by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
While there are some health issues at the bottom of the rankings (Cody Kessler, Geno Smith and Brian Hoyer were all forced out in Week 7 and are out for Week 8), the bigger issue comes thanks to six teams being off on byes. While there are obviously more than enough usable options, the list does come off as shallower than normal. Let’s take a look:
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at Atlanta
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Green Bay
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
- Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Kansas City
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. Seattle
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Washington
- Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – at Tampa Bay
- Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals – at Carolina
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – at Houston
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. Arizona
- Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – at New Orleans
- Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Oakland
- Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – at Cincinnati
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
- Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
- Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets – at Cleveland
- Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
- Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
- Brock Osweiler – Houston Texans – vs. Detroit
- Trevor Siemian – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
- Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – vs. New England
- Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
- Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota
Thoughts:
- Is Aaron Rodgers “back”? He’s now thrown for 294 yards or more in back-to-back games, including 326 with 3 TD and 0 INT against the Bears in Week 7. This week he draws a Falcons defense that has allowed the second most passing yards this season (2,157) and has been the most prone to running backs catching the football (league high 476 yards). With the Packers new approach, utilizing Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb as a RB, that’s going to be something Green Bay exploits. While you may be skeptical given Rodgers’ struggles this season, he’s the best bet for a big day.
- Russell Wilson has a juicy matchup against the Saints, but he has either 0 TD or 1 TD in five of his six games this season (5 TD total). He also isn’t adding value with his legs, something we’ve long become accustomed to him doing, totaling 22 carries for 33 yards (over the past four games he has 13 carries for 3 yards). He’s still a QB1 thanks to his upside, but we have to temper our expectations.
- In three starts at home this season Andrew Luck has averaged 346.0 yards per game (259.0 on the road), while throwing 7 TD against 1 INT. As long as he avoids interceptions (the Chiefs have 10 of them), he should be in store for another big day.
- Over the past three weeks Marcus Mariota has 8 TD vs. 1 INT, while also scoring a rushing TD and posting a pair of 60+ rushing yard games. The Jaguars aren’t an easy matchup, but he’s done enough to consider him a viable streaming option.
- Generally we shy away from quarterbacks facing the Seattle Seahawks. However they’ve now allowed 300+ yard passing yards in back-to-back weeks and draw Drew Brees and the Saints, with the game coming in New Orleans. We all know how well Brees generally plays at home, so he’s not a player to shy away from due to matchup concerns.
- The Raiders have allowed the most passing yards to opposing QB this season (2,160), so how can we not like Jameis Winston this week? Obviously his questionable receiving corps does limit his value a bit, but there’s a good chance that Mike Evans has a monster day and helps guide Winston to a big day.
Hi prof. Would u drop hunter Henry ros.? Is he gonna get targets. Or should I stream each week a te? And is is time to drop Jordan Howard and Eli thanks
Hey Prof,
So with Foster’s announcement I’m left with a roster spot to fill. I wish it was last week so I could have replaced him with Ayjai, but such is FF. I’m in a 10 team standard and the folks available aren’t particularly exciting. I’d like to pick up someone who might grow into a starter over the coming weeks. I picked up Booker (given his carries and how Anderson tends to fade over the course of a season), but there are a few other interesting players that I’d like your thoughts on. Here are the folks on the waiver wire I think might work:
RB: Booker (currently have), Powell,
WR: Coates, Coleman,
Current team:
QB: Brady
RB: Miller, Ware, Bernard, Martin, Booker, D Lewis
WR: Green, Edelman, Matthews, G Tate, J Brown
TE: Eifert
K: Gostkowski
D: NE
I’m
Odd, the page locked up while I was typing the last sentence. I was about to mention that I’m contemplating dropping NE’s defense for either KC, Houston, or Philly because week 9 is bye-agedon for me (Brady, Edelman, Lewis, Gost, NE D, Green, Eifert, Bernard, Miller, Brown all on byes) and I’m working to salvage points if I can’t be competitive.
Thoughts?
I just looked at an updated list and these players are available too:
RB: J Howard, Langford, Jennings
WR: Watkins, M. Floyd, S Smith, Britt
TE: Ertz, Pitta, Rudolph, Ebron
D: Carolina, TN
Same question yet again: Blake or Tyrod?
What’s up Proffesor? Eli on a bye. Wire has Fitz, Brock Siemian,Cutler or who ever starts for the Browns. That’s literally it. Who you got? KC or Jets defense? Start C.Thompson, Peyton Barber or Rob Kelley or DeAndre Washington? Thank you for the thoughts
Barney – Eli definitely not. The other two are droppable, but it all depends on the type of alternatives that are available
Gern – With the Jets likely to start looking towards the future, Powell could see an expanded role. He’s def. the guy I’d like to stash most (aside from Booker). As for the D, I’d be OK with it if it’s what you need to do.
Krysta – Bortles, but doesn’t mean I like it.
Beans – Fitzpatrick for me for QB. I guess Jets D due to matchup and Thompson for the RB spot, though they all stink
Thanks Prof,
Just so I’m sure…
1. Booker
2. Powell
Right?
Yep
Hey professor, I need to pick up a qb who would you go with. Siemain, Prescott, a.smith, Palmer or fitz.
Palmer, and it’s not close for me
Hey prof no great qbs out there. Got mariota. Ros off waiver Prescott or Eli thanks
Hey Professor
Is K. Cousins trustworthy this week?
I have two Flex Spots in Standard league: Need two of the following: J. Hill, Will Fuller, Michael Thomas, D. Moncrief or Quincy Enunwa. Thanks for any advice.
Donnie
Barney- id go Eli
Donnie – Cousins is a borderline QB1. As for the FLEX Id probably lean Hill & Thomas, but I don’t love it
For this week, Bortles or Wentz?
Hi drop Palmer and pick up Winston for remainder of season? I have Carr as well STandard
Avi – Bortes
Dez – nope, I’m going Palmer