brandon Cooks and of course Vale, they'll take a look at him. They overlay for him in the off season. So. No, I mean, we're not. This is a rebuilding Saints team. No.
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All right. Yeah, I'm there as well. So to me, the only winner, only.
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Winner of this all real winner is.
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I guess, two winners, Rashid Shahid and a slight boost for Sam Darnold because he has one more weapon to work with.
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Yes. To put some numbers on what you said last year, just in case people were wondering. Field gates. Game one, 16.3 fantasy points for Rashid Shahid. Week two, 20.9 fantasy points. Week four, 15.7. Week five, 18.6.
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He was money.
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He.
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He was crushing, I mean, every single game. Over 15 fantasy points in four of his five games to start the season. So he was crushing it last year.
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When they were rolling pretty good.
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Let's talk about Jacobe Myers. We heard rumors that maybe he was going to get moved from the Raiders over to, I don't know, somewhere.
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I thought the Giants, the Steelers, the Bills.
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I didn't think it was going to be the Jaguars. That was not a team that I thought it was going to be.
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There a lot of interesting takeaways from this one. So, Mike, you start. I don't want to be.
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Oh no, it's fine. Good.
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A lot of thoughts here. First of all, obviously Travis Hunter is going to miss three more games.
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Significant time minimum.
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Right. This is also a GM who we can't curse here but F them picks is kind of how it feels, right? They had a lot of picks in terms of volume but a fourth and a six round pick is not nothing going back to Las Vegas on top of that. And Stefania mentioned this very briefly or briefly on the show yesterday because we still don't have a practice report to work off of Brian Thomas Jr. Was off the field in overtime as Adam Schefter reported yesterday he has a low grade ankle sprain and that he has a chance to play on Sunday. So this might be not just Travis Hunter insurance. It might not just be the fact that this team wants to compete for the playoffs this year. But Brian Thomas Jr. Is not 100% healthy. So an opportunity here to pretty quickly Jacobi Myers could be. He could be a 70% of the snaps guy on Sunday.
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Yeah, no doubt. And this is a team by the way, that same thing like you have Trevor Lawrence. You haven't had really the supporting cast around him that you've wanted for a while and you're trying to make the playoffs or maybe even win this divi. Well probably not win the division with the way Indy's playing but you have a shot at a wild card here to make a run. So I think it's a move where you figure yeah, Thomas not 100%. Hunter's out for a little while. At some point you could have all three of these guys. Not to mention Brenton Strange back from ir, Travis ETN in the backfield. That's a good, that's a pretty good looking offense. I mean remember Travis Jacoby Myers was a top 30 scoring fantasy receiver four years in a row coming into this year. Hasn't scored a touchdown this year, hasn't had a double digit fantasy game since Week 2. It's been a rough go but he wanted out of there and a struggling offense. So his upside is not what it was in Las Vegas certainly but it's a guy that could hang maybe on the wide receiver three or flex radar until everyone's healthy.
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He's a winner for sure in this one.
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I would say, I was just going.
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To say from winner relative to the last month or so, yes, there he is now but perfect world would have been you stay on the Raiders and you're the number one receiver and a 25% I don't think he's going to get that. Yeah. Or go. Yeah, exactly.
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Right. For the short term, then we're kind of looking at Jacoby Myers especially because we'll have bye weeks continuing as sort of like a flex play during bi weeks when all three of them come back. Do you think there's still enough volume with Trevor Lawrence? I mean, if all three of them come back?
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I should say probably not because they're probably not enough volume, I don't think. And three, it's at least three more games. So this is now week 10. So the earliest Travis Hunter could return is week 13 at the earliest.
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Yep.
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So you're talking about the fantasy playoffs. I also would say this and let me know you guys think this is a bad take. Good take or just whatever take?
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I think bad take.
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Good on you, baby.
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Well played.
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Never gets.
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The chances of Brian Thomas Jr. Ever becoming what we wanted him to be this season are just low to me.
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Yeah.
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Yeah. I mean, you're probably right. Although he was. I mean, he was better than this at this point last year, but he really had the big second half, so hopefully that happens. But I tend to agree with you.
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Yeah, you're getting a little bit of. And I don't want to put it out there. I'm going to do it though. Like, little bit of like Kyle Pitts vibes were like maybe year one was the year that like he was in over his skis a little bit. And it's going to come down to earth with like the rest of what we expect for Brian Thomas Jr. Moving forward. We've seen it. Obviously the guy can be amazing. So we'll continue to watch that.
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Can I.
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Other side.
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Can we do. Can we take a full screen of some sort right now from our.
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From our I feel so bad staff?
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No, we have no full screen.
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Can we do a transition?
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Just like, just go for it.
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You're just good. We'll let you just go ahead. We'll let you leave the studio. Everything's good. Thank you so much. Thank you for fixing our TV for us.
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Thank you.
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That was amazing.
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She's the best. And Tanya's been here forever at ESPN helping us out and she's been a great teammate. So thank you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. From the Raiders guys. I mean, there's one certainty here. One certainty.
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Brock Bowers eats.
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Yeah.
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Like for the rest of the season.
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Yeah.
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And I understand that we do this like it's, it's. This is definitely hyperbole, but there's a Non zero chance that for the rest of this season Brock Bowers is the fantasy football mvp.
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Yeah, yeah. I thought we saw last week.
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Maybe it's like a 1% chance. I'm just saying that like they have nobody to throw the football to besides Brock Bowers. Like the wide receiver room. Mike tweeted it yesterday and I'm just like, I think he mistyped something.
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Like I think he's the player.
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I thought you tweeted their practice squad, not their actual wide receiver.
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Move Tyler Lockett. Jack Bash, who I still have a lot of confidence.
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I wanted to mention him. Potentially a big winner here. He should get at the very minimum the opportunity to replace Kobe Myers. He should get that shot.
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I've said this a couple of times and I want to like Deontay Thornton who was playing early in the season. Remember he like played a lot. Weeks one, two and three and then.
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And then Trey Tucker, of course is the one. Yeah.
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Oh yeah.
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So Trey Tucker has a chance here and we've seen Tucker produce as recently as this year. He had like the third biggest game of the season, 40 plus points in that blowout against Washington. Brock Bowers though, should command conservatively nine targets a game.
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Yeah. More 12 personnel. Michael Mayer is a guy they're going to utilize. I said it right, by the way. Did not say Michael Myers.
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We get past Halloween and you're going.
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To say it now. We don't have to worry about it. And Ashton Genty, his passing game workload has increased after that terrible start.
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What do you think? Do you think that will be consistent? It should be right. Because it works.
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Yeah. He's not.
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When they throw them all, it helps. Yeah.
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I don't think he's going to be unless game script. It's just a bizarre game. He's not going to be like a. He's never going to be cmc. But you know, could it be like a Josh Jacobs sort of three or four targets? So sure. Yeah. I mean I think he'll get that consistently. And also you have to. I mean you're calling a game like you're not. Who are you going to throw to?
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Like you played 90% of the snaps.
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Yes. I mean you have to design plays for that guy.
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I am extremely invested in Ashton Genti. We all are. But I have been warm. He's my first round pick and Warren's just very our league this year where nobody is better than six and three in war room. But there's a lot of us that are 6 and 3 or 5 and 4. It's like very tightly contested right now. So we're right there in the mix. And Janti, his success certainly would help us make a nice push this year. And so I am like meticulously every single Sunday looking at every single Ashton Genti metric 90% of the snaps. The running game has definitely gotten on track. Right. And he looks great. Whenever they give him passing opportunities we just don't know if they'll give him those passing.
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Well the hope there is with Bowers back now the offense will be more productive and that we saw that this past week so hopefully that will continue open things up.
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Yep.
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Yeah, no doubt.
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Brock Bowers averaged nine targets a game during his rookie season obviously with Jacoby Myers being there. So I would love to be able I mean can we just do this thing where we just give Brock Bowers double digit targets for every single game for the rest of the season and.
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It'S going to much like Trey McBride in play.
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Yeah if there was and I realized we were we just mentioned all of these wide receivers if there was one do you think that there is worth picking up Trey Tucker as like a you know waivers have already run so you can just grab them right now available in 60% of leagues.
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Yeah, that's fine. I mean I don't think you're going to be super inspired playing him but you might hit for the occasional doesn't.
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Seem like a very veteran coaching staff. I've made this point many times but I reiterated because it's timely. Once again like I like Jack Bash a lot as a prospect. I love Jack Bash coming out of tcu. This is a veteran coaching staff who despite the season that they have had is still in the business of trying to win games. And if Jack Bash is 10, 20, 25% behind where some of the other receivers are who are just a little bit more experienced. They signed Tyler Lockett a week ago when they were 2 and 5 or whatever they were. Right. Like they're going to play those guys.
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Yep.
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They just are. You have to so well I mean I think you should play Jack Besh instead. But they're going to.
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You're saying you're going to. You're going to play Locket.
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You can play the veterans like we'll.
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See Jack Besh was some of the thought there was that he could not he was essentially Jacob behind Jacob. This should be an I mean if you don't give him an opportunity now you're basically saying we that pick's blown. I would love what are you doing like you have to get out here.
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I mean, he might be their second best receiver, but what does that mean? Lead to fantasy production, dynasty, deep league stash? I'm not picking him up in 10 or 12 team leagues. I mean if he establishes himself as the two or Garrett Wilson goes down again, maybe you know there's something there because when AD played in Indy, the problem there was he was buried on the depth chart. He was fourth in line and. But when he was on the field, he was targeted a lot. Like they felt like this is a legit playmaker. I know he had the big mistake a couple weeks ago, but when he had had opportunities, he delivered. So it's a. I, I like the move from the Jets. I think it's a good worst case, maybe next year he's your four or something like that. I dislike him as a toss and you obviously got a lot of assets back.
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Yeah.
C
To get him tossed in.
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I think that was a minimal downside.
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Move by the 100%.
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Yeah, we did. The only thing I would say is like, even if Garrett Wilson is out, he could step into a role. Like Garrett Wilson was out for two weeks and we got nothing from the gym.
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Yeah, no. I mean, yeah, not yet. But I'm saying he could quickly establish himself as their second best receiver. Josh Reynolds still on ir.
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Right.
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So I don't think we had any other major trade deadline news that impacts us. Although we did have a quarterback change that I feel like we need to officially talk about. Big news.
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Yes.
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Because thankfully the Arizona Cardinals have seen the light. They're going to continue to leave Kyler Murray on the bench as he continues to deal with this injury. I mean, yes, I'm going to leave that alone. Yes. The whole point is we're going to have Jacoby Brissette under center right now for the foreseeable future. Name the starter of the Arizona Cardinals field. You and I already talked about this yesterday how we just feel better if he is the starting quarterback of Arizona. Mike, I kind of want to give you the chance as well. Is there anything about this Cardinals offense because you didn't get a chance to talk about the Monday Night Football game that you just feel like is a better takeaway with Jacoby Brissette than Kyler Murray other than everything, but like take away everything?
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Yeah, it's all good. I mean, the obvious. I mean, first of all, their passing game has been better. You look at Brissette's numbers. 261 plus passing yards in all three games. Two exactly. Two passing touchdowns in all three games as well. So he has raised the floor for these guys. And the other part is last week we saw maybe Marvin Harrison's best game all around.
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Yes, we did.
C
He got. He just. Good quarterbacks just know how to get the ball in the hands of these playmakers. And that's what we saw. Harrison legit looked better and sometimes that's the quarterback positioning them for success. Not to mention he just seemed like he was playing well. So yeah, I mean, I just think it's good for the passing game all around and it's really that simple. I don't know what else to add to it.
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The only thing that I'm going to say it's better for the passing game all around. I'm also warning you, they play the Seahawks this Sunday. So, like if this upcoming weekend they score 17 points, I don't think it's a percent problem. I think it's a Seahawks are that legit on defense problem.
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Yeah, like it all right, we're going to move ahead to a new segment that we have. Hardest guys to rank in week 10, presented by nobody.
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Well done right there.
B
Thank you. I wanted to steal it from you guys.
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No, it's right.
C
Your name right here.
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Use it all the time. Yeah, could be you. That's right.
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That's right. It could be you.
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Who's like. Is there, like, a concrete company out there that listens to the podcast? Maybe.
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Hardest guys to rank back home. Back home, we had Pat's gradal. Do you know what a gridal is?
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Gradal Gradle.
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Yeah, I see the word. I've never. It's like a big. Anyways, It's a big machine. I think about these, like, things I have, like, the big scoopers on.
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It's Quandle Quandal Concrete, which is down the road from my parents. My grandfather worked there. Love that whole life.
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So, yeah, shouting out some small businesses in the local communities. Nothing wrong with that.
C
Hey, all right.
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Yeah, Way to go. I don't know of any concrete shop local.
C
Right.
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I thought you. Oh, no, I thought you weren't concerned. You didn't work construction. Where did you work for? I was.
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I worked. I actually was working at a deli in college.
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That's what it was. A deli. It was a.
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Prior to that, I worked at a. I swept tennis courts and did landscaping.
B
Landscaping's pretty close. That's construction with your hands.
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Close enough.
B
Yeah, yeah. You know what I mean. You didn't have big machinery. All right, anyways, let's dive into hardest players to rank heading into week 10 field. I'm gonna let you go first. We each brought two players to the table. Who is your first one?
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All right, I'm gonna give you guys sort of do a blind resume and not on a blind resume.
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I'll close my eyes.
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Just like. I'll describe the player and see if you guys can guess it.
C
Okay. Okay.
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This is a quarterback who, at the beginning of the season, was amongst the most productive rushing quarterbacks in all of the NFL.
C
Okay. Okay.
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Despite the fact that he is known for his high volume and prolific passing.
C
It sounds like Patrick Mahomes.
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Justin Herbert.
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He has since dropped off as a passer with 256 or fewer passing yards in three straight games. Three straight games under 20 fantasy points.
C
No, not Mahomes. Three games under. No, it's not Mahomes. No, he hasn't been under 20. It's not Herbert. I don't think he's picked it up.
B
It's not Kyler Murray. Even though he does fit all of those things, he might be all those things too.
C
Yeah.
A
All right, I'll spoil it for you guys. You ready?
B
Who is it?
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Baker Mayfield. Oh, Baker's kind of dropped a little bit, right to the point where I don't know that there's a bunch of obvious streaming options this week, but if you have Baker, you did replace him this past week when he was on a buy. But just to put these numbers, he has under 20 fantasy points and three straight. As I mentioned, his high passing yardage in those three games is 256 in weeks one through three, 30 or more rushing yards in every game.
C
Wow.
A
He has under 20 rushing yards in every game since in the last two games, zero rushing yards for Baker Mayfield. Now let's talk about some of the circumstances here. His receivers are like they're being promoted from the UFL every week, right. Besides a Mecca Buka who has been hurt. So if he has Chris Godwin and he's healthy this week and a Mecca Abuka is, and we haven't seen their first practice report yet, but if he is off the injury report and that hamstring is back to 100%, you'd feel better about. If Bucky Irving is back, you'd feel better about things. So I think some of this is circumstance driven for Baker Mayfield. He has not become a lesser quarterback. He's still amazing. We face the Patriots who have allowed the 11th fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. So I think default, you think to yourself, if you have Baker Mayfield, you're going to start him every single week. You could have a conversation this week facing the Patriots.
C
Agreed. Yeah, I have him lower than both of you, so I think he's a mid range QB2 this week in this match.
A
17 and 12 for Daniel.
C
Yeah, no doubt. I hope he bounces back. I mean, this is a guy that's been pretty consistently a back end QB1 and hasn't really a mid range QB1 last year. So I think there's hope he gets back into that conversation. But I'm not testing those waters this week.
A
I think there are two things that are working a little bit against him in the short term for Baker in terms of getting back to that top five weekly fantasy quarterback is A, I mentioned the receivers. They're all hurt. B, they were so unbelievably bad last year that they were like the Bengals light.
C
Right.
A
They weren't quite as bad defensively, but they were giving up points on points on points that shootouts Were the norm for him. And last year he played against a couple of defenses in his own division that were just like completely like Tampa. This year faces a legitimate Atlanta defense, a legitimate Carolina defense. New Orleans, not so much, but still like he had six cupcake games last year in the division. This year he only has two. Anyways, that's my first bet.
C
I have them. Sorry, go ahead.
B
No, you're good, you're good.
C
I have them with a pretty hard schedule so far, but even harder going going forward.
B
Oh, great. Even better.
C
Set that up really well. Fourth hardest going forward. Okay, so might be tough.
B
I do feel like there is a little bit too like this Baker, given all of the things that you just mentioned. We know all the wide receiver injuries. I think he would do a lot better too if we was able to get Bucky Irving back and have a legitimate rushing game that defenses had to be able to. Right.
A
Wait to see what Godwin Irving.
B
Absolutely.
A
What's a name, though? Baker is.
C
Yeah, I like it.
B
All right. Mike Clay, you're one of your hardest player to ranks.
C
All right. First one for me, fellas. And I think maybe this was a guy was on your list initially, based on the text I got. You were angry about this. DK Mac F. Yeah, yeah, yeah. This is a very interesting one. I'm glad I got this one, though, as we had our topics distributed because I wanted to point something out on him. Look, season low four targets and 2.6 fantasy points. Last week he was shadowed in this game by Jalen Jones. So we'll talk more about the Colts corners a little tomorrow because big, you know, maybe the biggest name traded at the deadline was of course Sas Gardner, who goes to the Colts. So we'll get into that. But last week, Jalen Jones comes off the injured list, had not not played all season. Hurt is activated, shadows DK Metcalf and holds him in check. Now, the reason I point that out is because Metcalf has been shattered in four games so far this season. 12.3 fantasy points against SAS Gardner, 12.2 against Carlton Davis, 8 against DJ Turner, 2.6. As mentioned against Jalen Jones, he was not shadowed in his other four games. Had 16 plus fantasy points in three of those four. The only exception was Seattle's terrific defense. So when the matchups have been fine and he's not shadowed, he's been really good. Yeah, when the match when he's been shadowed or the, you know, the Seattle game, he's been bad and well, they.
B
Didn'T pay him $30 million a year to be good against shadow matchups. They want him to be good against the easy ones.
C
You're 100% right. But we're, we're learning from this and we're trying to decide how to rank him. Right. So I mean, the targets have not been there partially because he shattered. He's 39th in targets, but he's seventh in touchdowns. You mentioned that a few weeks ago. Very touchdown dependent. The problem, guys, is this week he plays the Chargers and I don't expect him to be shadowed. It's possible. I don't think he will be. But either way, they've allowed four touchdowns in the six views. Fantasy points to receiver. So much like Seattle, this is a tough matchup and it's concerning for me. So I think he's down in the wide receiver three mix and you're just very hopeful, hoping he gets a touchdown. It's a touchdown.
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Wide receiver 30 in fantasy points per.
B
Game this season and it's crazy. I also was going to bring DK Metcalf to the table. I actually had a second guy that I was going to bring to the table. But then we got news that Jacoby Brissette is going to be the starter because I was going to have a hard time ranking Marvin Harrison Jr. If it was going to go back to Kyler Murray. But now I don't have that problem. So I'm going to bring to the table field. I'm really sorry. A guy we've you and I have already talked about twice. Yeah, this week, huge game on Sunday. Then we talked about adding him on the waiver wire because he was available at the tight end position. But Mike, I do want to ask you about Colston Loveland and the way that you have him projected moving forward after that huge game. Just in case you didn't listen to the first two shows this week he had a major boom game. Obviously not the expectation for him to do this every single week week, but seven targets were the second most on the team. That was pretty great. Obviously Cole Komet still dealing with the concussion. So we'll figure out if he reaches through protocol. He gets the Giants this week. Giants allow 27.7 points per game to opposing teams. That is top five in the NFL. Those are all pros. The cons are it's only been one game. Right. Like, and we've only seen it one time. We talked about how we think it might be materializing. But you got one boom game and now I'm trying to decide. Titans like 9 through 20. You said this earlier this year, we all have seen, they all just sort of feel the same. So when I'm looking at Colston Loveland, part of the way that I think about it field, you said the way that you rank is who has the best chance to finish as tight end one that week I just saw Colston Loveland put together a almost tight end one week if it wasn't for some guy named Brock Bowers. Right.
A
I was going to say who beat him.
C
Oh, yeah, yeah.
B
Brock Bowers just had a historic week. So I've got him much higher, I think, than you guys do. I've got him at tight end 12 this week. Coming off of that big week, you guys are a little bit lower. I wanted to ask you, Mike, specifically, after that one big game, how are you projecting Colston Loveland moving forward in this Bears offense?
C
Guys, who did the Bears play last?
A
Bengals.
B
The Bengals.
C
Yeah. They've allowed 12 touchdowns, the tight ends this season. They are horrific against the past, horrific against Iran, horrific against everything. I mean, it's. Sometimes there's games like that where you're like, do we even count it? Like when we're evaluating these guys, it's just not. It's not fair. I mean, there. It's like you're running routes against no one. I mean, it really is that bad for the Bengals. Like I. I know I'm exaggerating a little bit, but not by.
B
Not really.
C
I mean, teams are just up and down the field without any. Anyone slowing them down. Also, the one thing the Bengals do have going for them is DJ Turner. He is a terrific number one corner. He's been shadowing. Once he's done a great job. We'll talk about it more tomorrow. He shot a Roma dunes in this game and he had zero catches in that game. That's part of it. Also to your point, Cole Comet as a concussion, generally, we would expect him back for this game. He's played a sizable role. If he's out, obviously I'm going to move Loveland up. He's still in the projection. So I'm not there yet there. Like you said, there's a lot of tight ends in that tier and these other guys are just better plays, I think for. I mean, they've just been more consistently productive this season. So I would not want to start Colson Loveland just yet. I just. I'm not there yet.
A
If Cole commenced out, I think Colson Loveland will be about where you have him ranked 12 might be a little.
B
Lower than that 12 to 14 range. Maybe.
C
Yeah, I could certainly buy it. I mean I have, let's see, 10, 11, 12, Kincaid Fannin, Theo Johnson, Andrews, Hawkinson Ertz. I mean again, I, I still think I'd probably put them below those guys, but I couldn't really.
A
Right around that tier.
B
I think he's in. I think he's in that tier. So. But anyways, we'll continue to see after one big game, hopefully we get more.
C
I hope you're right. I mean he's 10th overall pick in the draft. Like we want him to break out. I just don't know if it's going to happen for him just yet.
A
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B
All right field, next one up for you.
A
I went to the Buccaneers Patriots game once. Might as well go back to the well a second time as the Patriots Patriots at least ostensible number one wide receiver who at one point this season had back to back games with 100 plus receiving yards. Clearly the most talented receiver on this roster. Touchdown last week is to fund Diggs, but he has exactly three catches in three of his last four games so the volume is a little bit up and down. Now of note, K Shaun Booty may not play this week. Does that mean that Diggs takes on his role? No, it does not mean he takes on the Booty role of course, but just the idea that there's one less player who was not seeing a gigantic target share but still one less of the more reliable Options this team have has is off the field on Sunday, potentially. It just. I don't like. Diggs is definitely good enough for like a spike week as possible any given Sunday, but it's hard to know. And Patriots are like, what, sixth in points per game right now. This kind of comes down to they're not at the level of Detroit or one of those teams or Kansas City. But, like, for all the bellyaching I might have over Xavier Worthy or Jameson Williams and their frustrating roles, I'm like, what am I going to tell them? Like, do things differently. You're absolute wagons offensively.
B
Right.
A
Patriots might not be quite on that level, but they're in that zip code, and I can't begrudge their usage of Stefan Diggs. He's been really good when the ball's been thrown his way, but they've been really good when they don't throw the ball his way, too.
B
I talked to you guys, I think, earlier a couple of weeks ago about how I was hopeful that there was more for Stefan Diggs because given his limited usage, he was doing a lot with the time on the field. And you kind of pump the brakes. You're like, Daniel, I'm not sure we're ever going to see him be 80, 85% of the snaps. Like, we thought.
C
This offense, a lot of guys. Yeah.
B
And this offense definitely feels that way. It's like this week is a Hunter Henry week. Maybe it's a case on Booty Week. Maybe it's a Pop Douglas week. They kind of like rotate through.
A
I think I saw this, and I can try to check.
C
Pop barely plays. He played like, what, 14 snaps last week and had 100 yards.
B
100 yards.
A
When he plays, I throw him the ball. Mike Reese noted this on Twitter. Mike Reese, absolute legend. I think the Patriots have the most different players to lead them in receiving this year in a game. Really? So, like, they have six different leading receivers this year.
C
Wow. Stefan Diggs and Keenan Allen, Spider man meme at this point. Same kind of thing. They're both very limited in how many snaps they play. They're on the field when they throw the ball, certainly in three receiver packages. And when they're on the field, they're.
A
They're the Kenan Allen. You said Spundic. Yes. Makes sense.
C
Yep. Yeah, exactly. But so.
A
Yeah, so I had him as wide receiver 19 this week, and he could definitely get there. But he could also go three. He was saved by a touchdown last week. He'd go 3 for 27 on Sunday.
B
Gosh, that's frustrating. And you said you haven't. 19 right now.
A
19. That's why he's hard to rank.
B
Yeah, that's a tough one. Yep. Mike, your second player, please.
C
Yeah, my second one is a guy who we thought might get traded yesterday but did not. Breeze Hall.
B
Yes.
C
Very fascinating guys. When we last saw him. Remember they. Their bye week the week before that? Yes.
B
If I said to you that the jets were going to make two blockbuster trades heading into the deal, you would have been like, cool. Where did Breeze hall go?
C
Yeah, I would have thought Breeze hall and probably need. I probably wouldn't have guessed Quinn and Williams either.
B
I would not have guessed that.
C
No. But Jermaine Johnson, I guess, was floated. But anyway, yeah, yeah. Wild. But hall wasn't one of them, so he'll remain the feature. Back in New York, guys, when we last saw them before the buy, 32.9 fantasy points, who they play.
A
Remember, that was the Cowboys. Bengals.
C
It was Bengals.
A
Sorry.
C
Yeah. So again, we don't, we don't necessarily count those. Right. We're not, you know, if it was bad, we might count it against them, but if it was good, it's like, yeah, we, we expect that. Prior to that, he had been under 10 fantasy points in four straight games. He's reached third. He's reached 16 fantasy points three times. This was, this was all before last week. Okay, he reached 16 points three times. But week eight was his loan game, over 17 and a half. So he hasn't had a big ceiling other than the Bengals game, which, again, we barely count. And he's had a lot of duds. And this week he goes from perhaps the easiest matchup in his last game, the Bengals, to maybe the hardest against the Browns. Only three touchdowns allowed to running backs, the second fewest yards and fantasy points to running backs, 3.7 yards per carry to running backs. No running back has reached 18 fantasy points against him this season. Only Jameer Gibbs got over 13.1. They have dominated that position. And I just, I don't think he has much of a ceiling in this matchup. But the question is, if you're going to move him down from, say, fringe RB1, how far down do you go? I'm at RB17. I mean, the reason you don't go lower is because you look at the running backs after him. It's like, I don't trust any of these guys.
B
Classic field jade statement where it's like, I can move him down, but, like, the question really is, are you starting him or not starting him? You're still starting Breece Hall?
C
Probably. Yeah. I mean, it's close. It's close. I mean, if you. But again, it's like we. We have this conversation. We've had it with Judkins, we've had it with other guys when the matchup's brutal, like, yeah, you want to start him, but like, yeah, you're probably going to get single digits. I mean, there's like a good chance you're going to get single digits and you have to. Do you really just want to accept that and start the guy? I mean, sometimes. Is he really on that list? Is he really on that list of like, he's.
A
Yeah. On the fringe.
C
Yeah.
A
This is going to sound a little odd to say given that the team is one in seven. It's not like they are, you know, whatever, three and four, and they decided yesterday to pivot and go from the middle to bad. They were bad and they went from bad to probably worse.
B
Embracing the bad. They went from bad to embracing it.
A
There's a little. This could get gnarly on offense the rest of the year for the Jets.
C
Yeah.
A
Like, it's possible that a team that was already kind of stuck in the mud offensively, like, can you imagine motivating a group of guys where it's like, hey, guys, I know that we have three good players and we traded two of them yesterday, but we're still out here to fight on Sunday. They have more than three good players, but we have three elite players and we traded two of them yesterday. Like, we got this go team. And by all accounts, Breeze hall does did not want to be in New York after 4pm Eastern yesterday.
B
Didn't he have some comments leading into it? Whereas, like, it's clear, not recently, but, like, coming into the season, it's clear the jets don't want me here because they haven't earmarked me as a guy to give me like a contract extension.
A
Yeah, he's, you know, I think he's. He's sort of got this unique relationship with them right now. So I bring all that up just to say that, like, I. He's so talented that he's going to have some good games for sure. It's going to be tough on Sunday and I hope that this offense doesn't bottom out so much that Breeze for the rest of the year is just one of those frustrating guys that is like your rank him is somewhere between running back 15 and 25 because the offense is going to maybe score one touchdown a game.
B
Do you think that with the trade Deadline. This is more of just like a regular emotional conversation. But like with the trade deadline, losing Quinn and Williams and Sauce Gardner, does the jets defense get bad enough that maybe we look at the offense like it's garbage?
A
It's already bad. Yeah, there were six. They allow the six most points per game this season.
B
But is it going to get bad? I mean, I guess it doesn't make a difference how bad it is if you don't have a quarterback that you feel like that can distribute the ball to the people we need in the game.
C
So maybe it could potentially be worse. I don't think it'll be Bengals worse. Yeah, but you know, they might fall to 30th best and Dallas might move up from 31st to 26. But you know what I mean. Like the Cowboys actually.
B
Cowboys moving on up.
A
I know this is an extremely low bar to clear, but by the time the Cowboys play next Monday night, they will probably have four new, at least three new defensive starters, maybe a fourth. So they'll have Quinn and Williams, they'll have Logan Wilson, they'll have Demarian overshone their other linebacker came back from injury. And then they drafted Savon Revel in the third round out of East Carolina. He tore his ACL in September of last year. He could have been a first 50 or so player taken off the board, he slides to the third round because of the injury.
C
So Diggs will be back at some point. But what's funny is you have all those players coming back. So you go from one of the a horrific defense to maybe an average defense. Maybe you have like the Eagles who have been pretty good and had the youngest defense in the NFL so far this season. And they also added a whole bunch of impact players. Now they're coming back from injury and they acquired. I mean like that's the difference between winning franchises and losing franchises, frankly.
B
So not wrong.
A
Last one, Daniel, what do you got?
B
Last one here. This guy keeps over producing with his opportunities and I've talked about him before. Last week, six catches, 101 yards and a touchdown for 22 fantasy points. Fourth game over 14 and a half fantasy points.
A
Franklin.
B
But Dalton Kincaid has still not top six targets this season, guys.
A
The tight end. Well, I like it.
B
Unbelievable. Last four weeks, check this out. Sorry, Mike. Apologies. Sorry. Cease and desist. Sorry.
C
You just have to pay me every time.
B
Last four weeks, two games he had one catch and under 30.30 yards. The other two games he had six catches and over 100 yards. Like his last four games could not have Been starker, different than each other. That's not a way to say that, but a wider gap, a bigger disparity. The gap between those four games is unbelievable. I have no idea how he continued to trust a tight end that has not had a game where he has had more than six targets this season. And yet, like I said to start it, he's over producing based on his opportunities. And now he gets a great matchup in the freaking Miami Dolphins who have allowed the third most points per game to tight ends. Seven games over, 10 fantasy points to the tight end position. And he just, I mean back in week three, he had 17.6 against this team. Right now I am reluctantly ranking him as a top 10 tight end because he keeps producing. But if I looked at the volume, I think he's closer to like tight end 12 to 15 or 16 with me. But how do you keep a guy out of your lineup when he keeps going back and finding the end zone over and over?
A
So I think when you're playing, when you're talking about these single position or single player positions, quarterback and tight end specifically, and you've got guys that are kind of on the fence. Kincaid, be an example. There are a lot of tight ends that fit into this category. Mark Andrews, TJ Hawkinson, everyone from 10 to 12. Basically 10 to 12 similar is like, maybe you have a second option. It's pretty rare that I can tell you with like absolute certainty that the difference between Dalton Kincaid, pick whoever you want. Joanne Johnson. I just was a random one that I thought of that you're just like, that guy is clearly the play this week. I think what I do in these cases is I kind of just ride with the guy. Like you just, you just sign up. Like when you, when you have Dalton Kincaid as your tight end, I guess it doesn't hurt to have a second option. But like I'm not enamored by like just rostering a second tight end because he's similar to Dalton Kincaid and I just play him and I just deal with the good and the bad of Dalton Kincaid.
C
Yeah, he's very much like Mark Andrews. It's going to be boom, bust on touch. He's played 44% of their snaps this season. They're using Jackson, Oz are using Dawson Knox, 44%. That's been a little bit influenced by game script. There's like, like there was a recent game was a Carolina where they crushed 40 to 9. Yeah, barely. He played like 25% of the snaps that week. But in general he's A part time player. He's just. You're hopeful that he's out there when they're passing the football and you hope he scores a touchdown. Because when he hasn't this year, for the most part, it has been bad. You're right. He's very boom bust.
A
Not many wide receivers that move the needle for Buffalo. He has a great quarterback. They can score four touchdowns in any game.
B
So I was just going to say.
A
Yes, kind of just like.
C
Right.
A
I'm not saying that it doesn't matter what his rank is, but like if I have Dalton Kincaid as my tight end, if there was a waiver wire option, I would tell you consider it. But there's so few of those that I just sort of say, all right, Hopefully I get 14 from Dalton Kincaid, but I am bracing for 5.
B
There were two waiver options this week. Field. Just because you said that, let me put it at you. Would you rather play Dalton Kincaid, Harold Fannin or Colston Loveland? Those were the two tight ends on the way.
A
I think Harold Fannin has more consistency. Kincaid has a higher ceiling.
C
Yeah, Fannin could have been a hard to rank player as well. He's tricky with Njoku coming back. So I would go Kincaid, but it's very close with him and Fanon.
B
Hey, why don't we continue this trend a little bit? Maybe we throw a couple of names out there that we like along with a few other names. Maybe a name game, why don't you say, and we'll talk about a few more players field. We each brought a couple tables. Why don't you see us up with.
A
The first one objective here? And I wanted to build off of something that was discussed yesterday and get Mike involved as well. All right. Sort of positioned. I was talking about Rico Dowdle, Mike and I was asking like, how much different is. And this sounds bombastic when you first say it, but maybe it's not. Like, how much different is Rico Dowdle in terms of value right now than Josh Jacobs?
C
Not much.
A
Okay.
C
I mean, I have. As we'll get to in a moment. Yeah, I have a rank pretty high. Pretty darn high.
A
Let's go through Rico Dowdle. Do a little Rico Dowdle name game. I'm going to presume that none of you guys would prefer Rico Dowdle to Bijan and JT and the elite four to five running backs at the very top.
C
But is this for this week or this is for.
A
I would say I like to sort of split the AD next month, two to four weeks.
C
Got it.
A
Rico Dowdle or Josh Jacobs?
C
I'm going to go Jacobs. Although I do have Dowdle one spot ahead this week.
A
Okay, so you're saying it's a very close lean rate.
B
Agreed.
A
Rico Dowdle or Bucky Irving? Accounting for the fact that we have no idea what Bucky's status is.
C
Yeah, I'll go Dowdle.
B
I'd go Rico Dowdle there.
A
Rico Dowdle or Jalen Warren?
C
I'm going to go Dowdle here. You know, I love Warren.
B
I was going to say that's your guy.
C
I mean, Look, Dowdle is RB1 right now.
A
Okay.
C
As far as I'm concerned.
A
So Rico Dowdle or Derrick Henry?
C
I'm going to go Dowdle.
B
I think I would go Dowdle as well.
A
Rico Dowdle or Kyron Williams?
B
I would go Kyron Williams in that one.
C
Really?
A
Okay. So what's interesting is that, like, the name game should have been going up as opposed to backwards. It really comes down to, like, and maybe this guy's behind him. Rico Dowdle or Saquon Barkley?
C
I'll go Barkley there.
A
Okay, so we're talking about Rico Dowdle is somewhere between, like, are we 8 and 12 right now? That's legit. Which is incredible for a guy who deserves that based off. And I understand that he had two cake matchups in two of these three games, but to reiterate, 28.1 more fantasy points in each of his three starts.
B
Yeah, you don't get demerits for having good games against bad teams.
A
You can have good games. You can also have, like, having Rare games, having 30 plus point games. It's like, I get you're playing the. Whatever, the Cowboys. But like.
C
Yeah, and he did it against the packers last week.
B
Yeah.
C
Yeah. So, yeah, he's been good. I mean, there's a possibility we see more Chuba Hubbard as the year goes on. As he starts to level off and the gap closes, I feel pretty confident that'll move. What do you got for my. I'm going Brian Thomas Jr. Coming off yard games last week, under 12 guys, 12 or fewer fantasy points in seven of eight games the season.
B
That's disgusting.
C
Believable draws. Derek Stingley.
A
I've got him.
B
Oh, that's the worst.
C
So I have him pretty low. So name game here. The Thomas or the Chargers receivers? Johnson or Allen? All of the Chargers receivers. Yeah, me too. How about Jameson Williams coming off a good game? Well, sort of. He had the big, big catch.
B
It was a big game. Yeah. 16.6 fantasy points. I'd probably go Jameson this week I'm gonna go btj.
C
Okay, yeah, I think it's btj. But James. Yeah, yeah. One in a much better offense, we'll say. And then I'll give you one more. Troy Franklin against the Raiders. Oh, yeah, I know.
B
This week against the Raiders, I'd go Troy Franklin.
C
Close. Yeah, I would. I have Thomas just ahead, but we have him buried. I mean, if Thomas at 32 and I could have 38.
A
38, obviously, if he doesn't play, that's a whole different conversation.
C
I love this.
B
I had looked at Brian Thomas Jr. Because he's in the range of the guy I wanted to talk about and you mentioned him, which was Jameson Williams coming off of that big game. Every game in which he scored a touchdown this year, he scored 16.6 fantasy points. Every game in which he's not found the end zone, he scored under seven fantasy points. So that doesn't feel great. You recognize the boom bus nature, however, this week field, he draws the Washington commanders a lot of points here. Second most fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. They've also allowed the second most passing yards per game and a whopping 9.6 yards per play to the wide receiver position. So when you have a low volume player that meets like a low volume boom bus player that meets the second best matchup in the game, it's sort of like, boy, how do I decide who I'm going to play ahead of him?
A
So he's a great Xavier worthy. Well, I guess Rice too, but a.
C
Great flex fill in this week.
B
Would you rather have DJ Moore or Jameson Williams this week?
C
Ooh, I have James JMO.
B
I think JMO as well. Would you rather have Ted McMillan? I think I would have Ted Row as well.
C
Okay.
B
Marvin Harrison Jr. Probably changes now that we've got Jacoby Brissette, if that was a different one. I had Troy Franklin also in this conversation.
A
It's close.
B
Yeah, I would probably go JMO over Troy Franklin. I just think he's a little better prospect. And then the other one that I had, which is the one that you had mentioned, was Brian Thomas Jr. So we were thinking pretty similarly with the two wide receivers that we had in that match.
C
Those are the tricky ones though, right? These flex guys.
A
All right, next one for me is wide receiver Ameca Abuka, who at one point were like, this guy's a clear.
B
Cut wide receiver, top 10 guy.
A
Yeah, he has been under 10 fantasy points in three straight games. He has been hurt, of course, but still a lot of targets during that time. Would you Prefer a Mecca Abuka or Zay Flowers.
C
I have a book of one spot ahead. I will say this really quick. We'll talk about it more tomorrow. But Christian Gonzalez Shadow could be in play here for a bucka if he plays. And so we'll talk about more tomorrow. But something to keep in mind.
A
Michael Pittman Jr. Been good of late.
C
Yes. I'm going to Buca. I'm sick of myth.
B
I would also.
A
Okay. Nico Collins.
C
Nico, do we.
B
So would you say Nico even if he didn't have C.J. stroud under center?
C
Yeah, I pulled C.J. stroud. I don't think he's going to play. The expectation is he won't practice, so I think he sits out a week. I'm still. I moved Nico down, but I still have him one spot.
A
Not sure really.
C
Matt.
A
Dude, honestly, last week, like, Davis Mills came in.
B
I was just going to say he had six for 66.
A
It felt like he just kept peppering like they have. They have some chemistry.
B
I'd say Nico right now.
A
Last one, Roman Nune.
C
I have a Buka ahead. Odun say could see shadow this week from Pulse.
A
In a good way or a bad way?
C
Well, I guess Adibo, generally, what we've seen from these Shadow guys this year, like adibo is the. The floor is a lot lower or the ceiling's a lot lower. You're not probably not getting 20 points. You might get 13 max. So I have him a little bit lower.
B
The rest of that probably goes to Colson Loveland. Then I guess that's where you guys have them ranked so high. That makes sense. The rest of the Roman. Dude, it was a joke. Sorry. I made it funny.
C
I got it.
B
Got it. No big deal. Yeah.
A
What do you got, Mike?
C
Next one for me is Tyrone.
A
Tracy Jr. Everybody else. Yeah.
B
Yeah.
C
This one's. This one's kind of fast. Yeah. Everybody.
B
Well, I start everyone other than the.
C
People you're going to. He. I mean, he got the opportunity early on last year week and it wasn't going well, and Singletary kind of took that job. But I still think, like, after what we saw all of last season that Tracy should establish that role at some point, but I don't know. So how about Ken Walker?
B
I would take Ken Walker right now. Feels gross.
C
Yeah. I have Walker, Alvin Camara against the Panthers.
B
These are. This is. I don't want to play this game anymore, but Tracy. Gross. Cruel.
C
Yeah. It's close. Tracy. I'm so. I think I'd go Camara there, but it's close. And Kyle Manangai.
B
Kyle, man, assuming that Swift plays.
C
Assuming that Swift plays.
A
I'll go Tyrone Tracy.
B
I think I would go Tracy as well.
C
I'm going Tracy as well. Yeah, obviously it's Manunga. If. If Swift's out.
B
If Swift's out. Yeah, absolutely. All right, I got one last one here. Quick recap of the magic that's happened because of this kid. Week seven receiving touchdown. Week eight, you're going to figure out here in week eight, two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown for 24.1 fantasy points. And then last week, five catches for 51 yards and another receiving touchdown for 16 fantasy points.
A
RJ Harvey, baby.
B
RJ Harvey's got five touchdowns in three weeks. I think this is like for me, the therapy part of the show because eventually it gets to a point where I just get tired of watching a guy score touchdowns and stay on my bench and I'm like, do I eventually just need to put him in there over whatever other flex option I'm going to have? Because three weeks in a row to watch a guy score this many fantasy points and not consider him as an option, just like emotionally for me, maybe not you guys, but for me it like, it hurts. So when I look at this, I have him as running back, 28.
C
Wow, you're much higher.
B
I haven't. I do have a. Much higher than you guys do.
A
33 for me, 40 for Mike.
B
Would you rather have RJ Harvey this week again, given the limited playing time, but him finding the end zone or Devin Singletary against Chicago?
C
Singletary, that was quick.
A
Harvey.
B
I think I'd rather have Terry's like.
C
Probably the 1A for the Giants, maybe the 1B, but it's a split backfield at the moment. I'm going to take that.
B
Would you rather have RJ Harvey or Jakory Crosby Merritt against the D. Detroit Lions?
C
Man, I do have Crossy Mayor ahead, but I'm RJ playing Detroit.
B
I'm RJ Harvey. What about Bam Knight after what you saw from him? We, we. We picked him up off the waiver wire thinking you'll go bam night.
C
I'll go bam night.
B
You know what, Field? I think you're a smart fantasy player is what I'm going to say. What about Kenny Gainwell? Last one versus the Chargers? Mike, this is your chance.
C
I have.
B
Go ahead, say it.
C
Well, yeah, I've gain.
B
Well, no, it's still RJ Harvey for me against all those guys. I would rather. Now, mind you, he's not super high. However, if you're in a pinch at running back. I would rather start him over any of those dudes.
A
I think by the way, he's related to RJ Harvey.
B
Steve Harvey.
A
Maybe it might be. Not to take anything not to take too much of the wind out of the sails of this competition. I think J.K. dobbins gets the end zone on Thursday night.
C
Ooh, yeah.
A
He's been quiet of the end zone. But I think they're going to be the beast.
C
20 touches, five touchdowns or last.
A
It's insane.
C
Or Harvey hasn't had more than eight touches since. I know.
A
Remark.
C
One touchdown.
B
Unbelievable.
C
I can't buy into that. I'll fade that all day long.
A
All right, here we go. We'll play a little game of field in the blank.
B
I like it.
A
I'm going to read the prompt. I'll give you my answer. We'll go around the table. We don't really need one.
C
Another person.
A
Yeah, we need to each one of us pick apart.
C
Love it.
A
The other person's answers don't be surprised if blank gets hot down the stretch start. We've talked about him a few times already. Don't be surprised if Marvin Harrison Jr gets hot.
B
Oh, nice.
C
Like it, like it, like it.
A
Because of Jacoby Brissette being the starting quarterback now, the pedigree is starting to pay off.
C
Okay, this offense has the easiest rest of season schedule for quarterbacks and receivers. Fifth easiest for tight ends, eighth easiest for running backs. It's the Vikings. So K.J. mcCarthy, everyone else in that offense. But I'm going with that honorable mention. We talked about him before. Jack Besh like it. Deep sleeper.
B
I would say from mine. Don't be surprised if Chase Brown gets hot down this stretch.
A
There we go.
B
Week 13 takes on the Ravens sixth most fantasy points per game to running backs. Week 14 bills top 13. Week 15 Ravens again top six. And then week 16 the dolphins top five. So four of his matchups all top 13 against running backs. Three of those four top six really good playoff matchup for Chase Brown.
A
Blank has his work cut out for him the rest of the season. Debo Samuel has his work cut out from the rest of this season. Debo Samuel over the last three games has four catches for 15 yards, three catches for 11 yards and then a robust five catches for 41 yards. It just feels like father time. Not a high functioning offense. Backup quarterback even with what should be a really good opportunity with no Terry McLaurin. Hard to trust Debo Samuel.
C
This guy's been red hottie but he's 24th in pass attempts, seventh in passing yards, ninth in passing touchdowns this season. But he does not add any value with his legs. Okay, hold on. And he has the hardest rest of season schedule for a quarterback. It is Sam Darnold. Oh, if he can keep it going, he's. He's creeping towards streaming.
A
Yeah, Valley one going into last week. So he obviously every week that that will change a little bit.
C
Yeah, you're thinking about him as a stream, but the schedule gets brutal going forward.
B
So Mike and I are very much in a similar vein here. Mine is Baker Mayfield. Oh, so we mentioned it earlier on the show, all the things that you mentioned and then I just want to quickly mention the schedule. Are they top 12 against the quarterback position or not? Weeks 11 through 16, Patriots, yes, they're 11th best. Bills second best against quarterbacks, Rams fifth best against quarterbacks. Saints, they finally get an easy matchup in there and then Falcons who are top six and Panthers who are top nine. It is an unbelievably difficult schedule for Baker Mayfield down the stretch. And you mentioned unfortunately all the attrition that they have had to deal with. So tough one for him rest of season.
A
Next one here blank was this close to having a much bigger week nine, so I am not counting him out in week ten. Travis Etienne was this close to having a much bigger week 9. Plus I'm not counting him out in week 10. Could have easily punched in one of those 1 yard goal line opportunities, but he had 27 total opportunities. There's been some buzz, some discourse, a batial toon seeing an expanded role to A degree, yes. But 22 carries plus five targets for ETN this past Sunday. Granted they played what, 67, 68 minutes of football. That being said, he has still remained right in control of that backfield.
C
Yeah, no doubt. Mine is Ken Walker iii. We saw coming out of the bye for Seattle. We saw a shift in the Seattle backfield season I 54% of the snaps for Ken Walker. So he didn't turn that into much. But if he remains a lead back going forward, which I think he will. Zach Charbonnet's efficiency has been horrific this year. So I think there's potential here for Walker moving forward.
B
Mine is Rome Adunze because any fantasy points would be significantly more than the zero fantasy points that he scored. He did drop a touchdown that was on his back hip unfortun but because of the DJ Turner shadow that Mike you had talked about, I think he was much closer to having a bigger week nine. And I am not concerned going into week 10. I'm still starting him.
A
I know Mike is going to discuss the matchup potentially tomorrow. I think Ben Johnson takes care of Roma Dunes this week.
B
I hope so.
A
I saw this from some of the Chicago area reporters talking about like Roma Dunes does all the little things well. He's just playing so hard, blocking, contributing in ways to go beyond the box score. Roman is an unbelievable and I think Ben Johnson is a player's coach.
B
Do you think that he's more active on the field, getting dirty, being, doing. Doing all the grit, Stu. Or do you think that his dad is more active on Twitter on his behalf?
A
His dad doesn't care what I think. But his dad needs to stop tweeting.
C
It's.
B
He's. There's been. There's been a lot of discourse on social media.
A
He is a building block superstar for this franchise.
B
I saw that yesterday and went down the rabbit hole.
A
Catches targets, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns. Just leave it be.
C
Good schedule going forward too. It's been good.
A
Next one Blank left some serious meat on the bone in week nine. So I am cautious heading into week ten. Yep. Just discussed him.
C
Tyrone Tracy Jr. That's mine too. Yeah.
A
All right.
C
So just let it go. Yeah. Easy one.
A
He was actually out snapped 31, 25.
B
Mine is Bam Knight because he have a great matchup against the Cowboys. He split so much time with Mike's spirit player in Mari DeMarcado and I. Makes me nervous, honestly.
A
Wouldn't Surprise me if DiMarcado leads the team in rushing attempts this upcoming week. Yep, he ran hard.
C
Yep, he sure did. Trey Benson back, We need him.
B
Definitely cautious.
A
Any. Any suggestions about that? He can play this week, but.
C
Yeah, I haven't heard it. I haven't seen it yet. We'll see if he's designated to return today or not, but it might be another week or two.
A
Coming out of their buy, I predict Blank will have a big week 10. Obviously not a ton of options to choose from. Only four teams, right? So coming out of the buy, I predict Saquon Barkley will have a huge Week 10 against the Packers. We saw what the Panthers did in the running game to the packers this past weekend. Perhaps that power running game gets going as well.
C
All right, I have a bold call here. This is a bold one. But if you're looking for a flex.
A
Right on Duck.
C
This is kind of like a. What do you call it? A blind resume. Okay. And it's coming out of a buy, so only a four team.
B
I was just going to hold Up. Before you say this, can you say which four teams are on a buy? Do you have them? It was the Eagles, the Bucks, the jets and the Browns. When I looked at this, I was like, who's going to take the easy one with the Eagles and the Bucks?
A
I didn't.
C
Ready. This guy's 81st in fantasy points per game position. He's yet to score a touchdown or clear 11.6 fantasy points in a game held without a catch. In his most recent game, dead last in yards per target among wide receivers.
B
Is it Jerry Judy? Yeah.
C
Facing a defense with the fourth highest EPA against the pass, who just traded its top corner? Yes, it is Jerry Judy.
A
Oh, man.
C
Yeah. Sauce Gardnerless jets. So. And they. They're talking about him. He's our best receiver. We gotta get him the ball.
B
Interesting. Okay.
C
It's a bold call quarter. You know, again, don't like the ball. Hold it against me if he, you know. But if you're looking for a flex, there's some reason for optimism.
B
That's fair. I decided to pick the good player on that team, and that's Quin. Sean Judkins going up against the jets with no Quinn and Williams. Yeah. With him being able to come back, be a part of that. So that'll be. We'll see how that one works.
A
We're going to spin the wheel here in one second. We've reached the portion of the season now, like at the beginning of the year, a lot of names because you're still sorting through what they actually are. We're in the middle portion of the season where, like, some of those bold calls are fun because, like, a big Jerry Judy game in week two would be like, well, week one was the outlier. We're now halfway through the regular season games. And then once we get to the playoffs, like, we're not going to be like, yeah, man, I got a good feeling on Jerry Judy.
C
You should be.
A
You should bench, you know, whatever. I don't even know some. You're gonna bench JSN for him? Like, no.
B
Someone says the playoffs.
A
You're playing your guys. Right.
B
If someone says the statement during the playoffs, I have a good feeling on Jerry Judy. Just turn off the podcast and go to a different podcast.
C
I just say that, though. No.
B
Oh, dang it.
A
Oh, shoot.
C
In the playoffs, somebody.
A
Yeah.
C
It was just. The circumstances could be aligned for Judy. Now, remember, what do we talk about the last month or so number or secondary receivers against the Jets. Because Gardner was on the one. He's gone now. I mean, gone. It should be all business for all these guys.
A
Speaking of really playing. But Michael Carter II's also gone.
C
He's also gone, too. He's on Philly. Okay.
B
So speaking of, I just want to see you talk about circumstances. Circumstances arising. I looked at the waiver wire waivers ran last week or last night. Excuse me. Trey Benson is still available in over 50% of fantasy leagues. He was added in 0.7% of leagues. I get it. We don't have news. I know that we don't hear what's going on right now. And I also understand that he might not have like the same name recognition because he took over as the starter for one week and then got hurt. But Trey Benson needs to be added. Go look at your league and find out if Trey Benson is on waivers.
A
When I used to do the waiver wire column, I would just stop writing about players like this because it's just.
B
Like, how many times do I tell you, you need to add him?
A
There's no more you need to say. Like it's been said and clearly people aren't moving on it until they actually see it on the.
C
I mean, I'm hopeful there's a chance he's just like trait Tyrone Tracy was last year where he's like a fringe RB2. Back at RB2. But he also could be RB9 the rest of the season once he's back. I mean, you know, they. They drafted him on day two last year for a reason. Third round place James Connor eventually is their lead back, and you should get that opportunity.
B
All right, let's move ahead to our start. Sorry, excuse me. Spin of the wheel because Mike, unfortunately, you lost.
C
Yeah, unfortunately.
B
Starts of the week.
A
Unfortunately. I was going to say, fortunately, Mike lost.
B
Fortunately.
C
I don't really follow this during game day, but I was like, I'm going to have enough from Rico Dowdle on his. On his own to win this.
B
Oh, you guys.
C
Yeah, and you. But you guys must have crushed it elsewhere because I remember who else I had.
A
I just remember we had a lot of crossover.
B
We did. We did.
C
Let's take a look at the more surprised last week.
B
All right, so field 28.
C
Come on.
A
We have.
C
We had a great week. That explains it.
A
Unbelievable monster week.
B
Give me your lineup real quick.
A
Mine was Sam Darnold, Kareem Hunt, DJ Moore, Colston Loveland for 92.48 points.
C
Had lovely.
A
That's got to be about as good as it gets for week.
B
Yeah, about as good.
C
Even D.J. we all had D.J. more.
B
That's right. I had Sam Darnold, D.J. moore, Colson Loveland. Just like you, Field. All three scored over 22 fantasy points. I had Aaron Jones as my running back for a total of 91.7. Mike, what was your lineup?
C
I had Jordan Love, who let me down again. Rico dowdle crushed it. D.J. moore crushed it. Travis Kelsey was serviceable.
B
He was serviceable.
C
I don't feel really. I72 probably wins me most weeks.
B
Most other weeks, a huge week.
C
Yeah, I don't feel too bad about.
A
Never, like a few weeks when I got 26.
C
Yes. And you won. Bruno, did you win that one?
A
No, I lost.
C
All right, I don't feel too bad about this, but I'll watch. It's going to be the worst punishment, even though I hope so.
A
All right, he hasn't won at all.
B
Spinning of the wheel. It's going to be. Oh, it almost. Almost was.
C
Iceman, write and read a fantasy haiku. I don't have time to write haiku.
A
12 syllables.
C
I can't do that. That's too. That's too much work. No. All right, all right.
B
I thought.
C
Fine.
A
You know what, Mike?
B
All right, we'll do the ice bath.
C
Nope. No, no, no. I was. I was being snarky.
A
All right, someone can confirm it's 12 syllables for a haiku.
C
Yeah, I got it. First thing I need to do Google haiku and remember what you do. I mean, I kind of know, but I gotta get the terms.
B
A haiku is a three line poem with five, seven, five syllable structure.
A
Okay, so it's 17 syllables total.
B
Yes.
C
I got this.
B
All right, that's great. All right, I'll do that.
C
Maybe I'll wear a helmet on Friday. I finally found a helmet that fits. So maybe I'll do the helmet and I'll two for one. I haven't forgotten, guys. All right. I pay off my punishment. Have you always had a big head?
B
Like when you were a child? Did you have a large head?
C
Well, where do you think all these stats are?
B
That's not.
C
What do you think they are?
B
All right. Today's show was presented by Little Caesars. Thank you so much for hanging out with us. We have a ton of fun being able to do the shows we got with you guys. Don't forget to love each other. Be kind to yourself. We're going to come back on Thursday. I can't wait to be able to hear this haiku. We'll see you guys tomorrow.
A
Later.
B
You're in the whole six.
C
Oh, one. Oh, God.
A
Fantasy.
B
Fantasy.
A
Focus.
ESPN (Field Yates, Stephania Bell, Mike Clay, Daniel Dopp)
Episode Date: November 5, 2025
The Fantasy Focus Football crew—Field Yates, Mike Clay, and Daniel Dopp—tackle a wild Week 10 after a trade deadline that shook up fantasy football rosters. They break down the fantasy implications of major deals, share their takes on “impossible to rank” players, debate notable flex options, and play “name games” to help you make week-winning calls. Injury news, depth chart shakeups, and difficult matchups add to the challenge for fantasy managers searching for an edge down the stretch.
(Starts ~02:00)
Seattle Seahawks acquire Rashid Shaheed from the Saints:
Saints WR ripple:
Jaguars acquire Jacobi Myers from Raiders:
Jets trade Sauce Gardner, Quinn and Williams:
QB Change in Arizona:
(Starts ~19:07) Players discussed for fantasy volatility and challenge to rank:
Baker Mayfield (QB, Bucs)
DK Metcalf (WR, Seahawks)
Colston Loveland (TE, Bears)
Stefon Diggs (WR, Patriots)
Breece Hall (RB, Jets)
Dalton Kincaid (TE, Bills)
(~41:05+)
The crew runs through a “name game” for rest-of-season and short-term value, comparing fringe starters/waiver pickups:
(50:09–55:44)
Don’t be surprised if...
Has work cut out for him ROS:
Was close to a bigger Week 9 (bounce-back hopes):
Left meat on the bone (cautious Week 10):
Coming out of the bye, I predict...
(~59:04)
Memorable moment:
“There’s a non-zero chance that for the rest of this season Brock Bowers is the fantasy football MVP.” —Field (09:54)
“His receivers are being promoted from the UFL every week.” —Field, on Baker Mayfield (20:33)
Bottom line:
If you’re struggling to set a confident lineup for Week 10, you are not alone. This episode provides clarity on the “grey area” players, acknowledges the pain points in roster construction, and points toward the waiver wire winners and trade targets that could put you over the top in the stretch run.