Yahoo Fantasy Football

Watson is being used in short yardage situations for the Browns, taking carries away from Quinshon Judkins and limiting his goal-line and short-yardage opportunity share.

Concepcion is getting carries in the Browns' backfield, with the team also running Deshaun Watson in short yardage, further limiting Quinshon Judkins' opportunity share and ceiling despite his strong tape.

Sampson returned from injury as the RB2, taking snaps and receiving role from Quinshon Judkins; Judkins won't maintain his 3+ reception average (RB12) from Weeks 1-5 without Sampson sidelined, limiting Judkins' ceiling.

Pierce is unavailable to clear space for the Colts offense, contributing to Jonathan Taylor's declining production and usage; Taylor is the RB9 on RB6 usage this month without Pierce's blocking help.

Purdy was the QB17 with 16.2 fantasy points in Week 5 against Seattle, serving as the closer comp for Caleb Williams' potential output against the Seahawks' elite defense.

Nix recently scored just 109 scoreless yards against Seattle's elite defense, demonstrating the Seahawks' ability to shut down even starting QBs; Seattle allows just 12.7 fantasy points per game to QBs (31st) and is the best rushing defense by a mile.

Mahomes recently scored just 179 scoreless yards against Seattle's elite defense, demonstrating the Seahawks' ability to shut down even elite QBs; Seattle allows just 12.7 fantasy points per game to QBs (31st) and is the best rushing defense by a mile.

Kittle (TE4) scored against Denver in Week 4, demonstrating the Broncos' vulnerability to elite tight ends despite their ninth-best overall defense ranking against the position.

McBride (TE2) recently yielded a massive 10-111-1 receiving line on 13 targets in Week 7 against Denver, demonstrating the Broncos' vulnerability to elite tight ends despite ranking ninth-friendliest against the position overall (12.7 half PPR points per game).

Cole Kmet (TE2) is unavailable for the Bears, which could shift the Bears' offensive approach away from under-center runs and toward more 3-WR sets, reducing his role and opportunity.

With Cole Kmet unavailable, the Bears could use more 3-WR sets that get Luther Burden III onto the field more, which is a positive development for his usage and opportunity share alongside Caleb Williams' elite pocket passing.

Williams is dicing defenses up from the pocket far more than ever before; he hasn't needed to run as much since the hamstring injury, but in his third game back he can probably lean into running more when needed. He's the QB5 in EPA per dropback this season and has been fantasy's QB1, QB15, and QB7 in his three games away from the Flores rain game. Without TE2 Cole Kmet, the Bears could use fewer under-center runs in favor of more 3-WR sets that get Luther Burden III onto the field more—not a bad swap for Williams. Seattle is a top-two defense allowing just 12.7 fantasy points per game to QBs (31st) on fewest passing yards per game (158) and is the best rushing defense by a mile, but has a secondary weakness at post safety and CB2 where Williams' skill set to buy time and deliver fits. The closer comp is Brock Purdy (QB17, 16.2 fantasy points in Week 5). Chicago enters as 3-point road underdogs with a 21.75-point team total (18th).

Kelce's first three weeks when he led the NFL in yards after catch appear to be the outlier; over the past month he's the TE18 on TE20 usage despite injuries to multiple Chiefs WRs. On tape he looks okay, but more of his production now comes from chip help or four seconds after the play as Patrick Mahomes runs around, which will come with far less consistency, especially when Rice returns (expected this week). Denver ranks ninth-friendliest against TEs (12.7 half PPR points per game) but recently yielded 10-111-1 to Trey McBride (TE2) on 13 targets in Week 7 and a score to George Kittle (TE4) in Week 4. Kelce had 71 yards in Week 1 and was TE21 and TE3 in 2025 against Denver. Kansas City enters as 1.5-point road favorites with a 21.5-point team total (20th).

McGowan is a sharp bench stash for 12-team leagues as the Colts approach Nov. 10, with increased usage taking snaps from Jonathan Taylor amid the team's offensive struggles and upcoming loss of Quenton Nelson.

Taylor's 11.8 expected half PPR points last week (RB24) were his fewest since Week 9 of last year, driven by more Seth McGowan usage than normal, a bad offense, and a bad matchup; he finished with 18.0 half PPR points on 18 carries but margins are thinning. He's the RB9 on RB6 usage this month without Alec Pierce clearing space. The Colts traded away Quenton Nelson (best guard in the NFL), dropping their run-blocking grade from fourth in PFF to likely worse. Jacksonville ranks 31st against fantasy RBs (14.6 half PPR points per game) with an NFL-low 8.2 points per game on the ground (32nd), and offenses face them at the lowest run rate (38%) in neutral situations. The Colts' 19.5-point team total (23rd) is less than ideal.

Judkins scored twice in Week 6 (RB3 on RB22 usage) with his best game of the year, running with burst behind top-10 rookie LT Spencer Fano who switched sides this offseason; the offensive line could gel more after the bye and Judkins stands to benefit most. However, his snaps and receiving role took a hit with RB2 Dylan Sampson's return from injury, and he won't maintain his 3+ reception average (RB12) from Weeks 1-5, so his current RB19 ranking on RB16 usage is closer to ceiling than baseline. The Browns will also run Deshaun Watson in short yardage and sprinkle in KC Concepcion carries.

Judkins had his best game of the year (RB3 on RB22 usage) right as RB2 Dylan Sampson returned from injury, scoring twice including once from distance and once inside the 10-yard line. He ran with burst and had success behind top-10 rookie pick LT Spencer Fano. However, Judkins' snaps and receiving role took a hit with Sampson back; he won't maintain the 3+ reception average (RB12) he had in Weeks 1-5 without him, so Winks views his current RB19 on RB16 standing as closer to his ceiling than baseline. The Browns will also run Deshaun Watson in short yardage and sprinkle in KC Concepcion carries.

Fannin got his first screen target of the season in Week 7, resulting in two missed tackles and a first down, but finished as TE14 on TE9 usage after two duds leading into that outing. Winks notes he won't be left wide open for 36-yard gains like he was in this one very often. Fannin is fighting the breakouts of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and has been TE17 on TE18 usage this year as the most volatile player at his position. Deshaun Watson is missing just enough throws to rule out the upside case while making enough plays to keep TE1/2 border hope alive. A date with the Steelers adds to the mess; they've been solid against TEs and the Browns team total is only 18.0 points. Fannin had 27 and 30 yards in his last games against Pittsburgh.

Coleman returned from IR to post an RB35 on RB37 finish as a contributor in a frustrating 3-RB committee. He played the most snaps in the fourth quarter while up 14 points, but in the first three quarters had only 15 snaps to J.K. Dobbins' 13 and RJ Harvey's 12. Winks notes Coleman is not an above-average athlete or powerful rusher and overthought some runs, though he did find some hidden yards. Winks would be surprised if Coleman Wally Pipps Dobbins off this outing and views him as a bench stash only, one that other fantasy fans like far more than he does.

Lemon is ranked +11 higher by Winks than Yahoo consensus, moving from rank 32 to rank 21. The source notes he had a top-17 WR finish last week against Dallas, part of a four-game streak where the Cowboys have allowed a top-17 WR.

Love is hopefully healed from both ankle sprains after taking two weeks off and was leaping over defenders in Week 5 despite suffering both injuries, indicating he's a freak athlete. Winks notes the Cardinals were likely precautionary to get the best version of him to wind down the year. While Bam Knight has posted RB12 and RB18 usage over the past two weeks and Tyler Allgeier is in a complementary role per coach Matt LaFleur, Winks believes Allgeier is unlikely to prevent Love from being a fantasy RB2. Dallas ranks seventh in half PPR points allowed to RBs at 22.6 points per game and fifth in rushing points allowed; Bucky Irving delivered 30.5 half PPR points (RB3) against them in Week 5. Arizona travels as 6.5-point road underdogs with a 23.75-point implied team total (12th).

Wilson was WR5 in usage last week and is WR35 on WR6 expected half PPR points per game this season, but Winks holds WR2 hope despite contested target concerns. Wilson has accumulated 92 yards taken away by DPI (third-most in the league behind Matthew Golden at 119 and Nico Collins at 105), indicating near-miss explosive plays. The Cowboys have allowed 29.5 half PPR points per game to WRs (sixth), and Arizona projects for 23.75 points in negative game script (dome garbage time). Dallas has allowed a top-17 WR in four straight games including to Makai Lemon last week, and while Wilson will see CB1 Joey Porter Jr., coverage busts and clean looks have been frequent.

Henry is TE7 on TE13 usage across his last four games, averaging 11.0 half PPR points on 7.7 expected points per contest. He set season highs with seven targets, seven catches, 71 yards, and a 24% target share in Week 7, extending a run where he found the end zone in both Week 5 and Week 6 while commanding at least four targets in four consecutive outings. Winks notes that A.J. Brown's decline paired with losses of Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins has led to more reliance on the TE duo. Miami has allowed the third-most half PPR points per game to TEs at 17.5, recently allowing 5-62-2 to Mason Taylor (TE1) in Week 7 and 13-119-0 to T.J. Hockenson (TE2) in Week 4. New England heads on the road as 7.5-point road favorites with a 26.0-point implied total (fifth).

Irving handled a season-high 24 carries for 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Carolina, finishing as RB2 on RB4 usage. Winks projects him for upside RB2 value despite being RB14 on RB13 usage this season due to a month of QB problems. The Falcons have allowed the eighth-most half PPR points per game to RBs, particularly struggling in the receiving game (fourth most), with Christian McCaffrey, D'Andre Swift (RB5), Derrick Henry (RB5), and Alvin Kamara (RB10) combining for a four-game streak of top-10 finishes. Tampa Bay enters as 2.5-point home favorites with a 24.5-point implied team total (11th).

Strange has commanded at least seven targets in three straight outings and sits as TE12 on TE9 usage across his last four games, averaging 8.7 half PPR points and 8.7 expected points per contest with a 22% target share. Hayden Winks ranks him as a low-end TE1 rather than TE2 despite Yahoo consensus placing him lower. Indianapolis ranks 13th in half PPR points allowed to TEs at 11.3 points per game and has shown recent vulnerability, allowing 19.0 points to Pat Freiermuth in Week 5 and 11.5 to T.J. Hockenson in Week 7; their LB room has been terrible after trading DeForest Buckner. Jacksonville hosts as 7.5-point home favorites with a 28.0-point implied team total (fourth).

Ja'Kobi Lane is discussed in the Week 8 wide receiver rankings segment, with the source noting his inclusion in the rankings discussion at timestamp 1:01:12.

Kendrick Bourne is discussed in the Week 8 wide receiver rankings segment, with the source noting his inclusion in the rankings discussion at timestamp 1:01:12.

Rome Odunze is discussed in the Week 8 wide receiver rankings segment, with the source noting his inclusion in the rankings discussion at timestamp 1:01:12.

Josh Downs is featured as a sit recommendation in Week 8 fantasy football wide receiver rankings, indicating reduced production expectations for the week.

Garrett Wilson is featured as a top start recommendation in Week 8 fantasy football wide receiver rankings and projections.

Rashee Rice's fantasy football ranking rises in Week 8 as he overcomes injury, indicating improved status and production expectations heading into the week.

Tee Higgins is expected to dominate in fantasy in Week 8 against the Titans alongside Ja'Marr Chase, as the Cincinnati Bengals wideouts are positioned for strong production in this matchup.

Ja'Marr Chase is expected to suit up in Week 8 despite ankle soreness. The source indicates he and Tee Higgins are expected to dominate in fantasy against the Titans.

Through Week 8, Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 867 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches. The source notes that nobody has graded the way the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is grading since Cooper Kupp in 2021, positioning him as a potential first 2,000-yard receiver.

McConkey is a player to buy low on; his health scares have been unfair this season, and while his size and history of lingering issues date back to college, it's unlikely his season involves this many half games. He had the bye week to rest, and the Chargers appear set for relentless second-half catch-up scripts, including this week against the Rams (touchdown favorites). Los Angeles' defensive line is very banged up, partially countering the Chargers' OL problems. McConkey has a 1.94 yards per route this year, enough to be a fantasy starter; he was WR9 on WR14 usage in Week 1 before this season deteriorated. The source doubts McConkey will stay buried in the WR30s for the rest of the year and hopes the Chargers dropback more often after being bottom-five in neutral pass rate to start the season.

Cooper is a real player with overwhelming first-round draft capital and early returns this year. He's the leader in yards per route (when lowering snap minimums) and the Jets are using him both as an underneath and downfield threat, giving him a path to weekly ceilings; he's finished as WR6 and WR7 overall in back-to-back outings. The source notes the best receivers in the league tend to start out strong and it's best to take the efficiency signal as the reason to believe. However, the realistic target volume concern is significant: the Jets are only 30th in WR usage, partially because of their big players stealing extra work in the red zone. Cooper has been WR31 and WR33 in expected half PPR points in the last two weeks, both losses in positive game script for him. With Garrett Wilson, AD Mitchell, two quality TEs, and two quality RBs in the offense, underlying usage remains a constraint.

Corum has been RB15, RB14, and RB15 in his last three games, setting a season high with 14 expected half PPR points (RB15) without Davante Adams while rotating drives with Kyren Williams as usual. The Rams will flirt with record usage of 3-TE sets moving forward and may run more in the red zone, helping Corum on the margins. Corum is best when the Rams are up on the scoreboard, as Williams is far more involved as a receiver while trailing. The Chargers rank ninth in half PPR points allowed to opposing running backs (21.6 per game) and are much friendlier on the ground (sixth-most) than through the air (25th). The Rams are 6.5-point home favorites with a 25.5 implied total (seventh).

Brissett is not creating nor pushing the ball enough to be trusted week to week, but he is functional enough to soak up garbage time stats against leaky defenses. He's been QB5 against the 49ers and QB7 against the Lions this season while stinking against SEA, LAC, LAR, and DEN. This week's matchup against the Cowboys falls into the leaky bucket; Dallas has allowed 20.3 fantasy points per game to QBs (9th) with numerous coverage busts in an inexperienced defense featuring rookies and a first-time play caller. Jordan Love (QB5) and CJ Stroud (QB4) lit it up through the air, and Jalon Daniels pulled off the upset in Week 5. Arizona is a 6.5-point road underdog with a 24-point implied total (12th).

Brown has been a total fantasy football bust; he's turned RB12 expected half PPR points into RB24 production this year, tanking to RB36 on RB22 usage just this month. His receiving floor (4.7 receptions per game) is the only thing keeping him relevant in PPR. Last week showed concerning goal-line usage patterns when Samaje Perine was subbed in for a successful carry, a coaching decision that cost six fantasy points. The source notes it's getting harder to see the 'buy low' advice proving sharp, though the Bengals' high neutral pass rate (65%, first in league) and 10-point home favorite status with 28.25 implied team total offer some bounce-back potential.

Smith faces the Raiders' defense, which has a 19.7% pressure rate (fourth in the NFL). Smith's 24.4% pressure rate per dropback (ninth-highest) makes him vulnerable to the Raiders' pressure, which can lead to sacks or turnovers.