Fabiano’s Fantasy Focus: Week Eight, Volume I

Every summer leading into and throughout the NFL season, Sports Illustrated and SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano joins Sports360AZ.com to share his insight on building and developing your fantasy team for success.

Here are some highlights from our most recent conversation (October 27th) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.

What’s the true value of Chase Edmonds with Kenyan Drake out now here in Arizona? “Could be pretty good. He’s been the better running back all season long and now that Drake is out, Edmonds will be the top [waiver] add even thought the Cardinals aren’t playing this week. I feel like that tells you everything you need to know. He’s got a tremendous opportunity to maybe take this job for the remainder of this season. So Edmonds, if he’s not owned in your league, he should be shortly. This guy has proven that he can be a very big-time fantasy asset.”

What’s the play in San Francisco with Jeff Wilson, Jr. now sidelined in San Francisco? “I have no idea. I have to be honest with you because we know Wilson is not going to play. We know that Raheem Mostert is on injured reserve. So, it’s going to be probably one or two of three backs. You would think that Jerick McKinnon would be the lead back but we thought that last week and then Kyle Shanahan came out and said, ‘Well, we’re going to rest him.’ Then you’re looking at JaMycal Hasty who is also in the mix but Tevin Coleman might come back from IR this week. I’m not sure but there’s been reports that that could happen. Say Coleman doesn’t come back. Then it’s McKinnon and Hasty and you can kind of choose against Seattle. It’s going to be a high scoring game. But, if Coleman does come back, well then you have a three-headed monster which could be a bit confusing. So with as great as the Niners’ running backs have been in the past, with their injuries, there’s no guarantee. So, right now, I’d go McKinnon but I’m not 100 percent sure at this point.”

What’s your early feel on Joe Burrow this week? “I would guess he’d be Top 12 this week. Ya’ know, the matchup is good and the Titans didn’t give up much to Big Ben last week but he had three turnovers. So, I feel like this defense can be had and we’ve seen some quarterbacks put up some pretty good numbers against Tennessee. So Burrow could be like a back end QB1 but his schedule down the stretch, when we’re talking about postseasons, is so good. So, if he’s out there, go get him – without question. If you need a quarterback this week you can start him, depending on the alternatives.”

Let’s stick with quarterbacks and address the waiver wire for Week Eight. “Baker Mayfield had five touchdowns. How did he have five touchdowns with no OBJ but he stinks with him. I don’t get it. Whatever. It is what it is. He’s worth adding. He’s got the Raiders this week. I still don’t trust Baker because they’re going to run the ball a lot in Cleveland. If you want to play him as a QB2, ok. Tua Tagovailoa. I wouldn’t play him this week against the Rams but I’d pick him up. Kirk Cousins has the Packers and the Lions the next couple of weeks so he can be added.”

How about at wide receiver? “There are a lot of these guys so buckle up. Sterling Shepard came back and had a very good game. He’s got the Bucs this week so I’m not going to play him. Nelson Agholor has had a touchdown in three-straight games for the Raiders. Brandon Aiyuk with Debo Samuel out is a great pickup and play this week against Seattle. They’re giving up 60 fantasy points to wide receivers. Chris Godwin is hurt again. He’s not going to play this week. Scotty Miller had a nice game last week with over 22 fantasy points and he’s got a good matchup against the Giants. Randall Cobb is on a bye but you can still pick him up if you need him.”

What’s the latest with the Ravens’ backfield? “It looks like Mark Ingram is going to go this week but J.K. Dobbins needs to be owned across the board as a second half, maybe stash and cash kind of player.”

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