RADIO
Jaxson Dart Continues to Have Enormous Dynasty Upside
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (knee) is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery in the aftermath of Week 2. While his 2026 campaign is over, the Giants' progress without him this year is an encouraging sign for his own fantasy football outlook when he returns to action in 2027. The Giants' passing game has held its own with a combination of Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, supporting big starts to the year for players like Malik Nabers (48 catches, 605 yards, two touchdowns) and Isaiah Likely (41 catches, 395 yards, five touchdowns). If two backup quarterbacks can support that level of fantasy productivity from their pass-catchers, then Dart should have no trouble racking up completions, passing yards, and touchdowns when he returns. In other words, the passing offense has plenty of weapons that can help him produce as a strong QB1 option. Of course, Dart also comes with his own rushing upside, as he had posted 54 rushing yards on 11 attempts back in Week 1. New York may ask him to run a little less to keep him healthy going forward, but his mobility still suits him incredibly well in fantasy football. He continues to have top-eight appeal at the quarterback position in dynasty fantasy football leagues, even if we won't see him take another snap in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chicago Bears D/ST Poised to Test Surging Bucs
The Chicago Bears D/ST is on an upward trajectory heading into a Week 9 meeting with the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chicago is coming off an excellent team win against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks a game ago. The offense excelled in the toughest matchup, though the defense did its part again as well. The addition of defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons paid immediate dividends, as he recorded a team-high six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and two tackles for loss. It was a stellar debut, and he now significantly boosts a defensive unit that was already top three against the rush (86.8) and improved on the back end. Tampa Bay has surged recently via their ground attack, but they'll be forced to compete through the air this Sunday night against a high-octane Chicago offense. The Bears unit ranks as RotoBaller's D/ST8 for the weekend's slate.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Elic Ayomanor's Volume Uptick an Encouraging Sign
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has been targeted 12 times across his last two games, converting those opportunities into six catches for 78 yards. He's still just the WR77 in total PPR scoring this year, but his recent increase in volume warrants some attention in deeper fantasy leagues. Ayomanor has consistently operated behind Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson this year, and since his skill set matches the former more than the latter, the 23-year-old was able to play a bigger role when Tate missed Week 8 with a shoulder injury. Although it might initially seem like Ayomanor is going to cool off when Tate returns to action, we're somewhat optimistic that those two receivers can co-exist on the other side of Tennessee's Week 9 bye. After all, back in Week 7, both Tate and Ayomanor played 89% of the offensive snaps, showing that there's an opportunity for both to have a large role. Tate and Robinson are clearly the top fantasy receivers in this offense, but there's a case to be made that Ayomanor has some standalone WR3/flex appeal in 14+ team leagues if he continues to handle a large snap and target share.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Davante Adams a Top Stash for the Fantasy Playoffs
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) appears to be on the early side of his 6-to-10-week recovery timetable after undergoing hamstring surgery, which puts him in line for a potential return ahead of the fantasy football playoffs. Adams was a must-start wide receiver when he was healthy, and he should continue to be stashed in all leagues, either on the bench or in the IR slot. The 33-year-old ranked as the overall WR5 in half-PPR scoring before he suffered his injury, and even though his production was a little less consistent when Puka Nacua was healthy, the two absolutely proved that they can co-exist as fantasy weapons in this dominant Rams passing game. While it may feel like leaving Adams on the bench for upward of two months requires a lot of patience, the decision should pay off in time for the fantasy playoffs. Adams is a weekly WR2 option in fantasy football, so getting someone like that back from IR in time for the end of the fantasy season is a huge boost that could push fringe playoff teams into legitimate championship contention.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tommy Tremble Is Not On Track to Make a Fantasy Impact in Week 9
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble has not been a reliable fantasy asset in the 2026 season, producing only one fantasy-relevant game in Week 6, in which he scored two touchdowns. Tremble has 21 targets this season, a 7.7% target share, and there has been no indication of increased involvement. The Panthers' passing game runs through wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, and tight end Darren Waller also gets his fair share of targets. If it's any consolation for Tremble this week, their Week 9 opponent, the Denver Broncos, have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends (16.8). However, fantasy managers can't count on Tremble to produce, so he isn't worth a start in any league format and is ranked TE37 in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Tre Tucker's Dud Outing a Bad Sign for His Fantasy Outlook?
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker was held without a single catch in Week 8, which is a concern given how productive he had been in previous weeks. Tucker was particularly dominant in Weeks 6-7, when he combined for 10 catches, 197 yards, and three touchdowns, but he was even a solid WR3/flex earlier in the season. He entered last week as the WR13 in half-PPR scoring, but the dud outing dropped him down six spots to WR19. Tucker's fantasy outlook should be adjusted accordingly, as he went from being a low-end WR2 with a high ceiling to more of a high-end WR3 with a low floor. He's absolutely still worth starting, especially as Kirk Cousins remains the quarterback and the Raiders continue to find themselves in negative game script environments. However, Week 8 showed that he's not immune to a goose egg on the stat sheet, and managers must now temper their expectations a little more than they had in weeks past. The good news is that Tucker is still the undisputed No. 1 wide receiver in Las Vegas, albeit operating behind star tight end Brock Bowers in the passing game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braelon Allen Falls Out of the Lead-Back Role
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen's remarkable run as the primary ball-carrier has come to an end. Allen will likely fall back into the No. 2 role -- or at least the 1B behind the 1A -- with Breece Hall (quad) expected to return from a five-game absence on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. To say that the 22-year-old filled in admirably would be an understatement. During his four games as the lead back, Allen totaled 93 carries, 504 rushing yards, 13 catches, 70 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns. He had 23+ touches in three of those five contests, and he ranked as the overall RB9 in half-PPR leagues throughout that five-game window. While Hall will return and significantly eat into Allen's workload, we do expect the Wisconsin product to remain involved. His recent run as the starter has shown that he's capable of producing while operating in a near-every-down capacity, and he could represent the future of the running back position in New York with Hall's name frequently coming up in trade rumors. For now, Allen is best viewed as an RB3/flex; he certainly has standalone value, but he also has a much lower floor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omar Cooper Jr. Suddenly Facing Competition for Volume Ahead of Week 9
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. looked spectacular between Weeks 6-7, catching a total of 11 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns during that span. However, his productivity fizzled out in Week 8 as he was held without a target despite handling a 78% snap share. The rookie, who had previously been operating as a dependable No. 2 receiver behind Garrett Wilson, suddenly faces substantial competition for volume from Adonai Mitchell, who had seven catches, 142 yards, and one touchdown on a 61% snap share last week. While we're not overly confident that Mitchell has passed Cooper in the pecking order permanently, the fact that there's even competition for volume here is bad news for Cooper owners, who seemed like they were getting ready for him to contribute consistently just a couple of weeks ago. The Indiana product is still a strong WR3/flex option as the Jets continue to face several negative game script scenarios, but his floor has certainly dropped lower than it was one week ago.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Is Poised for Another Juicy Role in Week 9 vs. Denver
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has exceeded expectations so far as the RB8 in fantasy points per game (19.0), while shouldering most of the run-game duty with backfield mates Jonathon Brooks (core) and Trevor Etienne not involved and/or injured. Despite Carolina's recent offensive line struggles, Hubbard has still managed 4.58 ypc and has scored seven total touchdowns. He has only scored under 11 fantasy points in one game this year. His strong involvement in the passing game also boosts his fantasy output, as shown in Week 8 against the Packers, where he caught seven passes on eight targets. The Panthers may have to play a quick game against a blitz-heavy Week 9 opponent in Denver, which could give Hubbard a chance to feast in the passing game. The Broncos have also allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game, at 127.9 yards. Hubbard should get plenty of work in the running and receiving game to lock himself in as an RB1, ranked as RotoBaller's RB8 in Week 9.
Source: Fantasy Points Data Suite
Source: Fantasy Points Data Suite
Cairo Santos a Good Bet for Fantasy in Week 9
Chicago Bears placekicker Cairo Santos is again a strong fantasy option for this Sunday's home matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Santos has laid a few clunkers this season, but has mostly been reliable for the Bears and owners. It was encouraging to see the 34-year-old veteran break his miss streak in Week 8, after knocking through all of his kicks in a game for the first time since a win over the Jets in Week 4. While he'll always be somewhat capped by the offense's ability to score touchdowns, Santos may experience a bit of a boost this week against what's been a downright impressive Bucs defense. If Tampa Bay can limit Chicago like they have their past few opponents, Santos may get a few more field-goal opportunities than managers have come to expect. Even with the stiff test ahead, the Tulane product lands as RotoBaller's K7 for Sunday's outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kyle Monangai a Risky Start if Active
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (toe, thumb) has been officially listed as questionable for this weekend's home matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Monangai logged a limited practice session on Friday - his first practice in any capacity since sustaining thumb and toe injuries in the team's Week 4 win over the Jets. It's good news for the 24-year-old, but he's far from a recommended fantasy play if active, as backfield mate D'Andre Swift has been excellent, and the Bears also have teammate Roschon Johnson to turn to if Monangai isn't capable of handling his typical workload. In addition, Tampa Bay's defensive unit has been the league's best on a yards-per-game basis (80) against the run, as well as a top-five scoring defense (18.9). With a myriad of factors working against the New Jersey native, he's better left out of fantasy lineups for now. Monangai is RotoBaller's PPR RB43 for this week's slate of action.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rome Odunze a Fine Week 9 Flex
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze is a sound WR3 play for this weekend's home matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Odunze is coming off one of his better games of the campaign, ripping off three receptions of at least 20 yards (4/87) in an impressive win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. It's true the University of Washington product hasn't exhibited the upside that teammate Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland have for fantasy. However, Odunze plays a critical role in the intermediate area for quarterback Caleb Williams, breaking free on big, in-breaking routes to pick up explosive plays. He also has decent upside as a low-end WR3. Chicago won't have it easy against one of the league's least-forgiving fantasy defenses in the Buccaneers, but Williams has excelled more often than not this season, and Odunze has proven a decent back-end asset, even on a limited reception total. The 24-year-old ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR32 for Sunday night's bout.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Luther Burden III Maintains Strong Fantasy Value Vs. Tampa Bay
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has solidified himself as a go-to option ahead of a Sunday night matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 22-year-old St. Louis, Missouri native failed to lead the team in receiving for the fourth straight game in a win over the Seahawks, though he was still tied for tops in targets (nine) and receptions (seven) with tight end Colston Loveland. As it stands, the only knock against Burden is his lack of involvement in the second half of games. However, that isn't entirely his fault, as a run-heavy game script to close out victories has robbed him of a few monster outings. Unfortunately, he and the Bears' attack will be met with an imposing test in Week 9 when they take on a vaunted Buccaneers defense that has impressed over the last month. It isn't ideal, but quarterback Caleb Williams' stellar play has raised the offense's floor, making Burden an enticing weekly fantasy asset despite a less-than-full-time role. The second-year pro is RotoBaller's PPR WR11 for the weekend's festivities.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Coker Looks to Take Advantage of Target Opportunity as a WR2
Carolina Panthers third-year wide receiver and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker looked like a major breakout candidate at the start of the season, posting 204 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 16 catches in his first two games. Since then, he hasn't been nearly as productive and now sits at WR24 for the season. Coker has 22 targets over the last three games, but only nine catches and one touchdown. The Panthers offense as a whole has struggled recently, and it may be difficult to get back on track against the strong pass/rush defense of their Week 9 opponent, the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are tied for second in receiving touchdowns allowed to WRs at only four over eight games, and allow a meager 27.6 fantasy points (eighth-least) per game to the position. Coker's 46.2% slot rate could bode well for him, giving him a chance to avoid major coverage from Denver's All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain, who plays the perimeter most of the time. Coker can be slotted in as a low-end WR2 and ranks WR21 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 9.
Source: Rotoballer
Source: Rotoballer
Colston Loveland Heating Up in Chicago's Passing Attack
Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland is again a strong fantasy option for a home matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. The former Michigan Wolverine has really rounded into form over his previous three outings, compiling a 20/199/2 line while leading the team in receptions and targets (28). Loveland's upside will always be somewhat capped by Chicago's propensity to score points in a hurry and the dearth of talent around him. Still, he's utilized superbly in the scheme, able to use his athleticism on quick flat routes around the line of scrimmage. He also does well on some deeper breaking patterns over the middle and outside the numbers. Tampa Bay's defense has been an undesirable matchup in most respects, but they're actually susceptible to fantasy tight ends as a bottom-half unit. Even if the offense struggles, Loveland should still command a considerable share of targets. He's again a top option for the Sunday night matchup and, officially, RotoBaller's PPR TE4 for Week 9.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
