🏈 You hear the big news?

OBJ commits, Cam Newton returns, Kyle Pitts and Pat Freiermuth, injury updates and more.

Good morning. I’m sure you’ve already heard yesterday’s biggest story, but incase you live under a rock: I acquired Matthew Stafford and Tony Pollard in my home league. Yup, I’m all in on the Rams passing offense.

Gave up Adam Thielen tho…

In all seriousness, what a wild day: the Ravens lost to the Dolphins, two former All-Pros signed, and much more. Let’s get into it:

No deodorant is stopping these Pitts

Kyle Pitts had more hype coming into this season than any TE ever - and he’s delivering. Plus I wanted to write that title.

Pitts leads all TEs in targets of 10 or more air yards, has the most receiving yards at the position since Week 7, and also has the most 15+ yard receptions among TEs. Pitts is being targeted on over 20% of his routes the last two weeks.

• One downside? Since Ridley left the team, Pitts is seeing coverage from top CBs at a higher rate than Travis Kelce and Darren Waller.

In other rookie TE news, Pat Freiermuth will see plenty of opportunities to shine with Chase Claypool and JuJu out.

Corbin @corbin_young21

Pat Freiermuth's 23.6% (No. 14) target rate indicates Ben Roethlisberger looks his way when he's on the field. The rookie ran more routes the past two weeks, plus reached season highs with a 79.7% and 71.2% snap share in Week 8 and 9.

Wham, Bam, Cam

This still makes me laugh

After finally finding an excuse to sit Sam Darnold, the Panthers signed Cam Newton to a kinda big deal. I’m thrilled to see Cam back in Carolina blue.

• Cam’s contract terms: Up to $10M for the year, including $4.5M fully guaranteed + $1.5M Roster Bonus, per Adam Schefter.

• This is not the 2015 MVP Cam Newton, but compared to Sam Darnold’s recent play, it might as well be. If you can buy low, DJ Moore could return to top-15 status with a competent passer. This dents CMC’s TD chances, as Cam is the ultimate goal-line vulture.

• HC Matt Rhule told reporters that PJ Walker will start this week while Cam is rushed up to speed.

Some good Cam Newton comedy:

• Cam showing up at the Panthers stadium like he rose from the dead (video).

• Cam walking back into the Panthers facility (video).

• The Panthers going back to Cam Newton (video - Thanos)

Looking out Wide (at the Receivers)

Yup, Odell signed with the Rams. Vegas didn’t care, and BetMGM even took a little shot:

BetMGM 🦁 @BetMGM

Rams Super Bowl odds before the Odell signing: +800 Rams Super Bowl odds after the Odell signing: +800

Rams GM Les Snead thinks he’s playing Madden (we should’ve known), but not many reporters thought the Rams were in the mix until yesterday morning.

• It came down to Packers or Rams before Sean McVay convinced Odell by detailing how the Rams planned to use him. OBJ also felt the Packers were “never all-in” as they only offered him the veteran minimum.

• The Rams gave Odell a 1-year deal worth up to $4.25M.

  • $500K signing bonus

  • $750K for the rest of the season

  • Another $3M available in team-based incentives for how they finish the regular season and the postseason.

Fantasy Gazette @FantasyGazette_

Wow! This just in from Van Jefferson:

Until Odell joins the breakfast club, Cooper Kupp remains the overall WR1. Wait on downgrading Bobby Trees as Woods plays the gadget role.

Per @IHartitz, you have to downgrade Courtland Sutton. Broncos targets with a healthy Jerry Jeudy:

• Jeudy: 19

• Tim Patrick: 12

• Courtland Sutton: 9.

Hey Nurse, can you check on my fantasy team?

Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy said Clyde Edwards-Helaire "looked great" at Wednesday's practice, but remains on the IR. CEH’s return is great news for the Chiefs QB?

• Patrick Mahomes w/ CEH this year: 32.5 FPPG.

• Mahomes w/out CEH this year: 15.8 FPPG

Alvin Kamara did not practice again, making it unlikely he plays in Week 10. Chris Godwin also sat out of Thursday’s practice. Tyler Johnson is a great fill-in option, especially with Antonio Brown is still out.

Russell Wilson (finger) estimates his health is "90th percentile" and is ready to play. Julio Jones was added to the injury report after tweaking his hamstring (video), while James Robinson (heel) returned to practice.

Quick Slants

• The frighteningly large amount of draft capital teams have spent on Sam Darnold: Jets (1st and three 2nds) and Panthers (2nd, 4th, and 6th)

• Tony Gonzalez does his best Scarface impression during pre-game intros (video)

• A great imitation of NFL broadcasters telling stories of players childhoods (video)

• Michael Thomas refuses to return to the NFL until people call him Slant-Man (joke)

• Remember, rookie WRs are typically far more productive in the 2nd half of their rookie seasons (great tweet)

• How would the pros draft if the season started today? ETR’s Top 150 rankings podcast is up.

Tweet of the Day

Enjoy a minute of DeVonta Smith’s masterclass on route running

JetPack Galileo @JetPackGalileo

Devonta Smith too crispy, too crafty

Thanks for joining us this morning. Today’s a great day to have a great day.

- Jake & Eddie