Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week (Scoring thresholds – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR).
Cooper Kupp, Seahawks
| Start pct. | 12% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Commanders |
| BetMGM line | Sea -3 |
| BetMGM total | 47.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
It’s Halloween night in the greater Boston area. You show up to the local watering hole dressed as your best Bill Belichick. Appropriately, your significant other accompanies you as Jordan Hudson. In reality, the 49-year age gap isn’t nearly as profound.
You belly up to the bar, order a THC-infused beverage and party the night away, earning props from fellow ghoulish-minded patrons for the en vogue getup.
As the hypnotic effects kick in, time slows. You absorb the atmosphere then suddenly and strangely get lost in an internal fantasy debate. WIth Emeka Egbuka on a bye, do you fill up the Kupp or turn elsewhere?
The next day when sound thoughts reenter the brain, Kupp should be heavily considered. His matchup this Sunday is a glorious one and with four teams on bye, the bench stash deserves a promotion.
Washington’s secondary is sorely lacking. Entering the Week 9 action, they rank No. 24 in dropback EPA defense, allowing the fourth-most yards and ninth-most fantasy points per game to the WR position. In its eight games, Dan Quinn’s unit has surrendered seven double-digit scoring performances to the position.
Dissecting the matchup further, the once revered WR1 as a Ram is most likely to lock horns with slot DB Mike Sainristil. This season, the welcoming defender has surrendered a 73.3 catch percentage, 94.5 passer rating and the fourth-most yards of any DB in the league according to Pro Football Focus. Why, hello there.
Currently WR52 in total half-point PPR scoring, Kupp is a shell of what he once was. Still, he’s proven sporadically useful this season. As witnessed against the Steelers, Bucs and Jags, the slot man can still rack numbers when called upon. Yes, his advanced metrics are ghastly, but at an appreciable WR18 in catchable target rate, Sam Darnold has accurately tossed passes in his general direction when called upon.
Maybe it’s the lingering effects of the wacky tobacky talking, but Kupp is worth a refill in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 54 receiving yards, 1 touchdown,13.9 fantasy points
Ricky Pearsall, Niners
| Start pct. | 11% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | at Giants |
| BetMGM line | SF -2.5 |
| BetMGM total | 48.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | NA pts |
In this day and age, patience is at a premium. Young, middle-aged or old — the yearn for instant gratification is practically unavoidable.
With high-powered tech conveniently available in pant pockets, we’ve become programmed to desire various quick psychological rewards. To many, it’s not the tortoise, but the hare, who always wins the race.
That may be true in many cases in fantasy, but sometimes those who play the slow game also reap significant benefits.
Take Pearsall.
Weeks ago San Francisco’s emerging talent succumbed to a balky knee. As a result, his breakout season was put on hold. Annoyed fantasy managers dropped him in droves, but more tolerant gamers kept him stashed. Now likely to be reactived according to Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan, Pearsall is set to reward those who didn’t pull a quick trigger.
This week, the Gold Panners face the wounded Giants in Jersey. Yes, but the cross-continental flight! That may be discouring, however, the matchup is downright dreamy.
New York enters the week a mediocre No. 18 in dropback EPA D. This season, the not-so-intimidating G-Men have surrendered the most yards and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to WRs. In half-point PPR formats, 11 wideouts have notched at least 11 fantasy points against them.
Examining the matchup with scalpel in hand, Pearsall will most often exchange pleasantries with CB Deonte Banks, a defender who is allergic to coverage. On 140 snaps played this fall, he's allowed a very friendly 158.2 passer rating, 14.7 yards per catch and an 84.6 catch percentage to his assignments. His subsequent No. 190 slotting in pass coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus perfectly sums up his vulnerabilities.
Pearsall hasn't played a snap since late September. He's no sure thing to trot out in pads, but if practice reports continue to trend in a positive direction, he has sound odds of returning.
The attractive analytics suggest he'll pick up where he left off -- with or without Brock Purdy. On the year, the field stretcher stands top-15 in air yards% (41.1), average depth of target (16.0), yards per route run (2.50), yards per target (11.3) and yards per reception (16.4). Also averaging a healthy 1.80 fantasy points per target, he's been one of the most efficient pass catchers in the league when healthy.
Keep close tabs on beat-writer reports. If given the green light, confidently insert him in your starting lineup.
Your stoicism is about to be rewarded.
Fearless Forecast (if active): 4 catches 59 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.9 fantasy points
Keep it tight (TE Play): Colston Loveland, Bears (at Bengals, 7% started) - The coveted first-round NFL draft pick has yet to cash for managers who've dealt with devoid production. However, Loveland's Week 9 opponent could light a spark. Cincinnati is the friendliest defense to fantasy tight ends. This season, they've yielded a massive 6.8 receptions per game, 74.3 receiving yards per game and 10 touchdowns to the position. Keep rolling out that red carpet, Bengals.
Loveland has logged at least 15 routes in three straight games (33 last week), participating as a receiver on nearly 54% of snaps played. When connecting with Caleb Williams, he's averaged an eye-catching 10.6 yards per reception. Last week, the rookie tallied a season-best 38 yards. In the followup, he could exceed that by a significant margin. Don't pay attention to the posted warning. Feed the Bear. (FF: 4-47-1, 13.7 fpts)