Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters he considers James Starks his top back, based on what he’s earned. Even healthy, Eddie Lacy is 2. (Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: It sure seems that way on the field. Starks has outplayed Lacy this season and makes for an interesting play at home this week against the Lions in a plus matchup. Eddie Lacy will still see action but he won’t be a recommended fantasy option.
The Chargers and Raiders have reached an agreement for Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger to become the chairman of their bid to build a stadium in Carson, California, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. The Carson stadium group has since confirmed the news, officially announcing it in a press release.
According to La Canfora, the move is a potential game-changer, given Iger’s “world-renowned reputation” in the entertainment business, and his expertise on the Los Angeles market. Iger will oversee all the major initiatives on the project, including stadium design, naming rights, and fan experience, in addition to guiding the construction and operation of the new building.
Of course, before the Carson project is able to move forward with Iger at the helm, it will have to get approval from the NFL. Prior to this development, the Carson stadium plan already had about 16-20 votes of support, by some owner’s estimates, says La Canfora. It would require the support of 24 of the league’s 32 owners in order to proceed.
Several high-profile team owners are believed to be leaning toward Stan Kroenke‘s Inglewood project, believing that the location may be stronger and expressing confidence in Kroenke’s “exhaustive real estate experience.” However, given Iger’s inclusion in the Carson plan, there’s a chance some of those owners re-evaluate their preference.
With meetings taking place this week on Los Angeles relocation, there are plenty of other items to round up related to the Rams, Chargers, Raiders, and L.A. Let’s dive in….
After missing nearly the entire 2013 and 2014 seasons, Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta will sit out for the year again in 2015, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Pitta, who started the season on the PUP list, began practicing three weeks ago, so he would have had to be activated to the 53-man roster today in order to avoid being placed on season-ending IR.
Pitta, who has suffered multiple major hip injuries, has been advised by doctors that it’s not safe to return to the NFL at this point, sources tell Zrebiec. Although Pitta hoped to return anyway, Ravens officials and the coaching staff wanted him to follow the advice of those doctors, to avoid risking re-injury.
While he won’t play this season, Pitta isn’t announcing his retirement from the NFL just yet, suggesting he’s hoping he can make a comeback in 2016. However, his contract with Baltimore will no longer feature any guaranteed money after this season, so his place on the roster won’t be secure, and the 30-year-old has previously suggested his career might be over if he can’t return this season.
Since recording career-best marks in receptions (61), yards (669), and touchdowns (7) in 2012, Pitta has appeared in just seven games for the Ravens, having seeing his career derailed by health issues. It was only about 20 months ago that the Ravens signed Pitta to a five-year, $32MM contract extension, which included $16MM in guaranteed salary. Needless to say, Pitta hasn’t been able to provide much production over the life of that contract so far, and with his cap hit set to jump to $7.2MM next year, he seems unlikely to continue playing in Baltimore.
Between injury replacements and changing of roles, there were plenty of high-priority options for the Week 10 waiver wire. If you still need help, however, there are likely a few sleepers still available.
James Starks and Karlos Williams should have been the top picks, as they are two quality running backs who will get touches whether their teammates are healthy or not. At receiver, Kamar Aiken is a holdover from last week and should be the No. 1 target for the Baltimore Ravens.
For those who missed out on these players and need immediate help, here are some more options to target in the free-agent pool. All players are available in at least 70 percent of ESPN leagues.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins
After topping 300 yards and three touchdowns before his bye in Week 7, Kirk Cousins came back to earth with just 217 passing yards and one late score in garbage time against the New England Patriots in Week 9. Then again, the struggles were hardly his fault, as noted by Michael McCann of Sports Illustrated:
The Patriots are a solid opponent, but it appeared to simply be a bad day for his receivers that prevented Cousins from putting up bigger numbers.
As long as his luck turns around in Week 10, the quarterback could be primed for a huge day against a struggling New Orleans Saints defense. The unit has allowed at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in each of the last three games, including 10 total scores in the past two.
The Rob Ryan unit hasn’t done much to affect passers, and Cousins can be the next in line to enjoy open receivers all day long. You like that!
James White, RB, New England Patriots
With Dion Lewis out of the picture with a torn ACL, the Patriots need someone to step up into the all-important pass-catching running back role. Although Brandon Bolden got the immediate work after the injury, James White appears likely to take over going forward.
Although no one will be able to replace Lewis’ production, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took the time this week to praise the new key player, per Tom E. Curran of CSN New England:
James is a very consistent guy. He comes to work. He’s got a great attitude and approach, is always prepared to go in and fulfill any of the roles that we have for our backs. He’s a dependable guy. He can handle a lot of different assignments, and then when we’ve needed him to play this season, he’s certainly been a guy who has done a decent job in blitz pickup. He’s caught the football well out of the backfield, and then he’s made yards with it when he’s had it in his hands.
The Patriots offense is productive enough for two running backs to merit fantasy consideration, even with LeGarrette Blount likely handling the majority of carries. Both Blount and Lewis enter the week in the top 20 at the position in standard-league fantasy points this season. White won’t be able to easily replicate what Lewis provided, but the opportunity is there for some big games.
It would certainly be a risky play to start him in Week 10 considering you never know what head coach Bill Belichick is thinking, but if he does play as expected, White could have strong numbers against the New York Giants’ No. 22-ranked run defense.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans
Between a coaching change and Kendall Wright’s injury, Dorial Green-Beckham finally got a chance to show what he could do. In Week 9, he came through with five catches for 77 yards on a team-high 10 targets.
Rich Hribar of Rotoworld noted this continued a steady rise in playing time:
Green-Beckham finished the day with 48 snaps, second only to Harry Douglas with 59, per Pro Football Focus. Considering the rookie has a lot more upside, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get even more opportunities going forward. The targets certainly indicate the team wants him involved in the offense.
At 6’5″, 237 pounds, with excellent speed and hands, the receiver has a chance to be a game-changer in the NFL. With Marcus Mariota now healthy and throwing the ball well, this could be a top connection going forward.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Jacob Tamme is the better option if you are looking for a long-term replacement at tight end, but the Atlanta Falcons are on bye this week. This leaves Kyle Rudolph as the best sleeper play available at the position.
Although the fifth-year tight end hasn’t been productive this season, he is getting opportunities. The Minnesota Vikings threw the ball 27 times Sunday, and Rudolph ran 24 routes, per PFF. He went out for a pass the same number of times the week before.
It seems like he is staying in to block more often, but the reality is he is just not getting open enough.
That could change in Week 10 against the Oakland Raiders defense. The squad has been awful at defending tight ends this season, allowing nine total touchdowns to the position, including at least one in seven of eight games. Unsurprisingly, they have allowed the most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing tight ends.
Rudolph will get his chances Sunday, it will simply come down to his ability to find an opening and make a play when the ball comes his way.
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Your fantasy football team has likely seen a lot of changes over the first half of the NFL season. Don’t expect that to change in the second half.
The key to running a championship team is being able to adjust to whatever happens. Whether there are injuries, role changes or just poor play, make sure you are always willing to switch things up to get the best lineup possible. Factor in the matchups as well to avoid a poor performance wherever possible.
Although you can’t predict the future, you will have a better chance of winning if you make the right adjustments each week. Here is a look at some ideas to get you started heading into Week 10.
Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
With the Jacksonville Jaguars still losing games, few might have noticed that Blake Bortles has put up some impressive numbers this season. At the midway point he has 2,193 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, including multiple scores in six of eight games.
He discussed his improvement from last year with Sirius XM NFL Radio:
This is, of course, referring to Greg Olson the Jaguars offensive coordinator, not Greg Olsen, tight end for the Carolina Panthers. In any case, the quarterback has improved in downfield throws while finding Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns on a regular basis.
Although he still needs to work on his accuracy and avoid mistakes, this isn’t much of a problem for fantasy owners. Stick him in your lineup and let him rack up the points, whether it helps his own team or not.
Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The numbers haven’t quite been there lately for Jeremy Hill, who has just 11 fantasy points combined in standard leagues over the past two weeks. He remains an inefficient runner (3.3 yards per carry) and has only scored in two games this year.
However, the important thing is he is still a major part of the offense and has at least 15 carries in three straight games. Giovani Bernard is not going away, but the two backs have had a relatively even split in snaps over the past two weeks (68 for Bernard, 66 for Hill, per Pro Football Focus).
This opportunity should eventually lead to more production, hopefully against a Houston Texans defense that is ranked 27th in rushing yards allowed per game.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins
Although Pierre Garcon has only one double-digit game this season, anyone can look good against the New Orleans Saints defense. The unit has allowed 10 passing touchdowns over the past two games to Eli Manning and Marcus Mariota and can now make Kirk Cousins look like Sammy Baugh.
Tom Pelissero of USA Today summed up the unit easily:
Garcon finished with 70 receiving yards last week and tied for the team high with eight targets. As the team’s primary receiver (even with DeSean Jackson back), he has a chance to find a lot of openings and see plenty of opportunities for big chunks of yardage.
If he gets into the end zone, it will be a nice sleeper start for fantasy teams.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills
The New York Jets defense isn’t quite as scary as it was earlier in the season after Tom Brady and Derek Carr put up big numbers in recent weeks, but there is still a lot of talent both up front and in the secondary.
This could be bad for Tyrod Taylor, who appears healthy but is limited when it comes to weapons around him. Sammy Watkins returned from injury to post eight catches for 168 yards and a touchdown, but Taylor didn’t complete a single pass to another receiver in Week 9. LeSean McCoy had two catches for seven yards, although he is questionable for Thursday. Tight end Charles Clay had the only other completion for Buffalo.
If Darrelle Revis and the Jets find a way to even slow down Watkins, Taylor will have few alternatives and could really struggle to move the ball.
Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos
It seemed like Ronnie Hillman was set to take over as the primary running back in the Denver Broncos backfield, but now it appears to be a split with C.J. Anderson back in charge. Hillman certainly didn’t help his case with just one rushing yard on seven carries in Week 9.
ESPN.com’s Mike Clay broke down the committee situation:
After trailing Ronnie Hillman in snaps during each of the previous two games, C.J. Anderson paced the unit against the Colts. Anderson was on the field for 26 plays, while “starter” Hillman played 24. A 72-yard run by Hillman aside, the backs have been about even this season, but Anderson is a better blocker and the team’s preferred option on passing downs.
The Broncos were forced to play from behind in a rare circumstance this season, which limited Hillman to just seven carries after totaling 39 in the previous two games. Still, Anderson has been the better back over the last two weeks, and the coaching staff is clearly fine going with the hot hand.
Against a solid Kansas City Chiefs run defense, Hillman should remain on your bench.
John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Fantasy owners were certainly upset when John Brown was active two weeks ago but didn’t play a down. He should be healthy coming out of the bye, although the starting job might no longer be his, per Britt McHenry of ESPN:
Head coach Bruce Arians explained Michael Floyd could get the nod, and it will definitely be deserved after totaling 215 receiving yards over the last three games with a touchdown in each. The former first-round pick finally appears healthy and ready to play a big role in the Arizona Cardinals offense.
While Brown should still have a role, it will at the very least be reduced. This is not good against an elite Seattle Seahawks defense that knows how to stop the deep ball. With a smaller role and a tough matchup, Brown is too risky to start.
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