October 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will need to be able to play a game without having any restrictions or setbacks before returning, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy has been working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he suffered back in Week 2 against the Falcons and is "just not there" to be ready on a short week against the Chargers in Week 8. Veteran
Carson Wentz will make his fifth start of the season while McCarthy works through some of the final stages of his rehab. The 22-year-old will again serve as the emergency QB3 behind
Max Brosmer on Thursday night before hopefully returning as Minnesota's starter in Week 9 against the Lions.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Kevin Seifert
October 22, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson has solidified himself as the clear workhorse in the backfield. Through seven games, Stevenson has totaled 69 carries for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 15 receptions for 154 yards through the air. He showcased his trademark power running style in Week 7, rumbling for 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against the Tennessee Titans. Many expected rookie
TreVeyon Henderson to see an expanded role following
Antonio Gibson's season-ending knee injury, but that hasn't materialized. Over the last two games, Stevenson has dominated the workload, playing 77% of the snaps, compared to Henderson's 15%. While Stevenson remains the lead back, fantasy managers should still proceed with caution, as any given week could feature a change in the backfield rotation, especially with the team's second-round investment in Henderson. For Week 8, Stevenson projects as a high-end RB3 against the Cleveland Browns, who boast one of the toughest run defenses in the league.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
October 22, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. had his best game of the season in the team's wild comeback win over the Giants in Week 7, catching six of his seven targets for 85 yards and adding a carry for 13 yards. Mims ran a season high 56.6% of the routes and delivered his most receiving yards in a game since Week 17 last season against the Bengals. The 23-year-old has played in a rotational role for the most part this season while also playing a key role on special teams, returning punts and kicks. Head coach Sean Payton likes to rotate his receivers, but Mims could be in line for more opportunities in a potential shootout in Week 8 against the Cowboys after his strong showing in Week 7.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver
Tez Johnson has scored in back-to-back games and is in line for increased opportunities with
Mike Evans (collarbone) expected to miss most of the season. The seventh-round rookie out of Oregon has logged a full route share in each of the past two weeks, running a season-high 84% in Week 6 and 74.1% in Week 7 against the Lions. Johnson caught four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in the matchup, tying tight end
Cade Otton for the second-most targets on the team. With Mike Evans sidelined and
Chris Godwin's status uncertain as he recovers from a fibula injury, Johnson should continue to see a full-time role in the Buccaneers' offense.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver
Chimere Dike had his best game as a pass catcher in Week 7 against New England, catching all four of his targets for 70 yards and his first touchdown as a pro. Dike now has at least two receptions in three straight games and continues to make an impact on special teams, leading the league in kick return yards. With veteran
Calvin Ridley (hamstring) sidelined in Week 7, Dike ran a season-high 66.7% of the team's routes and hauled in a 38-yard touchdown pass from fellow rookie
Cameron Ward. Dike is a solid speculative add as the Titans go on the road to Indianapolis in Week 8.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney led the team in receiving yards in Week 7's loss to San Francisco, his first game action since Week 4 after missing time with a hamstring injury. Mooney caught three of his five targets for 68 yards, but was fourth on the team in targets behind
Drake London,
Kyle Pitts Sr., and
Bijan Robinson. Mooney should continue to see more opportunities as he works his way back from injury. He draws a favorable Week 8 matchup against a Dolphins defense that has allowed the third-most points in the league through seven games.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back
Brashard Smith handled his biggest workload as a pro in Week 7 against the Raiders, recording 14 carries for 39 yards and adding five receptions on five targets for 42 yards. Most of Smith's rushing work came in the fourth quarter with the game already decided, but all five of the seventh-round rookie's receptions came during the normal flow of the offense. Head coach Andy Reid has utilized Smith's dynamic ability on quick screens to the perimeter as an extension of the run game, and we may not have yet seen the full extent of how Smith can be integrated into this explosive Chiefs offense. He's one of the top waiver wire adds this week as a stash option, with the potential for more if his usage continues to grow.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie running back
Kyle Monangai had his best game as a pro in Week 7 against New Orleans, handling 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, and added two receptions (three targets) for 13 yards. The Bears have leaned into their run game more in their two games post games after their Week 5 bye, totaling 367 yards on 67 carries. And Monangai played his highest snap share of the season at 46.3% on Sunday against the Saints, but it's worth noting that starter
D'Andre Swift was dealing with a groin injury coming into the game. The seventh-round rookie is still a solid add as a strong handcuff option to Swift in an improving offense.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Flacco led the offense to its best performance of the season in Week 7 against the Steelers, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns as the team scored 33 points in an upset win. Despite joining the Bengals just over two weeks ago, Flacco has been a clear upgrade at quarterback, totaling 561 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions with a 65.2% completion rate across his two starts. The 40-year-old will be at home again in Week 8 to face a New York Jets defense that has allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden broke out in Week 7 against the Colts, recording seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. Gadsden's snap count has increased each week this season as he's worked his way into a full-time role at tight end. Over the last two games, he's run 69.2% of routes and caught seven of eight targets for 68 yards in Week 6 before upping that to a season-high 78.7% in Sunday's breakout performance. There's plenty of competition for targets in the Chargers' offense, but
Quentin Johnston's return in Week 7 after missing Week 6 with a hamstring injury didn't cut into Gadsden's role, as Johnston had his quietest game of the season with just two catches on six targets for 30 yards. Gadsden is a good option to start on Thursday night against the Vikings.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs handled seven targets last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, catching all seven passes for 69 yards. He had his second-highest catch total of the season despite playing just 54 percent of the snaps.
Drake Maye is good at spreading the ball around, but Diggs has been a true constant within the offense, catching at least six passes in four of his last seven games. He has impressed as the overall WR26 in PPR leagues, pushing into high-end flex territory. His value could take a step back this week, though, as the Patriots are already getting ready to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. The Browns have a good defense all around, lowering Diggs' floor and ceiling this week. He should be treated as a WR3/flex with upside.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum earned a season-high 12 carries last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, totaling 37 rushing yards. He also converted his lone target into a six-yard reception. In addition to handling his highest carry total of the season, Corum rushed the ball as many times as
Kyren Williams and also played a season-high 34 percent of the snaps. The 24-year-old's increased workload was likely aided by a very positive game script, as Los Angeles was consistently ahead by four possessions. Corum's Rams will head into a Week 8 bye before returning to action against the New Orleans Saints. That game should offer more positive game script scenarios for the Rams, leaving Corum in the low-end RB3/flex range. He's worth claiming off waivers if you have enough bench spots that you can justify stashing him through his bye week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
New Orleans running back
Alvin Kamara rushed 11 times for 28 yards and caught all three of his targets for just one yard in the Week 7 loss to the Bears. This marks his fifth straight game under 100 total yards, and he has not found the end zone since Week 1. Looking ahead to Week 8, Kamara faces a Buccaneers defense that just allowed
Jahmyr Gibbs to explode for 218 total yards and two touchdowns on Monday night. Over 14 career games against Tampa Bay, Kamara has totalled 626 rushing yards, 565 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns. Even with a low 3.6 yards per carry, his volume and history against the Buccaneers keep him in the low-end RB2 conversation for Week 8.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams rookie running back
Jarquez Hunter was a healthy scratch for Week 7's game in London against the Jaguars. Hunter had been active for the Rams' previous five games, exclusively on special teams, but didn't suit up in London as
Ronnie Rivers was brought up off the practice squad and was active as a depth piece behind starter
Kyren Williams and second-year back
Blake Corum. The fourth-round pick out of Auburn led the SEC last season with 6.4 yards per carry, and it remains to be seen whether he will earn any opportunities in the Rams' offense moving forward.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Carolina Panthers rookie running back
Trevor Etienne played only four snaps in Week 7's 13-6 win against the Jets. Etienne played 8, 14, and 11 offensive snaps in his last three games, totaling 14 carries for 72 yards and one reception for seven yards. With
Chuba Hubbard returning from a calf injury on Sunday, the fourth-round rookie assumed the RB3 role and also contributed on special teams, including a 45-yard kick return and three punt returns for 35 yards. He's a solid stash in dynasty leagues but isn't rosterable in redraft formats.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
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