Brandon Graham Officially Returns to Philadelphia
Source: Ian Rapoport
Emanuel Wilson Stuck in Insurance Role
Emanuel Wilson was not impactful for fantasy in Week 7 despite racking up a season-high in backfield snap share (34%). Wilson was expected to see an elevated workload while teammate Josh Jacobs (calf) dealt with an injury and illness. While the 26-year-old was out there quite a bit to spell Jacobs, it only amounted to seven touches (six carries) and 15 total yards of output. Wilson is clearly the team's preferred second option ahead of Chris Brooks, although it hasn't amounted to enough value for fantasy managers to feel comfortable starting him with Jacobs active. For now, he's exclusively on the handcuff radar. However, that could change with the impending return of backfield mate MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring).
Source: ESPN
Green Bay Packers running back Source: ESPN
Luke McCaffrey Fails to Capitalize on Expanded Role in Week 7
Luke McCaffrey was held without a catch in the team's 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. It was a prime opportunity for a breakout, with the Cowboys ranking last in the NFL against wide receivers, and Terry McLaurin (quad), Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel), and Noah Brown (groin) all sidelined. Despite the ideal setup, McCaffrey played just 52% of the snaps, finishing behind Chris Moore and Jaylin Lane, and nearly even with Robbie Chosen, who was making his season debut. With McLaurin and Samuel both expected to return soon, McCaffrey's role will likely shrink even further. Fantasy managers can safely move on from McCaffrey in all formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Washington Commanders wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Ryan Flournoy Fades Out of Cowboys' Offense
Ryan Flournoy has cooled off after his brief breakout stretch in Weeks 5 and 6, when he totaled nine receptions for 144 yards. In Week 7, Flournoy was held without a target, coinciding with the return of star receiver CeeDee Lamb. Flournoy's snap share dropped from 65% during his productive stretch to just 28% in Week 7, as Lamb reclaimed his dominant role in the offense. With George Pickens and Jake Ferguson also commanding targets, Flournoy is now buried in a crowded depth chart. Fantasy managers can confidently drop Flournoy in all formats moving forward.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Brandon Aiyuk's Timeline for Return Still Unclear
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has yet to have his practice window opened, as he continues to recover from the multi-ligament knee injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely. While there's been speculation, he could miss all of 2025, general manager John Lynch recently noted that Aiyuk is "getting better and closer to a return." If he does make it back this season, Aiyuk will likely be eased in gradually, as most receivers returning from a major knee injury need time to regain form. By the time he's ready, the 49ers' receiving corps should be back at full strength, which could limit his target share in 2025. Fantasy managers should keep Aiyuk stashed in IR spots and remain cautiously optimistic about a late-season return.
Source: Pro Football Reference
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Kenneth Gainwell Relegated to Handcuff Role
Kenneth Gainwell has cooled off significantly after his breakout Week 4 performance. With Jaylen Warren returning to full strength, Gainwell has managed just nine carries for 36 yards over the past two games. Over that span, Gainwell has played 36% of the snaps, while Warren has commanded 61%, establishing himself as the team's lead back. Gainwell now profiles as a third-down back and a handcuff option in fantasy formats. While Gainwell could offer some PPR upside, unless Warren misses time, Gainwell holds little standalone fantasy value moving forward.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Source: Pro Football Reference
Kameron Johnson Fades Back Into Depth Role
Kameron Johnson failed to build on his breakout Week 6 performance. After posting 64 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers, Johnson was shut out on Monday night versus the Detroit Lions. Johnson played just 20% of the offensive snaps in Week 7, falling behind Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, and Tez Johnson in the receiver rotation. While injuries in the Buccaneers' receiving corps could eventually create opportunities, Johnson appears firmly locked into a backup role for now. Fantasy managers can safely drop him in all formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Jauan Jennings Due For Return To Previous Role?
Jauan Jennings (shoulder, ankle, ribs), who has seen injuries impact his availability and performance throughout the first seven weeks. But for managers still hanging on, there is some hope. Jennings played 85% of the team's snaps and drew seven targets last week, both his second-highest marks of the year and more in line with his normal usage. As Jennings' health improves, starting quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) is also getting close to returning. Jennings has been prone to ups and downs during his career, but finished as the No. 24 overall PPR receiver in 2024. With Purdy coming back and some good matchups on the horizon, Jennings could see his stock rise in future weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
There's been no doubting that 2025 has been disappointing so far for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Josh Downs Trending Up as Colts' Offense Explodes
Josh Downs (concussion) has had a steady, but unspectacular, start to the 2025 season. Through six games, Downs has logged 26 receptions on 34 targets for 217 yards and a touchdown, ranking as the WR51 on a per-game basis. While the production hasn't fully taken off, the Colts' offense has been one of the league's best, leading the NFL in scoring (33.1 PPG) and ranking fourth in total yards per game (387.1). Downs missed Week 7 against the Chargers while in concussion protocol, but a limited practice on Wednesday suggests he's trending in the right direction for Week 8. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress closely ahead of a favorable matchup against the Titans.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Giants' Shift to 12 Personnel Boosting Daniel Bellinger's Role
Daniel Bellinger (neck) delivered the best performance of his NFL career in Week 7, hauling in three receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. Bellinger's production has noticeably climbed since the team turned to Jaxson Dart at quarterback and lost star wideout Malik Nabers to a Torn ACL. Since Week 4, the Giants have leaned heavily on 12 personnel (two-TE sets), ranking among the league leaders in usage. Both Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson have logged over 50% of the offensive snaps in three consecutive games, including last week, where they each played over 65%. While New York's brutal schedule has limited consistency, Bellinger's emergence is a bright spot. He'll face a tough challenge in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. Bellinger isn't fantasy relevant just yet, but if this upward trend continues, he could work his way onto the fantasy radar in deeper leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
New York Giants tight end Source: Pro Football Reference
Bhayshul Tuten Still Looking For Breakout
Bhayshul Tuten of the Jacksonville Jaguars is still looking for a breakout week as the Jags take their bye in Week 8. A popular mid-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, the rookie landed in a situation with two established running backs in Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, but the Jags traded Bigsby to Philadelphia early in the season. The move ostensibly opened the way for Tuten, but he has yet to play more than 30% of the team's snaps in a game so far. The rookie scored touchdowns in Weeks 2 and 3, but recorded just 19 touches in the four games that followed. Tuten remains a hold in dynasty formats, but he can be left on waivers in most redraft leagues as long as Etienne is healthy.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Running back Source: Pro Football Reference
Injuries Keep Sterling Shepard in the Picture
Sterling Shepard. Coming off a seven-catch performance against Detroit, the veteran looks in line for similar work in future weeks. The Bucs had to put Mike Evans (concussion) back on injured reserve, which will sideline him for at least a month, while Chris Godwin (leg) and Jalen McMillan (neck) have yet to play this season. Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) is also dealing with an injury and didn't practice on Wednesday, leaving Shepard, for the time being, as one of the team's top options along with tight end Cade Otton. Managers in deeper formats or facing bye-week roster crunches should consider Shepard as a capable option under these circumstances.
Source: Pro Football Reference
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been among the most injury-impacted teams in the league so far this season, which should keep the door open for receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Kyle Pitts Sr. On The Rise For Rest Of Season?
Kyle Pitts Sr. could be entering regular starting territory, even in one-tight-end formats. We'll pause for the groaning from the managers who had buyer's remorse on Pitts in previous years, but in 2025, his overall usage has been consistently good, and there could be even better fantasy production in future weeks. So far, the fifth-year tight end is playing 81% of the team's snaps and drawing more than six targets per game, and he enters Week 8 with three top-15 finishes in six tries. He has only three red-zone targets in six games, but the Falcons have one of the most favorable remaining schedules for a tight end in the NFL, giving him additional potential as the season goes on.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Coming off a strong showing last week against San Francisco, Atlanta Falcons tight end Source: Pro Football Reference
More Coming For Bo Nix After Big Week?
Bo Nix could be primed for more fantasy success following his best game of the season in a Week 7 comeback against the New York Giants. The sophomore QB led the way in a wild fourth quarter that began with Denver trailing 19-0 and ended with the Broncos kicking a field goal as time expired to win 33-32. Along the way, Nix showed his best self: 279 yards passing, 48 yards rushing on just five carries, and four total touchdowns. He's rushed for at least 20 yards in five of seven weeks and has just one interception in his past 186 attempts, and now ranks as the No. 6 overall fantasy QB. Even better for Nix, his next game is against the Dallas Cowboys, who have surrendered more points to fantasy quarterbacks than any other team so far this season.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Denver Broncos quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Travis Etienne Jr.'s Stock Slipping?
Travis Etienne Jr. has cooled off as the team heads into its Week 8 bye. The fifth-year back is the No. 16 overall PPR running back, but has now recorded fewer than 50 yards rushing and no touchdowns in three straight games for the Jags, who were thoroughly quieted by the Los Angeles Rams in a 35-7 loss last week. Etienne drew only eight carries and one catch, his fewest number of touches in a game this season. The Jags traded Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia earlier this year, and rookie Bhayshul Tuten has yet to play more than a third of the team's snaps in a game, so Etienne is still the clear top option, but managers should continue to watch his usage in the weeks to come. Jacksonville travels to Las Vegas in Week 9.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Following an excellent start to the 2025 season, Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Source: Pro Football Reference