Waiver Watch:
After an explosive game last week putting up 32 points and 206 rushing yards, the Panthers’ Rico Dowdle has recently come to the attention of many Fantasy managers. This week, Dowdle will challenge the Cowboys, his former team that he had a bad falling out with last season. I am certain that he will play with a different attitude that will produce another amazing performance.
The Falcons’ sophomore quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been a great secondary Fantasy quarterback. In his Week 4 showdown against a tough Commanders defense, he put up a very impressive 19 points. After taking a bye week in Week 5, he will play the next 13 weeks without a break. I expect him to replicate and even go beyond this great performance.
Trade Targets:
A player to trade away is the Saints’ Alvin Kamara. After a mediocre first two weeks, his point production has plummeted to averages of around 10 points. While his trade stock is going to be abnormally high throughout the season due to his pro bowl name, a trade for him could result in a big win for any Fantasy team.
Quarterback Joe Flacco, recently traded to the Bengals, now has a talented receiver room, fit with Chase Brow, Ja’Maar Chase and Tee Higgins. He has been playing in the league for so long, so his quarterback IQ will likely help both the Bengals and his Fantasy performance. He’s a good secondary quarterback to trade for, especially since he will play against the subpar Packers defense next week.
Injury Interruption:
The Chargers’ star running back Omarion Hampton suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter on Sunday, placing him on the IR indefinitely. The past three games have been amazing for him, so keeping him on the bench is the best play while waiting for him to return.
I expect the 49ers’ star tight end George Kittle and Raiders’ Brock Bowers to finally make a return in the next two weeks, based on their coaches’ positive comments. Both are rostered on virtually every Fantasy team, and their absence has been felt by both managers and opponents.
Rising Rookies:
My prediction about the Raiders’s Ashton Jeanty was correct. He continues to shine putting up season highs the past two weeks, with a combined score of almost 50 Fantasy points. In the absence of star tight end Brock Bowers, the Raiders will go to their run game significantly more, as the rest of their receiver core is weak. This means as Jeanty plays against a weak Titans defense next week, he will continue to lead this wave of offense, and hopefully secure his place into the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Commanders’ Jacory Croskey-Merritt finally performed well, scoring 27 points. After excelling? against a strong run defense in the Chargers, he will play a weak Bears defense in the coming week, where he can continue the start of his impressive rookie campaign. While he’s maintained a secondary running back position on many Fantasy teams, he may be on some waivers or a trade worth making.
Blown Bets:
Now is the time to drop Raiders’ Geno Smith. After a significant drop in production since Week 3, he has scored less than 16 points over the past two weeks. As he goes against tough defenses like the Chiefs and the Broncos in the near future, there are numerous other quarterbacks on the market to pick up.
Ravens’ Mark Andrews has been severely underperforming this season, with the exception of a standout performance of 27 points against a top-tier Lions defense. The next few teams he faces are relatively easier opponents, like the Rams, Bears and Dolphins, but there is no telling if he will finally improve his uneventful start to the season.
Although all these predictions are based on stats and logic, nobody can foresee what will happen in any given Fantasy league. It is up to you as a manager to make your roster choices and hope for the best.
