NFL Player News

No NFL wideout ran more routes (57) than Cooper on Sunday; his ten targets led the team. His inefficiency was par for the course in a Cleveland offense that was dysfunctional from the start. Cooper was open a few times in the second half but a constantly-pressured Deshaun Watson didn’t see him (along with other open pass catchers). Watson hit Cooper’s fingertips in the fourth quarter on what would have been a long touchdown. Cooper will be a top-15 option in Week 2 against the Jaguars.

Rudolph’s pick was more of an issue with accuracy than decision, as a high throw to Chig Okonkwo bounced off his hands in the end zone and landing in the arms of Amani Hooker. He struggled with accuracy early while going 9-for-19, but settled down and connected on a six-yard touchdown with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to give the Titans a 17-10 lead late in the fourth, and was able to lead a go-ahead scoring drive in overtime that was mostly the work of Tony Pollard. Rudolph is the best of a bad situation for Tennessee it appears; but if Will Levis (shoulder) can play in Week 10, it might be Levis under center for the team against the Chargers.

With CeeDee Lamb eliminated via shoulder and game plan, the Cowboys’ PPR scheme to Ferguson surged to volume that hadn’t been seen since Week 5. If Lamb missed more time it would likely be a push-pull on Ferguson’s fantasy value as he’d be in line for more targets but be more of a focal point of the coverage. Ferguson will be a low-end TE1 against the Eagles next week.

Tracy also caught one pass for three yards. The explosive rookie was largely held in check on Sunday, with his longest run coming on a 10-yard gain, but he was instrumental in helping the Giants move the ball for much of the first half. Tracy’s 16 rush attempts more than doubled that of Devin Singletary and are more than enough to put him squarely on the radar as a high-end RB2 in Week 10 against the Panthers.

Ridder entered the game in the third quarter after Gardner Minshew was benched. With a banged-up offensive line, Ridder was constantly under pressure and his first two drives ended as three-and-outs. He was strip-sacked by Trey Hendrickson in the fourth quarter but finally connected with Brock Bowers for a garbage-time score, tossing the ball to Bowers in between multiple defenders while scrambling. The Raiders’ quarterback situation is in flux yet again and Ridder could very well be starting after the team’s Week 10 bye.

Maye showed off some dual-threat ability; particularly on a 26-yard gain early in the contest. He also showed that his decision making is still very much a work in progress with a few throws into contested coverage including a pick early in the contest. The rookie also lost a costly fumble that set up a go-ahead touchdown for the Titans, but he was able to lead the Patriots on a game-tying touchdown that concluded with a last-second touchdown find to Rhamondre Stevenson. He got another chance in overtime, but he overthrew anyone and everyone for a pick by Amani Hooker; Hooker’s second pick of the game. Maye offers some interesting upside because he basically has to run, but he’s a risky option in Week 11 against the Bears.

He was outrushed not only by Rico Dowdle, but by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb as well. Cook didn’t emerge until the third quarter, and then was instantly the reason the Cowboys got called for 12 men before a crucial fourth-and-short go. He’s not startable in fantasy football at this point.

Winston’s lone highlight was a picture perfect throw to Cedric Tillman in the corner of the end zone late in the fourth quarter. Beyond that, it was ugly. His three picks might have been six if Chargers defenders had hung on to poorly thrown passes to tightly covered Browns pass catchers. Winston was under pressure on seemingly every drop back, taking six sacks and barely avoiding a handful of others. Winston’s matchup is far easier in Week 10: He takes on his former team, the Saints, a defense that most recently made Bryce Young look like a viable NFL quarterback. Winston is in play for superflex purposes next week.

Nabers didn’t register his first reception until the second half but still wound up leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. The star rookie’s longest gain came on a 16-yard reception in the third quarter, but he was able to PPR scam his way to a respectable fantasy performance in a game where the Giants averaged just 5.5 yards per play. Nabers has been a target hog all season for the Giants and will be a fringe WR1 against the Panthers next week.

Cured from his illness, Dowdle again looked like the best back on the field with Ezekiel Elliott inactive. His touchdown catch came on a Prescott scramble. Prescott lobbed it to Dowdle, and after he got a hand on the ball to tip it up in the end zone, then caught it as it fell directly into his lap as he was on the ground. If the Cowboys are going to be this screen-focused, Dowdle should make for a PPR scheme as long as he continues to have this level of workload. He out-touched Dalvin Cook 17 to two today.