X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Mailbag – Trade Deadline Analysis

It's been a pretty crazy last few days in football land. Despite six teams on a bye week, half of this weekend's twelve games ended within one score, including the possible game of the year between Texans and Seahawks in Seattle.

And if Week 8 of football wasn't enough action, the last 48 hours have been a whirlwind thanks to an extremely active, and quite frankly uncharacteristic trade deadline. A date on the NFL calendar that usually comes and goes without much action, it's been anything but this time around.

This week's mailbag covers the fantasy impact of all the major moves that have been made over the last few days, plus the Zeke suspension version 3.0. This is also the space where I remind owners to make a move for players set to come off the PUP list, so if you are getting your team ready for the playoffs and have a roster spot to spare, think about scooping up Danny Woodhead or Greg Olsen if available, both set to return to their respective teams for Week 11. Don't force it if you need to prioritize winning now, but they could be the late season pickup that pushes you over the top come playoff time.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

Week 9 Mailbag - Q&A

As usual, thanks to everyone who reached out with questions for this week's mailbag! Please continue to direct any/all questions to me on Twitter @adamhhammer or by emailing [email protected].

 

Who is the back to own in Dallas between Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris?

With Ezekiel Elliott's suspension finally (probably) coming to fruition, the split in the Dallas backfield is one of the top storylines to follow entering Week 9. That said, Jerry Jones has straight up come out and said that Morris will act as the team's No. 1 back during Zeke's suspension. That would make sense given that he has been active over McFadden for most of the season, but I still expect McFadden (and probably even Rod Smith) to have a role. Morris is the back to own, but this is unlikely to be a workhorse scenario.

Is Kelvin Benjamin better or worse off in Buffalo?

The easy answer here is worse, and there are a few reasons for it. The most obvious reason is that Buffalo is a run-first team. They are one of just three teams in football this year that have run rushing plays on more than half of their total offensive plays, and there's no indication of that changing as they continue to ride LeSean McCoy. Part of that is likely because they don't fully trust Tyrod Taylor, which is reason number two. That's not to say that Cam Newton has been anything more than an above average passer this year, but he's better than Tyrod. Benjamin is still playable and startable on a weekly basis for now, though probably as just a WR2/3.

Sooo Devin Funchess is finally a weekly starter, right?

I'll admit that Funchess is not really my type of fantasy player. His boom-or-bust nature reminds me a lot of DeSean Jackson, who I don't think I have had a share of in years. Even this year, Funchess' targets and yards have fluctuated. Since racking up three touchdowns in weeks 4-5, he's averaged just three catches and under 30 yards receiving per game. He's coming off his worst game of the year with just 11 total yards, and Cam Newton (aforementioned) has looked anything but accurate. All of that said, being the #1 receiver for a potential playoff team means something. So is Funchess a starter? Sure. But is he anything more than a WR3 flier until further notice? Not at all. Christian McCaffrey is probably the biggest winner in Carolina from the Benjamin trade.

Is Jay Ajayi finally going to put it together in Philadelphia and be the RB1 I drafted him as?

This is undoubtedly a good landing spot for Ajayi. He finally gets to pair up with a good quarterback on a high-powered offense, and more importantly gets to run behind a much better offensive line. The difference in Philly though, is that he's not the only usable back. LeGarrette Blount isn't going anywhere, and Wendell Smallwood will probably stay (at least a little) involved. Don't play him this week – the Eagles have a Week 10 bye and would be wise to play Ajayi only sparingly against the vaunted Broncos defense – but I like his chances to take over as the first-choice RB for the Eagles and become a more consistent fantasy option.

 

More Weekly Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jacob Young3 hours ago

Leaves With Back Spasms Friday
Brett Baty4 hours ago

Erupts With Two Long Balls
Cal Quantrill4 hours ago

Silences Pirates For First Win
Drew Rasmussen4 hours ago

Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen Set For Extended Spring Games
George Kirby4 hours ago

Dealing With Knee Issue
Taj Bradley4 hours ago

Throws 94 Pitches In Second Rehab Start
Braxton Garrett4 hours ago

Slated For Another Rehab Start
Sean Murphy4 hours ago

Resumes Swinging Off A Tee
Jesús Luzardo4 hours ago

Jesus Luzardo Set For Rehab Start Sunday
Christian Yelich5 hours ago

Targeting Return During Road Trip
Dillon Head6 hours ago

Headlines Marlins Prospect Return From Padres
Luis Arraez6 hours ago

Marlins Trade Luis Arraez To Padres
Evan Mobley6 hours ago

Fizzles Offensively In Game 6
Darius Garland6 hours ago

Plays Well On Friday Night
Donovan Mitchell7 hours ago

Explodes Offensively In Game 6
Trea Turner7 hours ago

Leaves Game With Hamstring Soreness
Bobby Miller8 hours ago

Throws Bullpen Session
Clayton Kershaw8 hours ago

Throws First Bullpen Session
Brandon Lowe9 hours ago

Starting Rehab Assignment Next Tuesday
Pete Fairbanks9 hours ago

To Start A Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Steven Matz9 hours ago

Dealing With "Protruding Disc"
Nick Pivetta9 hours ago

Ready To Rejoin Red Sox's Rotation
Paul Sewald10 hours ago

Likely To Be Activated On Tuesday
Mike Trout10 hours ago

Undergoes Successful Surgery
NYI12 hours ago

Lou Lamoriello, Patrick Roy To Return Next Season
Mason Marchment12 hours ago

A No-Go For Friday
Terance Mann12 hours ago

Active At Shootaround
Arturs Silovs12 hours ago

Expected To Go Again Friday
Adin Hill12 hours ago

Back In Goal Friday
Los Angeles Lakers12 hours ago

Darvin Ham Dismissed As Lakers Head Coach
Auston Matthews12 hours ago

Uncertain For Game 7
Aaron Rodgers14 hours ago

No Restrictions For Aaron Rodgers During Offseason Workouts
Mac Jones14 hours ago

Jaguars Don't Pick Up Mac Jones' Fifth-Year Option
Jayden Daniels14 hours ago

Has A Chance To Start Immediately
Chase Claypool15 hours ago

Bills Sign Chase Claypool
Steve Erceg16 hours ago

Has A Chance To Become A Champion
Alexandre Pantoja16 hours ago

Looks To Defend Flyweight Title
Jarrett Allen17 hours ago

Spotted At Shootaround On Friday
Gary Harris17 hours ago

Remains Game-Time Decision
Josh Hart17 hours ago

Shines Again In Game 6 Victory
Michel Pereira17 hours ago

Ihor Potieria Faces Michel Pereira On UFC 301
Joel Embiid17 hours ago

Fouls Out With Big Stat Line In Losing Effort
Odell Beckham Jr.17 hours ago

Signing One-Year Deal With Dolphins
Michel Pereira17 hours ago

Looks To Extend Win Streak To Eight
Paul Craig17 hours ago

Looking To Rebound At UFC 301
Jalen Brunson17 hours ago

Leads Knicks To Series Win Over 76ers
DJ Chark Jr.1 day ago

Signs With Chargers
Kadarius Toney1 day ago

Chiefs Decline Kadarius Toney's Fifth-Year Option
Khris Middleton1 day ago

Can't Lift Milwaukee To A Win
Damian Lillard1 day ago

Plays Well In Return
Jarrett Allen1 day ago

Officially Questionable For Friday
Tim Hardaway1 day ago

Jr. Still Out For Game 6
Terance Mann1 day ago

On The Injury Report For Game 6
Kawhi Leonard1 day ago

Remains Out On Friday
Mitchell Robinson1 day ago

Will Play In Game 6
Joel Embiid1 day ago

Ready For Action Thursday
Tyrese Haliburton1 day ago

Officially Available On Thursday
Patrick Beverley1 day ago

Ready For Action Thursday
Khris Middleton1 day ago

Upgraded To Available
Steven Stamkos1 day ago

Begins Contract Talks With Lightning
Brett Pesce1 day ago

A Potential Option For Round 2
Sam Bennett1 day ago

Should Be Good For Round 2
Adam Fox1 day ago

Doesn't Skate Again On Thursday
Luke Schenn1 day ago

Hopeful For Game 6
Auston Matthews1 day ago

Out For Game 6
Justin Fields2 days ago

Steelers Decline Fifth-Year Option On Justin Fields
Najee Harris2 days ago

Fifth-Year Option On Najee Harris Declined By Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster2 days ago

Could Be On His Way Out
Khalil Herbert2 days ago

A Trade Candidate?
T.J. Hockenson2 days ago

Ahead Of Schedule In His Rehab
Nick Chubb2 days ago

"Progressing Nicely"
Caio Borralho2 days ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC 301
Vitor Petrino2 days ago

Puts Undefeated Record On The Line At UFC 301
Anthony Smith2 days ago

A Massive Underdog At UFC 301
Jonathan Martinez2 days ago

Faces A Legend At UFC 301
Jose Aldo2 days ago

Returns At UFC 301
New York Giants2 days ago

Giants Could Sign A Veteran Running Back
Dallas Cowboys2 days ago

Trevon Diggs Expected To Be Ready For Training Camp
Daniel Jones2 days ago

Has Been Cutting, Plans To Be Ready For Camp
Malik Nabers2 days ago

To Be No. 1 Receiver Immediately
Trey Lance2 days ago

Cowboys To Decline Trey Lance's Fifth-Year Option
Tyler Boyd2 days ago

To Meet With Chargers, Titans
Jonathon Brooks3 days ago

On Track For Training Camp
Zach Wilson3 days ago

Broncos Not Picking Up Zach Wilson's Fifth-Year Option
Taylor Pendrith3 days ago

A Volatile Option For CJ Cup
Seamus Power3 days ago

Rounding Into Form Ahead of CJ Cup
Davis Thompson3 days ago

A Player To Watch At CJ Cup
Aaron Rai3 days ago

Lacks Upside At TPC Craig Ranch
Min Woo Lee3 days ago

A Dangerous Pick For CJ Cup
Tom Hoge3 days ago

Seeking Second Tour Victory At CJ Cup
Filip Forsberg3 days ago

Collects Two Apples In Game 5 Win
Juuse Saros3 days ago

Comes Through For Predators In Game 5
Nathan MacKinnon3 days ago

Posts Two More Points In Series-Clinching Win
Mikko Rantanen3 days ago

Helps Finish Off Jets With Three Points
Joseph Woll3 days ago

Excellent In Series-Saving Win
Matthew Knies3 days ago

Bangs In Overtime Winner In Game 5
Evgeny Kuznetsov3 days ago

Posts Goal And Assist In Game 5
Seth Jarvis3 days ago

Puts Up Three Points In Series-Winning Game
Mark Hubbard3 days ago

Will Return To Mediocrity At TPC Craig Ranch
Doug Ghim3 days ago

Putting History In Texas Makes Him A Hard Sell
Nate Lashley3 days ago

Looking To Rebound At Byron Nelson
Kevin Yu3 days ago

A Flier Pick With Likeable Upside At Byron Nelson
Andrew Novak3 days ago

Playing Well Heading To TPC Craig Ranch
Patrick Rodgers3 days ago

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List3 days ago

In Solid Form Heading To TPC Craig Ranch
Tom Kim3 days ago

A Safe Option With A Questionable Ceiling At Byron Nelson
Taylor Montgomery3 days ago

Searching For Form At TPC Craig Ranch
Jason Day3 days ago

To Defend Title At TPC Craig Ranch
Adam Scott3 days ago

Returns To Action At TPC Craig Ranch
PGA3 days ago

Sungjae Im As Good Of A Pick As Any At TPC Craig Ranch
PGA3 days ago

Alex Noren Looks To Take Another Step At TPC Craig Ranch
Mackenzie Hughes3 days ago

Brings Hot Putter To TPC Craig Ranch
Cole Perfetti3 days ago

To Make NHL Postseason Debut Tuesday
Si Woo Kim3 days ago

Trendy Si Woo Kim Heads To Byron Nelson
Connor Hellebuyck3 days ago

Looking To Get Right Tuesday
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Notches Another Top-Five Finish At Dover
Alex Bowman5 days ago

Frustrated After Finishing Eighth At Dover
Matheus Nicolau5 days ago

Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 91
William Byron5 days ago

Botched Pit Stop and Crash Eliminate William Byron From Contention at Dover
NASCAR5 days ago

Martin Truex, Jr. Faded to Third at Dover, but Remains Fastest Driver of 2024
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Late-Race Charge at Dover Comes up Short
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Takes Checkered Flag at Dover for Third Win of Season
Alex Perez5 days ago

Scores Second-Round Knockout Win At UFC Vegas 91
MMA5 days ago

Ariane Lipski Loses A Decision At UFC Vegas 91
Karine Silva5 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Jonathan Pearce5 days ago

Suffers Decision Loss
David Onama5 days ago

Wins Second Fight In A Row
Brad Keselowski5 days ago

A Tire Issue On Lap 118 Impacts Brad Keselowski's Day At Dover
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Finishes Seventh At Dover
Noah Gragson5 days ago

Nabs A Quality Top 10 Finish At Dover
Kyle Busch5 days ago

Scores His Second Top-10 Finish Of The Year At Dover
Daniel Hemric5 days ago

Ends Up Ninth At Dover
Ty Gibbs5 days ago

Sneaks Into Tenth At Dover On Sunday
Martin Truex Jr6 days ago

. Is One Of The Top DFS Plays At Dover
Tyler Reddick6 days ago

Will Start Fourth At Dover
Michael McDowell6 days ago

Fade Michael McDowell For the Wurth 400 At Dover
Joey Logano6 days ago

Will Not Cause Much DFS Excitement At Dover
Noah Gragson6 days ago

Is Noah Gragson A Sneaky Tournament Play At Dover?
Uros Medic6 days ago

Returns To Win Column At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means6 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 91
Austen Lane6 days ago

Winless In The UFC
Jhonata Diniz6 days ago

Wins UFC Debut
Ryan Spann6 days ago

Suffers Third Straight Loss
Kyle Larson6 days ago

the Favorite to Win at Dover Despite Qualifying 21st
Chase Elliott6 days ago

a Core DFS Play at Dover
Alex Bowman6 days ago

Always Strong at Dover
Chris Buescher6 days ago

Has DFS Place Differential Upside at Dover
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF