The Quarterback Carousel Continues

How is everyone? Sorry for the delayed sending. Thursday night I was dealing with some seasonal sickness and, quite frankly, plain exhaustion. So I did the right thing and got some rest instead of sticking it out and cranking out a newsletter on top of everything else. Maybe that’s weak, maybe that’s commendable, it depends on who you ask I guess.

The trade deadline wasn’t all that exciting for fantasy purposes unless you play IDP leagues and have Chase Young or Montez Sweat. But, we will still get to the quarterback moves of Jaren Hall, Joshua Dobbs, Aidan O’Connell, and Clayton Tune, plus the Browns trading away Donovan Peoples-Jones.

I swept Monday and Thursday, quite thankfully for the sake of my pride. I was 5-3 entering the week, and I’m now 7-3. I just know she’s due for a win now.

My lineup started with putting Diontae in at captain and I built it, felt good, and then found out I still had enough money to put in Derrick Henry at captain, so I made the switch. It wasn’t a bad decision, just not the best one. Diontae ended up being the optimal captain in the contest we were in. Granted, I didn’t include both Steelers RBs and Kyle Phillips like the winning lineup did, but I felt terrible knowing I could have had a slightly better night. Still cashed though.

Thursday Night Fantasy Recap

DIONTAE JOHNSON SCORED A TOUCHDOWN! That is the main storyline for me from the Steelers on Thursday. Finally, it’s about time. Johnson did his best Jakobi Meyers impression last year and for a few weeks this year, but the cold streak has ended. George Pickens nearly caught a touchdown as well but stepped out of bounds. Pickens going 2 for -1 yards is not something I would have expected against the Titans’ suspect pass defense.

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren continue to split the workload, with Warren once again showing he is much more explosive. Mike Tomlin typically lets one back become the workhorse, but it’s different this season. Is it some sense of loyalty to Najee since they drafted him so highly? I’m not sure. But Warren should be getting more work. Also, maybe the Titans’ run defense is not what it was early in the season.

Will Levis had a mild “coming back to earth” game, but not one that was a massive crash-and-burn type. He only completed 56% of his passes on Thursday but his 7.4 Y/A over his two starts is on par with Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, and Matthew Stafford.

No mistake, Derrick Henry still rules this team and he now gets a pass-catching bump, which is 👌. Kyle Phillips is having a nice return to action and led the team in receiving yards. Watch Treylon Burks's status in concussion protocol because if he misses Phillips could be interesting. DeAndre Hopkins led the team in targets with 11 but only caught four of them. I would have hoped for better efficiency but that more or less evens out his incredible Sunday performance.

Things to look out for in Week 9

• 🤠 Jake Ferguson, Travis Kelce, and Mark Andrews are the only tight ends with more than 10 red zone targets in 2023. Kelce and Andrews have four and six RZ touchdowns respectively. Ferguson has two.

• We have new (or newish) starting quarterbacks this Sunday: Aiden O’Connell, Jaren Hall, and Clayton Tune. O’Connell looks to get the best chance to remain a long-term starter. Hall and Tune have Joshua Dobbs and Kyler Murray to worry about behind them. I wouldn’t rush to waivers to grab any of them unless they are still available in superflex formats.

• 🇺🇸 Washington just traded away two of their top defensive lineman at the deadline, which could open things up a little more for Rhamondre Stevenson and Mac Jones. Am I interested in starting Jones? No. Stevenson? Yes. Running room should be there and so should the receiving work.

• Speaking of receiving, Demario Douglas has come alive and started to make an impact. Douglas played well in week 1 but was not a consistent part of the Patriots rotation until week 7. Since then he has caught 9-of-13 targets for 79 yards. And he’s ran the ball twice for 24 yards. I won’t say he’s a sure start but if you’re in need at receiver then Douglas is worth a shot.

• 🟠 → 🦁 The Browns traded away one of my favorite players, Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Lions. He was the clear WR3 on the team behind Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, and in a contract year, he was expendable. It seems to me he has the chance to beat out Josh Reynolds as their WR2, but more than likely he is once again a WR3. Kalif Raymond and Jameson Williams aren’t cutting it, and on a team that has playoff aspirations, depth is paramount. DPJ has been productive in the past, and it’s worth monitoring to see if he can get back to that level again.

• While we’re on the Browns, Deshaun Watson is back this week. Temper expectations because there is no telling how he’ll do in his first game back, but I expect a lot of usage for Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt while he eases his way back.

• In the Minnesota vs Atlanta matchup, it’s Addison, Hockenson, the Falcons RBs and I’m out. If you have to start Kyle Pitts, then so be it. I just don’t know what to expect with the changes in the offense for both teams.

• 🐴 Start your Colts RB against the Panthers, be it Taylor or Moss. The Panthers have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns and the fifth-best yards per carry in 2023.

• ☠️ and 🏙️ Let’s keep the RB talk rolling. For Vegas vs New York, the running backs are in focus. The Raiders have allowed the second most yards to running backs this year and the fourth most points. Saquon is the unquestioned best player in the offense and should be in for a good week both in season-long and in DFS, where he’s pretty much a cash-game lock. Josh Jacobs had eight catches in Adian O’Connell’s lone start, and if he sees any sort of similar target share, he could smash even with the Giants being a little more stout on defense in recent weeks.

That’s all for this week! Go win yourself some matchups (and some money, make sure you’re in the discord!) and I’ll see you next week!