RADIO
Roschon Johnson Worth Stashing in Deep Leagues Only
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson managed just 13 yards on two carries in Thursday's Week 7 win over New England. That's a significant drop from the 85 scrimmage yards and touchdown he produced against Atlanta in Week 6. The bigger concern, though, is his shrinking role. After playing roughly 40% of Chicago's offensive snaps in Weeks 5 and 6, Johnson saw the field for just 14% against New England, even as Kyle Monangai remained sidelined with toe and thumb injuries. Meanwhile, D'Andre Swift dominated usage in Week 7, handling 26 of 28 running back touches and playing 86% of the offensive snaps. With Monangai likely returning in Week 8, and Swift entrenched as the starter, Johnson will revert back to a speculative end-of-the-bench stash in deeper leagues only. He offers absolutely no standalone value at this time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kirk Cousins Remains a Strong Weekly Play
One of the most surprisingly consistent fantasy producers of the 2026 season, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has reached at least 19.5 fantasy points in six of his last seven outings, including a usable Week 7 performance in which he threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Rams. While outside rumblings are growing louder about the eventual debut of first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, head coach Klint Kubiak has maintained that Cousins is his starting quarterback, and until that change is imminent, he remains a strong weekly play. Las Vegas faces the New York Jets in Week 8, fresh off a loss to the Dolphins in which quarterback Malik Willis posted one of the highest QBRs of the season on his way to a QB4 finish. While Cousins doesn't offer the same rushing floor, he still leads the NFL with 16 passing touchdowns, and his 1,877 passing yards through seven weeks trail only Matthew Stafford and Jordan Love.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robert Gasser Picks Up Quality Start in Game 3 Win Over Rays
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser did his part in the team's 10-1 blowout win over the hosting Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night in Game 3 of the World Series to help put the Brewers one win away from their first-ever World Series title. Gasser was sharp, tossing six shutout innings with just one hit allowed, one walk, and three strikeouts to pick up his first win of the postseason. The only hit that he allowed came in the first inning, and he faced the minimum 18 batters in his six frames for a marvelous outing to give the Brewers a commanding lead in the best-of-seven series. The 27-year-old southpaw was excellent to close out the 2026 regular season, and he has carried his form over into October when it matters most. Jacob Misiorowski gets all the fanfare, but Gasser has been Milwaukee's best starting pitcher in the postseason, allowing just one earned run on a solo home run while allowing seven hits, walking three, and striking out nine in 15 innings pitched in his three starts against the Rays, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
William Contreras Stays Hot in Game 3 Win in World Series
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras has been the team's MVP throughout the postseason, and he had another big game offensively in the 10-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night to put the Brewers one win away from their first-ever World Series title. Contreras went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored, and a strikeout. The 28-year-old Venezuelan has been a tough out at the plate while also providing stellar defense behind the plate for the Brew Crew in October. He hit .270/.341/.417 with a .758 OPS, 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 82 runs scored, and a stolen base in 566 at-bats during the regular season, but he has taken it to another level in the playoffs. After Contreras' three-hit game in Tampa in Game 3 of the Fall Classic, he is now hitting an absurd .419 (18-for-43) with three home runs, one double, eight RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base in 49 plate appearances across 11 games played. He continues to be Milwaukee's heart and soul on offense and defense.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Malik Willis Beginning to Deliver for Fantasy Managers
In leading the Miami Dolphins to their first win of the season, quarterback Malik Willis joined a short list of players with 1,000 passing yards and 200 rushing yards through seven weeks, and he has now sandwiched consecutive 20+ point fantasy outings around the team's Week 6 bye. Miami faces a tough challenge in Week 8 with the New England Patriots coming to town, but Willis is capable of providing a usable fantasy floor, having run for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games while turning in one of the season's highest QB ratings in that Week 7 win. With rookie Caleb Douglas (ankle) returning from a three-game absence and posting 70 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets, Willis appears to have a legitimate outside threat back in tow, and he is RotoBaller's QB23 for the week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeff Hoffman Undergoes Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman (elbow) underwent right arthroscopic elbow surgery with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, which included the removal of a bone chip and a debridement procedure, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The Twins say that Hoffman will start a throwing program in eight weeks, and they expect him to be ready for the start of the 2027 season. The surgery comes after the Twins placed Hoffman on the 15-day injured list to close out the last week of the regular season in late September with inflammation in his right forearm. After being acquired in a midseason trade from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, Hoffman served as a late-inning setup man to closer Yoendrys Gomez. Barring a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery, Hoffman should open next season in the same role for Minnesota, which will limit his fantasy baseball appeal without a consistent path to saves. The 33-year-old veteran had a career-high 33 saves with Toronto in 2025, but he closed out only six games last year with a 3.55 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He was at least more effective in his 20 relief outings in Minnesota, posting a 2.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 27:12 K:BB with one save.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Jacoby Brissett Back on the Streaming Radar in Week 8
Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has had two straight down performances against the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos after throwing for a season-high 292 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 5. However, the 33-year-old should be back in waiver-wire consideration for fantasy managers who need a bye-week replacement as he gets ready to face the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 8 this Sunday. Much like he was last season, Brissett has been a strong QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues, throwing for 1,600 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions through his first seven starts in 2026. He will be just a one-week option, though, as the Cardinals will have another difficult matchup in Week 9 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. Dallas' defense tightened up on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles and backup QB Tanner McKee, but Brissett could easily put up numbers against a Cowboys defense that has allowed 228 passing yards per game. Brissett has attempted at least 40 passes in 10 of his 19 starts for Arizona, dating back to last year, so the volume has been there.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jeremiah Smith Remains Elite Fantasy Option for Week 9
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has slowed a bit over the past couple of weeks, but he's still a top-end fantasy option for Week 9. His matchup will be USC, which allows 331.3 total yards and 25 points per game. Smith has 984 yards and 12 touchdowns across 52 receptions this season, plus has two carries for seven yards. He has just four receptions in back-to-back games, but has gone for 161 receiving yards and three scores combined to remain a good fantasy performer. Fantasy owners should continue to expect big things from the star wideout, and Smith should be starting in all fantasy leagues as a result.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Wayne Knight Eyes Big Fantasy Outing in Favorable Week 9 Matchup
UCLA running back Wayne Knight has a favorable matchup in Week 9 against Nevada, so a big fantasy performance could be coming. Nevada allows just 320.3 total yards and 22 points per game, but the Wolf Pack are not facing the likes of UCLA every week. In a game that UCLA should control, Knight could put together a big showing, even if he doesn't play all game. Knight has 99 carries for 627 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, plus has caught 14 passes for 106 yards and another score. He has at least one touchdown in all seven games he's played in. Knight has just 89 rushing yards over the past two games, but he has the chance to break out in Week 9, and is a quality fantasy starting option as a result.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darian Mensah Looking to Deliver Big Again in Week 9
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah will look to continue his big fantasy season in Week 9 against North Carolina. The Miami QB has completed 81.4% of his passes for 2,151 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has just one interception, while adding 73 rushing yards and two scores on 20 attempts. Mensah has seven TD passes and one pick over the past two games combined, and he's thrown for at least 220 yards in every game. North Carolina allows 372.7 total yards and 20.9 points per game, so it's a solid matchup for the QB. Mensah has proven to be trustworthy regardless of the matchup, and another big showing could be in the works in Week 9.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Seahawks Acquire Guard Quenton Nelson From the Colts
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to acquire eight-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Nelson is on an expiring contract, and the Colts are opting to get draft capital now before they could lose him in free agency next March. It is unclear what the Seahawks sent the Colts in exchange, but this could be just the beginning of Indy's fire sale ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline after they fired long-time general manager Chris Ballard last week. If the Colts do not get back in the win column soon, head coach Shane Steichen figures to be next to get the axe. Seattle's ground game has left a lot to be desired so far in 2026 after they let Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker walk in free agency, and they have averaged a mediocre 113.7 rushing yards per game. The addition of Nelson will be a big boost for the Seahawks' offensive line as they look to get back into a tough NFC West division this year. The trade is excellent news for running back Zach Charbonnet (knee), who is expected to make his season debut in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Rocky Beers Remains Solid Fantasy Option for Week 9
Oklahoma tight end Rocky Beers has a solid fantasy outlook for his Week 9 matchup against South Carolina. The Gamecocks are surrendering 337.9 total yards and 25.3 points per game so far, so the matchup is solid for the tight end. Beers has racked up 30 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns this season. He has four catches in three straight games and a touchdown grab in back-to-back outings. Beers has finished with more than 40 receiving yards in all but two appearances so far. At a fantasy position where consistent results are hard to find, Beers remains a confident fantasy starting option thanks to his weekly offensive involvement.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Michael Carter a Potential Deep-League Handcuff With Deadline Approaching
Tennessee Titans running back Michael Carter has only been active for two of the Titans' games so far in 2026, but he could be worth stashing as a deep-league RB handcuff in Tennessee in the event the Titans' lead back, Tony Pollard, is dealt before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. The Titans also have Tyjae Spears (knee), but he missed the Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns with a knee injury and is more of a pass-catching back and not an early-down grinder. In his two games for Tennessee this year, the 27-year-old former fourth-round pick from North Carolina has only three rushing attempts for seven yards and has caught his only target for a gain of seven yards. All three of his carries came on Sunday against the Browns with Spears inactive. In his five-plus-year NFL career, Carter has averaged 4.0 yards per carry on 421 rushing attempts for 1,699 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 146 receptions for 1,045 yards and one touchdown as a receiver in 63 games (27 starts) with three teams. He could serve as the RB2 again in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, too, if Spears misses a second straight game.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
KJ Duff a Riskier Fantasy Starting Option in Tough Week 9 Test
Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff has produced some big fantasy showings this season, but he could be slowed in a tough test against Michigan in Week 9. The Wolverines are allowing just 250.1 total yards and 15.7 points per game so far. Duff has 774 receiving yards and nine touchdowns across 45 receptions this season. He had just 33 yards on three grabs last week, but has four games with over 100 receiving yards this season. Duff is still a solid starting option, but in a very tough matchup, fantasy owners need to temper expectations with him, and maybe even sit him in Week 9.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darren Waller Remains an Extremely Risky Streaming Option
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller turned one of two targets into a 50-yard touchdown in Sunday's Week 7 loss to Tampa Bay, but the big play masked his limited role in a crowded tight end rotation. Waller logged just 45% of Carolina's offensive snaps, nearly identical to his 46% share in Week 6, and drew only four targets across those two games. The Panthers' tight end rotation leaves little room for optimism. Tommy Tremble played 68% of the snaps and scored twice against Philadelphia in Week 6, then saw his share fall to 48% against Tampa Bay while matching Waller with only two targets. Mitchell Evans also remains involved, logging snap shares of 54% and 50% over the past two weeks. With three tight ends competing for limited opportunities, Waller is a touchdown-or-bust desperation streamer, not a dependable fantasy option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
