The trade deadline came and went without any real fireworks other than Joshua Dobbs switching to the Vikings for almost no cost. Dobbs gets a nice upgrade to his receivers, especially when Justin Jefferson makes it back. We saw a painful week for quarterbacks, and as of this week, eight teams will have started a different quarterback for at least one game. We haven’t seen any of the top quarterbacks miss games, though Kirk Cousins’ season is now over.
Injuries seem to be coming in waves. Two weeks ago was a very light week. But it all draws the same conclusion – you need depth. You can never let your roster just ride and not worry about upgrading it at every chance you get. True – there won’t likely be any Top-10 players waiting for you to rescue them from the waiver wire. But some players develop through the season and grow in value. And you likely have players that are not exactly who you hoped they would be.
It’s also important to consider carrying two defenses and two kickers to give you options. And upgrading those positions as well. Here’s a look at six things to follow heading into Sunday for Week 9.
- QB Taylor Heinicke (ATL) – The Falcons have benched Desmond Ridder for this week (at least) and are starting Heinicke, who stepped in last week in the third quarter and completed 12-of-21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. It complicates evaluating Ridder because he plays in a run-heavy offense, but through eight games, he’s only thrown six touchdowns against six interceptions. Heinicke plays the visiting Vikings this week, and if he throws well, HC Arthur Smith would have to consider keeping him on the field. The fantasy futures of Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Jonnu Smith depend on it.
- WR Demario Douglas (NE) – The Patriots lost their No. 1 wideout Kendrick Bourne to a torn ACL, and DeVante Parker is out with a concussion. The rookie Douglas had already seen a rise in pass targets with a high of seven last week. He’s been below fantasy relevancy but is now a starting slot receiver. JuJu Smith-Schuster is second string now, so Douglas has a nice chance to shine and this week faces the visiting Commanders’ defense, who rank No. 31 versus wideouts. Kayshon Boutte is also expected to start seeing playing time.
- WR Jonathan Mingo (CAR) – The 6-0, 220 star wideout from Mississippi was the second-round pick of the Panthers. The Panthers’ passing offense is slowly improving, with Bryce Young at the helm, and Adam Thielen has already been a fantasy gem this year. Mingo is one to watch as the starting flanker. He’s only been good for around three catches in most weeks, but he ended with four receptions for 62 yards last Sunday. His 40-yard catch and run in the third quarter set up a much-needed field goal in their 13-15 win over the Texans. Facing the Colts this week and the Bears in Week 10 are worth tracking to see if he’s starting to assert himself in the second half of the season.
- RB Leonard Fournette (BUF) – Chances are exceedingly high that he will disappoint every fantasy owner who waited for eight games to have him find a team or the waiver wire hound that outbid the rest of their fantasy league dreaming of the old Touchdown Lenny. He was signed to the practice squad and there is a reason why no one wanted him for eight weeks. We’re all waiting for him to be added to the active roster, and the expectation will be that he can be a short-yardage back. Bills GM Brandon Beane said, “He’s a heavy, heavy dude–mid to 230s. He looks good…just competition to the room, but he doesn’t know this playbook. And so, I think it’s good for him to come in here and start on the practice squad. He’s head down. He’s been great, and we’ll take it one day at a time with him.” Fournette may become a factor later in the year, but he’s no Week 9 consideration.
- Yards per catch for NFL wideouts – Every so often if is good to review which receivers are being the most effective with their catches, especially for the younger ones who are still developing.
The above considered players with at least ten catches. Marvin Mims is starting well but the Broncos didn’t trade away any starters. Rashid Shaheen has been a factor in a few games but lacks consistency. It is a plus to see Nico Collins already connecting with C.J. Stroud. The rookie Michael Wilson is also notable since he’ll be paired with Kyle Murray soon.
- QB Joshua Dobbs (MIN) – With only a few days since the trade was accomplished, the Vikings will start the rookie Jaren Hall versus the Falcons, and there’s no guarantee that the rookie doesn’t also start against the visiting Saints in Week 10. It’s not impossible that Hall does well and keeps the job – but it is less likely. Justin Jefferson has missed three games with a strained hamstring and only has to miss this week. Ian Rapoport reported that Jefferson is “coming back sooner than later.” Dobbs may be stepping in at a very opportune time in Week 10. What Jaren Hall does this week will be a key to what happens with Dobbs.
About last night…
Titans 16, Steelers 20
The Will Levis Experience apparently does not include four touchdowns every week, and while he did not throw any, he was still admittedly impressive with his 262 yards and one interception that ended the game. DeAndre Hopkins (4-60) still had several nice catches and Kyle Phillip (4-68) turned in a season-best but no one else had more than 30 yards. Levis cooled off without those touchdown bombs to Hopkins, but he still looked more poised and capable than someone in their second career start.
Derrick Henry ran for 75 yards on 17 rushes with one touchdown, and even added three catches for 27 yards. Tyjae Spears handled five carries for just 18 yards and caught four passes for just four yards. The Titans were in the game until the final seconds and Levis took over with 1:44 left to play at their own 15-yard line and drove the team to the PIT 24-yard line with 11 seconds left to play when he threw an interception instead of a game-winning touchdown.
Kenny Pickett only passed for 160 yards and one score, with Diontae Johnson (7-90, TD) as the only receiver with more than 25 yards. George Pickens almost caught a touchdown but settled for only two catches for a net one-yard loss. Jaylen Warren (11-88) and Najee Harris (16-69, TD) split up the backfield workload. This was a low-scoring game with minimal fireworks, but it was a Thursday game.