I must confess to a bit of a rough ride getting back into the groove upon our return from Ireland and England. Surely the largely three weeks I took off (thanks Danny Cross et al for covering) was the longest stint away from fantasy writing I have had in 23 years.
And, well, it was a fun break. Unfortunately, the trip, jet lag, and a convergence of a lot of stuff knocked me into a sick bed for the better part of a couple of weeks, but the truth is I was indeed worn out.
However, we have a baseball season to finish off, a football season just getting into gear, and, for me, the PGA tour is winding to its season finish. Add in that EPL is going full tilt and the NBA is almost here and, well, things are hopping. We actually are already covering EPL (check out Elaine Corrales’ weekly picks) and look forward to Nicolas Wilcox taking over writing about the NBA, NFL, and whatever else tickles his fancy in coming weeks. Plus, we have the NFL covered almost daily.
As for me, the Hotpage is taking a bit of a break till November when I will begin looking at each of the minor league’s top 10 prospects in my view. In the meantime, Extra Points is back with a look at the potential free agent fodder that might be of interest.
But, remember you can get your baseball fix listening to The Tout Wars Hour, which is hosted by me with Todd Zola. For the offseason, we are dropping a one-hour pod every Tuesday, and Z and I have been doing this a long time. You’ll enjoy the show. Download at FNTSY.
If Pat Mahomes is still a free agent in your league, there is something radically wrong. Go ahead and grab Mahomes as a back up for now, not that the KC QB has any reason to cool down — he already set the rookie record for TD passes his first two starts. It is just that, realistically, there is probably a game out there where he only throws for three scores with a pick six and just 292 yards. But, truth be told, the guy is good.
Jesse James might well also be in your free agent pool, and he makes a curious selection for most leagues. The tight end certainly had a massive Sunday with 198 yards and a score. But, at best James is a tertiary receiver — behind Antonio Brown and Ju Ju Smith-Schuster — so another big day might be out there. But maybe not for weeks, if then. James is an OK play, but he is not yet among the elite at his spot. At least IMHO.
Paul Richardson was listed as questionable, and I believe I even saw a report noting the Redskin receiver was out, but he manage eight targets for 85 tough yards at the back end of Alex Smith passes. Richardson might well be in your free agent pool. Richardson is an acrobatic and physical receiver, and it appears he and Smith work well together. So, in a PPR format, he is a good grab.
Colts fans, the team certainly is resurgent under Andrew Luck, apparently healthy, and though Marlon Mack is still the #1 RB, look to rookie fourth-rounder Nyheim Hines to gain an increasing role in the offense. Hines actually caught seven during the opener versus the Bengals, and he rushed for a TD yesterday against Washington. Hines could prove to be a solid pick down the line.
Falcons rookie receiver Calvin Ridley grabbed his first passes — four for 64 yards and a score — perhaps paving the way for the next great generation of Atlanta’s receiving corps. In a day when Matt Ryan himself posted some monster numbers (272 yards, a pair of TD passes, and two rushing scores!), Ridley makes a potentially fine pickup who should earn an increasing role in the Atlanta offense and future.
While we look at the Falcons, Tevin Coleman has stepped up and bagged a 100-yard game in the process with 107 yards, and, though no scores, last week Coleman did break the end zone plane. Chances are Coleman is gone in most leagues, but you never know and an impatient owner could certainly have dropped the RB after just 19 yards Week 1.
Perhaps a lesser name on the list of the week than Ridley would be the Browns’ Antonio Callaway. With the pending departure of Josh Gordon, a starting slot opens up and Callaway picked three passes for 81 yards including a fantastic 47-yard pass and catch that are highlight material for sure. Anyway, Callaway might be the cheapest WR option here with the most immediate upside.
If, again, we like looking at PPR combos where the QB and WR just seem to be on the same page, Sam Darnold and Quincy Enunwa similarly seem to be on the same page. With seven receptions yesterday, Enunwa now has 13 catches the first two games with his “dynamic” young signal caller, and for sure exploiting those match-ups is a key to success.
Need to stay on top of your #FantasyFootball team and direction? Check out Lawr every Sunday with co-hosts Cam Stewart and Joe Gallina, along with Sean Engel, Chris Bivona, and updates by George Kurtz. That is the NFL Live Show from 12:30-5 p.m., Pacific, every Sunday on the FNTSY Sports Network.
Also check out the Tout Wars Hour, now on winter scheduled. Recorded every Tuesday with Lawr and Todd Zola, dropping Tuesday afternoons, Lawr and Lord Zola keep tabs on the pulse of the Majors and minors every week during the off-season. So, if you need your baseball fix, tune into the Tout Wars Hour. Download here!
