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Hayden's unexpected fantasy football performances, waiver wire sleepers, and trade targets for Week 9 (2024). Can these NFL players sustain Week 8's success?
Sunday of Week 8 was a great day of football. It provided some fantastic finishes, with none more astounding than Washington's miraculous win over Chicago on a last-second Hail Mary pass. The Browns, Cardinals, Patriots, and Packers also won in dramatic fashion and treated fans to some exciting action.
Many high-profile players turned in amazing statlines for fantasy managers. CeeDee Lamb shredded the 49ers to the tune of 13 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts and James Cook also starred, as both lead their respective positions in fantasy output for the week entering Monday.
There were also some more surprising standouts, though. Let's dive into five of this week's unexpected boom performances, starting with a surging second-year wideout.
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Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
Browns receiver Cedric Tillman began the season as a non-factor in fantasy football. Through the first six weeks of the year, Tillman had just three catches on five targets for nine yards. His role suddenly expanded, though, when Cleveland dealt Amari Cooper to Buffalo. Tillman broke out with eight catches for 81 yards in Week 7.
This week, Tillman continued his rise. He caught seven of nine targets for a career-high 99 yards against the Ravens. Tillman scored his first career touchdown in the third quarter to take a 20-17 lead, and then he scored his second TD, a 38-yard game-winner, with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
JAMEIS GOING FOR IT ALL!
📺: #BALvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/hAZ6Y2r9px— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Tillman's numbers earned him 25.4 half-PPR points, which makes him the week's WR3 through Sunday. His elite showing came just as the Browns were forced to make a change at quarterback. With Deshaun Watson out for the season, backup Jameis Winston started the game and found much more success than Watson had all year.
For the second consecutive week, Tillman is among the top targets on waivers. The past two weeks have shown that Cooper's departure helped Tillman's volume significantly. Moreover, Tillman should continue making big plays with Winston leading the Browns. Do not ignore Tillman two weeks in a row.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
October 27 was National Tight Ends Day, and many tight ends across the NFL showed out on the unofficial holiday. The top performer at the position, though, was Tampa Bay's Cade Otton. Otton compiled nine receptions on 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns, and his 24.6 half-PPR points made him the day's TE1.
Cade Otton's second TD on #NationalTightEndsDay!
Bucs are back in it.
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ZZDLInY3RP— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
This marked the second straight week where Otton had double-digit targets. On Monday Night Football in Week 7, Otton caught eight of his 10 targets for 100 yards. Through Week 6, his averages were just 3.2 catches on 5.2 targets for 27.2 yards and 0.2 touchdowns, so he has seen a big jump in production.
This leap coincided with two major injuries for the Buccaneers. Star wideout Mike Evans left Week 7 with a hamstring issue and is not expected to return until after Tampa Bay's bye in Week 11. Moreover, stud receiver Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7. Otton should continue to be leaned on while Evans is out.
A lot of fantasy managers added Otton last week given the situation in Tampa Bay. He should be picked up this week in any league where he remains on waivers. Although it would obviously be foolish to expect an overall TE1 performance from him every week, he will be quite productive for the foreseeable future.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey had a solid debut for the Chargers in Week 1, as he caught five passes and scored a touchdown. McConkey gained 67 yards and scored another TD in Week 4, and in Week 6 he saw eight targets for the first time. Notably, McConkey's snap share in Week 7 rose to a new high of 86 percent.
Despite his involvement to begin the season, McConkey truly broke out in Week 8 against the Saints. He caught all six of his targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the 26-8 win. McConkey's 26.1 half-PPR points leave him behind just CeeDee Lamb among receivers for the week ahead of Monday Night Football.
Ladd is a badd man‼️
📺: #NOvsLAC on FOX#GoDawgs | #DawgsInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/NTrnVb0oUj
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) October 27, 2024
The former Georgia Bulldog was able to suit up for the matchup after being listed as questionable with a hip injury. His electric performance came with teammate Quentin Johnston unavailable for the second week in a row with an ankle issue. However, Johnston's return should have little effect on McConkey's volume.
McConkey is already on a lot of fantasy rosters. He ought to be on more after waivers clear. His encouraging rookie campaign just hit a new high, and managers should want to jump aboard the hype train before it is too late. McConkey will look to turn this momentum into another strong showing next week versus Cleveland.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix got off to a sluggish start as a passer this year. Through Week 7, he was averaging merely 178 yards through the air, posted just five touchdowns to five interceptions, and had a QBR of 49.2. He was making plays with his legs, but fantasy managers wanted to see more out of his arm.
Fortunately, Nix gave the crowd what they wanted in Week 8 by finding his stride against a weak Carolina defense. He completed 28 of 37 passes for 284 yards; both the completions and yards set new career highs. Nix's three touchdown passes were also a personal best, and he tacked on another score on the ground.
Happy #NationalTightEndsDay to all who celebrate!
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/QHZvkV6rQX
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 27, 2024
Nix posted 29.76 fantasy points, making him the day's QB2. This was his best fantasy performance of his young career, and it was his third time above 20 fantasy points in the past four weeks. Impressively, Nix has been the QB4 on a per-game basis since Week 5 among quarterbacks with multiple appearances.
Nix's recent play has been strong. Until he can replicate these passing numbers against a more competent team, though, it is hard to trust him as a fantasy option. Still, he is certainly worth a look on waivers for fantasy managers who need a quarterback. Nix and the Broncos will take on the Ravens next Sunday.
Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco running back Jordan Mason has been dealing with a shoulder issue for a few weeks now. He aggravated it during Sunday Night Football in Week 8 and exited the game early. Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo saw an expanded role as a result, rushing for 85 yards and a score on 14 carries.
First @NFL TD for @isaacguerendo!
📺 #DALvsSF on NBC
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/elQzbbBvzX— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 28, 2024
By adding three catches for 17 yards to his rushing numbers, Guerendo totaled 17.7 half-PPR points in Week 8. He stands as the week's RB11 ahead of MNF. This is the second time that Guerendo has played well while filling in for Mason; he rushed for 99 yards on 10 attempts in Week 6 against Seattle.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Mason could have returned to the game. With the team's bye arriving in Week 9, Mason will have additional time to recover. With star running back Christian McCaffrey also potentially returning after the bye, Guerendo's fantasy outlook is not very rosy.
Guerendo has shown that he is a viable backup for the 49ers and an asset to fantasy managers when he plays. Fantasy managers should monitor reports over the coming days to gather more information about Mason and McCaffrey. Guerendo is worth an add in fantasy leagues, but do not get overly excited.
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