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I woke up this morning with a pain in my heart. I couldn’t quite place what caused it, but it was there. So instead of indulging this pain by calling out sick, and moping around the house all day in those super comfy plaid fleece pants, I decided to go to work and go about my day as if the pain wasn’t there. But it was there, oh it was there. I was just in denial, I knew what the pain was, and I knew what caused it. But I was holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. But there I was, 1:30 pm EST in the front conference room at the office in a meeting with clients. My phone buzzed, and when I peered down at my screen it was just as I had feared “Dion Lewis out for season with ACL tear”. At that moment, I let out a primal scream that could only be matched by the sound of my mighty swinging scrotum pounding the inner-thighs of Tehol’s wiz. This is my fate for making light of all you Charles, Bell, and Foster owners in past weeks. In one awkward step a dream was lost, and a little piece of me died. I stand before you jaded and less innocent to life’s unfair twists, than I did a week ago. Now, as we always do, we pickup the pieces, recollect, and hit the wire…

 

**Dion Lewis Out For The Season, They Killed Bae Spectacular**

Brandon Bolden (Yahoo 4% – ESPN .4%) – Welp he came into the game and caught a touchdown pass after my world came crashing down. The word on the street amongst an internet full of fantasy “experts” is he’s the second add and not the first. I’m not so sure if that’s necessarily the case. Anyone that can tell you that either Bolden or White will unequivocally be the go to guy in the passing game, is as my Nana used to say “Full of cow pies and bullshizz”. Yes redundant on my Nana’s part but nevertheless true. No one knows not even Bill at this point. My guess is one guy gets first look, and he either fumbles the job away or runs with it. The one hurdle in Bolden’s way is his value on special teams. He’s an important player in that phase of the game and it could be the reason White gets first crack. The big plus on Bolden’s side is his familiarity with the system, and most importantly Brady.

James White (Yahoo 5% – ESPN 1.7%) – Or as I like to call him ECCM. What does the acronym stand for? Why East Coast Christine Michael of course. He’s been so hyped with so little to show for it, I have a tough time buying in. Don’t forget I’m the resident Patriots fan here at Razzball, and if there’s one things I’ve learned during Belchick’s tenure it’s this, being inactive and not playing almost ever is a bad sign. With that said White has the closest skill set to Lewis. He’s fast, allusive, and on the smallish side. Many believed he was the heir apparent to the Faulk/Woodhead/Veeren throne coming into the seaosn, but it was for naught. So that begs the question, “Would White be my first add?” Probably, but only because he’s the hotter commodity at the moment, and has the higher upside. As a Lewis owner I’m adding both though.

Jonas Gray (Yahoo 2% – ESPN 2.3%) – Was released by the Dolphins. Hey it worked in one game last year….. But ended really badly.

 

Quarterbacks

Landry Jones (Yahoo 1% – ESPN .8%) – So guess what? Ben Roethlisberger is hurt again, and he’s going to miss some time. This means Landry Jones will be throwing the ball to a now hot Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. I’m not sure what to make of Landry, mostly because he’s looked good coming into games for Big Ben, but was awful against Kansas City. He’s worth an add in deeper leagues (16 team +) and two QB leagues.

Kirk Cousins (Yahoo 10% – ESPN 8.8%) – Have you watched the Saints defense of late? It can only be described as “gate-like”. Cousins is no pro-bowler but he should put up some decent numbers against an absolute trash pile of a defensive unit. Ownership is low so he can be had. You like that?

 

Running Back

Karlos Williams (Yahoo 38% – ESPN 41.5%) – If Karlos is available in any of your leagues, add him. LeSean McCoy left early with a shoulder injury and his week 10 status is in doubt. All Williams does is score touchdowns and make plays. I view this situation as a committee going forward regardless of LeSean being active next week or not. Williams is at worst a flex play in 12 team leagues.

James Starks (Yahoo 41% – ESPN 40.5%) – Can we officially say it’s Starks’ job now? Eddie Lacy is more or less a tackling dummy in a uniform. If you spent a high pick on Lacy, my apologies, but look at it this way, at least you could have traded him to someone dumb a few weeks ago. If you didn’t, that’s on you. Add Starks if he’s available.

Shaun Draughn (Yahoo 2%- ESPN 3.4%) – Got 20 touches in the week 9 victory over the Falcons. The Niners have the bye in week 10, and Carlos Hyde is due back, so I wouldn’t read too much into it. Stay up to date on any developing stories regarding Hyde, because if he’s out longer than expected Draughn could be an okay flex play. Not worth burning waiver position on IMO.

 

Wide Receiver

Wes Welker (Yahoo 4%- ESPN .2%) – Good. Luck. With. That. I’ll just let you add him, and wish you the best. Not worth a waiver claim.

Cole Beasley (Yahoo 4% – ESPN 3.1%) – Whether you’re familiar with #colefacts or just have a thing for white slot receivers, you probably have heard of Beasley in one way, shape, or form. After seeing one target in week 8 against Seattle, Beasley saw 11 targets and hauled in 9 of them for 112 yards and two TDs. I wouldn’t add Beasley and expect fireworks. It was probably a one week thing.

 

Tight End

Richard Rodgers (Yahoo 24% – ESPN 29.7%) – We’ve talked about Rodgers in this space before, and quite frankly his value is 100% touchdown dependent. Why do I say that? Because he managed to catch 5 passes for 19 yards with two scores on Sunday. Seriously 5 catches…..19 yards. Rodgers did see 9 targets though. Who knows maybe if he hauls in all 9 next week he could break the 50 yard mark! Something he hasn’t done all season.

 

 

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