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Unexpected fantasy football performances and waiver wire sleepers and trade targets for Week 10 (2023). Will these NFL players sustain their Week 9 success?
The year of the backup quarterback continued in Week 9 as numerous second-stringers found a way to the field. However, that doesn’t mean the quality of play was necessarily bad in any way. In fact, one of the best games of the day was a faceoff between a quarterback making his first start of the season and another who was acquired through a trade just five days ago.
Meanwhile, some of the highest-billed matchups between teams in the upper echelon ended up being snoozers. I guess this is just the NFL’s way of teaching its audience to not judge a book by its cover. So, even with plenty of backups seeing significant playing time, there was enough action to make this week a fairly entertaining one.
With lots of offense-filled close games, some strong unexpected performances emerged as well. With the most important portion of the fantasy football season quickly approaching, let’s run through some of the best boom performances from under-the-radar players.
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Surprise Fantasy Football Performances
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens
I wouldn’t blame you if this is the first time you’ve ever read the name Keaton Mitchell. Most sane people likely aren’t familiar with the Baltimore Ravens’ undrafted rookie running back out of East Carolina University who has been hampered by injuries for most of the season. After Week 9, though, he certainly put his name on the map.
When looking for a good player comparison to Mitchell, the best I could come up with is store brand De'Von Achane. Both are on the smaller side and both have wicked speed. If they get out in open space, you better be in front, because you probably aren’t catching them from behind.
The only major difference between the two is that Achane had third-round draft capital while Mitchell had to find his way onto a roster as an undrafted free agent. But now that their draft cost is out the window, there is a chance that the Baltimore back ends up on a similar trajectory.
During Baltimore’s Week 9 blowout win over the Seattle Seahawks, Mitchell had nine carries for 138 yards and a touchdown along with one catch for negative four yards. This breakout performance resulted in 19.9 half-PPR fantasy points, making him the RB4 in Week 9.
The hope is that Mitchell continues to see more usage as the season rolls along. He has two backs ahead of him on Baltimore’s depth chart, but if the Ravens want that game-breaking speed threat the Dolphins have, they’re going to have to entrust the undrafted rookie with more touches.
Heading into Week 10, Mitchell will likely be one of the hottest names off the waiver wire.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
So much for a poor S2 Cognition Test score. During the offseason leading up to the NFL draft, many were skeptical about C.J. Stroud’s ability to be a great starting quarterback due to his poor scores on some cognitive test. Not only is it ridiculous to judge a player's entire career outlook by a test score, but Stroud, through his strong play, has been quieting the skeptics.
While he’s been impressive, his Week 9 performance may have honestly done some real damage to the test's future credibility.
In a shootout win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the rookie quarterback completed 30-of-42 passes for 470 yards and five touchdowns while tacking on 10 rushing yards as a bonus. Looking like a man possessed, Stroud’s incredible day led to 41.8 fantasy points, making him the top player of the week by far.
Not only was this a great rookie performance, but this may have been the best performance by any NFL quarterback this season. In addition to executing a game-winning drive, Stroud also broke the single-game rookie passing yards record formerly held by Andrew Luck.
With an impressive young core, the Houston Texans are building something special, and C.J. Stroud is their key to the future.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On the other side of the shootout in Houston, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were having a mini breakout of their own in the form of tight end Cade Otton. Throughout his early career in the NFL, Otton has always been a player who appears to have the tools for success, but his environment hasn’t allowed him to put it all together.
But in Week 9, with the Bucs’ offense rolling, he took a big step forward.
Against the Texans, Otton caught six of nine targets for 70 yards and two touchdowns. His career day led to a stellar 20 half-PPR fantasy points, making him the TE3 in Week 9.
Without C.J. Stroud’s other-worldly play, many would’ve given the second-year tight end more recognition for his heroic late-game touchdown grab. Unfortunately, the NFL has continuously taught us that glory can be taken away just as quickly as it’s received.
On the bright side, though, Otton appears to be an interesting name that should be considered off the waiver wire. It’s unlikely that anyone is rostering him in your league, so if you don’t already roster one of the few reliable options, give Otton a chance. He may just be the oasis that saves you from the tight end wasteland.
Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings
Being a member of this article for the second time in a season is surprising enough, but doing it with a completely different team is just unheard of. Despite being a member of the Minnesota Vikings for only five days, quarterback Joshua Dobbs already made a considerable impact against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dobbs didn’t even start in Week 9, rookie Jaren Hall did. But with Hall ruled out after just two drives due to a concussion, the journeyman was thrust in as the starter with no experience running the Minnesota offense. However, he did not disappoint.
Against the Falcons, Dobbs completed 20-of-30 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns along with seven carries for 66 yards, a touchdown, and two lost fumbles. On top of leading a game-winning touchdown drive with some mobility that rivaled Lamar Jackson, he also scored 24.92 fantasy points, making him the QB4 in Week 9.
I’m not sure about the history behind an NFL quarterback being traded for at the deadline and starting immediately, but I’d argue Dobbs had the best performance of anyone who has ever been in that situation.
He’s not the best name to rely upon on a weekly basis, but he seems to give everything he has when given the chance. With the Dobbs show starting its second act, he’s a name that can be considered off waivers as a fill-in option for quarterback-needy rosters.
Noah Brown, Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud’s nuclear performance had to make some players produce big games, right? While some of his favorite targets like Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz went out and had great outings, the one nobody saw coming was wide receiver Noah Brown.
Brown, a former Dallas Cowboy, has seen little production this year as an injury kept him sidelined through the early portion of the Texans’ season. But now that he’s returned, he may have a more established role than what was previously imagined.
Against the Buccaneers, Brown caught all six of his targets for 153 yards and a touchdown. His unexpected day resulted in 24.3 half-PPR fantasy points, making him the WR2 overall just behind his teammate Tank Dell.
A large portion of Brown’s scoring came off a 75-yard catch and run touchdown, but if that’s removed, it still leaves five receptions for 78 yards. Not too shabby for the seventh-year pro.
With this performance by the Houston offense as a whole, the Texans could be a team that you want pieces of. Brown being one of those pieces that just came off a big game makes him at least an interesting add off the waiver wire.
Don’t expect these performances weekly, but I’d take a flyer on Brown if you have available room heading into Week 10.
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