Fantasy Football Takeaways: Travis Hunter Leads Utilization Report Into 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.

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1. Travis Hunter's playing time is trending up.

Hunter has increased his route participation in four consecutive games, culminating with a season-high 89% route participation rate in Week 7 against the Rams. The No. 2 overall pick delivered a season-best 92 Utilization Score and 24.1 fantasy points.

Hunter's Utilization Score for the season is up nine points over the last four contests, and he is averaging 11.6 points per game.

Ultimately, this remains a situation that offers a wide range of outcomes. No one wants to hear that—we want absolutes. The takes must be hot.

But the truth is that my No. 1 inspiration behind creating the Utilization Score was a hope for a world where we can discuss a range of outcomes, and then use that information to make informed decisions. It's so tiring being caught up in the week-to-week swings that everyone wants to overreact to with big takes.

The recent trend for Hunter is definitely a positive. However, he also still has an underlying target share of 19%, which is backed by his 19% targets per route run (TPRR). TPRR is an incredibly valuable stat for players like Hunter because playing time obviously impacts your ability to earn targets.

What we would hope to see is a TPRR between 23 and 25% on the season. That would point to more targets in a larger role. His 19% has historically aligned with WR3 to WR4 caliber players.

So, what does the Utilization Score have to say about Hunter for the rest of the season (ROS)? Let's look at a few scenarios.

Note: Want to know how the Utilization Score works? Read this.

Scenario 1: Hunter's role over the last two games is here to stay.

Over the last two weeks in a near full-time role, Hunter has a 22% target share and a Utilization Score of 69. Over that span he has averaged 14.8 points per game. His 92 historical comps have averaged 13.4 points with 41% climbing inside the top-24 WRs.

WR1 to WR12 seasons: 2%
WR13 to WR24 seasons: 39%
WR25 to WR36 seasons: 40%
WR37 to WR48 seasons: 18%

In this runout for Hunter, he is most likely a WR2 or a WR3. He has an outlier shot at a WR1 campaign, but that is outweighed by a larger chance for a WR4 season. This is the scenario I am using to evaluate Hunter.

Scenario 2: Hunter expands his role and plays better after the bye.

This scenario is harder to project, but there are definitely runouts where Hunter gets better as we go in addition to his uptick in playing time. I would argue that is partially captured in Scenario 1 where we are giving Hunter credit for his uptick in targets over the last two weeks.

Additionally, we have historical data that tells us even first-round draft picks as a whole don't make dramatic strides in Weeks 8 to 18 versus what we know about them from Weeks 1 to 7.

While we have seen these rookies grow their roles with a 12% improvement in snaps, their fantasy production went down 9%. The obvious gotcha in this analysis is that I am using draft round rather than a top-six or top-ten pick, so it isn't perfect.

Since 2015, there have been 15 WRs taken in the top-12 picks of the NFL Draft (top third of the first round). This is how they looked in the first seven weeks versus the rest of the season as rookies (minimum of four games in each sample):

Fantasy points per game: 13.3 v. 10.9
Routes: 80% v. 77%
Targets: 22% v. 20%

If you believe Hunter will buck these trends, it isn't a bad take, given how much he has grown his role over the last two games. Fantasy football is an outliers game. The question is how bullish you want to get knowing that Scenario 1 is already baking some of that into the equation.

That makes Scenario 2 a your-call situation, but the data doesn't have a strong lean towards a massive breakout. My personal advice on this scenario would be looking at him as a WR2 with WR3 as his floor, plus slightly more WR1 upside. But that's just me.

Scenario 3: Hunter's role experiences volatility based on playing offense and defense.

No one wants to hear this (including me), but we can't discount this as a viable scenario. We also had injuries to Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown in Week 7 that limited their playing time when Hunter climbed to his season-high in route participation.

In this scenario, I will still give Hunter credit for a more significant role by using his last four games, but not overweighting his near full-time role over the last two games and his boom performance in Week 7. That gives us a Utilization Score of 59, where his 78 comps averaged 11 fantasy points per game. We saw 31% of them reach top-36 status.

WR1 to WR12 seasons: 0%
WR13 to WR24 seasons: 1%
WR25 to WR36 seasons: 29%
WR37 to WR48 seasons: 42%
WR48+ seasons: 28%

This would be the worst runout for Hunter, where we are hoping for a WR3 campaign and he would be an extremely hard player to figure out on a weekly basis as a start-sit option.

Final takeaway: I lean to Scenario 1 (WR2 to WR3) as the most sober-minded approach to Hunter's rest-of-season outlook, but I create the scenarios so you can choose!

2. Oronde Gadsden II is playing a near full-time role.

Gadsden is the No. 1 Utilization Score riser at the TE position over the last four weeks, improving his score by 22 points (73). Over that span, Gadsden has worked his way into a near full-time role for the Chargers, ousting Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin to become the top option.

In Week 7, the fifth-round NFL draft pick notches a whopping 29.4 points on a 77% route participation and 18% target share. He finished the day with a 93 Utilization Score.

Gadsden will have to contend with a very crowded passing attack to provide high-end fantasy value, but what he has done over the last two games is proof that he can. The perception on Gadsden could be too much volatility due to this fact.

However, historical data tells us that consistency in fantasy football is a figment of our imagination. When we compare similar performing players, their previous consistency has zero bearing on their fantasy output in the next game or series of games.

Let's take a look at a couple of scenarios for Gadsden's ROS outlook.

Scenario 1: Gadsden remains a 75% plus route participation player.

In this scenario, we will use his Utilization Score over the last three games. I am sure you are wondering why I would include Week 5. The best answer is Gadsden's score over the last two games is insanely high (95) and it's a small sample. We know this is still a talented pass-catching unit with multiple mouths to feed, even if they are the third-most pass-happy team based on dropback rate over expected (DBOE) at 5%.

So, that brings his Utilization Score to an 84. His 13 comps since 2020 have averaged 13.3 points per game with a mouth-watering 100% of them reaching top-12 territory.

TE1 to TE6 seasons: 85%
TE7 to TE9 seasons: 15%

Wow. That is still VERY RARE AIR for a tight end. If you are a Gadsden bull, the ceiling is real. Personally, having built the Utilization Score and studying it relentlessly over the last two years, this still feels high to me, but the data is the data, so that is what I share!

Scenario 2: Gadsden's playing time remains strong but fluctuates.

For this scenario, we will use Gadsden's last four games. It isn't a perfect way to project his rest of season outcomes because his role has changed since Week 4. However, it does help us account for the variance that could be dominating the last two games.

In this scenario, his Utilization Score is a 73. His 36 comps averaged 10.7 points with 81% of them finishing as a top-12 TE.

TE1 to TE6 seasons: 22%
TE7 to TE12 seasons: 58%
TE13 to TE18 seasons: 14%
TE19 to TE24 seasons: 6%

This is a much more realistic range of outcomes for Gadsden. We could very easily have a TE7 to TE12 on our hands, with an equal chance of sneaking into the top six or falling outside the top 12.

Final takeaway: Gadsden is a low-end TE1 with upside. He is available in 96% of Yahoo leagues.

3. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are vibing with Joe Flacco.

We have another small sample alert here, but Flacco has looked more like the guy we saw in 2023 and 2024 in two games with the Bengals.

2023 to 2024: 291 yards, 2.1 TDs (excludes start with the Browns in 2025)
2023 to 2025: 269 yards, 1.8 TDs (includes start with the Browns in 2025)
2025 with the Bengals: 281 yards, 2.6 TDs

Will he keep up his current pace? That is very hard to say, but at least we have seen him do it and he is a massive upgrade of Jake Browning any way we want to cut it. Flacco has the Bengals pass catchers flying high once again.

Chase has a perfect Utilization Score of 100 and Higgins is up to a 76 in two contests with Flacco. They are averaging 31.6 and 16.4 points, respectively.

Chase is a top-three WR the rest of the way and has regained a chance to finish as the No. 1 pass catcher in fantasy football. You were starting Chase either way in fantasy, but it's still great to see for a guy you probably took in the first three picks of your draft.

Higgins might be the bigger story as he had slipped to borderline unstartable territory with Browning. However, his 76 Utilization Score with Flacco points towards a player on the rise. His 78 historical comps have averaged 15 points, with 78% notching a top-24 campaign.

WR1 to WR12 seasons: 26%
WR13 to WR24 seasons: 53%
WR25 to WR36 seasons: 21%

Higgins UPGRADES to low-end WR2 territory and could still payoff as a mid-range to high-end WR2 the rest of the way. Chase is a top-three fantasy WR.

4. Rhamondre Stevenson is the RB1 for the Patriots.

In the two games since Antonio Gibson (ACL) went on IR, Stevenson has stepped into a full-time role for the Patriots. The veteran back has subdued TreVeyon Henderson to backup status by monopolizing 74% of the snaps and 62% of the rushing attempts. Stevenson has also handled the majority of the short yardage and two-minute offense on his way to a 67 Utilization Score.

Stevenson's efficiency ranks among backs with at least 50 attempts in 2025:

Yards per carry: 3.6 (32 of 38)
Yards after contact: 2.8 (24th)
Attempts of 10-plus yards: 8.7% (30th)
Targets per route run: 14% (26th)
Yards per route run: 1.29 (11th)

The veteran RB hasn't been efficient, but historically, efficiency doesn't correlate strongly with more or less playing time in subsequent seasons or games. And to be fair, Henderson hasn't been good either.

Stevenson's 55 historical comps based on his two-week Utilization Score (67) have averaged 12.9 points per game, with 56% notching a top-24 season.

RB1 to RB12 seasons: 14%
RB13 to RB24: seasons: 42%
RB25 to RB36 seasons: 44%

While it might seem silly to say this now, but we can't completely dismiss Henderson. Since 2015, Round 2 NFL draft picks at the RB position have faired better over the rest of the season versus the first seven weeks. Henderson's comps have improved their fantasy production by 32% and enhanced their snaps from 37% to 48%.

Stevenson UPGRADES to borderline RB2 status for the immediate future while Henderson DOWNGRADES to RB5 territory, but remains a stash option if you have room to hang on.

5. The Panthers backfield is looking like the Seahawks.

Rico Dowdle has been destroying the NFL to the tune of 5.6 yards per carry—the No. 1 mark in the league for backs with at least 50 attempts. So, what did the Panthers do in Chuba Hubbard's first game back from a calf injury?

You got it! They did what any rational thinker would do and played Hubbard slightly more than Dowdle. Hubbard notched a 54% versus 46% for Dowdle. To be fair, the Panthers coaching staff did hand the rock to Dowdle more often (53% vs. 44%). However, Hubbard saw a higher route participation and played more obvious pass downs.

Does this look familiar? It should because this is almost the exact scenario we deal with in Seattle where getting a line on weekly fantasy values can be maddening. Furthermore, it doesn't sound like the Panthers' coaching staff has plans to change.

That leaves us with two players that had very similar Utilization Scores to the season-long marks for Kenneth Walker (52) and Zach Charbonnet (50). Those two backs have averaged 11.4 and 8.1 points per game ahead of Monday Night.

From a historical perspective, we have seen 55 comps similar to Hubbard and Dowdle's scores of 56 and 55. They averaged *close your eyes if you have an easily upset stomach* 9.9 fantasy points per game. Only 9% of their comps managed a top-24 finish and the majority were RB3s.

RB1 to RB12 seasons: 0%
RB13 to RB24 seasons: 7%
RB25 to RB36 seasons: 45%
RB37 to RB48 seasons: 38%
RB49 to RB60 seasons: 9%

Similar to the Seahawks, the Panthers have been heavily committed to their ground game with -6% DBOE (fourth-most run-heavy team), but that is already calculated into the Utilization Score. They also rank very similarly on the number of drives to reach the redzone per game at 3.0 versus 3.1 for Seattle.

There is no two ways about it, y'all. This is a cool situation for the Panthers, but it sucks for fantasy football. We need one of these two backs to takeover a larger workload to have any confidence in them in our lineups.

Both backs DOWNGRADE to low-end/mid-range RB3 territory. Both offer contingency RB1 upside should an injury or change in coaching approach occur.

6. Utilization Score Underperformers (Buy-Low Targets)

The Utilization Score is made up of the fantasy data points that have historically correlated the most strongly with future fantasy success. It is a similar but different concept compared to expected fantasy points. How it differs:

Accounts for snaps and routes in addition to attempts and targets.
Accounts for catchable targets and catchable air yards.
The underlying role accounts for ~75% of a player's Utilization Score.
Uses fantasy points per game (PPG) as a proxy for talent (i.e., has the player done something with their opportunities). Fantasy PPG is worth ~25% of a player's Utilization Score.

Jordan Addison | WR | Vikings

Addison has an 85 Utilization Score while averaging 17.4 fantasy points over his first three games of the season.

His target share of 20% is a bit shaky, but Addison is barely behind Justin Jefferson (42%) with a 36% air yards share over that span. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 77.3 catchable air yards per game, which is a fantastic number.

On the one hand, this is a highly positive development for an ascending young player. On the other hand, we have seen similar three-game stretches from Addison before. Last season he posted a 95 Utilization Score in Weeks 12 to 14 with 26.3 points per game.

The rest of that season, he settled into a 63 Utilization Score with 10.1 fantasy points per game. That doesn't mean the same thing will be the case in 2025, but it is a reminder that we can see significant variance in small samples, and we have a tendency to overweight the first data points we get on a player in a season.

Additionally, we have a significant change in offense looming. The team is likely to move back to J.J. McCarthy at some point in the near future. McCarthy could play much better after more preparation—Kevin O'Connell is a QB whisperer—but there is also a chance they go back to a run-heavy approach and McCarthy submarines the passing yards per game.

The Vikings passing attack under McCarthy vs. Carson Wentz in 2025:

McCarthy: 150 yards, 1 TD
Wentz: 268 yards, 1.25 TDs

All of the factors above make this situation less straightforward than we would like. So, let's do what we do and work through three scenarios:

Scenario 1: McCarthy improves his game to Wentz levels and Addison is in fact breaking out.

In this scenario, we can role with Addison's 85 Utilization Score where his comps have averaged 17.3 points per game and 87% of them finished as WR1s. The other 13% were WR2s.

This scenario would be the nut runout for Addison—but it is rife with issues and we should think of it as the outlier case.

Scenario 2: McCarthy improves but not to Wentz's levels and Addison's early-season breakout is real.

For this scenario 2, I can't rely on the Utilization Score, because I need a way to account for Addison's team environment changing, which isn't baked into his current score. So we will backdoor the answer filtering on the following criteria based on data from 2011 to 2024:

Team passing yards per game: 200 to 225 yards
Team passing TDs per game: 1.5 per game
Target share: 21% to 25%
Air yards: 33% to 40%

This cohort averaged 13.3 fantasy points per game with an average finish of WR26.

WR1 to WR12 seasons: 0%
WR13 to WR24 seasons: 54%
WR25 to WR36 seasons: 31%
WR37 to WR48 seasons: 15%

This is a much more reasonable range given all of the unknowns we have. It would make Addison a low-end WR2.

Scenario 3: McCarthy looks like he did to start the year and Addison's early-season production is a partial breakout.

For this scenario we will use all the same criteria from Scenario 2 except the passing yards per game is reduced to less than 200.

WR1 to WR12 seasons: 0%
WR13 to WR24 seasons: 0%
WR25 to WR36 seasons: 60%
WR37 to WR48 seasons: 30%
WR49 to WR60 seasons: 10%

This would be the worst runout for Addison, but paints a realistic floor based on the factors we are accounting for. This isn't as robust as the Utilization Score because we aren't handling every factor, but it's what we have. Addison would be a boom-bust WR3 in this scenario.

Final takeaway: Looking across these three scenarios, Addison best fits the profile of a borderline WR2. In a pure runout we could get a WR1 season, but a boom-bust WR3 campaign is also on the table.

Chris Olave | WR | Saints

I alread wrote up Olave in the Week 6 Utilization Report, so I won't wax poetic here, but he has improved his standing over a largert sample, which is a great reason to revisit his ROS outlook.

Olave's Utilization Score now sits at an 83 on the season, which is the No. 7 mark in the NFL. However, his fantasy points per game ranks 17th.

While that makes a mid-range WR2, which we are delighted with, his historical Utilization Score comps have outperformed that mark with 16.8 points per contest. And get this, 77% of his 43 comps have notched a top-12 season.

WR1 to WR12 seasons: 77%
WR13 to WR24 seasons: 21%
WR25 to WR36 seasons: 2%

Olave UPGRADES to mid-range WR2 territory and offers WR1 upside.

Alvin Kamara | RB | Saints

I hear ya, two Saints might be too many to include in this portion of the Utilization Report. However, Kendre Miller is out for the season (ACL), so we must revisit Kamara.

If we look at Weeks 1, 2 and 7 where Miller was a non-factor for the Saints, Kamara has an average Utilization Score of 76. That isn't the perfect way to do this analysis, but I currently don't have a way to isolate on those three games for a combined score. Still, it is directionally good enough and here is the cool part—that is his Utilization Score on the season anyway!

That actually works out well because we have seen the Saints offload targets for rushing attempts in games where Miller wasn't lightening Kamara's workload. This last week the targets flowed back in the direction of Juwan Johnson with Miller injured—a trend we saw over the first gew games.

Based on that score, we have 34 historical comparisons and they averaged 14.7 points. Of that cohort, 94% finished the season inside the top-24 RBs.

RB1 to RB12 seasons: 30%
RB13 to RB24 seasons: 64%
RB25 to RB36 seasons: 6%

This might not be the vintage version of Kamara, but 14.7 points per game is far better than the 10.8 we have seen so far.

Kamara UPGRADES to low-end RB2 territory and there is a runout where he picks targets back up in addition to his work on the ground, which could unlock high-end RB2 or low-end RB1 ceiling. He is worth inquiring about in the trade streets if you need RB help.

7. Utilization Score Trends

Trending Up

Jacory Croskey-Merritt | RB | Commanders: Fantasy managers are wringing their hands after 6.9- and 4.2-fantasy-point outings over the last two games. However, Bill has improved his Utilization Score by 12 points over the last four games. Since taking over half of the team's snaps starting in Week 5, he has a Utilization Score of 64. His historical comps have averaged 12.1 points with 42% reaching top-24 status. The rookie could still expand his role as the season continues. Croskey-Merritt is a borderline RB2.
Stefon Diggs | WR | Patriots: Up nine points over the last four games and has a Utilization Score of 76 over that span. Diggs is hovering between a 64% and 82% route participation rate over that span. We need that number to improve but his 32% target share leads the team. Diggs' historical Utilization Score comps have averaged 15 points per game—right in line with his 15.1 over that span. Diggs offers extensive upside should he eventually play a full-time role with budding superstar Drake Maye. He is a low-end to mid-range WR2 with WR1 upside. He is a nice trade target.
Theo Johnson | TE | Giants: Utilization Score up 13 points over the last four games, which covers the game Malik Nabers suffered his season-ending injury and the subsequent games. Over that span, Johnson has a Utilization Score of 77. His historical comps have averaged averaged 11.7 points per game with 89% finding their way into the top-12. Johnson is a borderline TE1.

Trending Down

TreVeyon Henderson | RB | Patriots: Henderson's Utilization Score is down eight points over the last four contests. In two games without Gibson, his score sits at a lowly 23. See No. 4 above for more details on Hendo, but he DOWNGRADES to RB5 stash territory.
Rome Odunze | WR | Bears: Odunze's score has fallen 14 points over the last four games, which brings his Utilization Score to 72 on the season. On the positive side, Odunze is still earning targets—leading the team with a 25% share. However, the Bears have morphed into a run-first operation since their Week 6 bye. Over the last two games they have a -9% DBOE (third-heaviest run team over that span). Still, that is a small sample and we can't overreact. Odunze's historical comps have averaged 14.1 points with 62% securing a top-24 finish. Odunze DOWNGRADES to mid-range WR2 status.
Ja'Tavion Sanders | TE | Panters: The Panthers are opting for a three-way rotation at the TE position. Sanders is down 10 points over the last four games. He is droppable in all formats.

8. Waiver Wire Roundup

QB

Jaxson Dart | Giants: This is the this week straight for Dart to make this list, but I don't want to leave him off because he is still available in 58% of leagues. He is the top waiver wire priority in fantasy if available. Dart averages 198 passing yards and 8.9 rushing attempts per game. While that might not seem like many passing yards per game, the combo has been good enough to bolster him 22.6 points per game in his four starts. Dart is a HIGH PRIORITY waiver wire priority if available—even if you like your QB1. Don't let your fellow league manager snag this man off the waiver wire for nothing.
Aaron Rodgers | Steelers: Rodgers is tossing TDs at an 8.1% clip per attempt, which puts him back on the menu in fantasy—especially with six teams on bye in Week 8. This week he faces the Packers in a revenge-game scenario. Rodgers UPGRADES to mid-range QB2 status and offers QB1 spike-week potential. He is available in 72% of Yahoo leagues.
Joe Flacco | Bengals: Read No. 3 above for the full breakdown on Flacco's historical production and his two games with the Bengals. The TLDR version is Flacco has averaged 15 fantasy points per game in 17 games with 80% or more of the snaps over the last three years. If you remove his four games this year in a terrible Browns offese, that number surges 17.7. Flacco is a mid-range QB2 with QB1 spike potential. He is available in 89% of leagues. The Bengals take on the Jets in Week 8.

RB

Kyle Monangai | Bears: Monangai saw his most extensive action of the season in Week 7, handling 46% of the snaps, 34% of rushing attempts and a 37% route participation rate. The rookie parlayed that role into 17.4 points. Part of his surge could have been due to Swift's injury concerns but it could also be part of a larger plan if the Bears stick with their recent ground-oriented attack. Monangai is the clear-cut RB2 behind Swift, which makes him a strong RB4 candidate for your roster—he is available in 93% of leagues.
Emanuel Wilson | Packers: Wilson continues to operate as the clear No. 2 behind Josh Jacobs who was bothered by a calf injury heading into last weekend's game. Wilson is available in 84% of leagues and is a strong RB4 stash option.
Tyjae Spears | Titans: The Titans are gross. I totally get it, but Spears has accounted for 51% of snaps, 37% of attempts, a 45% route participation rate and a 13% target share over the last two games. He is the No. 2 option on the ground, but the Titans No. 1 in the passing game, handling 78% of the two-minute offense and 70% of the long-down-and-distance snaps. Spears is an RB4 option who is available in 71% of Yahoo leagues.
Brashard Smith | Chiefs: Smith played his most significant role of the season with Kareem Hunt suffering an early-game injury. He finished Week 7 with a 36% snap share and garnered 41% of the rushing attempts. He continued to shine in the passing game with a 23% route participation rate and a 15% target share. It is worth noting that Andy Reid categorized Hunt's injury as a minor ankle issue and Smith did most of his damage on the final two drives where he played 10 of his 28 snaps. Before that he had a 16% snap share. Smith has the skillset to thrive should things break his way, but this wasn't a breakout performance based on taking over a role. Smith is available in 94% of leagues and is an RB5 or RB6 stash option.

WR

Alec Pierce | Colts: Pierce has a Utilization Score of 59 on the season. He is primarily a deep threat, which leads to high volatility, but he has a respectable 18% target share on the season and the Colts rank first in touchdowns per drive (40%) and percentage of drives to reach the red zone (49%). Pierce's historical comps have averaged 11 points per game, slightly higher than his 9.5 per game in five contests. Pierce is a boom-bust WR4 that is available in 89% of leagues.
Kayshon Boutte | Patriots: Boutte is running hot over the last two games with 26.3 and 13.5 fantasy point outings, however his target share remains in the dumps at 13%. He has beens scoring touchdowns in an offense that is humming. Think of 2024 Rashod Bateman—that is what we are dealing with. Still, with multiple teams on bye, you can do worse than Boutte if you are hurting. Maybe we get lucky and he scores again! Boutte's historical comps have averaged nine points per game so don't get wild—he is boom-bust WR5 that is available in 68% of leagues.
Darnell Mooney | Falcons: Mooney is a boom-bust WR5, similar to Boutte, but he has a more substantial target share at 17% and two fantasy-viable seasons on his resume. However, Michael Penix Jr. is not playing at the same level as Drake Maye. Mooney is a WR5 that is rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues.
Xavier Legette | Panthers: Legette notched a season-high 24.2 points in Week 7 against the Jets. He has a target share of 17% with a 52 Utilization Score on the year. His draft capital and age make him an interesting stash, but the Panthers like to run the ball and their passing attack might not be able to support multiple weapons. Legette is a boom-bust WR5 and is available in 94% of leagues.

TE

Oronde Gadsden | Chargers: See No. 2 above. Gadsden is a low-end TE1 with upside and is available in 96% of leagues—he is a HIGH PRIORITY waiver wire target.
Colston Loveland | Bears: Cole Kmet suffered a back injury that could keep him off the field in Week 8. That opens the door for Loveland, who has seen a slightly larger role since the team's bye week. Loveland graded out as the top TE prospect in the Rookie Super Model for the 2025 draft class and owns the third-highest score since 2018. He offers massive upside and is available in 78% of Yahoo leagues. Loveland is a HIGH PRIORITY waiver wire target.
Theo Johnson | Giants: See Utilization Trends above. Johnson is a borderline TE1 with some upside. He is available in 82% of leagues.

Utilization Bytes

Team Trends

We now have five weeks of data for most teams, making it a good time to examine team-level trends that affect fantasy production. You can find the data across all 32 NFL teams in the Team Styles tab of the Utilization Report tools.

Redzone Drives: Percentage of drives that reach the red zone versus how often the team is scoring a touchdown on drives in parentheses. Large deltas indicate room for positive or negative regression.
- Colts: 49% (40%)
- Chiefs: 49% (34%)
- Lions: 40% (35% pre MNF)
- Bills: 39% (31%)
- Packers: 39% (30%)
- Chargers: 37% (22%)
- Rams: 36% (28%)
- Cardinals: 35% (22%)
- Cowboys: 35% (32%)
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- Steelers: 24% (27%)
- Dolphins: 23% (23%)
- Raiders: 23% (13%)
- Bengals: 21% (20%)
- Browns: 21% (14%)
- Jets: 19% (15%)
- Texans: 18% (22% pre MNF)
- Titans: 15% (8%)
Dropback Over Expected (DBOE): How often teams pass the ball compared to their peers when considering the score differential:
- Chiefs: 6%
- Cardinals: 5%
- Chargers: 5%
- Jaguars: 3%
- Dolphins: 3%
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- Raiders: -6%
- Panthers: -6%
- Seahawks: -6% (Pre MNF)
- Saints: -7%
- Lions: -8% (Pre MNF)
- Recent trends:
  - Bears: -9% DBOE in two games after their Week 5 bye.
  - Bengals: 5% DBOE in two games with Joe Flacco.
  - Titans: 8% DBOE in first game with Mike McCoy as the head coach.
  - Steelers: -2% DBOE in two games since their Week 5 bye. Slightly less run heavy.
Neutral Playclock: Teams that are leaving more or less time on the playclock when the score is within three points (neutral situations). The NFL average is 8.3 seconds.
- Cowboys: 10.8
- Rams: 10.6
- 49ers: 10.0
- Jets: 9.8
- Broncos: 9.8
- Saints: 9.6
- Giants: 9.6
- Chiefs: 9.5
  ----
- Bengals: 6.5
- Eagles: 6.5
- Panthers: 6.5
- Steelers: 6.5
- Ravens: 6.4
Play action pass rate: Teams that are utilizing play action the most, which adds value to WRs and TEs on a per-route basis in fantasy:
- Colts: 34% of dropbacks involved play action
- Rams: 32%
- Bears: 32%
- Lions: 31% (pre MNF)
- Broncos: 29%
- Packers: 29%
- Cowboys: 29%
- Patriots: 29%

Quarterback

Justin Fields | Jets: Fields continues to offer the dual-threat upside that can make fantasy box scores boom, but his massive downfalls as a passer have cropped up again. With in-game benchings now part of the weekly range of outcomes (if he doesn't get benched flat out) we have to lower our weekly floor expectations. Fields DOWNGRADES to mid-range QB2 territory.

Running Back

Bam Knight | Cardinals: Knight has handled 53% of the Cardinals rushing attempts over the last two games. Michael Carter remains the primary passing-downs back, but Knight leads the team with a 48% snap share. Arizona is on bye in Week 8, but Knight is an RB4 until Trey Benson returns. He is available in 78% of Yahoo leagues.
Chase Brown | Bengals: Brown isn't the workhorse we saw early in the season, but with Flacco we could see higher-value opportunities. Brown has a 71 Utilization Score and his historical comps have averaged 13.9 points per game—well above his 10.1 per game so far. His cohort produced an RB2 season 79% of the time. Brown UPGRADES to low-end RB1 status and is a solid BUY-LOW TARGET.
D'Andre Swift | Bears: Swift has ripped off RB20, RB6 and RB5 finishes over the last three games, averaging 20.8 points per game. If the Bears continue to lean into the run more often, we could see this trend continue. Swift has a 78 Utilization Score on the season. His historical comps have averaged 15 points per game with 35% securing a top-12 campaign. Swift UPGRADES to mid-range RB2 territory.
Jaylen Warren | Steelers: After easing back into action in Week 6, Warren played a larger role in Week 7, which aligned more closely with his role we got excited about in Weeks 2 and 3. He finished the game against the Bengals with a 67% snap share, 84% rush share, and a 49% route participation rate. That led to 19.8 points. In the three games where Warren has held the No. 1 role he has averaged 16.8 points with an average Utilization Score of 84. I have learned better than to try and predict Arthur Smith workloads, but there is a chance those three games represent how the Steelers want to use Warren when healthy. Warren UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status.
Kimani Vidal | Chargers: Vidal faltered in the Week 7 boxscore with only 7.5 fantasy points, but he remained the clear No. 1 option for the Chargers with a 65% snap share and 69% rush share. In two games without Omarion Hampton, Vidal has an 80 Utilization Score versus 27 for Hassan Haskins. It's still a small sample, but his historical comps have averaged 14.8 points. Vidal is HOLDING STEADY as a low-end RB2 with upside.
Quinshon Judkins | Browns: Judkins bounced back from a 3.6-point dud in Week 6 to pile up 26.4 points in Week 7 against the Dolphins. The rookie back continues to leave the field in obvious passing situations, but has a 71 Utilization Score since taking over the lead role with 81% of the team's rushing attempts. We need game scripts to cooperate, which can be challenging for the Browns, but Judkins has demonstrated an ability to smash. His historical comps have averaged 13.8 points with 20% reaching top-12 status and 58% notching RB2 campaigns. While that points to some potential for negative regression versus his current 16.4 points per game, Judkins is locked into mid-range RB2 territory.
Travis Etienne | Jaguars: Etienne has posted 8.8, 9.5, and 6.5 fantasy points in the last three contests. He continues to lead the Jaguars backfield, but has yet to register an attempt inside the five-yard line this season and gives way to other options on passing downs, subduing his route participation to 40%. He has an 8% target share. Etienne has a Utilization Score of 68 on the season, averaging 13.1 points. His comps have 13.1 points per game—dead on with his average this year. Etienne is a low-end RB2.

Wide Receiver

Jalen Coker | Panthers: Coke heads were let down in Week 7 with Coker playing a part-time role in his first game back. The second-year WR with an underground following, only notched a 47% route participation. His 18% TPRR wasn't bad for a first game back, and Coker could push Legette for reps in the future. For now, Coker is a stash WR6.
Jaylin Lane | Commanders: Lane scored nine points in Week 7 with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel sidelined. Luke McCaffrey also suffered an injury that caused him to miss some time during the game. He was second on the team in target share (18%) behind Zach Ertz (25%). Lane was the Commanders' fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft and is know for his ability after the catch. Lane is a WR5 if McLaurin and Samuel miss more time, but it is hard to get too excited if Jayden Daniels misses time.
Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers: Bryce Young is set to miss some time with a high-ankle sprain which means Andy Dalton will see playing time. While we can't get delusional about Dalton as a passer, he has been better than Young. Over the last three years, Dalton has averaged 224 yards and 1.5 TDs in 15 games. Young has averaged 194 and 1.4 TDs over the last two years. In watching film, Young hasn't seen McMillan multiple times when he has beaten his man, which is the biggest advantage we can hope to gain with a veteran under center. McMillan remains a low-end WR2 but don't be surprised if we see the red rocket missile lock on his young WR, which could unlock WR1 upside.
Rashee Rice | Chiefs: Rice didn't return to a full-time role with a 48% route participation rate, but it didn't matter. He notched a ridiculous 47% TPRR as he and Patrick Mahomes picked up where they left off, leading to 23.2 fantasy points. Expect his role to grow over the coming weeks. Rice is a mid-range WR1.
Romeo Doubs | Packers: Everyone be sure to ping @ihartiz on X to let him know that I am giving Doubs his flowers. Doubs is on pace for a career-high 22% target share and Utilization Score with a 66. His previous highs were 19% and 59, respectively. The Packers WRs could get much healthier in the coming weeks, but right now Doubs is their No. 1 option. His historical comps have averaged 12.8 points with 71% managing a WR3 or better campaign (24% were WR2s). Doubs is UPGRADES to low-end WR3 status.
Wan'Dale Robinson | Giants: In three games without Malik Nabers, Robinson has a 26% target share, 70 Utilization Score, and 14.7 PPG average. His cohort of 96 comps have averaged 13.8 points, with 85% securing a top-36 finish and 46% entering WR2 territory. Robinson UPGRADES to WR3 status and offers sneaky WR2 upside.

Tight End

Evan Engram | Broncos: Engram notched a season-high 66% route participation rate in Week 7 in a come-from-behind game script for the Broncos. It's hard to know if this is the beginning of a trend or just a game-script dependent one-off scenario. Engram has a 21% TPRR on the season, and would move up the ranks should his role expand. Engram is a mid-range TE2 who would offer low-end TE1 upside with an 80% route participation rate.
Harold Fannin Jr. | Browns: Fannin scored only 7.6 points in Week 7, but his underlying Utilization was powerful with an 87% route participation rate and a mouth-watering 28% target share. Fannin is a super star in the making and dynasty managers should rejoice. As far as 2025 goes, Fannin is a low-end TE1 in weeks without Njoku.
Juwan Johnson | Saints: With Kendre Miller leaving the game early, the Saints were forced to give Kamara more touches on the ground. That formula has led to less targets to Kamara so far this year. Kamara has averaged an 11% target share in games where Miller wasn't a factor and those targets have gone to Johnson. He has an average target share of 25% in those contests. It's hard to know if this is a real trend or a random coincidence for sure, but for now this looks good for Johnson. Johnson UPGRADES to borderline TE1 status.
Noah Fant | Bengals: With Mike Gesicki on IR and Tanner Hudson out due to a concussion, Fant was the TE1 for the Bengals. He notched a 76% route participation rate and a 9% target share. Fant offers low-end TE1 spike potential in games without Gesicki and Hudson. He is available in 99% of leagues.
Pat Freiermuth | Steelers: Freiermuth erupted for 28.1 points in a wild shootout against the Bengals in Week 7. However, it remained a three-way rotation and Arthur Smith loves a good TE-by-committee. It's possible Freiermuth expands his role after an excellent performance. Stashing Freiermuth in deeper leagues is fine, just don't push him into your starting lineup. Freiermuth is a low-end TE2.