Oct 24, 2025
3 min read
If this tough bye week or injury has you looking for roster help, we have an option worth considering.
At various times during the fantasy football season, injuries, bye weeks and breaking news cause you to need backup for your fantasy lineup.Each Friday of the 2025 NFL season, Matt Bowen will provide some weekly pick-up options to fill those holes, with an emphasis on major leaguers.
As such, this column will mostly focus on players who have less than 50% of the league's spots, with some exceptions.
Six teams, including Chicago this week, are high on picks, but there are enough quality players in deep leagues to throw into the lineup.We'll start with the quarterbacks, two long-time veterans coming off big-time games.I'm also banking on a pair of tight ends offering double-digit fantasy production, and we'll also get some walk-ons and wide receivers.Can be stressful.
Joe flacco, cincinnati bengals (26.3% ma laina; vs. jets)
Flacco has attempted at least 45 passes in each of his two starts, with 18 or more fantasy points in both.Although the negative game script played a role, we know Cincy is a tough offense.Additionally, Flacco plays with an aggressive throwing mindset and has top-tier pass catchers in Ja'Marr Chase (23 targets in Week 7) and Tee Higgins.Sure, Flacco tends to be loose with the ball at times;the gameplay can also decrease.But with Sunday's game against a winless Jets team, you're betting on Flacco staying hot in Week 8.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (34,1% inskrit; vs. Packers)
From a player's perspective, matching up against your former team does matter. And it goes up a notch if that team moved on from you. Just something to think about here as Rodgers gets the Packers on Sunday night. But let's not forget that Rodgers was driving the ball -- with velocity and location -- in the Week 7 game against the Bengals. Rodgers finished with four touchdown passes in that one, posting a total of 22.56 points. He now has multiple touchdown throws in three of his past four games, and I think he's trending up based on the tape. He fits here as a deeper-league option for Week 8.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Lifon (23,5% Rosted; vs. vs 49ers)
Schultz was limited in practice earlier this week (back/shoulder), so let's monitor the reports. However, with the injury situation in the Texans' wide receiver room, Schultz is a smart pickup for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers -- if he can go. In the Monday night loss to the Seahawks, with Nico Collins (concussion) exiting 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). That gave Schultz back-to-back games with double-digit points, plus he has at least five receptions in four straight. Schultz has the seam-stretching ability to work the 49ers' zone coverages, and we know he can find open turf underneath as a target for C.J. Stroud.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (39.6% list; at Saints)
I'm surprised Otto's percentage isn't higher after three straight games of 10 or more points.And like the Texans, there are multiple injuries at wide receiver in Tampa.Otton caught seven of nine targets for 65 yards (13.3 ppg) 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 quarterback Baker Mayfield, with a solid matchup against a middle-of-the-road Saints defense against opposing weights.
Kyle Monangi, Chicago Bears (31.5% of list; in Ravens)
Menngai is a mammancy to the direction of Dru higher in Chica, you have a good degree related to the points of insecurity in the signs.Football with the best is the best.
Tywi Tyja, Tennessee Titan (32.8% of roster; on colts)
In depths, the officers may check this week this week with colls for his numbers.It is to get up to the sponna turns out the lasts in the back games, with a few games, antens in each of the quarteback of the quartaback.Yes, I want to feel the words to get more crabes (five on each of the following games.
Tez Johnson (30.8% win) and Shepard's Shepard, 16.4% win; virgin)
Mike Evans (clavicle) is likely out for the season and Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) is questionable for Sunday's game.So we have two possible exchange options in Tampa depending on what you need.Johnson gives managers a higher ceiling.It has strong juice, and it also slips after its catch.Johnson was 4-of-9 for 58 yards and a touchdown (15.8 ppg) in the Week 7 game against Detroit, his second straight game with a catch.Shepard, on the other hand, has a higher floor.He had just 25 yards against Detroit, but caught all seven of his targets and has two games with double figures this season.me?I always go with the higher cap option (Johnson), but Shepard also has PPR value this Sunday.
Xavier Leette, Panthers of the Caroline (31.9% against the Bills)
Legette had career highs in last week's win over the Jets, going 9-of-11 for 92 yards and a score (24.2 ppg).And while backup quarterback Andy Dalton will start this week because of an injured Bryce Young (ankle), Legette still has the edge over the Panthers' second-string defense in the Bills' defense.Open the windows and write Dalton's plan.
Chimeri Deck, Tennessee Titans (2.2% Roasted; Amen Ni Colts)
Wide receiver Elic Iomonor (22.3% roster) could also be taken this week because of a good matchup against the Colts while Calvin Ridley is dealing with a nagging injury.But I would go with Dickey first because of the playmaking ability he brings to the field.He's a burner, with a 4.34 speed, and we saw his 38 yard touchdown against the Patriots last weekend.Catch.He's in and can get out of coverage on the cross.Dyke caught all four of his targets for 70 yards and finished with a career-best 16.9 ppg.Take the title here with Dyke - if Ridley is out.
Buffalo Bill (jumped 41.9%; on the planet)
The Bucks defense didn't move the ball much this season (eight fumbles).I want to see a higher number there.However, this unit has a high 38.9% pressure rate (the highest in the league) and has less than two sacks in 5 of 6 games of 6 games. Given the number of Bene teams this week, the defense facing the back book (Dalton) is better than expected.
