🏈 Ladies and Gentlemen, Friday

Grab Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sell Trey Sermon, and Remember when we said Khalil Herbert?

Good morning. It’s Friday, which means two nights before Sunday. Until then:

And remember, Adam Gase was an NFL coach. If he can do that, you can do anything.

Speaking of Ravens-Chargers

Marquise Brown faces his toughest matchup yet, while Mark Andrews should see heavy volume.

• Against outside WR1s, the Chargers have held Terry McLaurin, Amari Cooper, Tyreek Hill, and Odell Beckham Jr. to an average of 7.8 points.

• Against TEs, the Chargers allow an average of 79.6 yards and 0.6 TDs.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, aka the Lions WR1

"Saint’s done a great job and I think it's our job to get him involved more," said Jared Goff. "He's a guy that as a rookie, he doesn't look like a rookie. He's stepped."

• Quintez Cephus is out for the season, and St. Brown’s playing in the slot (where Goff loved targeting Cooper Kupp). 12-targets is possible for PFF’s 5th ranked rookie WR.

Frank Stampfl @Roto_Frank

Amon-Ra St. Brown's last two games: 71% snaps 63 routes on 92 dropbacks 13 receptions 67.5 yards per game 23.5% target share 3 red zone targets

You should probably grab Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Rookie Report

Once again, Eric Drzewiecki crushes the rookie report:

Stock Up

1. Davis Mills - Mills had a surprisingly strong game against a Patriots defense that feasts on rookie QBs. The final result wasn't a W, but it was a great game and an encouraging sign for the rookie. He's a must-stash in 2 QB leagues and his value takes a noticeable jump in Dynasty leagues.

2. Amon-Ra St Brown

3. Tommy Tremble - Don't look now, but the Tremblemaker has decent outings in 2/3 weeks. Encouraging output for a rookie TE that was probably available in most dynasty leagues. While he’s not yet a starter for fantasy, his progress points to a solid future.

Stock Down

1. Trey Sermon - Upon Mitchell's return, Sermon was an afterthought and barely played. That's an ominous sign for the 3rd rounder, and it's hard to image Sermon elevates his value enough to justify his draft choice. Hold for now - Sermon’s viable if anything happens to Mitchell, but it looks bleak.

Here’s an article on players to stash for 2022 in dynasty leagues.

Missing practice with an “illness”

The following players missed practice with an undisclosed illness:

Josh Jacobs, Lamar Jackson, DeAndre Hopkins, Jamaal Williams

This shouldn’t be concerning, but the Covid rules make any illness worth monitoring. The good news is they all would already be on the reserve/COVID-19 list if their teams believed there was any chance they contracted the virus.

Some bad news

• Bears placed RB Damien Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list and he will miss the Week 6 matchup against Green Bay. 

The good news

• Khalil Herbert, who we highlighted earlier this week (and you listened, right?), is next up for carries in the Chicago backfield. Herbert should see a near bell-cow role Sunday.

• Green Bay is giving up an average of 21.7 PPG to the RB position in 2021. Start Khalil for 10+ points.

Bryan Perez @BryanPerezNFL

*whispers* Khalil Herbert is better than Damien Williams.

Seattle General Hospital

The Seahawks skill players are injured as often as I complain about NFL coaches.

• Russell Wilson was throwing in practice, but with his left hand? Seattle is a strange place. Regardless, Wilson aims to return by Week 10.

• Chris Carson (neck) remained sidelined at practice. If Carson doesn't get in a session today, I doubt he plays. Alex Collins is the next man up.

• DK Metcalf (foot) was downgraded to "DNP" in Thursday's practice, leaving him questionable for Sunday.

To top it off, Pete Carroll called Wilson "one of the great healers of all time."

Quick Slants

• FOX's Jay Glazer "wouldn't be surprised" if Zach Ertz or Dallas Goedert are traded "some time this week." Ertz is more likely to be dealt, and a trade puts both into top 10 TE status.

• In anticipation of the Chargers vs Ravens matchup this Sunday, here’s a beautiful Ray Lewis hit on Darren Sproles.

• Wow: How a 22-Year-Old UTSA Student Faked His Way Into Texas A&M's Post-Alabama Locker Room.

• Ian Rapoport hit by a football while reporting (mildly amusing video)

• Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t made the “strides” 49ers GM John Lynch expected. Dante Pettis 2.0?

Tweet of the Day

Andy @andy_buckler

"Brandon Aiyuk came out as a rookie and dominated there's just no way he's bad. He's a first round WR in year 2 that was just jumping over defenders in prime time a year ago" Chipotle: " sir, I said Chicken or Steak"

Question of the Day

Fernando Ramirez @RealFRamirez

Baltimore Ravens DC Don Martindale on #Chargers QB Justin Herbert, “He’s one of those guys who could throw a strawberry through a battleship.”

Can you think of a better analogy?

Thank you - have a great day. And remember, Adam Gase was an NFL coach.

Note: You may have noticed I brought sponsors on board: it would never have been possible without all of you. Thanks to these sponsors, we’ve got some exciting announcements coming over the next few weeks, involving FREE championship rings for your league, autographed jersey giveaways, and much more. You deserve the sponsorship $ as much as I do. You are all legends, thanks for joining me on this journey.

- 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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