RADIO
Raiders' Backfield Touch Distribution a "Moving Target"
Las Vegas Raiders former first-round running back Ashton Jeanty averaged just over 3.0 yards per carry in the first seven games of the season, so the Raiders changed things up in their Week 8 win over the New York Jets, with rookie Mike Washington Jr. outsnapping Jeanty 60% to 40% and out-carrying him 25 to two. Jeanty saw more time as the third-down back and had a key 45-yard catch. When asked about the playing-time shift in the backfield on Monday, head coach Klint Kubiak said it was not a permanent arrangement. "I think it's always a moving target," Kubiak said. "You see where your team is at and who's playing the best ball at the time. It's a 17-game regular season where things change every week." Washington had 83 yards on 25 carries, so it wasn't a major change in terms of success on the ground for the Raiders. The bottom line is that Vegas has been one of the worst at running the football in 2026, and Jeanty could be in danger of losing the early-down role permanently. The good news for his fantasy managers is that if Week 8's backfield setup becomes more of the norm, he should at least retain value as a PPR flex option. Washington, meanwhile, deserves plenty of waiver-wire attention this week.
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper
Source: Pro Football Talk - Josh Alper
Sam Darnold a Streaming Option in Favorable Week 9 Matchup
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold is a fantasy streaming option in Week 9 thanks to a very favorable matchup against Arizona. Darnold has underwhelmed most of this season, and he sits with a 60.2% completion mark across seven games played. He's thrown for 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns, but also has nine interceptions. Darnold has 72 rushing yards on 11 attempts as well. He had 188 passing yards and two TD passes, but also threw a pick and completed just 50% of his passes in Week 8 against Chicago. Darnold is worth streaming in more fantasy leagues in Week 9 due to his stellar matchup against the Cardinals. Based on what we've seen from Darnold overall this season though, he's a more confident option in deeper leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Courtland Sutton Worth Deep-League Usage in Week 9
Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton is worth deep-league fantasy utilization in Week 9 against Carolina. He has just 221 receiving yards and a touchdown across 20 receptions and 37 targets in eight games played this season, but has fared better the past two weeks. Sutton had 45 yards on three receptions and five targets in Week 7, before tallying 53 yards on four receptions and targets in Week 8. A slightly below-average matchup against Carolina in Week 9 keeps Sutton as a better deep-league option, but he's one to keep in mind for possible standard league usage down the road if his recent production keeps up.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Frank Reich "Assuming" Breece Hall is Still the Lead Back
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said last week that whenever running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) returns, the starting job will be his again. "The role won't change," Glenn said. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich deferred to Glenn when asked the question himself, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. "Well, that's obviously coach's decision, but they're both the guy ... I mean, that's a good problem to have. That's coach's decision, but to me ... Breece is our guy. I'm assuming Breece is our guy, you know what I mean? He's one of the best in the NFL, but I think what's been so exciting is like, oh my gosh, we've got two of them. I mean, we've got two. This Braelon guy, he's a beast as well," Reich said. Rosenblatt says it is fair to wonder now if Hall will lose his lead-back role given how well Braelon Allen has performed in the last five games with Hall sidelined. And if that is the case, it would make sense for general manager Darren Mougey to make Hall available before next Tuesday's trade deadline. The Jets have publicly said they will not trade Hall, but the fact that the team just signed Hall to a new contract last offseason should not be a deterrent to trading him. If Hall is not traded, his fantasy ceiling will most likely suffer as he shares more of the workload with Allen.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
Jerry Jones Says George Pickens Needs the Ball More
Dallas owner Jerry Jones said that wide receiver George Pickens "needs the ball coming his way more." Jones made the statement while speaking on 105.3 The FAN on Tuesday. Pickens had just 48 receiving yards on two receptions and four targets in the team's Week 8 overtime loss to Arizona. He has 533 receiving yards and two scores on 39 receptions and 62 targets across eight games played overall this season. Pickens had 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns across 93 catches and 137 targets in his first season with Dallas. Pickens dealt with shoulder and hamstring injuries coming into Week 8, but played after being listed as questionable. His next chance to start delivering more will come against Indianapolis in Week 9.
Source: Jon Machota
Source: Jon Machota
Ravens Sign Kedon Slovis to Active Roster
The Baltimore Ravens added quarterback Kedon Slovis to its active roster, signing him off the Green Bay practice squad. The signing gives the Ravens another QB option for Thursday night as Lamar Jackson (thumb) is out and Tyler Huntley (turf toe) is also dealing with an injury. Joe Fagnano (ankle) had been the team's third QB, but is also dealing with an ailment. Fagnano, Austin Reed, and Slovis are now the top quarterback options for the team's Week 9 Thursday game against Jacksonville. Fagnano completed 10 of his 21 passes in Week 8 for 91 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception; he had three rushing yards on three attempts. Slovis got in two regular games while with Arizona in 2025, but attempted just two passes. Reed was signed to the team's practice squad on Monday; he has only appeared in preseason games so far.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Source: Tom Pelissero
Ryan Flournoy Could Be Set Up for a Larger Role
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy is a solid option to consider from the waiver wire this week, especially with uncertainty swirling around his teammate George Pickens. Pickens has reportedly been dealing with hamstring tightness during games and has also been listed on the injury report with a shoulder issue. While he hasn't missed any games, his effectiveness has been limited. He's also become a buzzy name in the trade market leading up to the NFL Trade Deadline on Nov. 10. If Pickens misses time or is traded, Flournoy would be a great pickup. He's already involved in the Cowboys' passing game, catching at least three passes in five straight games and finding the end zone in two of his last three contests. He's a borderline add already in deep leagues in his current role, but if he gets more targets and opportunities, he could end up being a great speculative stash from the waiver wire coming into Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Geno Smith Becoming a Viable Streaming Option Once Again
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith had another strong fantasy performance in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, throwing for 290 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Geno has now surpassed 250 passing yards in three consecutive games, throwing for 829 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions over that time. It's not perfect, but it never is with Geno, and after a truly embarrassing 2025 season with the Raiders, he is once again a usable, matchup-dependent streaming option. While he shouldn't be streamed with much confidence in his Week 9 matchup against Kansas City, his schedule after that becomes much more playable, squaring off against the Bills, Chargers, and Dolphins, followed by their bye in Week 13. Geno is worth a roster spot in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers should remain selective about when they actually trust him in their starting lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devin Singletary A Smart Waiver Wire Snag
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary is a very interesting option from the waiver wire as his team returns from the bye week for a road matchup against the Eagles. Singletary is coming off his best game of the season and could be in position for a much larger role for Big Blue in the next few weeks. Singletary had his best fantasy game of the season in Week 7, scoring his first touchdown of the year and running for 41 yards on five carries while adding three catches for 14 receiving yards. Coming out of that game and a Week 8 bye, Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring) was placed on IR, and Cam Skattebo (hamstring) is day-to-day and could end up being a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Eagles, according to coach John Harbaugh. Singletary could be the last running back standing if Skattebo is sidelined, but even if Skattebo plays through the issue, Singletary seems set for a large enough role in the next few weeks to be an excellent addition from the Week 9 waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Watkins Worth a Speculative Add After Encouraging Usage
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins saw an uptick in usage in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons before their Week 8 bye. With both Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel sidelined, Watkins played 75% of snaps, ran 30 routes, and saw six targets, catching three for 56 scoreless yards. He led the 49ers wide receivers in both targets and air yards (101 yards for a 34% share) against Atlanta. He is the definition of an explosive playmaker who has turned just six receptions on the season into 138 yards, an average of 23 yards per reception. But with both Evans and Samuel expected back in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, his fantasy appeal has dropped significantly and should only be stashed in deeper leagues where his value could once again skyrocket with any more injuries to the 49ers' receiving corps.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kevin Coleman Jr. Not Worth a Roster Spot Despite Touchdown
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. had his best box score of the season in Week 8, catching all three targets for 46 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots. However, there is still no reason to roster him, even with a favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 9. He simply does not have the usage needed to justify rostering him in any league. In Week 8, Coleman had a 26% snap share and only ran a route on 19% of dropbacks. That was well behind Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Malik Washington, who all had route shares over 70%. With Miami still ranking 31st in pass rate over expectation, there just isn't enough volume to justify rostering Coleman moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MarShawn Lloyd Retains Deep-League Value
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd never realized his full potential while filling in for Josh Jacobs earlier in the season, but he is still worth a roster spot in deep leagues even now that Jacobs has returned. Lloyd played ahead of Pierre Strong Jr. in each of the two weeks since Jacobs returned to action, and he would likely take over as the primary option once again if Jacobs is sidelined by an injury or further off-field trouble. Lloyd has nine carries for 27 yards and three catches for 24 yards in the two games since Jacobs returned and will likely continue to chip in a few touches each game as a change-of-pace option behind Jacobs. He is worth holding in standard-sized leagues if better running back options are available, but he does still have enough potential value to be a solid speculative stash in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Willis A Strong Streaming Option for Week 9
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis has been much better for fantasy football in the last few weeks, and he's a QB to consider as an emergency option from the waiver wire if you need bye-week help or are in a two-QB league. Willis brings dual-threat upside and has at least two total touchdowns in each of his last three games. He threw for one score and ran for another against the Bengals with a season-high 74 rushing yards in Week 5 before the bye week. In Week 7, he led the Dolphins to their only win of the season with 208 passing yards and two touchdowns while running for a third score against the Jets. In Week 8's loss to the Patriots, Willis only had two rushing yards but threw two touchdowns and racked up 211 passing yards. In Week 9, he gets a great matchup against the Lions, who have been the most favorable matchup in the NFL for QBs this season. If you need QB help from the waiver wire, Willis is one of the best widely available streaming options to consider.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zach Charbonnet Returns to Action on Monday Night Football
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) completed his return from reconstructive knee surgery under 10 months ago and made his season debut on Monday Night Football against the Bears. Charbonnet played 23 snaps (37% of offensive snaps), which was second on the team at his position behind only rookie Jadarian Price (48%). Charbonnet took his six carries for 23 rushing yards and added three catches for six receiving yards on four targets. He has a short week of recovery before Week 9's matchup with the Cardinals, and his uncertain workload and role in the timeshare make him a high-risk play on Sunday. He is definitely worth adding or holding in all formats since he has such a high ceiling if he claims most of the work in Seattle's backfield, but he may take some time to get back to full speed.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jadarian Price Leads Seattle's Backfield in His Return
Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (chest) was activated from IR before Monday night's matchup with the Bears and led the backfield in snaps. He played 30 snaps (48%) and finished with 10 carries for 29 rushing yards and two catches on four targets for eight receiving yards. He played more than Zach Charbonnet (knee), who was making his season debut, but neither running back was especially productive in the team's 34-17 home loss to the Bears. Price has flashed some explosiveness and potential in his limited time this season, and he brings a very high ceiling if he can claim most of the work in Seattle's backfield. The uncertain timeshare does make him a risky play next week against the Cardinals, but he looked healthy in his return and could make an impact going forward.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
