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matt bowen
At various points during fantasy Football Due to the end of the season, injuries, bye weeks and breaking news, you may need reinforcements for your fantasy lineups. Every Friday during the 2025 NFL season, Matt Bowen will offer some late-week pickup options to help fill those holes, with an emphasis on the deeper leagues.
Because of this, this column will mostly focus on players featured in less than 50% of ESPN leagues, with occasional exceptions.
With six teams having a bye this week, the options are slim, but there are enough quality players available to join deep-league lineups. We’ll start at quarterback, with two long-time veterans coming off of big-time games. I’m also keeping an eye on some tight ends who are providing double-digit fantasy production, and we’ll also take a look at several running backs and wide receivers. As always, I’ll give you a defense to stream this week, and how it can put pressure on the quarterback.
quarterback
Joe Flacco, cincinnati bengals (26.3% roasted; vs. Jets)
Flacco has attempted at least 45 passes in both of his starts, averaging 18 or more fantasy points in both. While a negative game script played a role, we know this is a heavy offense in Cincy. Additionally, Flacco plays with an aggressive throwing mentality, and he has upper-tier pass catchers. jammer chase (23 goals in week 7) and t higginsSure, Flacco gets loose with the ball sometimes; Decision making ability may also decline. But with Sunday’s matchup against a winless Jets team, you’re betting on Flacco to stay hot in Week 8.
aaron rodgers, pittsburgh steelers (34.1% roasted; vs. Packers)
From a player’s perspective, playing matches against his former team matters. And if that team moves ahead of you then it goes up a notch. The thing to think about here is that Rodgers gets the Packers on Sunday night. But let’s not forget that Rodgers was running the ball – with velocity and space – in the Week 7 game against the Bengals. Rodgers totaled 22.56 points with four touchdown passes in that one. He now has multiple touchdown throws in three of his last four games, and I think based on the tape he’s trending upward. He fits in here as a deep-league option for Week 8.
tight end
Dalton Schultz, houston texans (23.5% roasted; vs. 49ers)
Schultz was limited in practice earlier this week (back/shoulder), so let’s keep an eye on reports. However, with the injury situation in the Texans’ wide receiver room, Schultz is a smart pick for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers — if he can go. in Monday night’s loss to the Seahawks. Nico Collins (concussion) getting out early and Christian Kirk (Hamstring) Down for the game, Schultz had season highs in receptions (nine), targets (10), receiving yards (98) and points (18.8). This gave Schultz back-to-back games with double-digit points, as well as four in a row with at least five receptions. Schultz has the seam-stretching ability to work on the 49ers’ zone coverage, and we know he can find open turf down low as a target CJ Stroud,
cad oton, tampa bay buccaneers (39.6% roasted; in cents)
I’m surprised Otton doesn’t have a higher roster percentage after three consecutive games with 10 or more points. And like the Texans, Tampa has several injuries at the wide receiver spot. Otton caught seven of nine targets for 65 yards (13.3 points) in Monday night’s loss to Detroit, and has at least four receptions and 50 yards in his last three games. He’s a reliable target for the quarterback Baker MayfieldWith a solid matchup against a Saints defense that ranks middle of the road against opposing tight ends.
run behind
kyle monangai, Chicago Bears (31.5% rostered; at Ravens)
Monangai has qualities that complement his running style d’andre swift In Chicago, and its use is increasing. In the Week 7 win over the Saints, Monangai had season highs in touches (15), total yards (94) and points (17.4), while also scoring his first touchdown as a professional. He is an aggressive runner, balancing contact in tight quarters between the tackles and employing quick feet. And the Bears – since coming off the bye in Week 6 – are running the football with more efficiency. The Rutgers rookie has found some upside this Sunday against a Ravens defense that has allowed 29.1 ppg to opposing running backs, the second-most in the league.
tiejay spears, tennessee titans (32.8% roasted; in colts)
In deeper formats, managers may look to Spears in this week’s meeting with the Colts due to his receiving numbers. He has caught at least three passes in back-to-back games, each with four targets, and can serve as an outlet for the quarterback. cam wardYes, I would like Spears to get more carries (five in each of his last two games), but you can plan for 8-10 touches in the lineup. And with six teams having a bye this week, you might have to take a flyer on that one.
wide receiver
fast johnson (30.8% roasted) And sterling shepardTampa Bay Buccaneers (16.4% rostered; in Saints)
mike evans (collarbone) is probably done for the season and chris godwin jr(Fibula) Is questionable for Sunday’s game. So, depending on your needs, we have two options for potential replacement in Tampa. Johnson gives managers a high ceiling. He has big-play juice, plus he’s slippery after the catch. In the Week 7 matchup with Detroit, Johnson caught 4 of 9 targets for 58 yards and a touchdown (15.8 points), his second consecutive game with a scoring grab. Shepard, meanwhile, has her sights set higher. He only gained 25 yards against Detroit, but he caught all seven of his targets, and he has two games with double figures this season. Me? I always take the option with the higher ceiling (Johnson), but Shepard has PPR value this Sunday as well.
Xavier Leggett, carolina panthers (31.9% roasted; vs. bill)
Leggett had career highs in last week’s win over the Jets, catching 9 of 11 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown (24.2 points). And during the backup quarterback andy dalton for one injured will start this week bryce young (Ankle), Leggett still has upside as the Panthers’ No. 2 tackle against a zone-heavy Bills defense. Open the planning windows and write a shot play script for Dalton.
chimere dikeTennessee Titans (2.2% rostered; at Colts)
with calvin ridley Wide receiver dealing with hamstring injury Alick Ayomanor (22.3% rostered) could also be picked this week due to a positive matchup against the Colts. But I would go with Dike first because of the big-play ability he brings to the field. He’s a burner with 4.34 speed, and we saw that in his 38-yard touchdown catch against the Patriots last week. He can run away from coverage on deep overs and crossers. Dyke caught all four of his targets for 70 yards and finished with a career-best 16.9 points. Get the reverse effect with Dyke here – if Ridley is out.
D/ST
buffalo bill (41.9% roasted; Panthers)
The Bills defense has not taken the ball away at a high rate this season (forced a total of eight turnovers). I would like to see higher numbers there. But this unit has a pressure rate of 38.9% (second highest in the league), and they have at least two sacks in 5 of 6 games played. With the number of teams on byes this week, the defense facing a backup quarterback (Dalton) is better than expected.
