- Your last chance to add Jonah Coleman: The Denver Broncos rookie led his backfield in snaps and carries in Week 7 despite not being 100%, and the Broncos have a great schedule for running backs going forward.
- Rookie wide receivers dominate the waiver wire: Omar Cooper Jr. and KC Concepcion Jr. were two of the top fantasy wide receivers this week regardless of experience, while third-round picks like Caleb Douglas and Ja’Kobi Lane have also given reason for optimism.
- Sam Darnold is a sneaky option at quarterback: Darnold has survived the difficult part of the Seahawks’ schedule. Now he faces the teams where he could dominate.
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From there, you can narrow by position, matchup or PFF Tags like Great Matchup, Season-long and Handcuff. Click any player to read the analysis below, plus matchup data, recent stats and a look at his upcoming schedule.
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Quarterback
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (Rostered in 31.0% of ESPN leagues)
Darnold has had only one strong fantasy performance this season, but he’s also faced a difficult stretch of opponents. Over the past four weeks, he’s played the Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, all of which rank among the top 12 teams in preventing fantasy points to quarterbacks. His lone favorable matchup came in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders, when he scored 25.7 fantasy points.
Darnold tops this list because the Seahawks have the most favorable upcoming schedule for quarterbacks. Their next three games are against the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, all of which rank among the 10 teams allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Seattle then has its bye week, followed by a matchup against the 49ers that fantasy managers should avoid. After that, the Seahawks face the other three NFC East teams that also rank among the 10 teams allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Darnold’s schedule is about to get much easier, which should lead to significantly more fantasy production. While it’s fair to consider other quarterbacks who have played better recently and have favorable matchups this week, Darnold is the best option for anyone looking for more than a one-week rental.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (19.8%)
Only a few available quarterbacks have averaged at least 15 fantasy points per game this season. Most face top-10 defenses this week, but Brissett is one of the notable exceptions.
Brissett has scored at least 16 fantasy points in more than half of his games. He has generally faced a difficult schedule, with only two favorable matchups through his first seven games. He has averaged 19.9 fantasy points in those favorable matchups, and this week he faces the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
While Brissett might not rank among the top 12 quarterbacks heading into the week, he should be a top streaming option for fantasy managers who need a starter. The Cardinals will likely turn to Carson Beck over the next month or two, making Brissett an unlikely long-term fantasy option.
Geno Smith, New York Jets (13.0%)
Smith had a healthy receiving corps for the first time this season, with Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. playing together for the first time since the opening snaps of Week 1. He took advantage of the matchup against Miami, completing 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith has scored fewer than 16 fantasy points in five of his seven games, but he has taken advantage of favorable matchups against Miami this week and the Detroit Lions in Week 3.
Fortunately, Smith has another favorable matchup next week against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. That includes Matthew Stafford’s three-touchdown performance Sunday.
Smith might not rank among the top 12 quarterbacks this week, but he should be one of the best available options for fantasy managers who need a bye-week replacement.
J.J. McCarthy, New York Giants (21.5%)
McCarthy has been named New York’s starter, and reports Sunday suggested he is expected to remain the Giants’ quarterback for the rest of the season.
He played well in his first start despite facing the Houston Texans defense, completing 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards. New York scored four rushing touchdowns, leaving McCarthy without a passing touchdown, but he should have more opportunities to throw for scores in the future.
The Giants have their bye week coming up, so McCarthy isn’t an option for fantasy managers who need an immediate replacement. However, after the bye, New York faces the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, two of the most favorable matchups for quarterbacks this season.
McCarthy also faces the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs, giving him two more favorable matchups.
The Giants have the best fantasy playoff schedule among the quarterbacks available on the waiver wire. Fantasy managers planning ahead should prioritize McCarthy over some of the other available options.
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