The Replacements: Week 8

The Way This Works...

To see this article's purpose, please refer to the intro from Week 2.

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The Running List of Options

I'll update this throughout the season, so you have a wealth of considerations beyond my weekly recommendations. 

Add Nows 

Most of these players will not be available, but you'll get a sense of who has been recommended.

Ray Davis: Recommended in Week 6, Davis earned 23 touches for 152 yards against the Jets on Monday night. Buffalo opened highways in the Jets defense for Davis to run through. Davis' skills as a smart, rugged back with receiving skills are translating to the NFL. James Cook should return this week, but Davis has been worth adding to your bench for weeks now because of what he showed on Monday night. He can be the lead back and will get the opportunity again if Cook falters. He may earn more touches in a limited capacity even if Cook returns, which could give him bye-week/flex value.

Jordan Mason: I mentioned in two different articles late in the preseason that you should add Mason if you have Christian McCaffrey or if McCaffrey shows up on the injury report with a tag of questionable or worse. Now you know why. Mason is dealing with a chest injury and his availability in Week 7 could be more about pain tolerance than long-term damage. Monitor him closely. 

Sean Tucker: Against the Saints, the former Syracuse star looked like the second-day prospect he could have been last year before a heart condition plummeted his draft capital. After earning 190 yards from scrimmage and 2 scores, Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles told the media Tucker earned the right to become part of a three-headed backfield. That's likely code for Tucker could earn a committee role alongside Bucky Irving but we don't want to bench Rachaad White due to injury, so we're going to have some in-season competition. I believe Tucker has been the most well-rounded back on the Buccaneers. It may take 3-4 weeks of a three-headed committee to resolve the matter but I favor Tucker if he plays low-mistake ball. 

Cam Akers: A former early-round prospect, Akers had an impressive preseason in Houston, earning a roster spot. He's a powerful runner with good receiving skills. The Texans traded Akers to the Vikings, who have now traded for Akers twice in nearly 12 months. Aaron Jones has a hip injury that could limit him and the trade will fortify the Vikings backfield. Even if Jones is healthy, Akers was a favorite of the Vikings staff. 

Alec Pierce: Adonai Mitchell's separation score impresses people, but his ability to be on the same page with Anthony Richardson or Joe Flacco isn't reliable at this point. Richardson told the national media before Week 1 that the public had written off Pierce, and he was about to remedy that. Don't expect Pierce to return to fantasy anonymity. He is making too many plays with a high degree of difficulty to ignore and he's converting on 74 percent of his targets. Pierce is a legitimate deep threat with contested-catch skills, and he works effectively over the middle. Michael Pittman Jr shocked us with his active status in Week 6 after hearing as late as the Thursday afternoon before the game that he could be headed to IR. If Pittman's injury gets worse, Pierce will deliver more than boom-bust WR3 value. 

Andrei Iosivas: An excellent athlete from Princeton, Iosivas knew next to nothing about running routes but sought out receiver coach Drew Lieberman during the offseason. His game has grown substantially during the offseason because, according to Lieberman, Iosivas had no bad habits to unlearn. Tee Higgins is back, but Iosivas is worth having at the end of your bench as a preemptive option. Iosivas should still have flex value. 

Allen Lazard: Fantasy analysts may minimize Lazard's rest-of-season value due to his age, and the attention Davante Adams,  Garrett Wilson, and Mike Williams should eventually command from Aaron Rodgers. However, Williams is on the trading block and Rodgers has an excellent rapport with Lazard. The volume may remain compelling. If not, Lazard will have value as injury insurance for this corps. 

Preemptive

Many of these players are still available. Some were past Add-Nows or Monitors.

Jameis Winston: Joe Flacco performed well in Cleveland while Deshaun Watson recovered from injury in 2023. Winston has the experience and physical skills to deliver starter production now that Watson is out for the year. Winston is an aggressive down-field thrower who is fearless with tight-window targets. He has improved his pocket footwork and drops to speed up the physical side of his game.

Darius Slayton: Slayton isn't a marquee name with a marquee game, but he has proven capable of delivering flex-play value. He had 5-6 startable games last year and delivered against Seattle as predicted here in Week 5. Slayton will be the primary receiver in Week 7 if Nabers isn't ready. Slayton has 27 targets, 17 catches, and 235 yards during the past three weeks. If opponents begin finding answers to limit Malik Nabers once Nabers returns, Slayton is a candidate to benefit because, unlike Wan'Dale Robinson, Slayton can win downfield. 

Audric Estime: Javonte Williams hasn't excelled this year, and Estime showed promising moments before suffering an injury that forced him to short-term IR. A powerful runner with good footwork and decision-making, Estime could push for playing time. Estime could either force a three-headed backfield with Williams or, if Williams gets hurt, take an elevated role in the offense. Estime could be worth a preemptive addition in leagues greater than 25 roster spots. 

Tyler Goodson: A cutback runner with good explosion and excellent receiving skills from the backfield, Goodson offers a big-play element in the Colts' offense that Trey Sermon lacks. Sermon earned the lead role with Jonathan Taylor out, but Goodson's big-play ability and versatility allowed the Colts to roll with the hot hand. Taylor remains questionable for Week 7 and Trey Sermon has a collarbone and knee issue that kept him out of Wednesday practice. This could render Goodson a player worth adding. 

Isaac Guerendo: The rookie got his chance when Jordan Mason got hurt last week and delivered a 99-yard performance, including a 76-yard run. Mason may return in Week 7, but look for Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. to earn more touches because Mason's issue may require pain management. Blessed with Todd Gurley's size and speed, Guerendo was one of those college running backs who began on a loaded depth chart at Wisconsin with the likes of Jonathan Taylor, Braelon Allen, and Chez Mellusi. Kyle Shanahan is exacting with his approach to the ground game, so Guerendo will be on a week-to-week tryout if asked to replace Mason for any length of time. 

Bub Means: A big-play receiver and return specialist at Tennessee and Pittsburgh, the Saints' rookie earned his first extensive playing time in Week 6, catching 5 of 8 targets for 45 yards and a score. His 50 snaps were 44 more than most of his weeks on the field leading up to the Buccaneers game, thanks to a Chris Olave concussion. Means has always been a good athlete with moments of excellence as a pass catcher, but his release work against man coverage and his attack of the football looked better than it did as a collegian. Means could continue to earn playing time because of a Rashid Shaheed meniscus injury.

Kayshon Boutte: A highly-touted freshman at LSU arriving on the heels of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase establishing Baton Rouge as the current "WR U," Boutte began his career strong but didn't sustain his output to those outsized expectations. Boutte is a slot-flanker type in the mold of Robert Woods and Jarvis Landry. He excels in zone coverage but also has enough juice to win some vertical routes. Boutte beat Derek Stingley Jr one-on-one at the end of the half in Week 6 on a go route for a score. He followed that up with another catch on a vertical route in Week 7 against the Jaguars. His snap share is steady, and Ja'Lynn Polk is struggling with drops. Drake Maye will be throwing the ball a lot and Boutte could deliver value based on game scripts and volume. 

Preemptive/Monitor

Jameis Winston: Joe Flacco performed well in Cleveland while Deshaun Watson recovered from injury in 2023. Winston has the experience and physical skills to deliver starter production if the Browns bench Watson. Winston is an aggressive down-field thrower who is fearless with tight-window targets. He has improved his pocket footwork and drops to speed up the physical side of his game.

Tre Tucker: A speedster whose development trajectory is steadily climbing, Tucker was likely a popular target for bidding this week on your waiver wires. If not, add him now because he'll earn a starting role in the offense with Davante Adams gone, and that could generate a significant bump in targets. A lack of confidence in the Raiders quarterback play will be the reason his value plateaus--if it does. 

Jalen Nailor: A quick and fast receiver with YAC skills in the mold of Bills' Khalil Shakir, Nailor has scored every week and has displayed toughness over the middle and up the seams. He's an addition at the end of your roster's bench who can give you at least WR3 fantasy production when one or both of the Vikings' starters are hurt. 

Xavier Hutchinson: If desperate for a receiver in a deep league and out of options. Hutchinson could earn more playing time as the third or fourth receiver in the Texans' rotation. With Nico Collins out for multiple weeks, Hutchinson may earn more targets if the Texans continue to use Tank Dell most often in the slot. If Dell earns a lot more work as the perimeter deep threat, Robert Woods may see more time in the slot, and Hutchinson won't have as much potential value. Hutchinson is a good route runner with contested-catch skill and smarts as a ball carrier. He's not a top-end speedster.  

Chris Brooks: The former Dolphin has earned carries during the past two weeks when the Packers had dominant leads and wanted a big back to close out the commanding victory. The Packers have MarShawn Lloyd on IR for at least the next 1-2 weeks, so Brooks is worth a preemptive add for larger rosters if you want a talented back who could earn a bigger role if Josh Jacobs and/or Emanuel Wilson get hurt. Otherwise, monitor from afar. 

Cordarrelle Patterson: Before Patterson got hurt, he was running well against a weak Colts defense. With Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren dealing with various injuries, Patterson was establishing himself as the temporary lead back in the offense. Patterson is worth adding if you want to gamble on having a proven talent in case of new injuries to this Steelers backfield. 

Monitor

Some of these players were past Add-Nows or Preemptives, but circumstances have changed. 

Michael Penix Jr.: I've shared in great detail why Penix is one of the most talented passers in this draft. Penix is a strong fit for Atlanta's passing attack because of his mobility, skill with off-platform placement, and bold vertical game. Atlanta featured Kirk Cousins more often under center against the Eagles in Week 2 but mostly handing off the ball. Cousins' velocity and accuracy on routes outside the numbers beyond 15 yards still look suspect--even the completed passes didn't have great placement and zip. Atlanta has had success working around this weakness in Cousins' game. Continue monitoring Cousins' play, especially if Atlanta goes on an extended losing streak.

Brenton Strange: Evan Engram is back and productive. Strange will continue to fill in admirably when targeted. He's a skilled receiver with enough athletic ability to earn yardage after the catch. He has a future as a starter, but now he's most valuable as injury insurance. 

Drew Lock: If Daniel Jones falters, Lock has the skills and experience to deliver strong outings that could lead to big weeks. If Lock has learned to work at his craft behind the scenes since Denver dumped him, this could be the makings of a beautiful career rebound. Click here to read the preemptive indicators for adding Lock to your rosters. 

Dawson Knox: Knox is an excellent athlete who can win jump-balls. He's a good blocker, and that's likely his role as long as Dalton Kincaid is healthy. There were multiple indications--including Week 1--that Knox would still have a legitimate role in the passing game, but as I mentioned two weeks ago, Kincaid will heat up. Knox only has 2 catches for 30 yards after three weeks. Unless Kincaid gets hurt, you don't need Knox on your rosters. 

Skylar Thompson: The Dolphins' reserve quarterback dealt with a lot of pressure against the Seahawks while executing a conservative offensive game plan. When Thompson earned some intermediate passing opportunities, he executed, but they were too few. A rib injury abbreviated his first start in two years. Tyler Huntley appears to be the starter until Tua Tagovailoa returns. At best, Thompson is a desperation preemptive addition who you hope Mike McDaniels gives more opportunities to be aggressive as a passer. 

Forget (For Now...)

Dylan Laube: Ameer Abdullah had a 40-yard run and scored a touchdown against the Broncos in Week 5, and Laube had his first and only touch punched out by T.J. Watt in Week 6. This may keep the door closed on Laube earning playing time in Las Vegas.  A dynamic open-field back with receiving skills from New Hampshire, Laube is better between the tackles than touted. The rookie impressed the Raiders this summer, making the active roster and prompting teammates and staff to believe there's a brighter future ahead.

Jordan Mims: Kendre Miller is back at practice and likely to leapfrog Mims on the depth chart as the Saints' No.3 runner. 

Dalvin Cook: The most impressive runner in Dallas' rotation thus far has been Rico Dowdle, but the Cowboys' defense has been so bad that Dowdle doesn't earn enough touches due to poor game scripts. That has changed in recent weeks, so unless Cook can also become an impactful defensive player and play two weeks, he's not earning significant playing time. You can add Cook in anticipation that he'll get a try, but consider him a preemptive addition only for deep rosters. Otherwise, monitor from afar. 

Tyler Badie: After earning an extended opportunity two weeks ago, Badie suffered a back injury and collapsed on the field after trying to make it to the bench on his own. He's a candidate for IR. 

Blake Watson: A rookie passing-down back with enough size to work between the tackles as a committee option on running downs, Watson has good speed and excellent hands. If Watson begins earning an uptick in touches and has success, consider making him a preemptive addition for 1-2 weeks at the bottom of your depth chart. At this point, forget about him. 

Evan Hull: A practice squad option with the Colts who nearly got playing time in Week 7 due to a Trey Sermon injury. Jonathan Taylor is back, so Hull is a non-factor.

Add Now: Ricky Pearsall

The Skinny on Pearsall: A gunshot victim late in the preseason, the 49ers' first-round draft pick returned to the field in Week 7, earning 3 catches for 21 yards. Pearsall is a speedster with acrobatic skills and excellent ability after the catch. You wouldn't have known these facts this summer if you hadn't seen Pearsall at Florida because the weight of Kyle Shanahan's demands has slowed him down as a rookie. Still, there's a chance the light clicks on at some point this year, especially with increased playing time due to Brandon Aiyuk's season-ending injury and Deebo Samuel Sr.'s bout with pneumonia. 

Recommendation: It's doubtful that Shanahan will be intractable with his demands on Pearsall playing all three positions if injuries mount. At this point, Samuel and Jennings aren't expected to be out long-term, but this thrusts Pearsall into a primary role in Week 8 against a weakened Cowboys defense and, after the bye week to prepare, potentially a juicy match-up with the Buccaneers' generous pass defense in Week 10.