My fantasy football rest-of-season (ROS) rankings provide a comprehensive overview of projected player performances for the season’s remaining games, helping guide you toward making informed decisions regarding trades, waiver wire transactions, and starting lineups.
Don’t have the time to read this just yet? You can find my full set of ROS rankings here (and previewed below, 0.5 PPR)— they're free for everyone!
Here are 5 ROS headlines heading into Week 9.
Diontae Johnson Traded To Ravens - Rest-of-Season Fantasy Football Rankings Fallout
On Monday, the Ravens traded for WR Diontae Johnson. Johnson moves from a struggling Panthers offense that has finished just 26% of their drives with a score this season, the worst in the league, to an efficient Ravens offense scoring on 49% of their drives, the 2nd-highest rate in the league. He steps into a role that perfectly aligns with the Ravens offensive evolution, becoming the “receiving thunder to Zay Flowers' lightning.” Johnson’s elite separation ability and proven route-running expertise make him an immediate upgrade over Ravens incumbent WR3, Nelson Agholor. Alongside Flowers and Rashod Bateman, the addition of Johnson creates a dynamic receiving trio that appears to fit seamlessly.
As a slot WR option who excels working in the middle of the field, Johnson provides MVP-favorite Lamar Jackson with another reliable outlet. Flowers would keep his role as the X receiver and Bateman as the field-stretching vertical threat, while still allowing the opportunity to roll out both Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. Ultimately, this strategic alignment allows the Ravens to excel in 11-personnel situations while maintaining their strengths in 12-personnel.
From a fantasy perspective, Johnson's outlook requires careful consideration. While moving to a more functional offense provides a boost to his value, several factors affect his projection—
- The offense primarily flows through Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.
- Target competition from established weapons like Flowers, Bateman, Likely, and Andrews.
- Time needed to build chemistry with Jackson and learn OC Todd Monken's scheme.
While Johnson's arrival enhances the Ravens' overall offensive potency, it creates a more complex target distribution for all Ravens pass catchers. Utilization trends and analysis should help paint a clearer picture in the coming weeks, but this could get a bit messy from a fantasy points standpoint.
Given the circumstances, Johnson is vacating 8.2 targets per game in Carolina, which should bode well for Panthers’ rookie WRs Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker if you’re desperate for midseason acquisitions that could offer immediate upside.
De'Vone Achane Upgrades In Rest-Of-Season Rankings
In Week 8, De'Von Achane delivered a masterclass in dual-threat efficiency against the Patriots, proving why he is still one of fantasy football's most explosive assets. The Dolphins RB highlighted his versatility by accumulating 97 rushing yards on just 10 carries while adding 50 receiving yards and a touchdown on six receptions, good for an 8.5 Utilization Score and RB2 PPR finish.
He simply continues to prove elite fantasy production efficiency, averaging 15.3 FPPG on fewer than 12 rush attempts per game. What sets Achane apart is his receiving prowess. Through Week 8, he has already surpassed 2023’s reception total with 29 grabs, putting him on a 70-reception pace this season. This dual-threat capability has helped support his fantasy floor even when rushing opportunities are limited. At 4.14 receptions per game this season, Achane trails only Tyreek Hill’s 4.29 among Dolphins’ pass catchers, and with Tua Tagovailoa back under center, this trend should remain sustainable. Simply put, Achane is outright special when Tagovailoa is on the field. In the three weeks both players were on the field this season (Weeks 1, 2, & 8), Achane finished as the PPR RB3, RB2, and RB2, respectively, with Utilization Scores of 8.3, 9.7, and 8.5.
Long story short, it’s worth noting that Achane's workload management remains a consideration, as he continues to share work with Raheem Mostert, who also averages double-digit touches per game. However, Achane's superior efficiency and involvement in the passing game support his fantasy relevance across all formats, particularly in PPR leagues where his receiving work provides a stable floor.
Puka Nacua Returns To WR1 Status In Rest of Season Rankings
Puka Nacua made a spectacular comeback from his knee injury and showed why he's still an every-week lock when active. I was a bit conservative with Nacua’s ranking in Week 8 and assumed his potential snap share limitations would result in limited production. That wasn’t the case during his explosive performance against the Vikings, where he commanded a team-high 41% TPPR rate on 22 (65%) routes, reeling in seven of his nine targets for 106 yards. Lessons learned.
It was as if Nacua and the Rams never skipped a beat. After missing the last five games, Nacua’s Week 8 highlight reel consisted of some remarkable plays all around the field, including a 19-yard toe-tap sideline catch, a sharp 16-yard catch over the middle, and a variety of screen plays where there was room to run. His return became even more impressive because he clicked with Matthew Stafford right away, even with limited practice leading up to their Thursday night contest.
The Rams' offense just looked so much more potent with Nacua and Cooper Kupp on the field. Nacua’s bond with Kupp continues to play a vital role, and Nacua acknowledges that Kupp's mentorship has significantly shaped his development. Together, they have revolutionized how the Rams offense operates under HC Sean McVay.
Looking ahead, a crucial factor in Nacua's sustained success is his growing comfort in McVay's complex offensive scheme which demands extensive communication across positions and detailed route understanding. Nacua’s adaptation to these requirements has been impressive, though he acknowledges there's still room for growth in mastering the offense's intricacies. In the 14 games where both Nacua and Kupp were active, Nacua averaged 5.2 catches for 77.5 yards on 8.2 targets, demonstrating his ability to maintain significant production even with Kupp in the lineup.
The Rams' offense has shown remarkable efficiency when their key playmakers are healthy, potentially making them "defense agnostic" in terms of fantasy production. Stafford should have easy work supporting two top-12 WRs ROS.
Buy Ladd McConkey Rest of Season in Fantasy Football
Ladd McConkey’s efficiency was on full display against the Saints in Week 8. He hauled in all six of his targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns, further demonstrating the efficiency and precise route-running ability that littered his scouting reports. McConkey's performance wasn't just impressive for a rookie either--it was historically significant. He became the first Chargers rookie to record a 100-yard receiving game since Keenan Allen did it in 2013.
McConkey’s knack for creating separation and winning contested catches helped him build a reputation as a reliable playmaker in big moments and this breakout performance likely shows his true potential rather than being just a one-off success.
Now, it means everything that Justin Herbert and McConkey have built a strong connection since training camp. McConkey showed his capability of being "in the right spot at the right time" and Herbert's praise highlights McConkey's reliability by stating, “he's a complete receiver... To have that short game, those intermediate routes, he's been so good at it, especially on third down.”
Ultimately, the numbers back up McConkey's path toward becoming Herbert’s WR1. He currently holds a 24% target share, which ranks 15th among all WRs who have run 150 snaps this season, and his upcoming schedule shows promise of good things to come. After a challenging matchup against the Browns in Week 9, the Chargers remaining schedule ranks as the 9th-easiest, with matchups against the Titans, Bengals, and Ravens through Week 12, and a favorable fantasy playoff run in Weeks 16 and 17 against the Lions and Patriots.
Where Do Jaguars WRs Rank in Fantasy Football?
Another rookie WR making headlines this week, but for disappointing reasons, is Brian Thomas, who suffered a chest injury in Week 8. The initial outlook appeared concerning, with early reports suggesting a potential 2–4-week absence. However, the latest medical evaluation has provided more optimistic news with HC Doug Pederson confirming that Thomas is dealing with a chest contusion, with the MRI results indicating no severe damage. Thomas's impact on the Jaguars' offense has been remarkable this season, making his potential absence particularly significant. He has accumulated 573 yards and five touchdowns on 33 receptions, good for 6th-most in the league this far.
There are a variety of scenarios surrounding when Thomas may return to the field, with the soonest being Week 9 against the Eagles and the latest being after the Jaguars Week 12 bye. I think it’s safe to assume that Thomas could return after missing one or two games and returning in Week 11 for a big road game against the Lions.
With Thomas sidelined, the Jaguars receiving corps is completely decimated. Christian Kirk had surgery for a broken collarbone that ended his 2024 season and then things got worse when Gabe Davis hurt his shoulder. That leaves Parker Washington and Tim Jones as the primary options, who have combined for just seven receptions for 87 yards this season.
Washington has emerged as a promising option for the Jaguars' offense, most recently demonstrating his potential against the Packers in Week 8, posting three catches for 46 yards while leading all receivers with a 74% snap share. His career statistics also show some promise, with 22 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns across two seasons.
Jones brings valuable experience to the table, having accumulated 37 receptions for 332 yards in his career. His special teams prowess has been particularly noteworthy, as he's played in every game under HC Doug Pederson's tenure.
Both Washington and Jones’ immediate outlook appears especially promising, with favorable matchups on the horizon against teams vulnerable to WR production, including the Eagles, Vikings, and Lions, who each rank among the top 10 in FPPG allowed to opposing WRs this season. Washington's versatility in the slot position, combined with his recent success as a punt returner (including a 96-yard touchdown return against New England), positions him well for an expanded role in the offense.
Trevor Lawrence has expressed confidence in both receivers, noting their dedication during training camp and emphasizing the "next man up" mentality. While Washington is likely to see more slot responsibilities, Jones is positioned to contribute more on the perimeter, providing the Jaguars with different tactical options in their passing game.
