Category: Fantasy

Isiah Pacheco’s injury means it’s Carson Steele SZN for the Chiefs and in fantasy football

A look at the Chiefs running back situation with Isiah Pacheco fracturing his fibula.

Isiah Pacheco is set to miss a bunch of time after he fractured his fibula on Sunday in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 26-25 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, a devastating blow to the defending champs.

And in fantasy football, if you hoped Pacheco would be an RB1 who would consistently carry you week to week? He looked the part until the horrible injury.

So … now what?

Let’s break down each of the running backs on the Chiefs’ roster and discuss how you should approach them if you need a replacement on the waiver wire for Pacheco for however long he misses action for the Chiefs:

Carson Steele

Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele (42) celebrates his touchdown score during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Dude is a fullback out of UCLA who signed as an undrafted free agent. And we saw him look pretty good on Sunday despite a fumble. He may not get a ton of targets in the passing game (more on that in a sec) but for now, he’s the priority to play meaningful minutes.

Samaje Perine

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine (34) runs the ball as Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) makes the tackle during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images 

There was a time I’d be excited if Perine was more of a factor in the Chiefs offense, but that time is not now. He’s barely gotten any looks as a pass catching back and he has zero carries. Maybe he’s more of a factor now, but I don’t see it. Still, he’s worth rostering in case he gets more playing time.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

He was placed on the non-football illness list as he deals with PTSD. That means he may not be back until Week 5, but there isn’t any certainty there. We hope he’s OK.

Will the Chiefs sign or trade for another running back?

I’m guessing yes. Who? That’s uncertain, but keep an eye out.

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2024 Fantasy Football defense rankings, from the top D (Cowboys) to sleepers (Saints)

A look at the best defenses to pick in fantasy football 2024.

Our preseason fantasy rankings continue to roll out with our look at the best quarterbacks, a list of the standout wide receivers, and the best rookies to draft.

When it comes to defenses — or, defense and special teams — you have to remember a couple of things. There are obviously elite units like those of the Jets and Chiefs. But you also have to factor in strength of schedule, because a pretty good defense can do really well in fantasy football when it faces some middling teams and can pile up the sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries.

Keep that in mind when you look at this list:

The best defenses

Feb 4, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC defensive end Myles Garrett (95) of the Cleveland Browns before the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cleveland Browns

2. Dallas Cowboys

3. New York Jets

4. San Francisco 49ers

5. Baltimore Ravens

Remember what I said. The Cowboys face the Giants twice, the Patriots once, and Carolina among their good matchups.

Safe And Steady

Nov 26, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrate a sack of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) in the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

6. New Orleans Saints

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

8. Kansas City Chiefs

9. Buffalo Bills

The Saints’ division helps, as does facing the Vikings, Giants and Titans.

Sleepers and breakouts

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 08: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a sack during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field on October 08, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

10. Miami Dolphins

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

12. Chicago Bears

13. Detroit Lions

14. Philadelphia Eagles

15. Indianapolis Colts

I like what I see from the Colts schedule and think the Eagles might have some improvements that will help.

Streamers for the season

Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

16. Cincinnati Bengals

17. Houston Texans

18. Green Bay Packers

19. Minnesota Vikings

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Fantasy football waiver wire after Week 15: Trey Sermon, fantasy playoff hero?

Some names to focus on if you’re still in your fantasy football playoffs.

Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season is nearly over, with one more game to go on Monday night.

And if you play fantasy football, you’re already planning ahead with waivers after a busy slate of games.

That’s what we’re here for, a roundup of some of the players you could be targeting ahead of Week 16 (more playoffs for fantasy leagues, woooo!).

Some of the names below might be taken already, but if not, there are a bunch of dudes who could change your fantasy fortunes this season. Let’s run through them, in no particular order, and we’ll update this after the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks play on Monday Night Football.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Should you keep or cut these 6 players ahead of Week 13 in 2023?

A look at who to keep or drop ahead of Week 13 in fantasy football.

You’re waking up on Tuesday reading all that you can about the players that you should be picking up off the waiver wire as you prepare for Week 13 of fantasy football in 2023.

But it’s likely there aren’t as many things written about who you should be dropping to grab those players. That’s what this weekly column — keep ’em or dump ’em! — will hopefully answer for you: Some help in the debate over who you should keep or drop in order to improve your team.

It’s not the biggest of waiver wire weeks, but still: let’s dive in to help you with who to keep or drop.

7 players fantasy football managers should pick up for 2023 dynasty, keeper leagues

Some players to consider if you’re playing for next year in fantasy football.

For some, the dream is still alive in fantasy football in 2023. The playoffs are within reach, and you’re still trying to win a title. Maybe you’ve already mortgaged your future if you’re in a dynasty or keeper league.

But if you’re on the other end of that and you can start planning for 2024 and beyond? That’s what this list is for.

Let’s run through some players who could be on your waiver wire and who might have a bright future. And if your league has rules about how free agents are kept on rosters in future years, these guys could have serious value:

Fantasy football waiver wire after Week 11: Isaiah Likely, Tyler Higbee are here to help at TE

Here’s who to target on waivers for Week 12.

Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season is nearly over, with one more game to go on Monday night.

And if you play fantasy football, you’re already planning ahead with waivers after a busy slate of games.

That’s what we’re here for, a roundup of some of the players you could be targeting ahead of Week 12.

Some of the names below might be taken already, but if not, there are a bunch of dudes who could change your fantasy fortunes this season. Let’s run through them, in no particular order, and we’ll update this after the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs play on Monday Night Football.

Mike McDaniel perfectly shot down a fantasy football question about De’Von Achane

Mike McDaniel doesn’t have any advice for your fantasy football team. Sorry!

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane was activated from the injured reserve and returned to practice after suffering a knee injury.

Achane, a rookie third-round draft pick from Texas A&M, was one of the biggest breakout stars in fantasy football before he was sidelined earlier this season.

NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe asked Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel about what we can expect from Achane’s workload upon his return. The coach was immediately skeptical about the intentions, though, and joked with Wolfe.

Here is what McDaniel said:

“What kind of money do you have in fantasy football? This seems strategic.”

For those who are curious about whether Achane will continue to get as many touches as he did before he got hurt, McDaniel provided some clues.

He said that Achane “really wants to play” and that he was “un-tackleable” on Monday. McDaniel said the Dolphins feel good about where Achane is right now.

It sounds like, despite McDaniel not tipping his hand, Achane should return to form well when he is feeling healthy enough to get back on the field.

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Fantasy football waiver wire: Should you keep or cut these 6 players ahead of Week 11 in 2023?

A look at who you should consider dropping ahead of Week 11 in fantasy football.

You’re waking up on Tuesday reading all that you can about the players that you should be picking up off the waiver wire as you prepare for Week 10 of fantasy football in 2023.

But it’s likely there aren’t as many things written about who you should be dropping to grab those players. That’s what this weekly column — keep ’em or dump ’em! — will hopefully answer for you: Some help in the debate over who you should keep or drop in order to improve your team.

Not the biggest of waiver wire weeks, but still: let’s dive in to help you with who to keep or drop.

7 fantasy football players you should trade away in 2023 as sell-high candidates

Some names you should sell high on in fantasy football this year.

For many fantasy football leagues, the trade deadline is coming up, which means it’s one last chance to upgrade beyond the waiver wire.

So here’s your guide if you’re a seller or a contender, with some players who you can sell somewhat high on based on performance and strength of schedule.

The result? We some running backs, wide receivers and one tight end — no quarterbacks, there aren’t enough good ones to sell high on one — for you  offer on if you can. Obviously, this all depends on where you’re at in the standings, whether you’re in a dynasty league and so forth.

Let’s dive in, and check out our guide to seven players you can buy low on:

 

 

 

 

 

A pair of Dak Prescott kneel-downs led to some awful fantasy football bad beats

This was brutal.

You wish that quarterback end-of-game kneel-downs wouldn’t count toward NFL stats, but they do: They’re technically a loss of a yard.

And that can affect fantasy football matchups, which just stinks. That happened on Monday night with the Dallas Cowboys up 20-17 and the team coming off of an interception of Justin Herbert in their win over the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Dak Prescott kneeled down twice for a loss of minus-2 yards … and fantasy football games everywhere were affected, either delivering a bad beat for one side or a miraculous win for the other. Some of those folks put the results up on X:

Brutal.