By admin 
There are a slew of wide receivers MIA in fantasy due to injuries, so most of us have had to make adjustments to find the next guy. I hope you found your man. It’s been another crazy week in the NFL, with some guys like Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman doubling down on their solid performances in Week 8 and certainly improving their stock, but there are other players who may have a clearer path to more consistent production. Remember, everything mentioned here should take into account the fact that it is in anticipation of the Week 8 MNF matchup between the Steelers and Giants. Let’s see whose stocks are trending up and whose stocks are in freefall.
STOCK OUT
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers
Has Justin Herbert’s WR1 finally arrived? I think so. McConkey had his best game yet as a pro in Week 8 against the Saints, going 6-111-2 on six targets, which was good for WR2. In the three previous games, McConkey saw at least seven targets in each. His standout performance in Week 8 marked the first time he topped 70 yards this season, but Herbert is showing he trusts the young rookie. The Chargers have made at least 32 pass attempts in each of their last three games, unlike the first four in which they managed no more than 27 pass attempts. There is more passing volume, which means McConkey will continue to get more opportunities to showcase his skills. He is a safe FLEX player for now with WR2 upside in the future.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Browns
In his first game as the Browns’ de facto WR1, Tillman made the most of his opportunities. He caught 7 of 9 targets for 99 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens in Week 8 (WR3). Keep in mind that Baltimore has (by far) the worst pass defense in the NFL, leaving behind Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins. Still, Tillman showed that with the start of Jameis Winston (who threw no interceptions in Week 8), he can and will be effective going forward. So while Tillman didn’t lead the team in targets (Elijah Moore), his skills best fit Winston’s downfield and aggressive playing style, as evidenced by his game-winning 38-yard touchdown reception in Week 8. Tillman should be heavily considered to fill your FLEX spot every week.
Cade Oton, TE, Buccaneers
In the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Otton is the one who has featured most for Baker Mayfield so far. Before Week 8, Oton had not surpassed 55 receiving yards, but he has done so twice in each of his last two games. Otton followed up his 8-100-0 (TE5) performance from last week with a 10-81-2 performance (TE1). Despite Mayfield throwing for at least 330 yards in each of his last two games, no Bucs receiver eclipsed 65 yards in either game. Mayfield wants to throw to Oton or one of his running backs, as none of the Bucs’ receivers have emerged as familiar targets. Otton should safely be considered a top-five tight end in the future with this kind of volume (20 goals in the last two games).
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STOCK DOWN
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers
I’m not here to tell you that you should definitely bench Reed, but there are some things to keep in mind. He’s averaged just 31 YPGs in his last three games, hasn’t gained a single rushing yard, and is WR56 in that span. While he is explosive and can play big, the Packers have been spreading the ball more evenly lately, with Tucker Kraft, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs all scoring touchdowns in recent weeks. If you’re a Reed manager, you’ll want to keep an eye on Jordan Love’s injury status as the Packers play the Lions in Week 9. If Love is unavailable, Malik Willis will get the call for his third start of the season. season.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
All would go well when Tua Tagovailoa returned from injury to help the Dolphins’ skill players. Well, that was true for most of them, but not Waddle. In Tua’s return, Waddle caught 4 of 6 targets for 45 yards, which was good for WR47 in Week 8. He has one game with over 50 receiving yards so far this season and that came in Week 1 against the under – average Jaguars. Granted, Tua just now returned to action and Waddle dropped a pass, but Waddle was called up to fill WR2 slots on fantasy rosters. For now, it looks like Waddle’s big matches could be more unpredictable than frequent. Right now, Waddle is a FLEX play at best, depending on the matchup.
Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
Not that Addison’s stock was ever particularly high, but I’m not sure he should be on the list, especially in 10-team fantasy leagues. Addison has scored just one touchdown and just one game over 70 receiving yards this season. Sam Darnold is averaging a healthy 230 passing yards this season, but the pecking order for targets is Justin Jefferson and whoever passes next. There are three Vikings you can start each week and none of them are Addison. In 2023, he posted a final stat line of 70-911-10 and was a weekly viable FLEX play, but this year that’s just not the case. In Dynasties, Addison is still a mainstay, but feel free to let him go in your reformulation leagues as he isn’t nearly as consistent as he once was.