Welcome to Week 9

First off I again want to thank everyone for subscribing and giving me such great feedback and support seeing all the active subscribers motivates me to continue this endeavor each and every week. I am currently at 475 subscribers and would love to reach the 500 mark by the end of the season, so spread the love and the word!

I cannot believe how fast this season is flying by and we only have four weeks left of the regular season before playoffs. Weeks 9 and 10 feel challenging as we have a slew of injuries (again) and several good teams on bye week, and the waiver wire is getting thin! Honestly, I could have only put a couple players on here and been done, but I am digging in the weeds trying to grab anything with a pulse.

I will try my best to make it clear which players you should only pick up in byer and injury emergencies aka any warm body playing, and those that are worth stashing with some upside. Please do not drop good or viable players because you feel like you have to make waiver moves, it is ok to hold tight if you don’t need these fill ins. Anyways this wire is not fire or fine this week and definately has a face only a mother can love.

First a look at week 8

Week 8 Waiver Wins

When I say “wins” it is in reference to player(s) won on the waiver wire, not a performance evaluation. Because I am releasing this article after the conclusion of week 8 many things in hindsight may not be a win after all. I include this section not for bragging rights or victory laps, but rather to keep myself accountable and demonstrate that I am in fact bidding on many of the players I am writing about (for better and worse).

Several of the top options were not available or ones I was willing to pay for given the teams’ individual roster. I included the prices I saw these players go for in leagues I am in.

D’Onte Foreman (no shares)

Other league price won $478

CJ Stroud (no shares)

Other league price won $339

Pierre Strong (no shares)

Other leagues price range won $38-$365

Emari Demercado (no shares)

Other leagues price range won $91-$480

Samaje Perine (2 shares)

Winning bid $32, $55

Chase Edmonds (9 shares)

Winning bids $12, $12, $5, $12, $12, $12, $11, $12, $12, other leagues went $8-$16

Chris Rodriguez (5 shares)

Winning bids $8, $11, $11, $1, $1, other league went $3-$10

Jalin Hyatt

Winning bid $68, other league went $82

Demario Douglas (4 shares)

Winning bid $3, $3, $8, $32, other leagues went $68-$91

Jonathan Mingo

Winning bid $1

Rashod Bateman

Winning bid $1, other league went $67

Trayveon Williams

Winning bid $1, other league went $19

Cordarrelle Patterson

Winning bids $1, other league went $20

Rashaad Penny

Winning bid $1, $1

Atlanta Defense (7 shares)

Winning bids $2, $2, $2, $1, $1, $1, $1, other league went $58

Detroit Defense (2 shares)

Winning bid $1, $1

LAC Defense

Winning bid $7

Houston Kicker (2 shares)

Winning bid $1, $1, other leagues went $36

Cleveland Kicker

Winning bid $3, other league went $21

Week 8 Standings

NFFC Prime Time

Buckeye Boomers (5-3) 1st Place 1217.25 pts

The Boomers came out with a big win in week 8 after riding a 40+ point Sam Howell burger to victory, and in spite of Davante Adams single catch game.

Ship Taeking (4-4) 6th Place 1081.70 pts

This team squeaked out a win this week with a modest point total after many of the WRs and TEs put up the duds (Cooper Kupp, Jakobi Meyers, Dalton Schultz). Almost every week we can depend on Tua and Breece Hall to deliver the goods.

Ship Chasing (3-5) 2nd Place 1185.45 pts

This team had a rough loss that really was not their fault. Playing against Jahmyr Gibbs was rough as we should have known Dan Campbell would figure out how to use his 1st round RB stud before Arthur Smith.

Waiver Chasing (6-2) 5th Place 1087.15 pts

My team had a huge win this week, as the point totals are fairly condensed and we have the second highest win total (NFFC puts more emphasis on total points than other leagues). We fell on the right side of the Gibbs explosion here and were able to pair him with Breece Hall.

NFFC Super 12 Team

Shark Jumping 1st Place (5-3) 1119.50 pts

This team had a massive performance this week, living up to its name. The San Fransico triple and DeVonta Smith bounce back on top of rookie sensation Gibbs are where the credit lies here.

NFFC Silver Bullet

Ship Chasing Single Bullet (4-4) 7th Place 1100.80 pts

This was a tough week seeing the worst possible run out for several players including Cooper Kupp, Lamar Jackson, Dameon Pierce, and Nico Collins, better days are ahead.

FFPC Main Event

Chasin’ Go Bills (6-2) 3rd Place 1207pts

This loss hurts, the team ultimately decided to start James Cook with two Miami players questionable. This decision forced us to sit one of the Miami guys, we sat Jaylen Waddle over Raheem Mostert.

SC (Mini Episodes) (5-3) 1st Place 1170.60 pts

This team had a ridiculous win thanks to its roster of GAMS with AJ Brown and Ceedee Lamb, this is why you draft WRs early.

Stat Chasing (5-3) 6th Place 1049.20 pts

This was a tough week for the team no thanks to Bears backfield and Chris Olave bouncing balls off his helmet. The Stat Chasers remain competitive in the middle of the pack and ahead of the Dirty Bois of course.

April/Cranking Purple (3-5) 11th Place 1024.35 pts

I have no idea how this team lost, this is the epitome of bad pod luck. Breece Hall, Devonta Smith, DeAndre Hopkins, Trey McBride and Jake Ferguson???

Slo Bros (4-4) 5th Place 1111.60 pts

Yes another win, Miami in da house and MF’N Mackey award winner Trey McBride!

Chasing Stolen Bananas (6-2) 1st Place 1246.90 pts

This team is beautiful thanks to stud RBs like Christian McCaffrey and Travis Etienne… What did you expect from Shawn Siegele, a zero RB team?

StephWuGee (4-4) 7th Place 1065.60 pts

My main event team suffered a huge loss thanks to my now mortal enemy, Go Bills, who mercilessly used my beloved Cowboys against me aka Ceedee Lamb. This loss put my team in a very undesirable place where our chances for playoff run are dwindling and we need a big miracle.

FFPC FantasyPros Championship

Ball Knower (3-5) 10th Place 1002.60 pts

Another team that won’t give up the fight. The Bengals put up big points here as did rookie TEs Dalton Kincaid and Sam Laporta

Super Shorty (2-6) 12th Place 973.80pts

I love how when I give up all hope the team starts to win, second win in a row for this one.

Scott Fishbowl 13

Stephmiller40 (14-2) 1st Place1982.72 pts

I suffered my first 2 losses this week in what I thought was a slam dunk, now sitting 18th place overall in SFB13. I only needed about 6.5 pts from Davante Adams, and then I missed the league median by .44pts. While I am still recovering, I do appreciate the Raiders attempting to rectify this mistake by firing head coach Josh McDaniels.

Week 9 Waiver Priorities for FFPC/NFFC

Below are all the players I like for Week 9 for FFPC and NFFC leagues. I break down all players into tiers with FAAB suggestions, followed by analysis, and a list of players to consider dropping. This article is also viable for those of you who play in deeper league formats and dynasty leagues, as I try and go deep into the player pool. All stats and data for this article are pulled from Fantasy Life, PFF, Ben Gretch of Stealing Signals, and ETR defense v position FPOE chart and PROE.

Tier 1

Will Levis, Demario Douglas, Khalil Shakir

Suggested FAAB 5-15%

Will Levis is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, the polarizing figure who put mayonnaise in his coffee and was once hyped as a potential first round or even top 5 talent quickly left for dead after falling to the second round. We finally got to see Levis in action and he threw 4 TDs for 234 yds. and no interceptions on only 28 pass attempts, with a 130.1 PFF NFL rating (5th best), indeed an impressive debut for the rookie. Levis was also not afraid to push the ball deep downfield with 29% of passes going for 20+ yards (even if this only amounted to 3 TD passes because of 19 completed passes) and flashed additional upside as a rusher with a couple designed rush plays and willingness to scramble. Obviously we can’t expect this type of TD efficiency and deep ball efficiency on the weekly basis going forward, but the performance was very promising. A rookie flashing this type of talent is worth an add in deep leagues where many fantasy managers have QB injuries and bye weeks. The potential upside is worth a shot rather than settling for the known veteran scrubs.

Demario “Pop” Douglas should be the Patriots number one receiver after Kendrick Bourne had a season ending ACL injury and the possibility Devante Parker misses week 9 with a concussion. Douglas lead the Patriots with 84% routes and 22% of targets with 22% TPPR in week 8. Douglas saw 100% of snaps in 11 personnel with the return of Juju Smith-Schuster whom he split these snaps with earlier in the season further validating his ascension as the leading slot receiver where Smith-Schuster only only played in 11 personnel after the Bourne injury. The Patriots offense may not be the most exciting but the 6th round rookie has demonstrated an ability to earn targets and produce strong YAC ability in college and continues to earn targets in the NFL. These statistical efficiency metrics on top of the increased opportunity due to injuries on the offense instill some confidence that Douglas may produce viable fantasy outputs, making him a priority add at the WR position.

Khalil Shakir was a huge beneficiary when Dawson Knox missed with wrist surgery and the Bills played less 2 TE sets and much more 11 personnel. Shakir ran 73% of routes, much more than Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield who were previously competing for the WR3 role earlier in the season. Shakir also saw 6 targets for 92 yards and was the only one of the three receivers to see any targets, solidifying himself as the preferred WR3 option on the team. Shakir is a nice add at the wide receiver position and can be used in a spot start if Knox continues to miss time forcing the Bills to continue using more 3 WR sets.

Tier 2

Michael Wilson, Jonathan Mingo, Leonard Fournette

Suggested FAAB 1-5%

Michael Wilson is maintaining his usage as the Cardinals WR2 and ran a route on 85% of drop backs and saw 17% target share. Wilson operates as a downfield threat as well, increasing his big play upside. I like collecting these Cardinal pieces ahead of Kyler Murray’s likely week 10 return, where I remain hopeful all the passing weapons increase in value on this offense.

Jonathan Mingo saw a post bye week rookie bump and saw 5 targets for 62 yards, his best performance of the year. Mingo is still not a player you can comfortably start, but is an interesting stash if you believe this young offense can continue to make strides forward.

Leonard Fournette I owe an apology to after calling him a lier in discord and making some insensitive weight related comments. All jokes aside playoff Lenny is back and only has dusty Latavius Murray in his way. Lenny is a capable pass catcher and has enough size to be used at the goal line, a place where Murray has lacked efficiency, demonstrated this week by failing to convert his 2 green zone touches and James Cook just does not get consistent HVT. Josh Allen is also nursing a shoulder injury, all seemingly lining up for a potentially legitimate role in the Buffalo offense now firmly in his range of outcomes.

Tier 3

Donald Parham, Daniel Bellinger, Connor Heyward, Cade Otton

Suggested FAAB 1-3%

Donald Parham saw a season high 56% of routes and 14% target share in a week where Gerald Everett was out with a groin injury. We still want to see Parham get more routes but is a very interesting player at the TE position, especially if Everett misses more time or is limited.

Daniel Bellinger could see a full time role if Darren Waller misses time with hamstring injury, but I worry about the upside of any Giants players with current state of the offense.

Connor Heyward took over the Pat Freiermuth role as expected running 82% of routes with 15% target share in a very low 4.0 aDOT role. He will continue to be an option as long as Freiermuth remains out.

Cade Otton continues to run very high route percentages for a TE, and ran 94% of routes in week 8 and saw 16% of targets. We are still waiting for this volume to produce fantasy points as Otton has lacked efficiency so far this season.

Tier 4

Rashod Bateman, Trey Palmer, Van Jefferson, Jamison Crowder

Suggested FAAB <1-3%

Rashod Bateman saw a decent usage bump this week running 63% of routes and had a couple good looking plays. I have a sickness and this is enough life for me to give him one more chance.

Trey Palmer ran 88% of routes in week 8 marking his highest use this season. Palmer saw a 12% target share in a game where the Buccaneers stuck to a very pass heavy game plan with a 15.6%+ PROE, but has still not been able to produce with the volume. Palmer is a viable stash to see if the rookie can improve on his efficiency.

Van Jefferson saw the highest route participation 79% and target share 17% of the wide receiver group after Drake London left the game with a groin injury. If Drake London misses time Van Jefferson is the wide receiver you want… I guess.

Jamison Crowder stepped up big in light of the Curtis Samuel toe injury running 35% of routes and seeing a 14% target share and finding the end zone in this one. Crowder is a viable PPR option if Samuel misses time or injury continues to linger.

Tier 5

Trayveon Williams, Rashaad Penny, Matt Breida, Chase Edmonds, Michael Carter

Suggested FAAB <1%

Trayveon Williams remains the clear RB2 to Joe Mixon who played 74% of snaps and had a better showing this week. Williams is one of the largest injury contingent stashes in the league and probably my favorite stash of this RB group tier. The rookie, Chase Brown, was placed on IR which further solidifies the chance that Williams would inherit most (if not all) of this massive role should anything happen to Mixon.

Rashaad Penny remains a high upside stash option in case of injury to other RBs behind an elite O line. The Eagles offense is one of the best environments for RB upside in the league aside from losing goal line touches to tushy pushy plays.

Matt Breida is the clear handcuff to Saquon Barkley with no other backs playing offensive snaps and the rookie Eric Gray remains on IR.

Chase Edmonds ran as the number 2 RB in the Buccaneer offense Thursday night, out snapping Ke’Shawn Vaughn While. Any hopes that Edmonds could become the RB1 over Rachaad White, this appear close to dead as White had 7 HVT and his most efficient game of the year, at least as a pass catcher. Edmonds is low priority stash, reflective of the lower upside of Buccaneers backfield to generate fantasy points.

Michael Carter ran behind Breece Hall as the RB2 coming of the bye week generating more snaps (22%) and more routes (26%) than Dalvin Cook (14%,10%) respectively. Dalvin Cook can’t stop complaining about his role on offense and it appears he no longer has any meaningful role.

Tier 6

Julio Jones, Juju Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Donovan Peoples-Jones

Suggested FAAB <1%

Julio Jones scored a TD in this one but his role is still small as he was the 4th WR with a 13% WOPR. Jones likely needs an injury to produce any fantasy viability here but makes for a decent upside stash at the wide receiver position.

Juju Smith-Schuster has been bad, but with the season ending injury to Kendrick Bourne and Devante Parker likely to miss next week with a concussion he should get plenty of work and opportunity.

Tyquan Thornton makes my list because I am sick in the head and hoard players I have unhealthy emotional attachments too… or maybe just slightly obscene best ball shares. Anyhoo, similar thesis to Juju, the Patriots have no one left, and reports are that Thornton could get a shot…to do something… anything.

Donovan Peoples-Jones was one of the few offensive trades made on the Halloween deadline to the Lions. DPJ could compete with Jameson Williams as a field stretcher or simply be a cheap add to replace Marvin Jones Jr. The Lions have a lot of ancillary WRs at this point playing on the rotational basis so this addition is likely a ding to all of them. I wouldn’t bet on DPJ returning usable fantasy value, but he is an ok stash to see how the situation plays out.