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It was a mixed bag in Week 9 as our running backs smashed, but it was a big whiff at the wide receiver position. Time to move on to Week 10.
Running Backs
Cash Game Option:
Tennessee Titans Dion Lewis ($10,300) – It is once again a week in which I encourage paying up for the top stud running backs like Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt. As always, it’s impossible to pay up for all of these guys so we need to find other players who can contribute at their price point. This brings me to Lewis who has now touched the ball at least 15 times in three of the last four games. The Titans running back is finally the focus of the offense and was tied for third in total snaps among the position in Week 9. Lewis is more involved in the passing game as well as he has already eclipsed his 2017 numbers in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. If you believe in the “revenge game” narrative than this makes Lewis an even more enticing play as he faces his former team in the New England Patriots. The Patriots are favored by 6.5 so the game should stay relatively close that Lewis will continue to get carries, but even if the Titans fall behind, the aforementioned usage in the passing game will keep him fantasy relevant.
Tournament Option:
Seattle Seahawks Mike Davis ($9,200) – Starting running back Chris Carson is dealing with a lot of lower body injuries and will be a game-time decision. If Carson can not go, Davis will be inserted as the starter and will get the majority of the touches in the backfield for the Seahawks. In relief of Carson in Week 9, Davis finished with 62 rushing yards on 15 carries while also hauling in seven catches for 45 yards. The Seahawks will take on a Rams defense that is ranked 24th against the run in DVOA according to Football Outsiders. The one concern is that the Seahawks are currently 10 point underdogs against the Rams, but as evidenced by the seven catches last week, Davis will not have his role change due to the score. This is a situation to monitor and with a late kickoff on Sunday, there could be some uncertainty, which is why Davis is a tournament play only. If we find out Carson will play, an easy pivot is to Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson who is the same price and squares off against an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the most receptions to running backs in the league. Johnson finished Week 9 with nine catches.
Wide Receivers
Cash Game Option:
Los Angeles Rams Robert Woods ($12,300) – Paying up at wide receiver will never be a bad option when the choices are Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill to name a few. However, we can’t afford everyone and if we are trying to pay for the stud running backs we need to look at the next tier. This brings me to Woods who has caught at least five passes in every game this season except Week 1. We are looking for a stable floor along with consistency when we are putting together a cash game lineup and that is what Woods provides as he has caught five passes for at least 70 yards in three straight games. If that’s his floor than that is extremely encouraging. The Rams take on the Seahawks and they have an implied team total of 30.5, which is the second highest on the slate. Pro Football Focus also ranks Wood’s match-up against Shaquill Griffin as the third best among wide receivers in Week 10. If not paying up for Gurley this week, this is a nice way to get Rams exposure in your lineups.
Tournament Option:
Los Angeles Chargers Tyrell Williams ($8,800) – The Chargers are in a great spot this week to light up the scoreboard as they take on the Raiders. They have an implied team total of 30 so points should not be hard to come by. Quarterback Philip Rivers is a fine play in all formats so his receivers should be as well. I prefer paying up for Keenan Allen at wide receiver, but we shouldn’t forget about the rest of the crew. The Raiders pass defense ranks dead last in DVOA according to Football Outsiders and they have allowed the third most passes of 20-plus yards with 35. Williams leads the Chargers in deep ball targets with 11 so this is a dream situation. Fellow wide receiver Mike Williams is cheaper so I think he will be more popular, but a Rivers-Tyrell Williams stack in tournaments is a strong option.