By Winsto (10/28/2025)
NOTE: These are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
Sam Darnold (Sea)–In Week 09, he gets a Washington defense that is giving up 8.4 yards per attempt (worst in the NFL) and 15 passing TDs (tied for 4th most in the NFL). after his Week 08 Bye. Outside of 2 games this season (Weeks 01 and 07), Darnold has been steady or better.
Jacoby Brissett (Ari)–IF Arizona holds Kyler Murray (QB-Ari) out for Week 09, Brissett could be in line to face Dallas’s defense, a defense that has given up 8.2 yards per attempt (2nd worst in the NFL) and 20 passing TDs (most in the NFL).
Deeper League Add(s):
Tyler Shough (NO)–This is for very deep leagues, but New Orleans does have pass catchers and the team will probably need to throw more often than not, as they typically fall behind in the games. The rookie could surprise.
RUNNING BACK
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG)-This is the obvious add, and the priority add of the week. The unfortunate injury to Cam Skattebo (RB-NYG) leave Tracy Jr. as the next man up. The Giants actually have the 3rd most rushing TDs by a team (10-tied) in the NFL. The offense is competent, which is much more than what we could say about it last season. There is opportunity here, and Tracy has flashed ability in the past. As long as he can keep the fumbles down—he had fumbled 5 times (lost 2) in 192 rushing attempts in 2024, he should be in the RB2 zone moving forward.
Kareem Hunt (KC)-Hunt is not the same player as he once was, but while he has lost burst, he has not lost his vision. He has a stranglehold on the short-yardage/goalline work already, and he could see more work than usual in Week 09 IF Isiah Pacheco (RB-KC) may miss the game with an MCL strain. He should be good for 40-60 rushing yards and is decent bet for a TD in Week 09. Afterwards, he is still a decent Flex play due to the TD potential.
Bam Knight (Ari)–He is a bit game-script dependent, as Arizona often uses other RBs in passing situations, but he appears to have a decent hold on 1st and 2nd down usage as well the short-yardage situations until Trey Benson (RB-Ari) returns off of the I.R.
Kyle Monangai (Chi)–He has now played over 40% of the snaps in back-to-back games. This could be the beginning of a meaningful role in what seems like a solid offense.
Dylan Sampson (Cle)–This is purely contingent on the health of Quinshon Judkins (RB-Cle). Initial reports are the Judkins will be fine, and the team has a Bye in Week 09. If however, something changes and Judkins misses time, the next several defenses Cleveland will be facing are quite inviting for RBs.
Tank Bigsby (Phi)– This is also purely contingent on the health of Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi). Initial reports are the Barkley is also fine, and the team has a Bye in Week 09. If however, something changes and Barkley misses time, Bigsby is next in line, though I believe Will Shipley (RB-Phi) would also see a bit or work as well.
Deeper League Add(s):
Tyjae Spears (Ten)–I am not a fan of time-share backs, particularly when the split is pretty even and they are on bad teams. That said, Spear has shown ability in the past, and he looked good in Week 08. In addition, there is always the chance the upcoming trade deadline could involve either he or Tony Pollard (RB-Ten).
Tyler Allgeier (Atl)–He has double digit carries in four of the four games Atlanta has played this season, and he has also scored a TD in four of games. He is a decent Bye Week flex play, and he seems clearly locked in as part of this offense and the hand-cuff to Bijan Robinson (RB-Atl).
Brashard Smith (KC)–I will mention him every week for the foreseeable future. In addition to the usual mention, as discussed above, Isiah Pacheco (RB-KC) may miss Week 09 with an MCL strain, which should grant Smith more opportunities if that does happen. The theme here is that while Isiah Pacheco is a solid RB, his vision and potential for explosive plays seem to have limitations. Kareem Hunt (KC) has vision, but not much burst. The 7th round rookie may have vision limitations, but he is also more explosive and better at catching the ball. He is already seeing an increase in snaps, and I suspect that will continue. For PPR leagues, he is worth a look if you have space. He is someone who may work his way into significant playing time here, though his ceiling may be limited as Hunt has a solid grip on short-yardage situations.
Isaiah Davis (NYJ)–Despite the victory in Week 08, the Jets are essentially in a re-build. Breece Hall (RB-NYJ) is in the final year of his contract. There is a non-zero chance he could be traded in the coming weeks. Davis has seen over 40% of the snaps in the last two games, and he had 12 touches for 109 total yards in Week 08.
Jerome Ford (Cle)–Rumors are swirling of him being a trade target. May not be a bad grab just to see what materializes if you have the room.
WIDE RECEIVER
Christian Watson (GB)–Look, I am biased here, as I have been a Watson believer since he entered the league. I have already mentioned him as a deeper league add in past columns when he was still on the I.R. Now he is back. His physical attributes and speed scream WR1. The problem for him has been injuries, playing time, and occasional drops. Romeo Doubs (WR-GB) still looks like the wide receiver to roster on this team, but I would rather go for the upside with Watson, despite the risks. Just be aware of the issues surrounding him.
Tez Johnson (TB)–With Mike Evans (WR-TB) expected to miss most of the remaining season, Tez is top on this WR list. He is playing more than Sterling Shepard (WR-TB), and his upside is higher. The 7th round rookie is slight in stature, but he has shown decent quickness so far. And, he is probably going to be the 2nd-3rd receiving option on this fairly potent offense.
Troy Franklin (Den)–The good news is he has seen 18 targets and has 3 TDs in the past two games. The not so good news is that he only has 9 receptions for 108 receiving yards in those 18 targets. I would like to see a bit more consistency, in both receptions and playing time (62% and 63% the last two games), but he is worth a stash if you have the space.
Kayshon Boutte (NE)–We have to start taking him seriously at this point. He is seeing the most snaps at the WR position on the team. He has scored at least 1 TD in the past three games. He is 2nd on the team in receiving yards (431) and 3rd in targets (30). Yes, the targets are low, and that is going to limit his upside, but until the scoring trend stops, we have to pay attention to him.
Deeper League Add(s)
Luke McCaffrey (Was)–Terry McLaurin (WR-Was) got dinged up again in Week 08. Check his status, as McCaffrey would be next man up. Also, McCaffrey has a safe floor in leagues that award return yardage.
TIGHT END
Harold Fannin Jr. (Cle)–I mention Fannin Jr. every week. Since Dillon Gabriel (QB-Cle) took over (Week 5), Fannin Jr.’s target share is about 20%. He is averaging 48 yards receiving and 0.5 TDs per game in that span. In fact, 50% of Gabriel’s TD passes since Week 5 have been caught by Fannin Jr. That is not too shabby.
Juwann Johnson (NO)–Tyler Shough (QB-NO) has been named the starting QB. In his 30 passing attempts in Week 08 after he entered the game in the 3rd quarter, 5 were directed at Johnson (17% target share). That is nothing special, but the saying goes that a TE is a rookie QB’s best friend. Johnson is still seeing over 70% of the snaps, even with the returns of Taysom Hill (TE-NO) and Foster Moreau (TE-NO) from injury, and neither have really been a threat to Johnson’s production. And finally, rumors are swirling of Rashid Shaheed (WR-NO) being possibly dealt before the trade deadline, which should create more opportunities for Johnson.
Mason Taylor (NYJ)–Despite Justin Fields (NYJ) having a solid game in Week 08, this is an add contingent on Tyrod Taylor (QB-NYJ) taking the starting job after the team’s Week 09 Bye.
Deeper League Add(s)
Taysom Hill (TE-NO)–I will say this every week. You know there will be that occasional game where he blows up. The chances may have increased for this to happen now that New Orleans has moved to a rookie QB. However, the flip side is he could also easily score a 0.