In his absence, rookie Ray Davis (20-97; 3-55) exploded and joined a handful of other rookies who delivered in expanded roles this week.

I know it’s been a rough year for injuries, but reinforcements are on the way. In addition to the rookies starting to come on, we have three injured difference-makers set to return shortly …

• Nick Chubb is expected to return in Week 7. The last time we saw Chubb in action was in Week 2 last year, before he injured his knee and underwent a pair of surgeries. Now, he’s trending to suit up vs. the Bengals this week. This would be cause for even more celebration if the Browns weren’t such a dumpster fire, but we’ll take what we can get.
  

• Cooper Kupp could play this week. Kupp is making good progress with his rehab from a high-ankle sprain and got in a “positive workout” yesterday. We still need to see him practice, but this is a very encouraging development. Sorry Puka Nacua managers, I don’t have any good news for you.
  

• Jonathon Brooks could practice soon. Panthers HC Dave Canales said the team plans to activitate Brooks from IR and open his practice window soon. It’s wise to reset expectations for the rook with how well Chuba Hubbard has played, but Brooks still profiles as a playoff hammer if you have the luxury to be patient.

For more reinforcement ideas, check out Dwain’s Utilization Report and Kendall’s Waiver Wire pieces below …

What else is in today’s newsletter?

1. Dwain’s Utilization Report: A trio of upgrades

2. Kendall Valenzuela’s Week 7 Waiver Wire Adds

3. Watercooler: Injury Watch

4. Ian Hartitz’s Sheesh Report from Week 6

Week 7 Utilization Report

by Dwain McFarland

J.K. Dobbins is pushing for RB1 status.

Dobbins tallied a whopping 25 rushing attempts in Week 6. Dobbins' utilization trend was already ascending, but with Gus Edwards placed on IR, there was little standing in his way besides the Broncos' defense. Dobbins reached season highs in snaps share (73%), rush-attempt share (68%), and Utilization Score (8.2).

While we want to avoid overreacting to a one-week sample, the absence of Edwards for the next three games opens the door for a boost for Dobbins. Backs with a Utilization Score in the range of his Week 6 performance have produced at a high level in fantasy.

• High-end RB1 finishes: 7%

• Low-end RB1 finishes: 43%

• High-end RB2 finishes: 36%

• Low-end RB2 finishes: 14%

The Chargers are the seventh-most run-heavy team (-4.1% DBOE), and Dobbins is their primary ball carrier.

Dobbins UPGRADES to borderline RB1 territory.

Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs thrive with Nico Collins out.

With Collins out due to a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for at least another three games, Dell and Diggs stepped into more prominent roles in Houston. Dell led the team with a 91% route participation and a juicy 31% target share on his way to a season-high 8.3 Utilization Score. The second-year WR ended the day with 18.7 fantasy points.

Diggs garnered a 24% target share and led the team with a 38% air-yards share, working deeper downfield than in previous weeks (14.6 aDOT). The veteran WR finished the day with an 8.6 Utilization Score and 19.7 fantasy points.

Over the last four years, 78% of WRs with a Utilization Score in the range of Dell and Diggs have posted WR1 numbers. In an offense ranked fifth in passing yards per game (256) it is wheels up for these two until Collins returns–especially in favorable matchups against the Packers and Colts over the next two games.

Diggs and Dell UPGRADE to borderline WR1 status until Collins returns.

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Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

by Kendall Valenzuela

Isaac Guerendo, RB, 49ers (0.4% rostered)

The 49ers are hoping to get Christian McCaffrey back at practice before their Week 9 bye, but there is still not much clarity on when McCaffrey will play his first game this season. Unfortunately, the team lost Jordan Mason during Thursday Night Football to a shoulder injury. He is considered day-to-day, which is good news, but that means we have to be looking at the next man up. Isaac Guerendo had 10 rushes for 99 yards against the Seahawks and will be in line for a big-ish workload if Mason can't go.

Sean Tucker, RB, Buccaneers (1%)

Let me just say this: DO NOT FREAK OUT, BUCKY IRVING MANAGERS. Here is some of the utilization we saw from Irving (taking out the one garbage-time drive at the end of the game) in Week 6: 64% of the snaps, 45% of the attempts, and 66% route participation. Here's what it looks like in the Utilization Report player comp tool:

Now, Rachaad White might be in some trouble because Sean Tucker looked SOLID. He had 45% of the attempts, 27% route participation, and led in the fantasy boxscore with 34.2 PPR fantasy points. This is where things could get complicated—the Buccaneers probably aren't going to bench White, even though this performance puts a spotlight on what he has lacked this season.

So does this turn into a three-man committee? That would be less than ideal for fantasy. Still, Tucker should be rostered after this performance in deeper formats, and we will have to see how the Buccaneers handle this situation.

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:

🤝 Dwain and Ian run through the Utilization Report and Waiver Wire Targets you need to know.

🙏 He did it again. Another Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary.

🚑️ Injury updates. Anthony Richardson, Tua, Tyjae Spears, Dontayvion Wicks.

❓How to save your team. The Fantasy Life Waiver Wire Tool is here to help.

🤣 If things need to change in Jacksonville, how about giving the best running back more touches?

🍵 Bill Belichick eviscerates the Jets. Media Bill is pretty fun.

Week 6 Sheesh Report: Missed it by that much

by Ian Hartitz

What follows is a breakdown of all the tilting, near-miss moments from Week 6 that left fantasy managers and fans alike saying, "Sheesh." I’ve watched hours of film and combed play-by-play data to help determine instances when:

• Pass catchers could have scored or picked up big yardage with a more accurate pass

• Pass catchers did receive an accurate pass that should have resulted in a score or big gain, but the ball was dropped

• Ball carriers managed to get all the way to the 1-yard line, but didn’t score

• Players scored or picked up big yardage, but the play was nullified by a penalty

• Other random stuff that tilted fantasy football managers of all shapes and sizes

Let's kick things off with the one player who dealt with more sheesh than just about anyone in Week 6 … 

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf had himself a sheeshy Thursday night

The boxscore will tell you that Seahawks WR DK Metcalf gained just 48 scoreless yards on 3 receptions during the team's Thursday night loss to the 49ers, but the film demonstrates just how close the 26-year-old veteran came to having a HUGE game.

All in all, we're talking about Metcalf potentially adding 100 extra yards and 2 TDs to his production with one better throw and the absence of a mental mistake from Kenneth Walker, who drew the illegal shift penalty for failing to come to a complete stop on the opposite side of the field (it had zero impact on the actual play).

Say it with me Metcalf fantasy managers and anytime TD bettors: Sheesh.

Of course, the Seahawks' No. 1 WR was hardly the only pass catcher to come oh so close to putting up bigger numbers last week.

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