Stevens said that this trade “could happen at any moment,” telling Broncos Country that they “might not want to go to sleep.” While this could be hyperbole, it sounds like Stevens is saying the trade could go down tonight. Stevens said he’s had conversations with multiple people on the matter, and the Broncos “know that this is not the time to wait and develop” young running backs. Stevens closed by reminding viewers that the Broncos were very interested in Breece Hall at one point, and added that there are likely other backup plans that the Broncos could be considering.
Sutton’s 53 yards today are now a season-high, as are his four receptions. That, however, largely speaks to how unproductive he has been this year. Sutton has more games under 20 yards than over 40. He also has just one touchdown through eight games. His signs of life versus the Chiefs will keep him in the WR5 ranks for Week 9, but the ceiling remains nonexistent.
Engram was not a meaningful part of the Broncos’ offense, per usual. He has three catches for 15 yards over his past three appearances. It goes without saying, but Engram isn’t even on the TE2 radar for Week 9.
Fittingly, Nix’s longest completion of the day was a dump-off to Jonah Coleman that the rookie turned into a 51-yard gain. Nix has two completions of 50+ yards this year. Both have gone to running backs on throws near or behind the line of scrimmage. On the other hand, when Nix did push the ball downfield versus Kansas City, he was largely effective. He completed 4-of-6 throws farther than nine yards downfield. It was a small step in the right direction after weeks of middling production on intermediate and downfield shots. Nix will look to build on this performance versus a beatable Carolina defense in Week 9. He will sit somewhere near the top of the QB2 ranks.
This is the first time this season that Steichen has left open the possibility of replacing Daniel Jones as the team’s official starter. Anthony Richardson replaced him in-game today, with just under 12 minutes remaining. It seems as though Richardson, or even fellow backup Riley Leonard, could end up playing next week against the Cowboys’ fantasy-friendly defense.
Tomorrow’s MRI should clarify whether Huntley will miss time. In the meantime, Lamar Jackson will be placed on injured reserve with what could be a season-ending thumb injury. This leaves rookie Joe Fagnano as the team’s potential starter for the Ravens’ Week 9 Thursday Night Football game against the Jaguars, though Fagnano reportedly got a little banged up today, too. Stay tuned.
Kiner’s most notable usage note is that he was trusted with a carry on 3rd-and-1 during the Patriots’ eighth drive. He was unable to convert it for a first down. Kiner was involved today because TreVeyon Henderson (illness) was inactive. Kiner does not need to be stashed on fantasy football benches in 12-team formats.
It was business as usual for the plodding Hampton, who breaks no tackles and does nothing beyond what is blocked for him. Hampton, who now has less than 50 rushing yards in five games this season, was third in pass routes among LA running backs on the day and tied with Keaton Mitchell with three targets. Hampton’s role doesn’t offer much: Coming into Week 8, he ranked 31st among running backs in expected fantasy points per game (and 37th in actual fantasy points per game). With no ceiling of which to speak, Hampton should stay on benches in Week 9 against the Texans.
It was yet another down game for Johnston, who did his work underneath in this one. He now has one game this season with more than two receptions in a Chargers offense that can be described as utterly dysfunctional on every level. Johnston should not be rostered in most fantasy formats.
Willis practiced in full this week despite being listed with a groin injury. Perhaps the soft tissue issue made him play a little more restrained than we would have liked him to. The Dolphins’ quarterback continues to hold the ball too long. He took five sacks today. His interception was not totally his fault. He was hit by a pass rusher, altering the pass’s trajectory, which bounced off a defensive lineman’s helmet before flying 29 yards downfield, where a Patriots defender picked it off. Willis had another interception called back due to defensive offsides, which was lucky. The Dolphins’ young wide receivers are learning the ropes and could help him churn out usable fantasy line as the season progresses. Willis will be a high-end QB2 against the Lions in Week 9.
Vidal was second on the team in rushing attempts behind Omarion Hampton (9) and ran the second most pass routes behind Keaton Mitchell. Vidal won’t be a legit fantasy option unless Hampton misses time in the coming weeks. He’s a decent stash in deeper formats for now.
Wilson started the week off by practicing in a non-contact jersey. Now we know why. Wilson told reporters post-game that the Cardinals’ organization has changed his life, and he doesn’t believe in “taking, taking, taking,” adding that if he “can muster up the strength to go play, even at 60 percent,” he’s going to. Wilson will be in the WR3 ranks against the Seahawks next week.
Washington continues to play well as a short-area pass catcher, though he did haul in a 23-yarder downfield. He got leveled on the Dolphins’ fifth drive, and Patriots LB Christian Ellis received an unnecessary roughness penalty for the act. It briefly seemed like Washington’s day might be over, but he returned a few plays later to score a one-yard touchdown via a quick out route after going in motion pre-snap. Today’s stat line allowed Washington to clear the century mark in career catches (103). Among NFL wide receivers with at least 100 receptions from 2021-26, Washington’s 8.4 yards per reception ranks dead last. He is a WR4/FLEX against the Lions in Week 9.
Gadsden led LA tight ends in targets and trailed only Ladd McConkey in receiving yards on the day. Operating as a big slot receiver, Gadsden could have some fantasy value if he were to get more snaps and routes in the Chargers offense. In Week 9 against the Texans he’ll be a decent streaming option.
Malik Willis did not throw a pass to Douglas until just over a minute left in the first half. The talented rookie came down with both two-minute drill targets for a total of 24 yards. He caught two more passes in the second half, seemingly injuring his right ankle while being tackled on the first. He managed to return for the next drive and helped set up Kevin Coleman’s 35-yard touchdown with a 12-yard reception. Douglas should be rostered in most 12-team leagues. He is a WR4/FLEX against the Lions next week.
Rice was heavily involved early in the game, catching three passes for 26 yards and a score on the Chiefs’ opening drive. His role, however, took a backseat to running back targets in the second half. He caught three balls for 15 yards in the final two quarters combined. Rice briefly appeared to score the game-winning touchdown on the final play of the game, but refs had already blown the play dead because of a false start. Even without the second touchdown, fantasy managers can be confident in Rice as the team’s No. 1 receiver and a low-end WR2 for fantasy purposes going forward. He will sit just inside the WR1 ranks for his Week 9 date with the Jets.
Harris was the team’s WR3 behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, as usual. When McConkey is healthy, Harris operates as a part-time player without much of a fantasy floor. He should remain on waiver wires ahead of LA’s Week 9 game against the Texans.
With Colby Parkinson sidelined with a rib injury, Allen played behind Tyler Higbee and wasn’t all that involved in the Rams’ run-first offense. Fresh off catching two touchdowns from Matthew Stafford on just 12 routes in Week 7, Allen didn’t get so lucky in Week 8. He shouldn’t be rostered in 12-team formats for now.
The third-round rookie was limited to short-area work in today’s loss to the Patriots, but his five targets and four receptions both tie for career highs. He also lost two yards on a run play. Bell has had a few gaffes this year, but he is seemingly recovering well from last year’s ACL surgery. He is a player worth stashing on benches in many 12-team leagues, and could warrant WR5 treatment against the Lions next week.
Coleman led the Dolphins in receiving yards today. Although that outcome may be unlikely in the coming weeks, he looks like a capable contributor. Coleman scored a 35-yard touchdown on the Dolphins’ 10th drive, shaking his coverage defender along the sideline with a false step and a dramatic upper-body fake, before racing downfield and hauling in the pass in stride before crossing the plane. He nearly scored earlier, on the Dolphins’ fifth drive, snagging a six-yard pass on a quick out route on 1st-and-goal from the Patriots’ six-yard line, but he was unable to stay inbounds. Coleman could warrant boom-bust FLEX treatment in 14-team leagues against the Lions next week.
Stafford wasn’t asked to do much against the Chargers, as the Rams once again went ultra run-heavy with Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined. Averaging a meager 6.3 yards per attempt, Stafford mostly checked down to his short-area targets. His touchdown came on a well-designed screen pass to Puka Nacua. Stafford will have some fantasy appeal in Week 9 against the pass-funnel Washington defense. Coming into Week 8, Stafford ranked 13th in expected fantasy points per game.
Emmett Johnson stole the show today with 128 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Johnson blew by the Broncos’ defense for a 73-yard touchdown, which alone would have been enough for a breakout performance. The good news for Walker drafters is that Johnson only carried the ball once. Walker also matched him in targets at five apiece. Walker is now coming off his two worst rushing performances of the year in tandem with the Chiefs’ first two losses. It’s safe to assume the two are related. With a down-bad Jets defense on deck, we fully expected Walker to get back on track as a top-end RB1 in Week 9.
Gordon continues to look like a powerful, capable interior runner, deserving of the Dolphins’ starting role. He, frustratingly, had a 15-yard run erased by a holding penalty and failed to catch his lone target. Gordon celebrated a bit too enthusiastically after a five-yard run on the Dolphins’ seventh drive and was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The young player was extremely upset about the call and required one-on-one conversations with coach Jeff Haffley, another unidentifiable coaching staff member and Malik Willis before regaining composure. Gordon will likely end up in the mid-to-high RB2 ranks against the Lions next week.
Wright failed to catch his lone target and returned five kicks for 142 yards. Wright is just a bench stash at this point, with Ollie Gordon operating in a featured offensive role.
With Rashee Rice back after missing two games because of a hamstring issue, Worthy was relegated to WR2 duties once again. Per usual, he didn’t do much while Rice racked up PPR-friendly receptions. Worthy was, however, the intended target on a pair of red zone attempts in the third quarter. Pat Surtain easily broke up one pass that was left a bit short and Worthy actually fought to knock another one down that should have been intercepted by Riley Moss. Worthy has topped 25 yards in one game with Rice again. He’s simply not a part of the Chiefs’ plans on offense when they’re at full strength. Fantasy managers can feel free to cut him loose on this week’s run of waivers.