The Spire

Logan Gooley ’24

Staff Writer

Waiver-Wire:

QB: Joshua Dobbs (38.9%) RB: Keaton Mitchell (23.3%) WR: Rashid Shaheed (27.5%) 

TE: Cade Otton (23.3%)  DEF/ST: Washington Commanders (20.2%)

My waiver-wire must add of the week is none other than journeyman himself, Robert Joshua Dobbs. Being one of the most incredible stories of the 2023 season, Dobbs has solidified himself as a genuine starting QB in the NFL. While I cannot give any explanation to Dobbs’ play, he has now moved himself up to the QB8 spot in fantasy, meaning that he should be your starting QB this week if you’re in the market. 

Must Start

RB: Alexander Mattison vs. Denver Broncos WR: Christian Watson vs. Los Angeles Chargers

TE: Durham Smythe vs. Las Vegas Raiders

If you’re an Alexander Mattison fan, you probably strongly dislike him. He’s inconsistent, inefficient, and kind of plays like 2019 Frank Gore. However, Mattison and the Vikings will have a field day against the defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to running backs. And not just by a little; this Broncos defense is allowing 46 ppg to running backs, which is 15 points higher than the team in 31st place, the Chicago Bears. 

Now that I’m back to hot takes and not easy ones, let’s roll with Christian Watson. Hate him or love him, Watson is Love’s guy. Averaging 5.5 targets in his games played this season, I’d expect 6-7 targets versus LA. Being the 30th ranked defense in allowing points to WRs, I’m anticipating a 12 point or higher day out of Mr. Watson this Sunday.

Obviously this is only if you stream TEs like me, but Smythe is the play this Sunday. While this Raiders defense is meh, they’re really bad at covering TEs, being 26th in fantasy points allowed to TEs. With a Dolphins team that knows how to pour it on versus bad teams, I expect Smythe to get at least 5 targets, and hopefully that means points. 

Must Sit

RB: Isaiah Pacheco vs. Philadelphia Eagles WR: George Pickens vs. Cleveland Browns

TE: Tyler Conklin vs. Buffalo Bills

After a torrid start to the season for Pacheco, he has seemingly cooled off a bit. I’m expecting a bit of a dip in touches, as this game should be quite competitive and pass heavy. It should be another under 10 point performance out of the second year back, as he faces the best defense in allowing fantasy points to RBs in the league. 

Despite his best games of the season coming against the best two defenses in the league (Cleveland and Baltimore) in Week 2 and 5, I think Pickens is heading in the wrong direction lately. Before Week 7, Pickens never had a game of under 6 targets. Since then, he hasn’t had a game over 6 targets. It seems that both Canada and Pickett have more trust in Diontae Johnson than Pickens rights now. Going against this stout Browns defense, sit Pickens until he can prove his worth again. 

After back to back outstanding weeks, I think Conklin takes a step back against the Bills. Both of the defenses he played against ranked in the bottom 10 in allowing points to TEs, and Buffalo is 7th. While I Conklin looks to be a good TE option moving forward, maybe wait this week out for your new fantasy TE. 

My Fantasy League

Rest in peace to the Buy Low section, but that time has passed in most leagues. Instead, now I’m going to keep you posted weekly on my Holy Cross fantasy league standings. 

This week I (3-7) beat Patrick Grudberg (7-3) 143.36 to 93.82. I am now less than 20 points away from being first place in points, behind Tyler Petrie (8-2). It has been an usually cruel fantasy season for me this year, but hopefully my 122.6 fantasy points per week in a 14 man league reminds you that I do indeed know what I am talking about, I am just awfully unlucky. 

We also saw the #1 overall seed Pierce Elliott (8-2) get upset by J.T. Burgio (4-6) 120.5 to 103.84. This game keeps J.T.’s playoff hopes alive and shows a wrinkle in Pierce’s armor, as he falls to the #2 overall seed.

Full Standings

Father Boroughs Division: 

1. Tyler Petrie (8-2) 2. Jake Morrow (7-3) 3. Joe Kapavik (5-5) 4. Sam Silvestro (5-5) 5. J.T. Burgio (4-6) 6. Logan Gooley (3-7) 7. Joe Toner (3-7)

President Rougeau Division: 

1. Pierce Elliott (8-2) 2. Patrick Grudberg (7-3) 3. Mikey Mitrokostas (6-4) 4. Ryan Sheahan (5-5) 5. Matteo Delsanto (5-5) 6. Patrick Raidt (3-7) 7. Will Lallier (1-9)

Copy Edited by Colette Potter ’26