This should be a brutally low-scoring week in fantasy football with the bye week for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Jalen Hurts, D’Andre Swift, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. That’s three of the Top-4 quarterbacks and all of their beneficiaries.
We’re on the verge of seeing players return from injured reserve, though it never seems clear until the last minute. Once they have spent their four weeks on the list, they have 21 days to be activated or they are out for the year.
Devon Achane is hoped to return in Week 11. James Conner, Khalil Herbert, Justin Jefferson, and Deebo Samuel will soon return. That serves to improve their teams but degrade their replacements.
We’re onto the backside of the season, and you’ll notice the waiver wire gets thinner every week. There are fewer, if any, difference makers you can grab, and attention should turn to those players who have a better outlook in the back half of the season as their situations and maturations change. Here are six players that I expect to see improvement down the stretch.
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA) – The first wideout drafted this year has started very slowly but he is picking up some steam and starting to contribute more. 31-year-old Tyler Lockett could be gone next year, and the rookie’s development is critical. He scored in two of the last three games, with 13 catches for 162 yards. The Seahawks’ schedule is ripe for improvement with games against the Commanders, Rams, 49ers, Eagles and Titans coming up. The Seahawks are heading to the playoffs, so they won’t emphasize Smith-Njigba just to develop him, but the schedule is encouraging and the need to pass will be high.
- RB Alexander Mattison (MIN) – It was a plus for Mattison’s fantasy outlook when Cam Akers suffered his most recent Achille injury and he waited until after the trade deadline. No one on the Vikings roster is more than just a relief back. Switching to Joshua Dobbs at quarterback should mean more reliance on the run and more potential for dump-off passes. He faces the Saints this week for a challenge, but his next three games are against the Broncos, Bears, and Raiders. He may not be the primary back next year, but he’s all that they have for now and the schedule is getting lighter.
- WR Marquise Brown / Michael Wilson (ARI) – The return of Kyler Murray may take a week or two (or more) to get him back into top gear, but Marquise Brown already has chemistry with him and the rookie Michael Wilson is looking better. The next few weeks are tougher but starting in Week 13, they face the Steelers, 49s, Bears, and Eagles. So, there are plenty of reasons to throw, and the final four defenses are a fantasy advantage for receivers. Week 14 bye is not a great time in most fantasy leagues, though.
- RB Tony Pollard (DAL) – The Cowboys moved on from OC Kellen Moore because he wasn’t conservative enough and now the Cowboys fell from the No. 1 fantasy backfield to one of the worst. Pollard looks like the classic “better as a 2 than a 1.” But – the Cowboys did not acquire any more help so Pollard is going to be the primary workhorse. He gets a sweet stretch the next month facing the Giants, Panthers, Commanders, Seahawks, and Eagles. Recent improvements in the Cowboys’ passing offense only help.
- RB Rachaad White (TB) – There is no arguing that White hasn’t met expectations after taking over as the No. 1 running back this year. And the Bucs are on a four-game losing streak as their playoff hopes have already disappeared in the distance. But the Buccaneers have done nothing to upgrade the backfield, and White just had a season-high 20 carries in Houston. He caught 13 passes over the two previous games. He has one of the lighter remaining schedules with only Week 14 and 17 against tougher run defenses and yet he will face the Colts, Panthers, Packers and Jaguars.
- WR Brandon Aiyuk (SF) – He hasn’t scored since Week 1 and only logged two high-yardage games. But he comes off his bye and will face a very attractive stretch against the Jaguars, Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Eagles. His Week 17 opponent is the Commanders. The 49ers need a turnaround on their three-game losing streak, and the schedule lightens up in a way that should benefit Aiyuk – and Deebo Samuels as well.
About last night…
Panthers 13, Bears 16
These Thursday games have been ugly lately. The only exciting play in the entire game was the 79-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter that would be the only by the Panthers. Bryce Young was largely ineffective, completing 21-of-38 passes for 185 yards and no scores or turnovers. Adam Thielen (6-42) is the only Carolina receiver who offers any fantasy value, and he had a down game. Mike Strachan was called up from the practice squad and led the Carolina receivers one catch for 45 yards.
The backfield is unchanged. Chuba Hubbard (9-23) was sprinkled ineffectually throughout the game, while Miles Sanders (2-(-5)) didn’t even show up until the second half but at last, he caught two passes for 15 yards to prevent negative fantasy points. The Bears’ defense is one of the worst in the NFL and yet looked up to the task against the visiting Panthers who fall to 1-8 and host the Cowboys next week.
Tyson Bagent threw for only 162 yards and no scores or turnovers. DJ Moore faced his old team and led the Bears with only five catches for 58 yards. Cole Kmet ended with 45 yards on five receptions but no other receiver gained more than 15 yards.
D’Onta Foreman also faced his old team and ran for 80 yards, which included the only Bears touchdown on his 21 carries. Foreman was the only running back in the game that looked prepared and capable. The Bears rise to 3-7 and play in Detroit for Week 11.
