Final week featured a number of encouraging performances from younger gamers we've spent all season ready to step into key roles. This week, I spotlight two rookies who may each have worth as weekly streaming choices going ahead, or higher, and a decent finish who attracts a plus matchup in opposition to one of many extra porous defenses within the league.
With out additional delay, let's take a look at this week's utilization report.
▶ Operating Backs
Jonah Coleman (DEN) vs. Chiefs
After lacking 4 straight weeks with an ankle harm, Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman has discovered himself in a key function since returning in Week 7. That week, Coleman rushed 9 instances for 54 scoreless yards in opposition to the Cardinals whereas including one other two receptions for 15 yards. Final week, he adopted it up with an 11-41-1 dashing line whereas including one other 4 receptions for 63 yards on 5 targets.
Since Week 7, Coleman has been the fantasy RB12 in anticipated fantasy factors (30.8 EP), and is main the Broncos' backfield with a 26 p.c alternative share. His seven targets over that span additionally lead Denver's backfield, and with RJ Harvey (knee) on injured reserve, Coleman ought to have a precious function as a pass-catcher for a minimum of the following three weeks. His 4 rush makes an attempt inside his opponent's five-yard line in comparison with J.Ok. Dobbins' one can also be an encouraging signal heading into Week 9 in opposition to the Panthers.
Coleman profiles as a fringe RB1/RB2 in a plus matchup in opposition to a Panthers run protection that has been among the many worst within the league and is recent off of firing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Saquon Barkley (PHI) vs. Commanders
The Eagles have misplaced six straight video games and are about to begin their third completely different quarterback. Saquon Barkley, who’s enjoying by means of a hamstring and again harm, has seen simply 23 alternatives in his final two video games since returning in Week 7 in opposition to the Cowboys. Whereas he has nonetheless managed to complete as a top-24 PPR RB in back-to-back weeks, Barkley's manufacturing is fueled by success within the landing division. He's discovered the tip zone in every of his final two video games, however these 12 mixed PPR factors make up 43.6 p.c of his fantasy scoring over that span.
Barkley was listed as a DNP on Wednesday however was restricted in Thursday's observe and can presumably be good to go for Week 9's sport in opposition to the Giants. That mentioned, the dearth of quantity (11.5 opps/gm) during the last two weeks, coupled with Philly's offensive struggles, makes him onerous to belief in opposition to a Giants protection that has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR factors per sport (18.0) to opposing RBs in its final 5 video games. Till his quantity sees a little bit of an uptick, Barkley is beginning to profile extra like a fringe RB2/RB3.
▶ Huge Receivers
Antonio Williams (WSH) vs. Eagles
In his first sport since Terry McLaurin (knee) suffered his season-ending harm, rookie Antonio Williams noticed the expanded function fantasy managers had been hoping for in Week 8 in opposition to the Eagles.
Williams ran a team-high 29 routes in final week's win whereas additionally main all Commanders pass-catchers in targets with six. Whereas we'd wish to see extra targets from Williams going ahead, he made probably the most of his alternatives, securing 5 passes for 54 yards, with most of these approaching a pleasant 30-yard play within the fourth quarter.
He blended in everywhere in the subject, lining up on the skin on 18 of his snaps whereas additionally seeing 13 snaps within the slot. Receiver Treylon Burks is coping with a foot harm and has missed the primary two practices to begin the week. If he had been to overlook time, Williams could possibly be in line for much more targets in opposition to the Rams in a sport that would function a whole lot of factors. Williams is within the WR4/Flex vary for fantasy managers who’re in want of a possible upside play on the place this week.
Xavier Worthy (KC) vs. Broncos
After a short spike in play the place Xavier Worthy went for 70-plus yards in back-to-back weeks, the previous first-round choose has plummeted again to earth as of late. During the last two weeks, Worthy has caught simply 6-of-12 targets for twenty-four scoreless yards, and with Rashee Rice again within the combine in Week 8, Patrick Mahomes has little incentive to drive issues to him proper now.
Outdoors of his two sturdy outings, Worthy has totaled 25 or fewer receiving yards in his different 5 video games, and he has discovered the tip zone solely as soon as. Final week in opposition to the Broncos, Worthy managed solely 13 yards regardless of operating a team-high 41 routes, which additional speaks to the underwhelming play we've seen from him this season.
With the Chiefs taking over the Jets in Week 9, there's little cause to consider Mahomes and firm might be pushed to place up factors, and even when they’re, these factors are unlikely to come back from Worthy. He's nicely off the fantasy radar this week and will be dropped in most leagues the place wanted.
▶ Tight Ends
Greg Dulcich (MIA) vs. Patriots
The Dolphins have performed considerably higher coming off of their bye week. After scoring 28 factors in Week 7 in opposition to the Jets to select up their first win of the season, the Dolphins scored 19 factors in opposition to the Patriots — a complete they solely hit/exceeded as soon as in Weeks 1-5, and have averaged 314.5 yards per sport since Week 7.
Greg Dulcich has totaled 11 targets throughout this two-game stretch, turning them into 9 receptions for 129 scoreless yards whereas additionally averaging a strong 25.0 p.c targets per route fee — the sixth-highest TPRR amongst TEs (min. 40 routes) during the last two weeks. Even earlier than the Dolphins' Week 6 bye, Dulcich noticed six targets and has been focused 5 or extra instances in all however one sport since Week 3.
This week, Dulcich attracts a really beneficiant matchup in opposition to a struggling Lions protection that has allowed probably the most fantasy factors per sport to opposing TEs (27.3 PPG) in its final 5 video games, placing Dulcich firmly on the streaming radar in a sport that would flip right into a high-scoring affair.
Dallas Goedert (PHI) vs. Commanders
We're heading again to Philly to focus on one other dangerous participant who's about to be tethered to journeyman Joe Milton, who is about to make his first profession begin within the league. Milton is as recognized for his rocket arm as he’s for his accuracy points, and whereas he may shock with a couple of massive performs, he’s simply as prone to underwhelm in an offense that ranks close to the underside of the league in each yards and scoring, and was struggling even when Jalen Hurts was wholesome.
Goedert has caught 9 passes for 78 scoreless yards in his final two video games and hasn't discovered the tip zone since Week 1. He will get a Week 9 matchup in opposition to a Giants protection that ranks thirteenth in factors allowed to opposing tight ends, and has allowed simply two tight ends to go for 10-plus PPR factors of their final 5 video games. Goedert hasn't completed any greater than the PPR TE14 since Week 1, and may seemingly be left off of beginning rosters in what could possibly be a troublesome sport this weekend.
NOTE: Stats and knowledge courtesy of >, >, >, >, >, > and >. All scoring relies on full-PPR leagues.