🏈 Buying Brandon Aiyuk

Elijah Moore, Baker speaks out, OBJ update, Chicago's Backfield, Jakobi Meyers record, and 90 seconds of Adrian Peterson

Good morning and happy Elijah Moore day! While you didn’t start him, at least you got him waiting in the wings. Right!?

And an extra gm to the Mike F White faithful. Last night wasn’t the best follow-up to the best-first-game of a QB’s career.

Before we get into it, Jonathan Taylor is such a stud:

Ian Kenyon @IanKenyonNFL

I've said it before, I'll say it again... Jonathan Taylor ran for 6,000 yards before his 21st birthday at a power-5 school and then tested as a 99th percentile sparq athlete. There's no reason he shouldn't have been seen on same level as Saquon/Zeke as a prospect.

Let’s check in on Odell:

Odell Beckham Jr/Sr Situation

The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot reported Odell Beckham was excused from practice for the second straight day and is not expected to play for the Browns again.

By "excusing" OBJ from practice on Thursday, the Browns are essentially suspending him with pay. Under the CBA, that's not permitted. The Browns must welcome him back or release him (or suspend him without pay for conduct detrimental to the team). Browns CB Greedy Williams also liked the video.

• Baker was “surprised” by the video and the comments attacking him. He’s not hurt, but willing to “forgive & move forward.”

• You can watch Baker’s interview here.

• Is OBJ’s lack of production on HC Kevin Stefanski, not just Mayfield?

Emmanuel Acho @EmmanuelAcho

Targets to star wide receivers in Kevin Stefanski’s offense: Odell Beckham 📉 32%. Stefon Diggs 📉 by 38% Adam Thielen 📉 by 58% OBJ’s lack of production is on the Head coach, not Baker Mayfield. #Browns

Chicago’s Backfield

NBC Sports

The Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer reports "the hope" is for David Montgomery (knee) to get "at least some work on Monday night" - great sign for his health. Damien Williams (knee) did not practice on Thursday, while Khalil Herbert continues to shine. Matt Nagy suggested Montgomery will still get the bulk of carries when activated; if true, Montgomery remains a mid/low RB1.

Get Brandon Aiyuk as soon as you can

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Remember when we begged you to trade for Elijah Moore? Moore’s had the best three weeks of his career since. We’re doing the same thing with Aiyuk.

Here’s why we’re buying the former 1st rounder:

• In Week 8, Aiyuk played 88% snaps, ran a route on 97% of dropbacks, ran more routes than Deebo (29-26), saw 7 targets and a 25% target share. All season highs.

• 49ers writer David Lombardi: “A lot went into Brandon Aiyuk’s early-season slump, much triggered by a preseason hamstring injury that threw a promising early-camp rhythm out of whack. Cure: Attacking practice reps with true purpose to re-establish rapport/confidence. CHI was Aiyuk’s best game in all phases”

• George Kittle: "Aiyuk has done a better job being deliberate with every single rep he gets.”

• OC Mike McDaniel: Aiyuk is finally understanding what it means to be a pro. “He’s looking like the guy [we] envisioned he would be when drafting him last year.”

• According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Aiyuk’s averaged only 1.9 yards of separation (4th-lowest), nearly a yard worse than the 2.8 he averaged in 2020. But in Week 8, Aiyuk hit 2.9, above last season’s standard. Just watch this separation (video).

• "Did any players or coaches help you hit the reset button?" a reporter asked. "Me and Kyle had some words," said Aiyuk, admitting he had trust issues and needed to hash things out with Shanahan to fix their relationship.

  JetPack Galileo @JetPackGalileo

  Brandon Aiyuk involved in every big play, flying around, cleaning up the edges, stacking pancakes. He's the man. This roster is built around tough, physical ball players who will pave the way for their teammates. Aiyuk is no exception.

Matt Stafford, MVP

Next Gen Stats @NextGenStats

The quarterback who generated the most pass EPA has won MVP in every season in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016). This season, Matthew Stafford has generated almost twice as much pass EPA (+114.3) than the next closest QB (Dak Prescott: +62.2). #RamsHouse

Visiting the Hospital

My fantasy season has been diagnosed as “disappointing”

QB:

• Dak Prescott (calf) said it's "safe to say" he will be starting against the Broncos.

• Taysom Hill (concussion) was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday and should start against the Falcons, but the Saints are keeping their QB plans close to the vest.

• Texans coach David Culley said Tyrod Taylor will start in Week 9 against the Dolphins; great news for Brandin Cooks.

RB:

• Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee) has not yet been designated to return from IR and is likely 1-2 weeks away from playing. James Robinson (heel) did not practice for a second consecutive day on Thursday and is unlikely to suit up this week. It’s (sadly) Carlos Hyde szn.

WR:

• Kadarius Toney (thumb) remained limited in Thursday's practice; we should have some clarity today. Sterling Shepard (quad) did not participate in Thursday's practice and is unlikely to play. Kenny Golladay (knee) returned to Giants practice Thursday for the first time since Week 5. 

• CeeDee Lamb (ankle sprain) did not participate in Thursday's practice, making Cedrick Wilson (10 targets over the last 2 weeks) a viable add.

• Packers activated Davante Adams from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Despite Rodgers’ absence, you’ve got to start Adams.

Quick Slants

• The Athletic's Tashan Reed said Zay Jones "presumably" will replace Henry Ruggs as the Raiders' "Z" receiver. Viable in deep leagues as a boom/bust WR4/5.

• Packers signed QB Blake Bortles, on purpose, while DeSean Jackson went unclaimed on waivers and is free to sign with any team.

• Jakobi Meyers is 1 or 2 yards away from surpassing Gerald Riggs for most receiving yards without a receiving touchdown. Meyers already has two passing TDs and three 2-point conversions.

• Here's 90 seconds of Adrian Peterson at #Titans practice today (video)

PFF’s biggest fantasy football mismatches in Week 9:

Hollywood Brown - In Week 7, Brown had an astronomical 330 air yards. The 250 unrealized air yards shattered the previous 2021 high. He remains the Raven’s clear-cut No. 1 receiver; fire him up as a WR1 against the Vikings’ slow-footed corners

Tweet of the Day

Ian Hartitz @Ihartitz

Cutting OBJ from the fantasy football squad for David Johnson

Thanks for joining me this morning, have a great Friday. It’s a great day to be great.

- Jake