Pumpkin Patch Transactions
I am supposed to watch football to engage in a less sporty activity: taking pictures with my wife and kids on hay bales clutching pumpkins tighter than a running back handcuff.
As the leaves shift in color, the crispness of the air signals the arrival of Fall. The season brings cooler weather, candy corn, and football season in full swing. While Fall's positives certainly outweigh its minor inconveniences, it presents a unique challenge for me as a husband and father—the annual trip to the pumpkin patch. This tradition briefly diverts my attention from watching football, leading me into a less athletic endeavor: capturing moments with my family atop hay bales while tightly clutching pumpkins.
Have you ever pondered the origins of this pumpkin decoration trend? It's a modern-day phenomenon to me. Strangely enough, the less appealing and size challenged the pumpkin, the more it attracts women despite my love for pumpkin pie and jack-o'lanterns. The rationale behind pumpkin decorations remains unattainable to my simple mind.
However, as I found myself out of cell service in rows of pumpkins with my family this past weekend, the purpose of this tradition began to dawn on me. It was about choosing a pumpkin that looked great but would inevitably rot quickly—much like the career trajectory of James Conner. It was also about identifying the pumpkin that offered the best value, similar to David Montgomery's underappreciated talents this draft season.
The lesson from the pumpkin patch experience is a universal one. Sometimes, we must embrace tasks we don't particularly enjoy. Whether it's attending a pumpkin patch during the "Red River Rivalry" or including Sam Howell in your Thursday night football lineup, the right decision isn't always the most gratifying one.
If you're reading this with a sense of frustration, perhaps realizing you've been avoiding your own pumpkin patch adventure, prepare yourself for the family outing. It's might help you understand the strategic decisions in fantasy football, where we look beyond appearances to discover hidden potential.
In conclusion, as we welcome this delightful autumn season, let's wholeheartedly embrace its quirks and even those Dudes who like to wear Uggs.
Let's explore the waiver pumpkin patch looking for the top waiver wire additions for Week 6. Below are all my favorite waiver wire options with roster percentages below 68% on Sleeper. If you want the ultimate fantasy football experience, consider switching your league to Sleeper today. They also have some exciting picks; if you use the promo code Dudes100, they'll match you up to $100. Rankings are HPPR with the help of PFF before MNF
Teams on bye this week are the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterbacks:
Matthew Stafford (54% rostered) is set to benefit from Cooper Kupp's return. Remember how good Kupp and Stafford were after they started having breakfast every morning? Now they have a podcast, "Nine to Dime." Stafford, my stream of the week, should maintain his consistency throughout the year if he can stay injury-free.
Sam Howell (36% rostered) may not be the prettiest choice, but he's currently the QB14 this season and faces Atlanta this week. Imagine the potential if he can get Terry McLaurin involved.
Baker Mayfield (22% rostered): The last time we saw Baker cook, he tossed 3 TDs vs. the Saints. This week, the Bucs host the Detroit Lions.
Gardner Minshew (4% rostered) steps into the starting role to replace the injured Anthony Richardson. Gardner has a touchdown in each of his starting appearances this year.
Side note- Dak Prescott has thrown 5 touchdown passes, and Desmond Ridder has thrown 4. Ridder is 12% rostered, while Dak is 82% rostered.
Running Backs:
Emari Demercado (2% rostered) had an impressive performance with 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. He could see more action depending on the severity of Conner's knee injury.
Roschon Johnson (51% rostered), Despite a concussion during TNF, has a good chance to return for Week 6 against Minnesota.
Jaleel McLaughlin (54% rostered) showed explosiveness with 9 carries for 68 yards and a receiving touchdown. However, he faces a tough matchup against the Chiefs this week.
Samaje Perine (46% rostered) led the Broncos in receiving yards and will likely handle most of the receiving work out of the backfield this week against Kansas City.
Justice Hill (33% rostered) found the end zone for Baltimore, a decent role despite Gus Edwards being the lead back on paper.
Stashes:
Tyjae Spears (36% rostered) scored a touchdown and is one injury away from a more prominent role.
D'Onta Foreman (14% rostered) could resurface in Week 6 due to injuries in the Bears' running back room. Keep an eye on this situation come game time.
Wide Receivers:
Curtis Samuel (27% rostered) might be taking over as the team's #2 pass catcher, boasting back-to-back performances of 14+ points. He's currently WR32 on the season.
Rashee Rice (48% rostered) caught 4 of 5 targets for 33 yards and a touchdown. Could he be the reliable receiver Mahomes has been searching for? He has a favorable matchup against Denver this week. Could see a bigger role if Kelce doesn't suit up.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (66% rostered) averaging 5 targets a game. He should have a breakout game soon. Why not right after the team’s bye week?
Josh Downs (26% rostered) led the Colts in yards and receptions this week, with most of his production coming from two catches.
K.J. Osborn (16% rostered) had 9 targets, catching 5. He's worth considering this week against Chicago if Jefferson is sidelined due to his hamstring injury.
Tight Ends:
Cole Kmet (68% rostered) caught all 5 of his targets for a touchdown and now has back-to-back games with TDs, ranking as TE3 on the season.
Dalton Schultz (44% rostered) led the Texans in catches against Atlanta and has back-to-back games with TD receptions, sitting at TE11 on the season.
Logan Thomas (20% rostered) saw 11 targets on Thursday night and could pick up where Dalton Schultz left off this week against the Falcons, currently ranking as TE9 on the season.
Jonnu Smith (24% rostered) caught 6 passes for a second straight game, although a fumble marred his performance last week.
Stash
With Travis Kelce nursing an ankle injury and a short week ahead for the Chiefs' Thursday night football game, Noah Gray (5% rostered) could be in the spotlight if Kelce can't play.