Welcome to the Utilization Report, where Dwain McFarland highlights his top fantasy football usage takeaways heading into Week 8 …

The Top 12 Fantasy Football Usage Takeaways for Week 8

Let's follow the data to identify the top waiver wire options, trade targets, upgrades, and downgrades based on what we learned in Week 7.

Note: as you read through the Utilization Report, you'll notice the Utilization Score being used as a pillar of analysis. For more information on how to use the score and why it's more predictive than fantasy points per game, read here.

Upgrades, Downgrades and Emerging Trends

1. Is Tyrone Tracy the new Giants RB1?

Tracy held onto the starting role despite Devin Singletary's return in Week 7. The rookie dominated snaps (67%) and route participation (68%), while the rushing attempt splits were closer (40% vs. 33%).

 

There is a chance that Singletary wasn't fully recovered from the groin injury that caused him to miss the previous two games. Still, we must assume that Tracy will be a more prominent factor, given Week 7 and Brian Daboll's comments about earning a larger role.

Tracy UPGRADES to high-end RB3 status and will elevate to RB2 territory with a similar workload next weekend.

2. Breece Hall's role is massive under new OC Todd Downing.

Over the last two games, Hall has the No. 1 Utilization Score in fantasy football at 9.6.

  • Snaps: 85% (elite)
  • Attempts: 83% (elite)
  • Routes: 76% (elite)
  • Targets: 22% (elite)
  • Fantasy points per game: 24 (elite)

It just doesn't get any better than that, folks. If you have Hall on your roster, it is time to sit back and enjoy the good life. His closest Utilization Score comps have averaged 20.8 points per game and finished as a top-three RB 67% of the time. None have finished lower than RB9. 

Hall UPGRADES to top-three status the rest of the way.

3. Deebo Samuel is about to go nuclear.

Since 2021, Deebo Samuel has been a monster when on the field without Brandon Aiyuk. 

  • Targets: 38% (elite)
  • Air yards: 41% (great)
  • Yards per route run: 4.88 (elite)

We are dealing with a small sample (144 routes), so we don't want to overstate things, but given his talent profile (he already has two WR1 finishes) and involvement in the run game, it is hard to imagine Samuel not logging a WR1 campaign the rest of the way.

Samuel UPGRADES to low-end WR1 territory without Aiyuk.

(Editor's note: be sure to monitor Samuel's health in the short term, as there is currently no timetable for his return, per Adam Schefter.)

4. It is gross, but Kareem Hunt is the focal point of KC's offense.

Hunt has a 7.6 Utilization Score over the last three games since taking over the starting RB role for the Chiefs. He has led the backfield in snaps, attempts, and routes on his way to 17.2 fantasy points per contest.

The Chiefs have adopted a run-centric approach due to all the injuries to their pass-catching playmakers. Since the loss of Rashee Rice, their dropback rate over expectation (DBOE) sits at a lowly -5%, making them one of the more run-committed teams in the NFL.

Despite so many things going in Hunt's favor, I have been slow to move him up the ranks for a couple of reasons. First, he is 29 and hasn't played well in the last two seasons. Second, things haven't gone much better in 2024, with Hunt ranking poorly across most rushing efficiency metrics.

  • Average yards after contact: 2.56 (35 of 42 RBs with at least 50 carries)
  • Missed tackles forced per attempt: 17.5% (28 of 42)
  • 10-plus yard attempts: 3.2% (42 of 42)
  • Targets per route run: 11% (39 of 42)

If Hunt were a younger player, I would be more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that his efficiency would turn around. At his age, I am skeptical. Still, keeping Hunt out of the RB2 range is no longer an option–his workload is too large, and the Chiefs don't have a genuine challenger on the roster.

In this new bizarro version of the Chiefs offense, Hunt UPGRADES to mid-range RB2 status and offers RB1 upside.

5. David Njoku looks like the No. 1 without Amari Cooper.

Njoku notched a 32% target share in Week 6 and followed that up with 28% in Week 7 without Cooper in the lineup. Over the last two contests, he has a 29% target share, averaging 10 looks per contest. His Utilization Score over that stretch has been elite at 9.0.

We must exercise some caution because Thompson-Robinson might be the replacement for Deshaun Watson rather than Winston. DTR has completed only 46% of his passes over the past two seasons, which puts him in Anthony Richardson territory.

Njoku UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 with DTR but offers high-end TE1 upside with Winston.

6. George Pickens shows signs of life with Russell Wilson.

Pickens has performed better than many realize. He ranks seventh in target share (30%) and third in air yards share (51%). However, the Steelers have been the second-most run-heavy team (-6.7% DBOE), and he and Justin Fields hadn't found the chemistry to unlock his potential, which is a formidable combination to overcome.

However, Russell Wilson took over the starting QB role in Week 7, and Pickens posted his highest average depth of target (aDOT) of the season at 17.9 yards. That led to a 70% air yards share and helped unlock a season-high 22.1 points from the talented young WR. Pickens might have scored even more points if not for the underthrows by Wilson, but the key here is intent. Wilson is willing to target Pickens downfield, and their timing should improve.

The Steelers aren't going to stop running the ball, and Arthur Smith could limit Pickens's playing time at any moment, which keeps me from giving the young WR a big upgrade. However, this is a step in the right direction.

Pickens UPGRADES to mid-range WR3 territory and could find his way to WR2 status with Wilson under center.

7. Anthony Richardson is a buzz kill for the Colts' pass catchers.

With Joe Flacco under center for much of the last three games, the Colts receivers were in a nice groove.

However, that all changed when Richardson returned to the lineup. Downs and Pittman's catchable target rates plummeted from 81% and 75% to 50% and 60%, respectively. Richardson's completion percentage on the season is 49% versus 66% for Flacco. His passing attempts per game (24.3) are also much lower than Flacco's (41.5). Talk about a double whammy!

Downs and Pittman DOWNGRADE to mid-range WR4 territory with Richardson under center.

Waiver Wire Recommendations

8. Brandon Aiyuk's injury creates an opportunity for Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall.

Jennings has career-highs in targets per route (24%) and targets (20%) six games into the season. In Week 3, with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out of the lineup, he delivered a monster fantasy performance with 46.5 points.

If Aiyuk (possibly an ACL injury) is out for the season, Jennings would be the favorite to take over the WR2 role. For the season, Jennings has a 6.5 Utilization Score (31st), which means he enters the WR3 conversation. Here is how Jennings' closest Utilization Score comparisons have fared over the last four years:

  • Low-end WR2 finishes: 8%
  • High-end WR3 finishes: 22%
  • Low-end WR3 finishes: 31%
  • High-end WR4 finishes: 33%
  • Low-end WR4 finishes: 6%

Jennings UPGRADES to low-end WR3 status, but a hip injury that caused him to miss Week 7 slightly clouds his short-term outlook. He is available in 70% of Yahoo leagues and gets a solid matchup against the Cowboys in Week 8 before a bye in Week 9.

Pearsall returned to action after missing the first six games due to an offseason gunshot wound. The rookie was immediately pressed into action due to a series of unfortunate events. Deebo Samuel hardly played (illness), Jennings missed the game (hip), and Aiyuk only played 43% of the pass plays (knee).

The Niners' first-round selection posted an 86% route participation and 18% target share but only came up with 5.1 fantasy points. However, it was his first action of the season, and he should improve with time. Pearsall is the favorite to hold down the WR3 duties while Aiyuk is out, and there is a chance he will overtake Jennings for the WR2 spot.

Pearsall UPGRADES to WR4 territory and is available in 87% of Yahoo leagues. If Jennings can't play in Week 8, Pearsall could claim the WR2 role with a strong performance against Dallas.

9. Cedric Tillman takes advantage of Amari Cooper's departure.

The Browns' third-round pick from 2023 stepped into a starting role with an 82% route participation with Cooper in Buffalo. Tillman led the WR room with a 24% target share and an impressive 8.2 Utilization Score on his way to 16.1 fantasy points.

With Deshaun Watson done for the season due to an Achilles injury, Dorian Thompson-Robinson will likely get the first crack at the starting job if his finger injury doesn't keep him out in Week 8. Jameis Winston will battle DTR.

Tillman led the team with a 35% target share on 19 routes, with Thompson-Robinson in the game in Week 7. He turned those opportunities into 9.1 fantasy points. However, Thompson-Robinson only completed 45% of his passes, which raises concerns for the outlook of the Cleveland passing attack. DTR averaged a lowly 140 passing yards in three starts last season.

If Winston is the starter, Tillman becomes an upside WR3. However, with DTR at the helm, he is a boom-bust WR5. Tillman is available in 100% of leagues.

10. Not available in my league, pal!

These players aren't available in sicko leagues (I feel ya), but believe it or not, most of the Milky Way galaxy doesn't play in a sicko league. If available, please allow us sicko-leaguers to live vicariously through you and prioritize these options off the waiver wire.

Alexander Mattison | RB | Raiders (46% availability)

Zamir White returned to the lineup from a groin injury, but Mattison firmly held onto the starting job with a 69% snap share and 8.3 Utilization Score. Over a three-game span as the starter, Mattison has averaged 13.6 points per game with a 7.9 Utilization Score.

 

Las Vegas isn't an offense we want to go all-in on, but the opportunities have consolidated around three players since Davante Adams left the lineup, and Mattison is one of those players.

Over the last four years, the closest comparisons to Mattison's three-week Utilization Score (7.9) have averaged 14.6 points per game. We saw 71% of those reach low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 status. However, due to the nature of the Raiders' offense and the possibility that White reclaims some of his playing time as he gets healthier, I lean towards playing it conservatively with Mattison's rest-of-season outlook.

Mattison UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status.

Jaylen Warren | RB | Steelers (59%)

Warren reached season-highs in snaps (50%), attempts (34%), and route participation (61%), leading to a 6.0 Utilization Score. He finished the day with 12 attempts and three targets but failed to come through in the fantasy box score with only 7.9 points.

Due to injuries, Warren has had a brutal year, but he is getting healthy, and the switch to Russell Wilson is a positive. Justin Fields stole carries from the backfield and was more likely to convert dropbacks into scrambles than Wilson.

One caveat regarding Warren's utilization surge is the absence of Cordarrelle Patterson. Once Patterson returns to the lineup, we could see Arthur Smith return to a three-way committee. However, Warren is the best back on the Steelers offense, which provides him with electric upside should he expand his role further or land in the starting role for any stretch of games.

Warren UPGRADES to mid-range RB3 territory and offers RB2 contingency upside.

Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Dolphins (55%)

Tagovailoa will return to practice this week and could retake the field for a Week 8 matchup against the Cardinals. If you have Jayden Daniels (rib injury), Tagovailoa is a nice upside target in case the rookie sensation misses time.

Tagovailoa returns to borderline QB1 status once back on the field.

11. Stash plays: patience and foresight are required.

If you play in a sicko league, here are some names that are more likely to be available. They should not be sitting on the wire due to potential value in the future, but they likely won't be helping your fantasy squad in Week 8.

Kendre Miller | RB | Saints (94%)

Miller returned to action for the first time this season and was the RB2 for New Orleans, besting Jamaal Williams in most utilization categories.

 

Miller's role wasn't just the result of a trailing game script. He did get a boost in work in the fourth quarter, but he also outsnapped Williams in the first quarter (33% vs. 0%).

The Saints have shown little interest in providing Williams with opportunities, and Alvin Kamara is an aging back carrying a massive workload. That makes Miller a viable name to roster in deeper formats.

Miller moves into the RB5 handcuff tier and offers RB2 upside should Kamara miss time.

Jaylen Wright | RB | Dolphins (92%)

Over the last two games, Wright has supplanted Jeff Wilson as the No. 3 option in the Dolphins backfield. Over that two-game stretch, Wilson hasn't played, while Wright has a 22% snap share and 24% attempt share.

That might not seem like much in an offense that has looked abysmal over the last four games, but Tagovailoa could return as soon as Week 8, which will quickly change the calculus for fantasy production. De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert have battled injury challenges over the last two seasons, and Wright would be the next man up if injury strikes.

Wright UPGRADES to RB5 handcuff status and offers RB2 upside should Achane or Mostert miss time.

Troy Franklin | WR | Broncos (99%)

Since Josh Reynolds landed on IR, Franklin has carved out a 68% route participation and 17% target share. In Week 7, the Oregon connection between Franklin and Bo Nix resurfaced with a 25% target share.

While Franklin shouldn't be in starting lineups in most formats per his 5.0 Utilization Score over the last two games, we could see the rookie continue challenging for more opportunities. The Broncos WR depth chart is starving for a young playmaker to step up, and there is a history with Nix.

You could argue that Franklin is the sharper add over Cedric Tillman due to a better quarterback situation, assuming the Browns are serious about playing DTR. However, Franklin must survive Josh Reynolds' return from IR as soon as Week 10. On a positive note, matchups against the Panthers and Ravens secondaries will give Franklin a chance to shine before Reynolds returns.

Franklin UPGRADES to WR5 territory and has a chance to push that toward WR3 status with solid outings in the next two games.

Note: Read the Utilization Bytes section at the bottom of this column for more waiver wire options. It is loaded with nuggets from every team, including waiver wire tidbits.

P.S. Remember to revisit last week's stash plays. Tyler Allgeier and Kimani Vidal remain priority stash plays heading into Week 8.

Navigating the Fantasy Football Trade Market

To truly set your fantasy football brain free, you must move away from polarizing takes around players. The truth is that every player has a potential range of outcomes, which means that any player could be a buy or sell candidate simultaneously!

This section of the Utilization Report aims to help you understand the range of outcomes on a handful of players so you can work your magic. Based on what I think is most likely achievable now, I may label players as sell-or-buy candidates, but remember, the real secret is in the outcome ranges so that you can adapt.

12.  The trade market is undervaluing Chase Brown.

Brown's Utilization Score has climbed 1.9 points since Week 3, making him one of the biggest movers at the RB position. He still shares time with Zack Moss on passing downs, but Brown has taken over the No. 1 role on the ground with a 55% attempt share over the last four games.

 

While Brown's 6.3 Utilization Score still doesn't place him in the high-end RB range, he is similarly valued to Dalton Kincaid, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Austin Ekeler, and Rico Dowdle. As the lead back in an expanding role on a high-quality offense, Brown is my preferred option over Ekeler and Dowdle. I would be willing to move a lackluster target-earner like JSN to acquire him if I needed RB help.

Over the last four years, 51% of his comps have finished as a low-end RB2 or a high-end RB3, but those comps assume he doesn't expand his role in the passing game, which is still possible. 

Brown UPGRADES to borderline RB2 territory but offers low-end RB1 upside if his role continues to expand. He is a viable trade target at a high-end RB3 price tag.

More Fantasy Football Usage Takeaways

Quarterback Utilization Bytes

  • Russell Wilson: Wilson scored 24.9 fantasy points in his inaugural outing with the Steelers. The veteran QB accumulated 264 yards and two passing TDs. He has averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game over the last two seasons. Wilson gets favorable matchups against the Giants, Commanders, and Ravens over the next three games. Wilson UPGRADES to mid-range QB2 status and is available in 93% of leagues.

Running Back Utilization Bytes

  • Audric Estime: Estime has operated as the RB3 with 17% of the rushing attempts over the last two games. Estime is a STASH PLAY in deep formats.
     
  • Bijan Robinson: The Falcons have a minus DBOE in five of eight games. Over the last two contests, they have heavily committed to the run with marks of -8% and -12%. Robinson has averaged 18 attempts with an 8.5 Utilization Score, unlocking 24.4 fantasy points per contest. Robinson is HOLDING STEADY, but if the Falcons remain run-heavy, it could unlock more carries.
     
  • Blake Corum: Kyren Williams is the volume hog in LA, but Corum has handled the backup duties in consecutive contests. Corum is a priority STASH PLAY and could offer RB1 upside if something happened to Williams.
     
  • Brian Robinson: Robinson has battled a knee injury over the last three weeks and has only accounted for 29% of the team's rushing attempts. That is a far cry from his 60% over the first four weeks. Hopefully, this is all related to his knee injury and clears up as his health improves, but it is a situation to monitor.
     
  • Chuba Hubbard: Hubbard posted his lowest fantasy output (11.2) since Week 1, but his underlying utilization remained strong with an 84% snap share, 76% attempt share, and 73% route participation. The return of Jonathon Brooks will eventually complicate things, but until we see Brooks in a role more significant than Miles Sanders, his Utilization Score (7.8) is too strong to fade. Hubbard is HOLDING STEADY as a borderline RB1.
     
  • Colts RBs: Tyler Goodson tightened the race for the RB2 role with Trey Sermon. Goodson led the team in attempts (44% vs. 25%), while Sermon led in route participation (21% vs. 41%). Sermon hasn't played well, and Goodson looks like the better No. 2 for the Colts. Goodson UPGRADES to RB5 status and Sermon DOWNGRADES to RB6 territory.
     
  • De'Von Achane: For the first time since Week 1, we had a healthy Achane and Raheem Mostert entering a game. While Achane didn't reach the same heights we saw in Weeks 2 through 3 with Mostert out, he operated as the No. 1 with a 57% snap share and 7.0 Utilization Score. Achane is HOLDING STEADY as a borderline RB1 and should benefit when Tagovailoa rejoins the lineup.
     
  • Devin Singletary: Singletary was limited to 22% of the snaps and a 2.4 Utilization Score in his first game back from a groin injury. It is possible that Singletary was getting eased back into the fold, but it appears Tracy is here to stay and could be the new No. 1. Singletary DOWNGRADES to low-end RB3 status until his workload improves.
     
  • Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs erupted for 32 fantasy points, with David Montgomery battling a knee injury. The second-year back posted an 8.5 Utilization Score with a 60% snap share and 58% attempt share. He has scored 9, 28, 30, and 32 points in games without Montgomery since last year. Gibbs UPGRADES to high-end RB1 status in games without Montgomery.
     
  • James Cook: Cook missed Week 6 due to a toe injury, and rookie Ray Davis performed well. That led to concerns about Cook's role moving forward, but in Week 7, he reclaimed his typical role with a 54% snap share, 63% rush share, and 46% route participation rate. Cook is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range RB2.
     
  • Javonte Williams: Williams was a positive regression candidate heading into Week 7 based on his Utilization Score and delivered 26 fantasy points. Williams has a 6.8 Utilization Score and is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end RB2 option.
     
  • Joe Mixon: In three healthy starts, Mixon has averaged 26.8 fantasy points and boasts an 8.2 Utilization Score. He bogarted 69% of snaps and 86% of the rushing attempts in Week 7 against the Packers. Mixon UPGRADES to mid-range RB1 status.
     
  • Jordan Mason: Mason returned to the lineup and handled his typical massive role, accounting for 86% of snaps and 69% of attempts. Mason is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range RB1 until Christian McCaffrey returns.
     
  • Kenneth Walker: Walker came through for fantasy managers again with 23.3 points against the Falcons. However, his Utilization Score (6.9) reached a season-low thanks to low-water marks in snaps (46%), attempts (61%) and routes (30%). Walker was questionable after popping up with an illness on Saturday, so hopefully, the blip in utilization ties to health, but it is a situation to monitor.
     
  • Nick Chubb: In Chubb's return to action, he played limited snaps (35%) but still led the team in rushing attempts (55%). We should see him ramp up his workload over the coming weeks, but the Browns offense's upside is in question. Chubb is a high-end RB3 until his workload increases.
     
  • Raheem Mostert: Mostert fell behind Achane in the pecking order with a 34% snap share on his way to a 3.1 Utilization Score. Mostert DOWNGRADES to borderline RB3 material.
     
  • Ray Davis: Davis returned to a backup role with James Cook back in the lineup. The rookie played 22% of the snaps and handled 26% of the rushing attempts. Davis DOWNGRADES to handcuff RB5 status.
     
  • Tank Bigsby: Bigsby engulfed 68% of the team's rushing attempts against the Patriots, with Travis Etienne sidelined. While we can't expect that sort of high-end volume when Etienne returns, there is a chance Bigsby remains in the driver's seat on early downs. Bigsby bested Etienne in attempts in all three games where both backs were healthy. Bigsby UPGRADES to borderline RB2 status.
     
  • Tony Pollard: With Tyjae Spears out, Pollard posted an 8.2 Utilization Score. He was on the field for 88% of the team's snaps, handled 70% of the attempts, and posted a 70% route participation rate. Pollard is HOLDING STEADY but is a low-end RB1 without Spears in the lineup.
     
  • Will Shipley: Shipley saw his first playing time since Week 7 with a 19% snap share. The rookie is a stash play in super deep formats.
     
  • Zack Moss: Moss has handled only 37% of the rushing attempts over the last four games, and his Utilization Score dipped to 5.8. Moss DOWNGRADES to low-end RB3 territory.

Wide Receiver Utilization Bytes

  • Amari Cooper: Cooper was only on the field for 34% of the Bills dropbacks, but that didn't keep him from leading the team in TPRR (42%) and fantasy points (16.6). Look for Cooper's role to expand dramatically over the next few games. Cooper is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR2.
     
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown averages 17.9 points per game and has an 8.2 Utilization Score. With Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta struggling to earn targets consistently, the Sun God continues to do his thing with a 30% target share on the year. St. Brown is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR1.
     
  • Brian Thomas: Thomas posted his highest route participation of the season (86%) in Week 7. He is the best offensive weapon on the Jaguars and should be on the field 95%. However, we will take what we can get. Thomas UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 status and offers WR1 upside if the Jaguars ever fully commit.
     
  • Bub Means: Means came up short in the box score with only 6.7 points, but his 92% route participation was strong. With Rashid Shaheed out for the season, one of Means or Mason Titpon could step into a larger role. Means remains a solid stash play while we figure out how playing time will be divided.
     
  • Chris Olave: With Shaheed out for the season, Olave should be the No. 1 beneficiary. The third-year WR is a proven target earner but needs this passing attack to get back on track. We could see one more game from Spencer Rattler before Derek Carr returns. Olave UPGRADES back into the WR2 conversation with Shaheed out.
     
  • Darnell Mooney: Mooney collected only 9.6 points in Week 7 but continued to post similar underlying numbers with a 95% route participation and 20% target share. Mooney has a 6.7 Utilization Score and is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end WR3.
     
  • Davante Adams: Adams posted a 98% route participation in his first game with the Jets, but the old magic between him and Aaron Rodgers wasn't on display. The two started hot, but Adams finished the game with a 17% target share. Adams is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR2, and we should see stronger rapport with more reps.
     
  • DeMario Douglas: Douglas let fantasy managers down with a 3.4-point dud in Week 7. However, he missed half of the game due to an illness, and his underlying 30% TPRR was still top-notch. Douglas will likely be one of the most-dropped players (available 58%) in fantasy this week, but it will be an overreaction. Douglas is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end WR3 option with Drake Maye.
     
  • DeVonta Smith: Smith has a 20% target share and 14% air yards share when on the field with A.J. Brown. In their games together, Smith has a lowly 5.1 Utilization Score. His role in the slot protects him from coverage, but in games with Brown, Kellen Moore has reigned in his average depth of target (8.4, 8.3, and -2.0). Smith DOWNGRADES to high-end WR3 territory.
     
  • Dontayvion Wicks: Wicks has led the Packers in targets per route run in four consecutive games (29%, 25%, 43% and 35%). In Week 7, he (46% routes) and Christian Watson (51% routes) spit playing time, which makes Wicks a tricky start, but he should be rostered where possible. Wicks is HOLDING STEADY as a boom-bust WR4 with WR2 upside should his playing time improve.
     
  • Garrett Wilson: Wilson had a crucial drop that led to an interception for the Steelers, but he still led the team with a 25% target share and a 7.6 Utilization Score in Adams' first game. Wilson is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR2.
     
  • Jameson Williams: Williams now sits at a 5.8 Utilization Score for the season after a terrible 1.6 in Week 7. After posting 30% and 22% target shares in the opening two games, Williams' had faded with additional defensive attention. Over the last four games, he has an 11% target share and a lowly 3.9 Utilization Score. Williams DOWNGRADES to mid-range WR3 status. 
     
  • Jayden Reed: Reed has a 6.2 Utilization Score on the year, which doesn't align with his 15.6 fantasy points per game. However, the score doesn't account for rushing attempts for WRs, where Reed picks up some value. Still, an 84% route participation and 19% target share are reminders that Reed is living on big plays. That isn't the end of the world in a big-play offense, but the second-year WR has been due for regression. Reed DOWNGRADES to high-end WR2 territory.
     
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba: If Metcalf misses time, we could see a few more targets funnel toward JSN. Smith-Njigba is HOLDING STEADY in WR3 territory but could offer WR2 upside if Metcalf misses time.
     
  • Jerry Jeudy: Jeudy rarely left the field in Week 7 with a 98% route participation. However, his target earning was suspect (11%). Jeudy has a 5.7 Utilization Score and an 18% target share on the season. If Winston takes over, Jeudy will offer boom-bust WR4 upside again.
     
  • Keon Coleman: Coleman delivered his strongest fantasy finish of the season with 16.5 points. He remained in a rotational role with an 83% route participation but tied for the team lead in target share (23%). Cooper should see his route participation (34%) expand in the coming weeks, which makes it hard to get overly excited about Coleman. Still, he is just a rookie and plays with Josh Allen, so never say never. Coleman is available in 68% of leagues and offers boom-bust WR4 potential.
     
  • Malik Washington: Braxton Berrios suffered an injury leading to his placement on IR on Monday. That opened the door for a season-high 50% route participation for Washington, who has the run-after-catch skillset Mike McDaniel loves. Washington is a nice stash play in deep leagues–he could enter the WR3 conversation with an injury to one of the starters.
     
  • Mason Tipton: Tipton is battling Means for the No. 2 role, with Shaheed done for the season. Tipton bested Means with a 6.6 Utilization Score and 23% target share in Week 7. Tipton is a WR6 stash play.
     
  • Romeo Doubs: Doubs has 19.9 and 17.5 fantasy points over the last two games, but it feels more like episode 45 of Packers' WR randomness than a breakout. Doubs has never been a high-end target earner and his 19% target share tells us that remains true in 2024. Doubs is HOLDING STEADY as a boom-bust WR4, don't buy the hype.
     
  • Stefon Diggs: Diggs only came up with 7.3 points in Week 7 but notched a sizzling 39% target share. The entire Texans passing attack was a dud, with C.J. Stroud failing to reach 100 passing yards. However, better days are coming for Diggs, who has a 30% target share and 43% air yards share in two games without Nico Collins. Diggs is HOLDING STEADY as a high-end WR2 until Collins returns.
     
  • Tank Dell: Dell posted a goose egg in the fantasy box score in Week 7 after failing to secure any of his three targets. Still, Dell has a 26% target share in two games without Nico Collins, so we don't want to overreact too much. Dell gets a slight DOWNGRADE to high-end WR3 territory.
     
  • Terry McLaurin: McLaurin continues to come through with fantasy points, but his route participation has plummeted over the last four games. Over that span, he has only been on the field for 77% of the Commanders passing plays. I first thought this was a game script issue, but that wasn't the case. McLaurin is at 77% route participation in the first half of those games. Washington is rotating their WRs more than usual. McLaurin is HOLDING STEADY as a mid-range WR2, but this is a situation to monitor.
     
  • Tee Higgins: Higgins has an impressive 32% target share and 40% air yards share on plays with Ja'Marr Chase this season. Higgins UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 status.
     
  • Xavier Worthy: Worthy posted a season-high 32% target share but could not get anything going, with only 5.4 fantasy points. Worthy is HOLDING STEADY as a boom-bust WR4 but would push back into WR3 territory with another strong target-share performance.

Tight End Utilization Bytes

  • Brock Bowers: Bowers has a 9.6 Utilization Score with 19.7 points per game in three contests without Davante Adams. Bowers UPGRADES to TE1 overall status.
     
  • Hunter Henry: Henry has an 8.5 Utilization Score, averaging 15.2 fantasy points in two games with Drake Maye. Henry UPGRADES to borderline TE1 territory and is available in 69% of leagues.
     
  • Jonnu Smith: Figuring out when Mike McDaniel will utilize Smith has been frustrating this year. However, maybe this is the beginning of a positive trend, with Smith registering a season-high 78% route participation coming out of the bye week. Smith notched season-highs in Utilization Score (9.3) and fantasy points (22.6), and we could have Tagovailoa back under center next week. Smith UPGRADES to mid-range TE2 status but would challenge for borderline TE1 status with another big route participation outing. He is available in 96% of leagues.
     
  • Kyle Pitts: Pitts has an 8.0 Utilization Score over his last three outings, with 13.1 fantasy points per game. Over that stretch, he has an 85% route participation and 19% target share. Pitts UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 territory.
     
  • Sam LaPorta: LaPorta has a 4.9 Utilization Score with a lowly 9% target share on the season. He is averaging only 7.1 fantasy points per game. We know Laporta's underlying talent could emerge at any moment, but there is no choice but to DOWNGRADE him to high-end TE2 status until he shows us something.