🏈 Robert? Robert Woods?

Good morning. Everyone’s asking for hot takes, so here’s one: I’d rather watch this year’s Houston Texans take on a Jeff Fisher-coached 2008 Rams team than watch Friends, that popular sitcom with Jennifer Aniston.

• The 2008 Rams?

One of just four teams since 2002 to win one or fewer games, the 2008 Rams threw 21 interceptions and just 12 touchdowns, were shut out twice, scored 10 or fewer points on nine occasions, and were outscored by 261 points over the course of the season — a franchise record.

Also - welcome back to life Robert Woods. Apparently, Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford have breakfast together every morning, for two hours, and watch film. Looks like Bobby Trees finally joined.

Now, the fun stuff.

Deep Dives

These players, available in almost every league, are worth grabbing.

The idea is you pick up a player before everyone wants to grab them off the waiver wire. Last week, the perfect pickups were Dawson Knox and Damien Williams. Here’s what we wrote about Alex Collins 2 weeks ago.

This week:

• Maxx Williams (5.4%) - The Cardinals TE has been a steady receiver for Kyler Murray over the last three games, hauling in all 15 of his targets for 179 yards and one touchdown. Kyler trusts the 6’4, 252-pound Williams in the middle of the field. Big Maxx, as we call him, is a former 2nd-round pick and finds himself one more 10+ point game from relevance. He’s seen as many targets as Dallas Goedert. Grab him.

• Rashod Bateman (13.5%) - Bateman (groin) may make his pro debut Monday against the Colts, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports. The 27th overall pick in the 2021 draft joins a Lamar Jackson-led offense that has opened the year passing much more than expected.

• Chris Evans (1.8%) - RB is the most valuable position in fantasy football. It’s also the most injury-prone. That said, Bengals star Joe Mixon's status (ankle) for Week 5 is up in the air, and Bengals beat writer Ben Baby reported that it will be a committee approach with Samaje Perine and Chris Evans splitting carries. Ankle injuries tend to linger, and Evans could easily win this backfield.

Christian McCaffrey Update

Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) said he "definitely" has a chance to return for Sunday's game against the Eagles. Players are always optimistic about playing through injury, but McCaffrey avoiding any setbacks in practice is a great sign. We miss him.

It’s now clear is that if McCaffrey isn't back for Week 5, he will be back in Week 6. CMC holders exhale.

WTF of the Day

Bro…

Max Makes Moves

My good friend (and elite fantasy mind) Max highlights two deals you need to make:

1. Buy Low: Mike Williams. Clemson fans observing the late career breakout of Big Mike Williams (BMW) won’t be surprised by the X-receiver’s dominance. They’re just shocked it took so long. Fresh off his first slow game, savvy managers can point to Williams’ track record of inconsistency and lack of precedent WR1 production in negotiations.

   1. In reality, tethering yourself to the Number 1 receiver (yes I said it) in a Justin Herby-Fully LOADED offense should be easy money the rest of the way. Believe in the breakout; believe in BMW.

2. Buy High: Christian McCaffrey owners may be getting impatient, even after one week. While fantasy football regular seasons usually range from 13-14 weeks, some trigger-happy managers panic early on in the season, especially if things aren’t going their way.

   1. Managers can highlight the following to lower CMC’s price:

      1. Hamstring injuries tend to linger

      2. After “getting his money”, CMC may be inclined to take his time in recovery

      3. Hubbard’s solid performance may lead to some sort of role.

   2. That’s what you make them think. In reality, there is no player in this sport who can move the needle more than the Panther Prodigy. Given the uncertainty, panicked team owners may be willing to move CMC for more immediate returns. Time to pounce!

Kyle Pitts Week?

Yesterday, the Falcons announced Calvin Ridley is out for Week 5 with a personal issue, absolutely f***ing my fantasy team. Russell Gage (ankle) has also been declared out, leaving Olamide Zaccheaus as the Falcons' "#1 receiver." Kyle Pitts & Cordarrelle Patterson should both see season-high levels of volume. This better be the weekend Pitts shows up for us.

Quick Hits

• 49ers rookie RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) remained "limited" in 49ers practice Thursday. Don’t hold your breath here.

• FOX's Jay Glazer "one million percent" expects Russell Wilson to seek a trade again in the offseason. Not sure if you watched the game last night, but Pete Carroll made some questionable calls. Don’t blame Russ on this, he and Pete have been together too long. #LetRussCook

• Coach Kyle Shanahan has tried to claim there is a chance Jimmy Garoppolo still starts this week, but it is looking extremely unlikely after Jimmy missed practice again Thursday.

• ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports the Steelers are a "heck no" on benching Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger can barely move on the field. #LetDwayneHaskinsCook? Consider Mason Rudolph in 2QB leagues.

• Urban Meyer’s wife Shelley posted her last tweet.

Thanks for joining me this morning - writing these newsletters is the best part of my day. Go crush it!

- Jake

The Morning Huddle: an (almost) daily newsletter full of fantasy football news, memes, and stats - giving you the edge to win titles and the laughs to enjoy every minute of it.

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