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Eric Moody, ESPN
The NFL is a “subsequent man up” league and, by extension, your fantasy football league is as nicely. Regardless of how nicely your draft went, it is the strikes you make because the season unfolds that can in the end determine for those who’re playoff-bound or planning for subsequent season. Each week, we’ll show you how to establish the gamers accessible in additional than 50% of ESPN leagues whose worth has taken a flip for the higher and must be added to your roster as starters or as good stashes in your bench.
There have been plenty of accidents suffered throughout Week 7. From a fantasy standpoint, probably the most impactful one stands out as the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL on Sunday in opposition to the Chiefs. Final season, Aiyuk completed with 75 catches, 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns, rating as fantasy’s WR14. He struggled this season, nonetheless, with simply 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns. Aiyuk managed double-digit fantasy factors in only one recreation.
Jauan Jennings (rostered in 45.6% of ESPN leagues) will assist fill Aiyuk’s void for the 49ers, and his roster proportion is about to rise considerably. Jennings displayed his potential in Week 3 in opposition to the Rams when he scored 46.5 fantasy factors in opposition to the Rams. Regulate Ricky Pearsall (5.5%) in deeper leagues. He’ll tackle a bigger position within the 49ers’ offense shifting ahead.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s waiver wire, beginning with a bunch of huge receivers who may help you.
Vast receiver
1:13
Area Yates calls Romeo Doubs a helpful bench piece
Area Yates breaks down Romeo Doubs’ fantasy outlook for the remainder of the season.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (44.4% rostered): Fantasy managers could be stunned to be taught Coleman is the largest beneficiary of the Payments’ acquisition of Amari Cooper. The rookie will not face the stress of being Josh Allen’s No. 1 goal, which may result in extra favorable cornerback matchups. Plus, he advantages from being mentored by Cooper. Coleman noticed seven targets and completed with 16.5 fantasy factors in opposition to the Titans on Sunday. His 125 receiving yards have been probably the most by a Payments rookie since Sammy Watkins in Week 14 of 2014. Coleman is a stable flex choice in deeper leagues in opposition to the Seahawks in Week 8.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (37.0%): Doubs led the Packers in targets (10), receptions (8) and receiving yards (94) on Sunday in opposition to the Texans. He is now scored 17 or extra fantasy factors in back-to-back video games. Inexperienced Bay faces the Jaguars in Week 8 and the Lions in Week 9. Each defenses rank within the high 5 for fantasy factors allowed to huge receivers. It is a good time to select him up as bye weeks begin piling up.
Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (26.8%): The Cowboys had a Week 7 bye, however do not forget Tolbert. With Brandin Cooks on IR, Tolbert is now the No. 2 receiver. He is seen 15 targets over the previous two video games. Additionally, in accordance with my colleague Mike Clay’s power of schedule matrix, the Cowboys have one of many best WR schedules for the remainder of the season.
Jalen McMillan (1.4%) and Trey Palmer (0.4%), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans left Monday’s recreation in opposition to the Ravens after aggravating a hamstring harm and Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle late within the recreation and is anticipated to overlook the season. It is unclear how lengthy Evans shall be out, however it is a huge hit for the Buccaneers. Collectively, Evans and Godwin averaged 15.8 targets per recreation, a few of which can now go to McMillan and Palmer. I want McMillan between the 2. He was drafted to the crew so as to add depth and ran the third-most routes behind Evans and Godwin previous to Monday night time’s recreation. McMillan can also be proficient sufficient as a route runner to work on the skin or from the slot. Nevertheless, offensive coordinator Liam Coen may lean extra on Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker in each the run recreation and as receiving choices out of the backfield. Cade Otton can even see a rise in targets, however extra on him later within the column.
Fast hits
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs (46.6%): It is a stash play for future bye weeks right here, as Smith-Schuster left Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Niners early after aggravating a hamstring harm he had suffered throughout observe a number of days prior. He has already been ruled out for this week’s game against the Raiders, so chances are you’ll should be affected person in awaiting his return. With Rashee Rice out for the season, the Chiefs actually need him.
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (0.7%): Franklin’s position within the Broncos’ offense is rising. Over the previous two weeks, he leads the crew in targets (9) and receptions (7). He is scored no less than 10 fantasy factors in back-to-back video games, his snaps are growing and he is constructing an ideal rapport with Nix. He is a stable add for deeper leagues.
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (0.3%): With Amari Cooper traded to the Payments, Tillman’s position within the Browns’ offense elevated considerably. He led the crew with 12 targets and ran almost as many routes as Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku on Sunday in opposition to the Bengals. Tillman completed with 18.1 fantasy factors, making him a stable choice in deeper leagues. The Browns face a susceptible Ravens secondary in Week 8, so he is price contemplating.
Quarterback
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Is Russell Wilson’s sizzling debut recreation one thing or nothing?
Daniel Dopp, Area Yates and Stephania Bell react to Russell Wilson’s spectacular play vs. the Jets.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (45.3%): Darnold managed 16.2 fantasy factors in opposition to the Lions in Week 7 however scored no less than 20 factors in every recreation throughout Weeks 2 by way of 4. He has robust receiving playmakers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, who ought to return quickly from a knee harm. From Weeks 8 by way of 10, Darnold faces the Rams, Colts and Jaguars — every of whom ranks high 12 in fantasy factors per recreation allowed to quarterbacks. When you want a QB, do not overlook Darnold.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (16.1%): Nix is not lighting it up like fellow rookies Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams, however he is been quietly constant. He is scored no less than 19 fantasy factors in three of his previous 5 video games and he is rushed for 47 yards or extra 3 times in that span, including two dashing TDs. With a good Week 8 matchup in opposition to the Panthers, Nix gives a protected ground, particularly in superflex codecs.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (13.3%): Maye is a rookie quarterback on the rise. He is the primary quarterback in 5 seasons to throw for greater than 200 yards and two touchdowns in his first two begins. He is additionally scored no less than 19 fantasy factors in back-to-back video games. This makes him a stable choice as your QB2 in superflex codecs. Maye will face a Jets protection in Week 8 that simply allowed 24.8 fantasy factors to Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday night time.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (5.2%): It is only one recreation, however the Steelers’ offense seemed extra balanced and efficient with Wilson underneath middle. Pittsburgh usually depends on its operating recreation, however Wilson established a robust reference to George Pickens, ending with 24.8 fantasy factors. He is prone to stay the starter in opposition to the Giants in Week 8 given this efficiency and is a stable choice for managers in superflex codecs.
Fast hits
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (26.5%): The Dolphins’ offense has struggled mightily with out Tagovailoa. ESPN’s Adam Schefter studies he’s anticipated to renew working towards this week for the primary time since struggling a concussion in Week 2 in opposition to the Payments. The hope is he’ll be able to play Sunday in opposition to the Cardinals.
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (0.4%): Winston began the day because the emergency QB, however every thing modified when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles harm. He was changed by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who then sustained a finger harm, resulting in Winston stepping in. The final time Winston began was with the Saints in 2022, when he averaged 286 passing yards per recreation over three begins. Regulate which signal-caller the Browns tab because the starter within the coming days, however Winston is well the extra fantasy-viable choice.
Working again
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What to make of the Giants backfield
Daniel Dopp, Stephania Bell and Area Yates break down the uncertainty of the Giants backfield between Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (47.5%): Tracy had a quiet recreation on Sunday in opposition to the Eagles, ending with simply 9 touches and 6.2 fantasy factors. That is a giant drop from the 23 touches and 22.7 factors he posted in opposition to the Bengals final week. However context issues. The Giants have been enjoying from behind, resulting in solely 18 dashing makes an attempt general. Regardless of this, Tracy led in snaps and routes run over Devin Singletary. He must be rostered in all leagues because the Giants look to bounce again in opposition to the Steelers in Week 8.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (45.1%): Warren noticed almost as many snaps as Najee Harris on Sunday night time in opposition to the Jets, ending with 14 touches in comparison with 9 the week prior in opposition to the Raiders. As Warren strikes farther from his knee harm, his workload may proceed to develop. He and Harris will function as a committee for now. Nevertheless, if Harris misses time, Warren could possibly be a league-winner in a Steelers offense that ranks second in dashing makes an attempt per recreation. He is on the flex radar in opposition to the Giants in Week 8.
Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (42.5%): Mattison has taken over as the highest choice within the Raiders’ backfield, surpassing Zamir White. He led the crew in snaps, routes run and touches on Sunday in opposition to the Rams. Over the previous three video games, Mattison has averaged almost 21 touches, scoring 10 or extra fantasy factors in every of these video games, together with two with no less than 15 factors. Regardless of the Raiders’ offense rating twenty fifth in whole yards and twenty sixth in factors scored per recreation, a operating again like Mattison, along with his quantity of touches, deserves a spot on extra fantasy rosters.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Payments (14.7%): You probably have James Cook in your fantasy crew, Davis must be in your bench. In Week 6, when Cook dinner was inactive in opposition to the Jets, Davis stepped up with 23 touches and 18.2 fantasy factors. Quick ahead to Sunday: the Payments had a giant lead on the Titans, and Davis turned simply six touches into 11.7 fantasy factors. If Cook dinner misses any time, Davis can simply fill that void. He is a rookie who must be rostered in additional ESPN leagues.
Fast hits
Tyler Goodson, Indianapolis Colts (9.0%): Goodson has had eight or extra touches and 9 or extra fantasy factors in three consecutive weeks. He’ll proceed to be a viable flex choice in deeper leagues till Jonathan Taylor returns.
Tight finish
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (42.3%): Otton hit season highs in targets, receptions, yards, and fantasy factors (18.0) on Monday in opposition to the Ravens. With Godwin and doubtlessly Evans out, he ought to see extra involvement within the passing recreation. For the reason that begin of 2023, Otton has led all tight ends in routes run, nearly matching Godwin in that class. Given how unpredictable tight ends are this season, Otton is price choosing up on the prospect he begins incomes a bigger goal share.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (27.3%): Henry is a well-recognized face on this column, however I get why some fantasy managers are hesitant to belief him given the Patriots’ inconsistent offense. Nevertheless, with Maye underneath middle, New England’s offense has improved over the previous two weeks. Henry has seen 5 or extra targets and scored no less than 13 fantasy factors in back-to-back video games. He leads the crew in routes run and targets, making him a key a part of the passing recreation. You may confidently view him as a low-end TE1 this week in opposition to a Seahawks protection that struggles in opposition to tight ends.
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (7.7%): Fant has remained productive, even with the Seahawks’ tight finish rotation. He leads the group in routes run and targets. Fant has additionally recorded 4 or extra targets in consecutive video games and scored greater than 10 fantasy factors in every. When you want a good finish, do not overlook him. The Seahawks rank ninth in performs per recreation, giving him ample alternatives to build up targets. Fant faces a Payments protection that enables the Tenth-most receptions to tight ends. He is firmly on the TE2 radar.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (1.7%): Smith has been a brilliant spot within the struggling Dolphins offense. Up to now two video games, he is racked up 15 targets and 33.7 fantasy factors. What occurs when Tua Tagovailoa returns is unsure, however with how bleak the tight finish panorama is, Smith is firmly on the TE1 radar.
The post Fantasy football free agent pickups Week 8 – Jauan Jennings relevant again? first appeared on AI Earth.