The season is halfway finished and the NFL’s trade deadline has passed. I’d like to say that I slept through it all. Honestly, with little movement of major fantasy football assets, I probably could have.
In truth, I’ve been sick all week; thankfully, with a non-Covid illness, so I’ve been in bed more than normal. At damn near 40, it’s way more painful than it used to be to lie in bed half the day. Now that I’m on the mend, I’m back and ready to look at how I fared in Week 8, and how Week 9 is shaping up.
Not bad, but maybe I should get back in bed…
Week 8 Review
Wins
Boston Scott, RB – Despite the valid concerns of Jordan Howard vulturing TDs – which he did, pounding two touchdowns in from short yardage – Scott ran in two of his own for an excellent fantasy football week. In PPR formats, Scott finished as the RB12 (Howard was RB13). That’s a massive win, and a decision that likely won you your week with an RB1 in your flex.
Dan Arnold, TE – Arnold didn’t get into the end zone this week, but he did finish as the PPR TE2, catching 8 of 10 targets for 68 receiving yards. He just barely missed the 15 point threshold with 14.8 points, but the TE2 is an easy win, especially considering he was ranked as the TE18 on the week. It’s encouraging, too, that the Jaguars utilized him so heavily after their bye, so look for Arnold in this column again soon.
Losses
Daniel Jones, QB – Jones was ranked by experts as the QB13 heading into Week 8, largely due to a nice matchup with a struggling Chiefs defense. Well, the struggling part didn’t appear for Kansas City on that side of the ball Monday night, as only the KC offense had issues once again. As for Jones, he ended up as… well… the QB13. Who would’ve thunk it? Cooper Rush and Mike White were superior options. That’s an L.
AJ Green, WR – AJG had decent production in Week 8, hauling in 5 balls for 50 yards. Unfortunately, he didn’t find the endzone. If he had, this would’ve been a W. Instead, Green
I hit .500 for the first time on the year. Maybe you can actually listen to my advice? Huh… We’re 9-23 overall on the season. Time to hit a hot streak.
As a reminder, here’s how we’re defining fantasy football sleepers, and wins and losses
- Players ranked outside of the QB12, RB30, WR40 and TE12 for a given week based on the weekly Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) on Fantasy Pros are eligible to be chosen. That’s roughly guys at or beyond the consensus top 100.
- For a player to ‘hit’, I’m requiring a finish inside the top 60 overall, though TEs are special so we’ll say a top 6 TE if not within the top 60. That means he was a serviceable starting piece that contributed meaningfully to your lineup, and he also exceeded expectations in a significant way. Historically, he put up at least 15 PPR points.
Shulman’s Sleepers: Week 9
QB: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Fantasy Pros ECR: QB18
I was considering going with Tua again, since he hit two weeks ago when I picked him for this column. But, I’m going with the man that has Sean Payton’s heart, Taysom Hill. When seeing a full complement of snaps as the team’s starter, Hill has been a QB1 in fantasy football more weeks than not.
Now, it’s true that Hill is still in the league’s concussion protocol, so there’s no definitive answer just yet if he’ll be able to suit up. But if he’s under center on Sunday, Hill has a fantastic matchup against a middling Atlanta Falcons defense. Hill is a threat to run and pass, and he’s often the preferred option around the goal line, much to the chagrin of Alvin Kamara and his fantasy managers.
I’m betting on Hill to start this week, and take advantage of a division rival in the Superdome.
Prediction: 180 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 12 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD = 29.7 points
RB: Kenyan Drake
Fantasy Pros ECR: RB42
There’s not a lot to like outside of the top-30 RBs this week, but it seems that ECR still has Kenyan Drake far too low. As of right now, Josh Jacobs is expected to play, and the Giants have a good defensive unit. Still, I like Drake to make some noise once again in Week 9.
The Giants have been susceptible to allowing fantasy points to the RB position this season, and that’s largely because they’ve been able to limit the passing attack of their opponents. Derek Carr should be able to get it done at MetLife Stadium this weekend, and with starting wideout Henry Ruggs no longer on the team, there are targets up for grabs in this offense. Drake can get it done on the ground and through the air, and Darren Waller is at least still limited, if not out completely.
All is aligning for another significant workload for one of the league’s most efficient backs this season. I think he’ll find the end zone, too.
Prediction: 8 carries, 30 yards; 4 receptions, 30 yards; 1 total TD = 16.0 points
WR: Rashod Bateman
Fantasy Pros ECR: WR51
Even though he failed me two weeks ago, I’m ready to go back to the well with Bateman in his third NFL game. He’s seen 6 targets in each of his starts thus far, and Week 7’s 3-80 line showed a little more of his capabilities, even though he only finished as the PPR WR34 in fantasy football.
Now fresh off the bye, Bateman should be even more integrated into this offense that is friendlier to pass-catchers this year. It’s also nice to know that the Vikings have been a relatively stingy defense, though they have given it up to the wide receiver position more than any other when it comes to fantasy points allowed.
I expect a similar target load for Bateman, but I also think he’ll find the end zone and be a factor in this one.
Prediction: 5 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD = 17.5 points
TE: Tyler Conklin
Fantasy Pros ECR: TE13
Conklin caught 5 balls for 57 yards last week on 7 targets. Before the Vikings’ bye in Week 7, he hauled in 3 passes for 71 yards. Without getting in the end zone, Conklin has managed decent fantasy football output at the TE position lately, so I’m expecting Cousins to look his way a handful of times once again this week.
The other thing in Conklin’s favor is the incredible matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. We know the Ravens can put up points, and they also shutdown the passing game as related to wide receivers. However, TEs have averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game against the unit, making them the third-easiest matchup for opposing tight ends.
With the Vikings likely needing to move the ball and put up points in this one, I’m banking on to see his standard load but also snag a TD in the process.
Prediction: 4 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD = 15.5 points
Here’s hoping for another good week for my calls and yours. Good luck in Week 9!
Jeremy Shulman
Jeremy is an avid football fan from New York who lives in Amsterdam and roots for the Patriots. This walking contradiction has played fantasy football for over than 20 years. He is now a Senior Dynasty Writer at The League Winners. In his spare time, he writes and edits professionally.