Leon's List - 2022 Week 7

Leon’s List is a weekly post about waiver wire players I’m keeping an eye on.

There’s no other way to put it, the Carolina Panthers are a dumpster fire. They fired their head coach, Matt Rhule, last Monday. Rhule was given a $60 million contract for 7 years. He made it 2 years and 5 games. In that time, his record as head coach was 11-27.

But the problem isn’t just with the head coach, their starting quarterbacks during the last 3 seasons were: Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker, Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, and Baker Mayfield. They are listening to trade requests for everyone including their star running back, CMC. And to top it all off, Robbie Anderson got sent to the locker room after getting into it with the coaching staff during their game against the Rams.

I guess sometimes life imitates fantasy (football). Alan was taking trade requests for CMC on 10/02. This was 12 days before the Panthers were taking requests for CMC. Does Alan have a line into the future?

FAAB Watch

Big Spenders

The biggest spender this week was Simon with $18. He paid a premium to snag Geno Smith. The only other player to spend over $10 was Alan with $11.

Bidding Wars

The players with the most bids were Geno Smith and Eno Benjamin. Both winning bids were less than $5 over the 2nd highest bid.

Trade Talk

Chris Olave (Leon) for Russel Wilson (Tyler)

I needed a quarterback this week with Kirk Cousins and Minnesota on bye this week. I liked my bench and didn’t want to drop someone to rent a QB. Fortunately for me, Tyler was sick of riding with Russ.

After watching Monday Night Football, I feel this trade favors Tyler, 60-40. Chris Olave is the lead receiver in New Orleans. He is getting a ton of targets and has made the most of it. He was out last week with a concussion but should be back in Week 7. It also seems like Jameis Winston is about to return from injury. He is a definite upgrade over Andy Dalton.

Russel Wilson looked amazing in the first half against the Chargers on Monday Night Football. But the second half and overtime were terrible. I’m hoping the Broncos figure it out next week against the Jets. Let’s ride…?

Leon’s List

We’re running it back this week with a bunch of players that were on my list from previous weeks.

Marcus Mariota (QB - ATL)

Mariota had an efficient game on Sunday. He completed 13 of 14 passes with 2 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 yards and another touchdown.

I am expecting more of the same this week against Cincy. The Bengals gave up 26 points to Andy Dalton and a Saints team missing their three best receivers. They also allowed 228 rushing yards.

Nico Collins (WR - HOU)

Teams seem to be locking down Brandon Cooks, so Nico Collins has been seeing more targets. Collins scored 10.7 and 8.5 fantasy points in the two weeks before Houston’s bye week. He comes back fresh for a matchup against the Broncos.

The Broncos will probably take out Brandon Cooks with Pat Surtain II (just ask Mike Williams). This will open up Collins for receptions and fantasy points.

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR - NYG)

The rookie is back from injury and much needed by the Giants. Robinson is probably the most talented receiver on the Giant’s active roster. He showed up last week with 3 catches, 37 yards, and a touchdown.

Chase Claypool (WR - PIT)

Chase Claypool was huge last week. Mitch Trubisky found him multiple times for long third down conversions. Claypool finished the day with 7 catches, 96 yards, and a touchdown. Hopefully the Steelers keep the playbook open and air it out against the Dolphins this week.

Robert Tonyan (TE - GB)

Robert Tonyan was targeted 12 times last week. He converted those looks into 10 catches and 90 yards. Aaron Rodgers says the Packers need to simplify things on offense. What’s simpler than hitting the Tight End for short passes over and over?

Greg Duchic (TE - DEN)

The 3rd round rookie out of UCLA scored the only touchdown for the Broncos on Monday night. He was out the first five weeks of the season with an injury. But he was active in Week 6, taking Albert O’s place. Dulchic caught 2 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.

New York Giants Defense

The Giants pass rush is getting scary. Two weeks ago they batted down back to back balls from Aaron Rodgers in London. This past week, they picked off and strip sacked Lamar Jackson in the 4th quarter. They get Trevor Lawrence and the Jags next week. Lawrence looked like he regressed in the past 3 weeks and is loose with the football.

Denver Defense

The J-E-T-S have been impressive but it’s mostly from their running game. Zach Wilson has not looked great. He completed 10 out of 18 passes last week. I think the Broncos defense can stop the run and make Wilson pass, which will most likely lead to turnovers and sacks.

Best Things I Saw

  • Saquon Barkley sliding down at the 3 yard line is a smart situational football move. But it hurts my soul as a Saquon fantasy football manager. It ultimately didn’t matter for me, as I lost the week by more than 6 points.

  • I love that Belichick did not give a damn about getting a muffed punt game ball. The look on his face is priceless. I have to give props to the rookie for even trying this.

Tags: #football

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