Tadow! We are entering our first double digit week of 2024.  Week 9 was leaps and bounds the week filled with spectacular offensive plays.  We all know about Black Monday as NFL fans.  Monday morning of Week 9 you probably woke up to Pink Slip Monday.   The Saints and Raiders decided to part ways with members of their coaching staffs.  As a Raiders fan don’t worry I won’t get on my soapbox, sigh.  Last week’s volume was a mid-year review which put two players on the watch list for a coveted Bootsy Award.  Go check it out if you haven’t already.  Here are the first two players of the second half of the season to help boost your return game.   

Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Each season since 2005 the NFL has graced its presence internationally.  Germany you are welcome, you get to watch two 2-7 teams battle it out for mediocrity. I’m surprised the Raiders didn’t make it overseas this season.  Anyway, Ihmir Smith- Marsette will be facing his former team the Carolina Panthers in Munich, possible revenge game loading.  Smith-Marsette has had a minimal impact with the Giants on offense, but he is the primary kick-off and punt returner. Now, going against his old team who is allowing the most kick return yards per game at 82.7, it is a good chance he replicates his Week 8 performance where he had over 100 return yards and 20 fantasy points in Scott Fish Bowl (SFB14) leagues.  Smith-Marsette is zero percent rostered in Sleeper, and can serve as a quick bye week replacement.

Jha’Quan Jackson

As we enter Week 10 waivers are as slim as they’ve been all season.  Jha’Quan Jackson has been entrenched in the return game for the Titans.  I’m not sorry for recommending Mr. Jackson and I am for real.  That’s for my OutKast lovers out there!  He has two games with over 100 yards.  In conjunction Jackson has discreetly averaged 14.03 points per game in SFB14.  To put this into context, DeVonta Smith who has missed one game this season is averaging 13.28 points in SFB14.  Of course DeVonta has more upside in a better offense, but this just demonstrates how unique the SFB14 rules are for player’s return yards.  If you loss a player like Rashid Shaheed and are struggling to find a replacement, Jackson could be your ticket.  Taking a trip to the West Coast the Titans face the Chargers in Week 10.  You probably have taken notice by now just how good the Chargers are playing, especially on defense.  However, the Chargers are allowing 14.7 yards per punt this season.  That is the fourth most in the NFL currently.  What’s more perplexing is that Jackson is zero percent rostered on sleeper.  You must check his availability and is scoop him up immediately if your league(s) award return yards to players.