Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 10 of the 2023 NFL Season

Wow, it’s hard to believe we’re already past the halfpoint season in fantasy. Hopefully it hasn’t hurt as much as it seems, but the going has definitely been rough. Here’s to a second half resurgence!

 

Titans – 16 @ Steelers – 20

• As is often the case with rookie QBs, Will Levis(22/262/0/1) fell back to earth the week after a 4 TD game in his first start. No word yet who will be under center in WK10, but Levis could bounce back against a Tampa team that fellow rookie QB CJ Stroud just broke a rookie record against.

 

• Kyle Phillips(4/68) led the Titans in receiving, which I guess isn’t all that surprising considering he’s kind of an underneath route, chain mover. DeAndre Hopkins(4/60) is still Levis’ favorite target by far though, garnering 11 looks on the day, but Philips could be worth a look in deeper PPR formats this week if Treylon Burks(head) sits.

 

• George Pickens(2/-1) was not happy after the game, scrubbing his socials of all things Steelers related after the fact. I get it. He would be a superstar of epic proportions on most other teams, but that just isn’t the reality of his situation. Diontae Johnson(7/90/1) is getting top billing for reasons unbeknownst to me. Things don’t look up this week against a top 10 Packers secondary, but maybe you can still trade for Pickens in your league. His talent is undeniable.

 

Dolphins – 14 @ Chiefs – 21

• Jeff Wilson(5/38) was heavily involved in the passing game Sunday, getting 4 targets, but it might be all for naught as Devon Achane is able to return from IR after the bye this week.

 

• It was a strange win for the Chiefs, as no KC pass-catcher had more than 35 yards on the day. Rashee Rice(2/17/1) did catch a TD though and remains the only KC pass-catcher other than Travis Kelce I’d consider in fantasy these days.

 

Seahawks – 3 @ Ravens – 37

• Seattle couldn’t get anything going offensively against the Ravens. I suppose if there’s a silver lining it’s that Jaxon Smith-Njigba(6/63) paced Seattle in receiving on 7 targets, though most of it came with the game out of hand. He’s an intriguing flex option against a beatable Washington secondary this week.

 

• Keaton Mitchell(10/134/1) had a coming out party on Sunday, though Justice Hill led the backfield in touches(13). Hill’s abundance of touches probably had more to do with the game script, but Mitchell has definitely earned more touches going forward. In a bleak waiver RB landscape, he’s well worth adding this week.

 

• The squeaky wheel got greased on Sunday, after Odell Beckham(5/56/1) complained about his role, but it might have happened to the detriment of Zay Flowers(1/11). To be honest, even as the no.1 WR in Baltimore, Flowers has only been particularly useful in PPR leagues and not by much. Mark Andrews is the only Ravens pass-catcher with upside who can be relied on on a weekly basis.

 

Cardinals – 0 @ Browns – 27

• Cayton Tune was as bad as it gets Sunday. Cleveland was able to stifle the run completely, as soon as they knew he couldn’t get it done passing. Woe to those who own Cardinals skill players if Arizona decides not to activate Kyler Murray in his 21 day window, as the season is all but lost.

 

• Amari Cooper(5/139/1) and David Njoku(4/26/1) had one of the best games of their season with Deshaun Watson back from a shoulder injury and Donovan Peoples-Jones traded to the Lions. They’ll truly be tested this week against Baltimore.

 

• Jerome Ford(25/77) was more of a beneficiary of DPJ’s absence over Elijah Moore(2/14), getting 7 targets on the day.

 

Buccaneers – 37 @ Texans – 39

• Cade Otton(6/70/2) had his best game of the season Sunday, scoring twice. He’s averaging 7.5 targets over his last 3 games and is a decent streaming option, though his matchup with the Titans this week isn’t a cakewalk.

 

• The Texans had a banner day offensively, though it didn’t translate to a good line for Devin Singletary(15/26), who couldn’t find any space. This is good news for Dameon Pierce owners, as he’ll probably return to a lead role when he comes back from his ankle injury.

 

• CJ Stroud(30/470/5) looks like the next superstar QB, setting a rookie record for passing yards in a game. His biggest beneficiary was none other than my sweetest golden son Tank Dell(8/116/2), though all starting Texans pass catchers went major. Noah Brown(6/153/1) and Dalton Schultz(10/130/1) both need to be picked up where you can get them.

 

Bears – 17 @ Saints – 24

• Tyson Bagent(18/220/2/3) had another uneven game, though his 70 yards on the ground gave him some juice in fantasy. Justin Fields could return this week, but if he doesn’t, O do like Cole Kmet(6/55/2) this week.

 

• Darnell Mooney(5/82) had his best game of the season. He’s starting to come as on the no.2 in Chicago, and hopefully the momentum keeps up if Fields returns under center this week.

 

• Roschon Johnson(3/15) was an afterthought in the Bears’ offense, seeing the same amount of work as Darrynton Evans(3/21). Even in a plus matchup with Carolina this week, Johnson is a no go in fantasy.

 

• The Saints’ defense did most of the heavy lifting on Sunday, leaving the offense to tap it in, so to speak. Tayson Hill continues to find ways to screw other Saints skill players out of fantasy points, throwing and catching TDs while leading the team in rushing(52 yards).

 

Vikings – 31 @ Falcons – 28

• Kudos to Josh Dobbs(30/158/2), who ran for an additional 66 yards and a score without even knowing his new team’s playbook. Dobbs will be a suitable streamer most weeks in Minnesota, though I’m fading him against the Saints this week.

 

• Cam Akers injured his achilles, slowing the momentum he had going into the second half of the season. Alexander Mattison owners can breathe more easily, as they can continue to start the usually middling RB in fantasy.

 

• As I predicted on the radio program, Jonnu Smith(5/100/1) benefitted from the absence of Drake London. Don’t expect a repeat performance though, as the Falcons face a Cardinals team this week that, if nothing else, can stymie TEs.

 

• Taylor Heinicke(21/268/1/1) wasn’t great, but he also wasn’t bad enough to give Desmond Ridder his job back.

 

Rams – 3 @ Packers – 20

• The entire Rams offense had a day to forget with Brett Rypien(13/130/0/1) under center. The Rams have a bye this week, so hopefully Matt Stafford can return in WK11.

 

• The Packers didn’t need to do much Sunday, but Luke Musgrave(3/51/1) did lead the team in receiving, all the same.

 

• Christian Watson(1/37) had another disappointing line, exiting the game with chest and back injuries, and he’s now being evaluated for a concussion. It’s turning out to be a bust of a season for the promising WR. Dantayvion Wicks(4/49) was 2nd in receiving behind Musgrave and could be in for more looks this week if Watson sits.

 

Commanders – 20 @ Patriots – 17

• Jahan Dotson(4/69/1) continued his run on Sunday, scoring for the 2nd straight week. Even if Curtis Samuel returns this week, Dotson is worth a start versus Seattle.

 

• Antonio Gibson(11/76) has gained the favor of OC Eric Bienemy, garnering 5 targets for the 2nd straight week. He’s worth adding on PPR formats, if he’s been dropped.

 

• Rookie Demario Douglas(5/55) led the Pats in receiving, though JuJu Smith-Schuster(6/51) and Hunter Henry(4/39/1) matched him in targets(7). They’ll all be middling options in an overseas game with the Colts this week.

 

Colts – 27 @ Panthers – 13

• Zack Moss(7/26) had his worst line in weeks on Sunday, but he wasn’t needed. I’d see how he does against New England this week before moving on.

 

• The Panthers were altogether pretty ineffective on Sunday, with Bryce Young(24/173/1/3) throwing 3 picks on the day. They’ll look to get back on track versus the Bears this week.

 

Giants – 6 @ Raiders – 30

• The Giants have lost Daniel Jones(ACL) for the season, but I can’t say it would be a major loss for fantasy purposes. Tommy DeVito(15/175/1/2) was just as miserable as Jones has been recently and will probably get the start this week versus Dallas. Tyrod Taylor is out until at least WK14 with a rib injury. Saquon Barkley is the only Giant you can start against Dallas this week.

 

• Aidan O’Connell(16/209) didn’t throw any TDs, but he had a serviceable game against New York. He’s not a good option this week against New York’s other other team.

 

Cowboys – 23 @ Eagles – 28

• The Cowboys had multiple playmakers go big on Sunday afternoon, including a reemergent Jalen Tolbert(3/49/1)but they probably won’t need much firepower to overpower the Giants this week. Dak Prescott only threw for 143 yards in Dallas’ 40-0 rout of the Giants in WK1.

 

• Dallas Goedert broke his arm and is slated to have surgery. Surprisingly, he may only miss 3 games in recovery, as the Eagles have a bye this week. Jack Stoll and Albert Okwuegbunam are next up at TE, though I’m expecting that the extra targets get divided amongst the bevy of capable playmakers already available.

 

Bills – 18 @ Bengals – 24

• Khalil Shakir(4/57) continued to play a somewhat significant role in the passing game for the 3rd straight week. His upside seems limited as the slot WR, but with Dawson Knox still on IR, he could serve as a PPR flex against Denver this week.

 

• Tee Higgins(8/110) had his first 100+ yard game of the season, but he’ll face a dominant Texans secondary this week. Even so, he’s worth flexing as the Bengals offense seems to be fixed by now. Tyler Boyd(3/56) had a decent game too, but his upside is severely limited and he’s unusable outside of deep PPR formats.