Mon Dec 30 10:20am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Higgins comes up huge Week 17
It was a fitting end to the season with several huge performances from fantasy players once again. It made for some high-scoring fantasy championships. We had a receiver top 40 points and eight other players had 30 or more fantasy points. The only bad news with those big scorers were some of them weren’t in fantasy lineups because they were fringe players. But if you took a chance them, you likely won big! Hopefully, your championship games turned out well and you were able to take advantage of some of these big performances.
Chiefs 29, Steelers 10
Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. Kelce was down the last few weeks but came back in a big way in Week 17. He had eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce scored 22.4 fantasy points, topping 20 points for the first time since Week 10. Some might think his season is a little down, but he is three catches shy of 100 and has four games with 20-plus fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: George Pickens. There was hope for Pickens to return to the lineup and have one of his huge games in his first game back, but that didn’t happen. He was targeted seven times but caught three passes for just 50 yards. He scored just eight fantasy points, which wasn’t a big help for fantasy owners at all.
Game Notes: Patrick Mahomes had a three-touchdown performance, finishing 29-of-38 for 320 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He has two straight games with 26-plus fantasy points.
Xavier Worthy found the end zone for the third straight game. He had eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Ravens 31, Texans 2
Fantasy Stud: Derrick Henry. It was fitting for Henry to have another one of his huge performances during championship week. He ran 27 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. Henry also caught two passes for 18 yards. Henry had 24.5 fantasy points, his highest total since Week 9. It was his seventh game this season with 20-plus fantasy points. A move to Baltimore was a great one for Henry, posting huge numbers on a consistent basis.
Fantasy Dud: Joe Mixon. The entire Texans offense was a dud but Mixon led the way, considering his production throughout the season. The Ravens really held him in check, though. Mixon rushed nine times for just 26 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. Mixon had a season-worst 5.9 fantasy points.
Game Notes: Lamar Jackson attempted just 15 passes and ran four times but produced huge numbers once again despite his limited workload. He was 10-of-15 for 168 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Jackson rushed four times for 87 yards and another touchdown.
Mark Andrews found the end zone for the fifth straight game. He had two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks 6, Bears 3
Fantasy Stud: Seahawks defense. The Seahawks defense had a completely dominating performance, holding the Bears to just three points and 179 total yards of offense. Seattle had seven sacks and an interception in the game. The Seahawks scored double-digit fantasy points in nearly every fantasy format. This unit has taken a huge step forward this year and becoming a top weekly fantasy starter.
Fantasy Dud: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There were duds across the board for both teams in this one, but Smith-Njigba tops the list for us. He had been producing such great numbers lately that this performance was really unexpected. He had just three catches for 32 yards. This game broke a streak of 70-plus yards seven straight games.
Game Notes: Caleb Williams had his struggles, missing on some throws once again. He was 16-of-28 for just 122 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
D.J. Moore had six receptions for 54 yards, giving him at least six catches seven straight games.
Chargers 40, Patriots 7
Fantasy Stud: Ladd McConkey. McConkey is clearly the top target in the Chargers passing game. He had eight receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. He has scores two of three games. He is over 1,000 yards for the season. McConkey is going to be a top player in this offense for years to come. The best is likely yet to come for the talented rookie.
Fantasy Dud: Hunter Henry. Henry failed to catch a pass for the first time all season. He was targeted two times in the game. Henry has been consistent in this offense nearly all season but didn’t show up in Week 17. He had at least four catches five straight games before this one.
Game Notes: J.K. Dobbins returned from his knee injury and looked good. He ran 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pass for seven yards.
Justin Herbert continued his great play, going 26-of-38 for 281 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Herbert has multiple scores three straight games.
Bengals 30, Broncos 24
Fantasy Stud: Tee Higgins. Higgins had a game-winning fantasy performance. He had an absolutely monster game, catching 11 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. There was even some thought he might not play in this game because of his ankle injury. Higgins had season highs across the board, scoring 41.1 fantasy points. He has been huge down the stretch, having scores three straight and six of the last seven games he has played.
Fantasy Dud: Chase Brown. Brown wasn’t awful but wasn’t great, either. He had 20 carries for just 67 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards. You were hoping for a bigger week from him in such a crucial week of games. Plus, he had a chance to score late in the game but pulled up at the goal line to take more time off the clock. He also hurt himself on that play, injuring his ankle. He didn’t return to the game, which was insult to injury for his fantasy owners because the game ended up going to overtime.
Game Notes: Mike Gesicki had double-digit receptions for the first time all season. He had 10 receptions for 86 yards on 12 targets.
Marvin Mims continued to show some signs of life after a terrible start to his season. He had a season-high eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets.
Rams 13, Cardinals 9
Fantasy Stud: Trey McBride. McBride picked a good time to finally find the end zone, scoring his first touchdown of the season. It was a long time coming for all his fantasy owners. He had a huge game, catching 12 passes for 123 yards and a score. He scored a season-best 30.3 fantasy points. McBride has double-digit receptions three of six games.
Fantasy Dud: James Conner. Conner was able to play but aggravated his knee injury and left the game early. He had four carries for just four yards before getting hurt once again. He also had two receptions for four yards. Conner burnt all the fantasy owners that used him in Week 17.
Game Notes: Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 129 yards. Nacua has double-digit receptions two of four games.
Cooper Kupp had just a catch for 29 yards. Kupp has just four receptions for 53 yards his last three games. He has been targeted just nine times during that three-game stretch.
Jaguars 20, Titans 13
Fantasy Stud: Brian Thomas. Thomas continued his great rookie season, catching seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Thomas scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He had 23.9 fantasy points, topping 20 points for the sixth time this year. Thomas is nearing 1,200-receiving yards for the year, which is impressive considering the passing woes of the Jaguars this season.
Fantasy Dud: Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo wasn’t terrible but you expected much better after his last two monster performances. He had five receptions for 42 yards in this one, putting up some pretty mediocre numbers. Okonkwo had 17 receptions his last two games.
Game Notes: Tyjae Spears had a solid showing in a starting role for the Titans. He ran 20 times for 95 yards and caught three passes for eight yards. He even left the game early because of a concussion so his numbers could have been even better.
Mac Jones had his best showing in a starting role for the Jaguars. He missed on just seven passes, going 15-of-22 for 174 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.
Bucs 48, Panthers 14
Fantasy Stud: Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had a huge, huge performance. He was nearly flawless, going 27-of-32 for 359 yards and five touchdowns without a turnover. Mayfield scored a season-high 38.15 fantasy points. Mayfield is having another huge season, having 42 total touchdowns and nearly 4,300-passing yards. He has been a solid No. 1 fantasy quarterback all season.
Fantasy Dud: Rachaad White. White was one of the few Bucs that didn’t produce big fantasy numbers. He had six carries for just 30 yards and a catch for four yards. You expected much better from White in a game the Bucs scored nearly 50 points and racked up a ton of yards offensively. He is taking a backseat to Bucky Irving more and more, though.
Game Notes: Bucky Irvin had another big-time performance, racking up 190 total yards. He ran 20 times for 113 yards and caught four passes for 77 yards.
Adam Thielen reached the 100-yard mark for the second time in four games. He had five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Eagles 41, Cowboys 7
Fantasy Stud: DeVonta Smith. Smith had a really impressive showing, catching six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He has 100-yard games two of three and touchstones three of four games. Smith has been a little up and down this year but produced plenty of big games like this along the way.
Fantasy Dud: Cooper Rush. Rush was starting to gain some fantasy value with his play of late, but he came back down to earth in this one. He was 15-of-28 for 147 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Rush showed why it is hard to trust a player like this at this time of the fantasy season.
Game Notes: Kenny Pickett was knocked from the game because of an injury. He looked pretty good before leaving, though, going 10-of-15 for 143 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran in a score, giving him two total scores.
Saquon Barkley went over 2,000-rushing yards for the season in this game. He ran 31 times for 167 yards and caught two passes for two yards.
Giants 45, Colts 33
Fantasy Stud: Drew Lock. There were just 1.1 percent of teams that used Lock on our site but for those owners, great work. He had the game of his career and one of the best fantasy games for a quarterback this season. He was 17-of-23 for 309 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran in a score, giving him five total touchdowns. Lock scored 37.45 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy got his work but didn’t produce big numbers. He ran 20 times for just 59 yards and caught two passes for 14 yards. Tracy failed to reach double-digit fantasy points, scoring just 9.3 points. He has failed to reach double-digit points two of three games.
Game Notes: Malik Nabers had another big game, finishing with seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Nabers has at least seven receptions three straight games and four of five.
Jonathan Taylor had multiple touchdowns for the second straight game. He ran 32 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He has 100-yard games three straight.
Bills 40, Jets 14
Fantasy Stud: Josh Allen. Allen played his usual solid football, scoring three more touchdowns. Allen was 16-of-27 for 182 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He ran in a touchdown, rushing five times for 17 yards and a score. Allen has three-plus scores four of five games. He is having another MVP season.
Fantasy Dud: Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers had a poor showing, throwing for just 112 yards with two interceptions. He also failed to score a touchdown. Rodgers scored a horrible 3.6 fantasy points, his lowest total of the season. He had 20-plus points two of three games before this terrible performance.
Game Notes: Garrett Wilson was a bright spot for the Jets, catching seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Wilson has scores two of three games.
James Cook scored a touchdown for the third straight week. He had 15 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Raiders 25, Saints 10
Fantasy Stud: Jakobi Meyers. Meyers had five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. He scored 17.1 fantasy points. It was his first touchdown since Week 8. Meyers has been good as the top target for the Raiders, though, having double-digit fantasy points five of six games.
Fantasy Dud: Kendre Miller. Miller started but didn’t last long, going down with a concussion. He ran three times for just three yards before getting hurt. And he caught a pass for 16 yards. Miller was a huge bust for any owner that used him in what looked like a favorable matchup for him.
Game Notes: Ameer Abdullah continued his late-season surge, having his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. He ran 20 times for 115 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards.
Brock Bowers had seven receptions for 77 yards. He is up to 108 catches and 1,144 yards on the season, having arguably the best rookie season for a tight end.
Dolphins 20, Browns 3
Fantasy Stud: Jerry Jeudy. His team lost but Jeudy produced big numbers, finishing with 12 receptions for 94 yards. He didn’t score a touchdown but managed 21.4 fantasy points. He was targeted 18 times in the game, catching a season-high 12 passes. Jeudy has double-digit receptions two of three games.
Fantasy Dud: Devon Achane. Achane had his second-worst fantasy game of the season, scoring just 5.8 fantasy points. He ran 10 times for just 25 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. He was used sparingly in the second half, so you have to wonder if he was battling some sort of injury. Either way, his poor game likely did in a lot of fantasy owners.
Game Notes: Tyler Hunter got the start and played a very good game, going 22-of-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in rushing, running seven times for 52 yards and another touchdown.
Tyreek Hill was iffy to play but played and had his third 100-yard game of the season. He had nine receptions for 105 yards on nine targets.
Vikings 27, Packers 25
Fantasy Stud: Sam Darnold. Darnold continued his resurgence, showing up big in a crucial game for the Vikings. He was 33-of-43 for 377 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He has two straight three-score games and hit that mark three of four games. Darnold has 36 total touchdowns on the season to 12 interceptions.
Fantasy Dud: Jordan Love. Love struggled some in this big division game, failing to throw for even 200 yards. He was 19-of-30 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Love scored just 15.85 fantasy points. He has failed to reach 20 fantasy points four straight games and five of six. He is not having near the fantasy season most hoped.
Game Notes: Jordan Addison scored a touchdown for the second straight game and has scores six of nine games. Addison has 13-plus points four straight games.
Romeo Doubs had a season-high 11 targets, catching seven passes for 58 yards. He has 14-plus fantasy points two of three games.
Commanders 30, Falcons 24
Fantasy Stud: Jayden Daniels. Daniels had some big-time performance once again, playing more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie quarterback. He was 24-of-36 for 227 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Daniels led the Commanders in rushing, running 16 times for 127 yards. Daniels scored 35.5 fantasy points, giving him 30-plus fantasy points four of five games.
Fantasy Dud: Terry McLaurin. McLaurin was completely shut down in this one, catching a pass for five yards. He had a tough matchup but you still expected better from him based on his performances throughout this season. McLaurin had touchdowns four straight games before this one.
Game Notes: Olamide Zaccheaus continues to emerge as a big factor in the Commanders passing game. He had eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Bijan Robinson had multiple touchdowns for the second straight game. He had 17 rushes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee) did not participate in the Jets' bye week practice on Tuesday, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Wilson has missed two games after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter of their 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos in London, but now will get the bye week to ensure he is healthy for the second half of the season. The star wideout was having a fantastic season despite poor quarterback play, catching 36 balls for 395 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets in six games. He currently ranks as the WR7 in PPR points per game (16.6), and there should be more updates on his status over the next week. If he is unable to suit up again in Week 10, rookie tight end Mason Taylor would be in line for a heavy target share along with wide receivers Arian Smith, Tyler Johnson, and Allen Lazard mixing in.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots and CB/PR Marcus Jones have agreed to terms on a three-year extension, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Jones has been a key contributor to the New England defense and special teams as a punt returner since being drafted in the third round in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old was voted first team All-Pro as a punt returner in his rookie season and is having an excellent season as a cornerback so far in 2025. He's made plays all over the field, recording 36 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, and one sack in eight games this season. Jones gets a much-deserved contract extension, and New England locks down an important piece of their defense.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller had surgery to repair his broken finger, but it is still to be determined how "functional" he is to determine his practice status, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Miller suffered the injury during practice on Thursday and was ultimately ruled out for Week 8's matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The 28-year-old had played in all six games up until last week, but has only played 69 total snaps for the season, recording one catch for nine yards on two targets. His status will be updated in the coming days. If he is unable to go again in Week 9, rookie Ke'Shawn Williams would be the next man up, but he shouldn't be on any fantasy radars.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson returned to the Packers' lineup in Week 8 following an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season in Week 18. Watson was an immediate focal point of the offense in his 2025 debut, bringing in all four of his targets for 85 yards. The big question: can Watson be a fantasy-relevant player this season? While it was great to see Watson back and receive immediate involvement in the passing game, he's still behind Tucker Kraft, Romeo Doubs, and Josh Jacobs in the pecking order on offense. Watson's game has always been as a vertical receiver, and for fantasy, those types of players are boom-or-bust in nature. That makes it hard to start him in most weeks, even with bye weeks in full swing. For the Packers' Week 9 matchup against the Panthers, consider Watson a low-end flex play.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary is expected to serve as the No. 2 running back with rookie Cam Skattebo (ankle) out for the season after suffering a gruesome injury in Sunday's game against the Eagles. Second-year back Tyrone Tracy Jr. will take over as the lead back, but Singletary figures to be involved a decent amount. The 28-year-old began last season as the starting running back for the Giants, but eventually conceded the role to Tracy as the season went on. Singletary now projects as the handcuff to Tracy, with the potential for more depending on how the team splits up the touches. He's a worthwhile add off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of running back help.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden has disappointed many fantasy managers this season, as he's felt like he was on the cusp of breaking out but hasn't. In Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Golden had one of his least productive fantasy outings this season, with three receptions for just four yards. Golden, the 2025 first-round pick, has just two games of five or more targets and has been a top 24 fantasy wide receiver just once through seven games. His involvement in the Packers' offense took another hit when Christian Watson played his first game of the season and immediately caught 4-of-4 targets for 85 yards. While the thought is that better days are certainly on the horizon for Golden, he can't be a starting option right now for fantasy managers in Week 9 against the Panthers until we see the Packers show true intent to involve Golden more in the offensive game plan.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said that rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike has "really taken advantage of his opportunities" recently in the offense. Holz also mentioned that Dike is "going to be a really good player in this league," and the team is excited for what is to come for him this year. Dike played a season-high 89% of the offensive snaps in the Week 8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and he responded with a breakout performance, catching seven of his eight targets for 93 yards. The 23-year-old had his first career touchdown the previous week against the New England Patriots, catching all four of his targets for 70 yards in that contest. With Tyler Lockett now in Vegas, Dike should continue to be more involved in the passing attack in Tennessee, especially with Calvin Ridley (hamstring) injured. Dike is squarely on the radar for fantasy managers looking for a waiver-wire pickup at WR this week.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Tuesday that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is "expected to have a full week of prep" leading up to the Week 9 contest this Sunday versus the division-rival Detroit Lions, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. O'Connell also said that QB Max Brosmer "will step into the No. 2 role." Veteran Carson Wentz will undergo season-ending left-shoulder surgery, so McCarthy is expected to step back into the starting role for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 22-year-old former first-rounder missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury that required surgery, so the jury is still out on the Michigan product. In his two starts to open 2025, McCarthy completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks. It will not be a soft landing spot for his return on the road in Detroit this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz had some good things to say about rookie tight end Gunnar Helm on Tuesday, saying he is "developing quickly, which is tough to do for tight ends." Holz also said Helm has been "impressive physically." Helm is now up to 19 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown on 24 targets in his first eight NFL games. The 23-year-old isn't a household name yet or anything like that in fantasy, but he should be on the radar as a young, rising TE. He has played at least half the team's offensive snaps in three of the last four games, and he found the end zone for the first time in his career in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. If the Titans ship Chig Okonkwo away at the trade deadline, Helm will become popular on the waiver wire, and he should continue to see his role grow in Tennessee's offense.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz said Sunday "was a reminder of what running back Tyjae Spears can do with the ball in his hands," according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Holz is "hoping it's a sign of more things to come," and Spears is expected to remain involved alongside Tony Pollard in the backfield. Spears played over 50% of the offensive snaps in the Week 8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and outproduced Pollard on two fewer carries while also scoring his first touchdown of the year. The 24-year-old missed time earlier this year due to injury, but now that he's back to full health, he's become a bigger part of the offense. It sounds like the Titans envision more of a split backfield between Spears and Pollard. It's good news for Spears' fantasy managers, but the timeshare situation still probably caps his fantasy value as an RB3/flex in PPR leagues.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints informed rookie Tyler Shough on Tuesday that he will be their starting quarterback, with Spencer Rattler remaining on the bench, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN. Rattler was benched after another rough performance in the Week 8 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Saints will continue to move forward with Shough as their starter for a Week 9 tilt on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. The 26-year-old second-rounder will have a tough matchup on the road for his first NFL start, and fantasy managers should consider him a low-end QB2 streamer, at best, this weekend. In relief of Rattler last weekend against Tampa, Shough went 17-for-32 passing for 128 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception while carrying the ball three times for 12 yards. He has plenty of arm strength, but little mobility outside the pocket. The switch to Shough could be bad news for top wideout Chris Olave, who had developed nice chemistry with Rattler.
From RotoBaller
Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett has joined forces with the Las Vegas Raiders after seven underwhelming games with the Tennessee Titans this year. Lockett will be reuniting with quarterback Geno Smith, whom he played with in Seattle, but will that suddenly make him fantasy relevant again? It's unlikely. Lockett, 33, had just 10 catches for 70 yards and no touchdowns on 20 targets in his seven games in a struggling Titans offense led by a rookie QB. He'll be reuniting with a familiar face in Vegas, but the Raiders' offense hasn't been much better in 2025, and both tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) are expected to return following the bye to play this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Meyers is healthy, Lockett could end up being the WR5 behind Meyers, Tre Tucker, and rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has played some of his best football in recent weeks. Across his team's last three games, Stroud has thrown for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. Perhaps most importantly for his fantasy outlook, Stroud has attempted 88 passes over his last two games alone. That marks a notable shift in the Houston offense, as Stroud cracked 28 pass attempts just once over his first five games. If the Texans' game plan on offense is shifting to a more pass-heavy approach, Stroud could be a more viable streaming option for fantasy managers in single-quarterback formats going forward. Houston has a difficult matchup in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, so Stroud may not be a player to target specifically for this week. However, his uptick in pass attempts is still a trend worth monitoring for fantasy managers as the Texans hit the second half of their season.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has seen minimal usage so far in 2025, recording five catches for 26 yards on five targets across four games played. However, three out of Likely's four games played this season have come with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) sidelined. With Jackson expected to return in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, Likely could see his role in Baltimore's offense expand. Across 16 games with the Ravens in 2024, Likely recorded 42 catches for 477 yards on 58 targets. Likely still figures to split playing time with Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, which limits the upside of both players. However, in deep fantasy leagues, Likely could be a stash candidate off the waiver wire now that Baltimore's offense has its quarterback back.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp has struggled to consistently earn targets so far in 2025. Across seven games, the 32-year-old has recorded 24 catches for 293 yards and a touchdown on 33 targets. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as the clear WR1 in Seattle, Kupp has been forced into a secondary role. However, Kupp still holds upside depending on the Seahawks' game script. In the three games where Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold has been forced to attempt at least 30 passes, Kupp has recorded 14 catches for 181 yards on 19 targets. Coming out of their Week 8 bye, the Seahawks will face the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Rams. In fantasy leagues where Kupp may have been dropped during his bye week, he could be worth adding as a matchup-dependent flex option.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II had the most productive game of his career in his team's Week 8 win over the Atlanta Falcons, recording 66 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 11 touches. His 10 carries against Atlanta marked the first time he has earned double-digit rush attempts in a game this season. If Miami can stay in positive game scripts, Gordon II's ability to be a physical downhill runner could be a good complement to the speed of Dolphins RB1 De'Von Achane. Gordon II also profiles as the clear handcuff in Miami to Achane. The Dolphins have a potentially difficult matchup in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, who are slowly getting healthier on the defensive side of the ball. Gordon II may not carry standalone value in Week 9, but he's still worth rostering in fantasy leagues with 14 or more teams.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs returned from a one-week absence due to a concussion in Week 9, recording three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown in his team's win over the Tennessee Titans. Downs has now hauled in 29 receptions for 256 yards and two scores on 37 targets across seven games in 2025. The Colts have been one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL this season, averaging over 30 points per game. Given the environment around him, Downs holds fantasy value even if he's a tertiary target earner behind Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Tyler Warren. Downs has earned at least five targets in five out of his seven games played. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues heading into Indianapolis' Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is expected to return in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. However, with veteran quarterback Carson Wentz (shoulder) dealing with a significant shoulder injury, undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer is now the next man up in Minnesota if McCarthy's injury woes continue. Brosmer has appeared in three games so far this season, mostly in mop-up duty. While playing for the University of Minnesota in 2024, Brosmer completed 66.5% of his passes for 2,828 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 13 games. Given that McCarthy has been unavailable for 23 out of 25 possible games in his career, there's a real chance that Brosmer could be pressed into action. He could be a name to monitor in deep two-quarterback fantasy leagues until McCarthy establishes himself as the clear QB1 for the Vikings.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku could be made available for trade with the deadline coming up on November 4th, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Njoku is currently in the final year of the four-year, 54.75 million contract signed back in 2022, and would be among the top tight ends available. The 29-year-old has caught 27 of his 41 targets for 260 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season for Cleveland. He has been overshadowed a bit by third-round rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., and his emergence would make sense as to why the Browns may move Njoku. In addition, the Browns claimed tight end Brendan Bates off waivers on Monday after their loss to the New England Patriots, perhaps signaling what could happen at the trade deadline with Njoku.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) has missed the last two games, but is expected to return for their Week 9 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Murray has struggled a bit in five games this season, averaging 192 passing yards per game to go with 35 rushing yards per game and a career low 6.0 yards per attempt. Veteran Jacoby Brissett filled in admirably in his place, but head coach Jonathan Gannon has made it clear that Murray is the team's starting quarterback when healthy. The 28-year-old gets a great spot in his return out of the bye week against a Dallas defense that just got torched by the Broncos for 44 points in Week 8. Murray should be the top quarterback add wherever he is available.
From RotoBaller