FANTASY FOOTBALL: What’s on the Cards for Arizona’s Offense?

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Even before his explosion last week, James Conner seemed like a great week-to-week fantasy option. Now, with Chase Edmonds out for at least a month due to a knee injury, Conner could be a league winner down the stretch.

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Conner leads the league in touchdowns and has six double-digit fantasy shots this season. If you get anything close to the workload you had last week after Edmonds fell, you are a foolproof RB1.

He will be backed by Eno Benjamin, a seventh-round pick who has 11 carries this season and should have an expanded role.

However, the Cardinals’ biggest concern right now isn’t the running game, it’s Kyler Murray’s ankle. The MVP candidate missed last week’s game against San Fran and Colt McCoy completed very well, but he appears to be taking “crazy steps” in the positive direction despite missing practice this week.

Murray is likely to be a game-time decision again, so have a backup option, but it’s worth keeping an eye out before kickoff.

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The Cardinals’ other stellar decision in playing time last week, DeAndre Hopkins, is in the same boat as Murray. While he missed practice this week due to a hamstring injury, he doesn’t necessarily need to participate to get dressed on Sunday. With AJ Green off the COVID roster and playing this week, that should at least take some pressure off Hopkins.

FREE AGENT FRENZY

It’s not very often that you see two big-name free agent signings in the middle of the season, but that’s the case and they even arrived on the same day.

Cam Newton returns to the Panthers after being cut by the Pats before the season started and Odell Beckham Jr. joins the Rams after causing a big enough nuisance in Cleveland.

Newton could participate in some packages this week, but expect it to start from next week. Frankly, the only fantasy player that benefits Newton is Newton. His best days as a quarterback are behind him, as he demonstrated last year in New England. While he offers value with his ability to run and score the goal line, his weekly ceiling is quite low.

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OBJ goes from a situation where he was the top pick in the passing game, but wasn’t getting many quality goals, to a high-quality offense where he’s third in line at best. With Cooper Kupp (who is literally having one of the best WR seasons ever) and Robert Woods firmly established as the top two picks in the passing game, Beckham’s goals will likely be those unleashed by DeSean Jackson’s pitch, but also to the detriment of Van Jefferson Jr., who has 20 goals in the last three games.

The move will likely be a small boost for OBJ stocks, its higher value is in its name only and it should be nothing more than a WR3 / FLEX option.

BEDLAM RUN BACK

If you have a high-level running back in your lineup who doesn’t have some sort of injury designation, you’re more than lucky this week. No fewer than five possible RB1s are questionable at best for this week’s game roster.

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-After missing practice all week, the Saints made it official and ruled out superstar running back Alvin Kamara for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Midseason addition Mark Ingram II will step in as the return feature and while he won’t provide all the value that Kamara offers in the passing game, he should be a good option to start with.

-A COVID-19 outbreak in Cleveland has decimated his RB body, with top RB Nick Chubb ruled out for Sunday’s game. The only Browns running back currently authorized to be on the field against the Pats is D’Ernest Johnson, which should put a massive workload on his offense with many runs.

-Zack Moss has yet to pass the concussion protocol and facing the Jets is questionable. While you did participate in the practice on a limited basis, it means nothing unless you pass the test. Devin Singletary could play a big role if Moss can’t play.

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-The Patriots have twice as many concussion problems, with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson on protocol. Brandon Bolden would probably be the leader, but don’t sleep with JJ Taylor as reports say TE Jonnu Smith could even be used outside the backfield.

-Chris Carson has been designated to return from IR, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will play this week. The Seahawks RB are coming back from a neck injury and it’s a game-time decision, but they have a plethora of options at the position.

SIT / START

Start Matt Ryan, QB, ATL at DAL

The Cowboys have allowed opposing quarterbacks the sixth-most points and Ryan is coming off a 28-point outing.

Sit Mike White, QB, NYJ vs. BUF

Let’s not be too cute with this Jets folk hero. The Bills defense has allowed the fewest points to quarterbacks.

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Start JD McKissic, RB, WAS vs. TB

Running against the Bucs is a silly task, but passing the RBs against them can work well.

Sit Adrian Peterson, RB, TEN vs. NO

He got the volume on his debut with the Titans with 10 carries, but it wasn’t as effective as his other two RBs.

Start Hunter Renfrow, WR, LV vs. KC

He has become the Raiders’ No. 1 WR with 14 catches in his last two games and a good showdown this week.

Sit Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN vs. FI

In games without Jerry Jeudy, Sutton averaged 16.9 points, but with him in the lineup, he has 12.3 points overall in three games.

Start Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT vs. THAT

He has three TDs in the last two weeks and has become a reliable target for Big Ben.

Sit Dalton Schultz, TE, DAL vs. ATL

With Michael Gallup returning from IR without limits, he should eat up Schultz’s role and goals.

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STATISTICAL CORNER

In Week 9, three of the top 12 tight ends in terms of fantasy points played for the Los Angeles Chargers. They were Stephen Anderson (11.9 points), Donald Parham Jr. (11.4) and Jared Cook (8.8), who is the most registered of the trio.

ADD OF THE WEEK

Elijah Moore, WR, New York

The rookie produced a prime-time breakout game last week with a third quarterback under center. He has 13 catches on 14 goals in the past two games, making him a key part of the Jets passing game.

DROP OF THE WEEK

Kadarius Toney, WR, New York

The Giants rookie comes into halftime after a poor start, scoring just one goal in Week 9. His target rate continually takes hits with the team becoming healthier and passing fewer.

DEFENSE OF THE WAIVER WIRE

Tennessee Titans DEF

They’ve racked up 45 points in the past three weeks thanks to a defensive line that has been applying tons of pressure with no blitz and a showdown with the Trevor Siemian-led Saints should yield another decent loot.