Some big performances really saved us last week. We had a combined 6.2 points between our two runningbacks, one receiver and our flex position. Somehow, we still went on to score 71.38 fantasy points. That’s slightly impressive in itself, outside of the fact that we laid an egg on just under a half of our lineup last week. If it wasn’t for the likes of Daniel Jones, Jamison Crowder and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Defense, I would have deleted my twitter account to never be seen again, but here we are, still kicking it. Let’s see what we can do in Week 9.
This is a series where I construct a hypothetical fantasy football lineup using players that are owned in less than 40-percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues. The goal of the series is to top 100 PPR fantasy points using the make-shift team. The premise is to show that there is readily available value at all times across most waiver wires. You can find last week’s results below.
Jones had the Giants in a close one with the Chiefs, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Bolden ran the ball four times for 26 yards and Samaje Perine caught two passes for 16 yards. Kalif Raymond didn’t record a catch. Crowder was one of our top performers in Week 8 as he caught eight-of-nine targets for 84 yards and converted a two point conversion. Tyler Conklin caught five passes for 67 yards. Russell Gage didn’t catch a single pass as well. The Philadelphia Eagles were our big winners of the week scoring 21 fantasy points, allowing just six points to the Lions and recovering a fumble for a touchdown.
Week 8 Results
Daniel Jones (New York Giants) - 17.08 points
Brandon Bolden (New England Patriots) - 2.6 points
Samaje Perine (Cincinnati Bengals) - 3.6 points
Kalif Raymond (Detroit Lions) - 0 points
Jamison Crowder (New York Jets) - 16.4 points
Tyler Conklin (Minnesota Vikings) - 10.7 points
Russell Gage (Atlanta Falcons) - 0 points
Philadelphia Eagles - 21 points
Total: 71.38 points
Week 9 Lineup
Quarterback
Jimmy Garappolo (San Francisco 49ers) - Owned in 19% of Yahoo and 5.4% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. ARI
Call me a homer but I’m lining up Jimmy G for the B-Team this week. He had his best performance of the season last week in Chicago, throwing for 322 yards. He has thrown just two touchdowns in his last three starts, but will likely get George Kittle back this week. Garappolo used his legs last week to rush for two touchdowns. It seems that Kyle Shannahan has incorporated his rushing around the goal line into the game plan. That’s a big upside for Jimmy G this week.
Runningback
Derrick Gore (Kansas City Chiefs) - Owned in 36% of Yahoo and 4.6% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. GB
Derrick Gore ran the ball 11 times last week against the Giants, just barely being untouched by fill-in-starter Darrel Williams; 13 to 11. Gore did get the touchdown over Williams, punching in a three-yard rush. As long as Clyde Edwards-Helaire is sidelined, Gore did enough last week to take touches from Williams this week against the Packers.
Carlos Hyde (Jacksonville Jaguars) - Owned in 31% of Yahoo and 21.9% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. BUF
Carlos Hyde may be in line for a big workload in Week 9. James Robinson is questionable with a heel injury and the Jaguars are getting the Bills, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing runningbacks. Maybe the Jags are conservative with James Robinson going against the tough Bills’ defense, allowing Hyde to get an extended workload. Anyhow, he has the upside to have a decent game so that’s why he’s here.
Wide Receivers
Van Jefferson Jr. (Los Angeles Rams) - Owned in 36% of Yahoo and 37.6% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. TEN
Van Jefferson Jr. has seen at least four targets in this high flying Rams’ offense in each of the last six games. In four of them, he’s seen at least six. He’s getting plenty of volume as the WR3 in this offense and gets the Tennessee Titans this week, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season.
Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens) - Owned in 36% of Yahoo and 25% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. MIN
Rashod Bateman has seen six targets in each of the two games he has played this season. The Ravens get the Vikings this week as well, who have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. He’s fresh off a bye after logging his first two NFL games, I’m expecting a big week out of Bateman and the Ravens’ this week.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) - Owned in 33% of Yahoo and 29.6% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: vs. CHI
The tight end position is one of the hardest for rookies to transfer from college into the NFL. As we surpass the midway point of the season, the Penn State product is starting to hit his stride. He’s seen seven targets in each of the Steelers’ last two games. The matchup isn’t ideal against the Bears this week, but Freiermuth is becoming one of Big Ben’s go-to-targets. Honestly, the fact that he is owned in less than 40-percent of leagues is insane.
Flex
Bryan Edwards (Las Vegas Raiders) - Owned in 30% of Yahoo and 24.7% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: @NYG
There is now a big void in the Raiders’ offense as the team parted ways with Henry Ruggs III this past week for obvious reasons. Edwards may be the first in line to see a production spike due to this. The Giants have allowed the 11th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Edwards has seen at least four targets in all but one game thus far this season and has seen five or more in three of them.
Defense
Las Vegas Raiders - Owned in 19% of Yahoo and 21.6% of ESPN leagues
Week 9 Matchup: @NYG
The Raiders’ defense has played a bit inspired since the departure of former head coach Jon Gruden. In the two games without Gruden, the Raiders have victories over the Broncos and Eagles, where they’ve allowed 46 combined points, seven sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. The Giants are a bit hot after playing the Kansas City Chiefs close, but they still have allowed the 13th most fantasy points to opposing fantasy defenses.
Week 1 Results
Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) - 19.06 points
Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia Eagles) - 12.3 points
Ty Johnson (New York Jets) - 3.6 points
Terrace Marshall Jr. (Carolina Panthers) - 5.6 points
Tyrell Williams (Detroit Lions) - 3.4 points
Tyler Conklin (Minnesota Vikings) - 8.1 points
Bryan Edwards (Las Vegas Raiders) - 12.1 points
Jacksonville Jaguars - -3 points
Total: 61.16 points
Week 2 Results
Teddy Bridgewater (Denver Broncos) - 21.22 points
Tony Jones Jr. (New Orleans Saints) - 0.7 points
Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia Eagles) - 7.2 points
Tim Patrick (Denver Broncos) - 12.7 points
Bryan Edwards (Las Vegas Raiders) - 7 points
Cole Kmet (Chicago Bears) - 1 points
Jameison Crowder (New York Jets) - 0 points
Chicago Bears - 20 points
Total: 69.82 points
Week 3 Results
Teddy Bridgewater (Denver Broncos) - 11.8 points
Trenton Cannon (San Francisco 49ers) - 0 points
Peyton Barber (Las Vegas Raiders) - 23.2 points
Sammy Watkins (Baltimore Ravens) - 10.8 points
Emmanuel Sanders (Buffalo Bills) - 26.4 points
Evan Engram (New York Giants) - 2.1 points
Hunter Renfrow (Las Vegas Raiders) - 18.7 points
Las Vegas Raiders - 4 points
Total: 97 points
Week 4 Results
Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) - 33.54 points
Royce Freeman (Carolina Panthers) - 1.2 points
Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia Eagles) - 20.9 points
Sammy Watkins (Baltimore Ravens) - 8.9 points
Hunter Renfrow (Las Vegas Raiders) - 16.5 points
Tyler Conklin (Minnesota Vikings) - 5.8 points
Chester Rogers (Tennessee Titans) - 11.3 points
Dallas Cowboys - 8 points
Total: 106.14 points
Week 5 Results
Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers) - 15.58 points
Samaje Perine (Cincinnati Bengals) - 18.3 points
Khalil Herbert (Chicago Bears) - 7.5 points
Kadarius Toney (New York Giants) - 29.6 points
Olamide Zaccheaus (Atlanta Falcons) - 4 points
Cameron Brate (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - 2.2 points
Jamison Crowder (New York Jets) - 8.4 points
Atlanta Falcons - 5 points
Total: 90.58
Week 6 Results
Taylor Heinicke (Washington Football Team) - 10.28 points
Brandon Bolden (New England Patriots) - 1.2 points
Jerrick McKinnon (Kansas City Chiefs) - 2.5 points
Tim Patrick (Denver Broncos) - 3.6 points
T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts) - 12 points
Ricky Seals-Jones (Washington Football Team) - 15.8 points
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions) - 9.6 points
Jacksonville Jaguars - 3 points
Total: 57.98 points
Week 7 Results
Carson Wentz (Indianapolis Colts) - 20.3 points
Devonta Freeman (Baltimore Ravens) - 12.9 points
Mark Ingram II (Houston Texans) - 5.7 points
Rashod Bateman (Baltimore Ravens) - 11 points
Russell Gage (Atlanta Falcons) - 16.7 points
Evan Engram (New York Giants) - 10.4 points
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions) - 0 points
Las Vegas Raiders - 6 points
Total: 83 points