WR:
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
Tillman saw 12 targets and caught 8 for 81 yards in week 7. In week 8, a full game with Winston, he was even better. Tillman caught 7 passes on 9 targets for 99 yards and 2 big TDs. He looks to be the number one WR in Cleveland going forward, even though he was 2nd on the team in targets behind Elijah Moore.
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Speaking of Moore, he took advantage of all of his targets in week 8. His 12 targets resulted in 8 catches for 85 yards. Jameis Winston will make mistakes, but he will also throw for a lot of yards and TDs, which makes all his pass-catchers fantasy relevant, especially in PPR leagues.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 20: Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
With Ayiuk out, someone has to take over the number two WR role in SF. Jennings will be back soon, maybe after the bye this week, but Deebo Samuel, who is the number one right now, seems to always be dealing with an injury. Don’t forget that Pearsall was a first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, so he has a chance to make a big impact.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
When Richardson came back in week 7, Downs had just 1 catch for 3 yards, which led to his being dropped. After his big week 8 performance with Richardson, though, it looks like he is going to be a popular addition once again. Downs saw a team-high 9 targets, and although he only caught 4 of them, he ended up with 109 yards and a TD. It seems like whoever is at quarterback for the Colts, Downs is a must-own player moving forward.
John Metchie, Houston Texans
This is mostly a deeper league option, especially because we don’t know if he will be the guy to step into a larger role with Diggs injured. It’s worth the risk, though, because the Texans are good. They have a great quarterback in Stroud, and although he is in his third season, he is only 24 years old. He saw four targets in week 8, catching three of them for 29 yards. All those numbers should be on the rise if Diggs misses time.
TE:
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 5: Rachaad White #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is congratulated by Cade Otton #88 and Robert Hainsey after his touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Bucs
Please tell me that you read last weeks article and picked him up for week 8. He saw 10 targets, making 9 catches for 81 yards and 2 TDs in the Bucs loss to the Falcons, and now he’s had 2 consecutive big weeks. If you’re in shallow leagues, he could still be available, make sure you get him now. With Godwin done for the year and Evans likely out for at least 2 more weeks, Otton is going to have more big games coming.
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers
He saw a team-high 11 targets, catching 8 of them for 81 yards in week 7. It wasn’t as big of a performance in week 8, but Dissly still saw a team-high in targets and had a solid 9.1 score in PPR formats. The Chargers were ahead in the game and in charge, especially in the 2nd half, which is another reason why Dissly didn’t see more work in the passing game. Chargers QB Justin Herbert seems to like him, so I like him too.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
He is only 40% owned on sleeper, but he keeps getting a big target share in the offense. Jayden Daniels trusts him, and besides Terry McLaurin, Ertz is the guy in the passing game. He’s mostly depth for you, but the Commanders don’t go on a bye until week 14, and he has a nice floor every week.