Week 8 Fantasy Football Receiver Score Buys & Fades: Midseason Report For All 32 NFL Teams

It's the halfway point of the fantasy regular season, so what better time to check in on every pass-catching room with Receiver Score? I'm going through the routes and usage to find the buys, sells, holds, adds and drops. Sometimes the explanation is route share, others will be deployment, and a lot will also be pure talent. In our 40-route sample, the median WR is moving at the snap on 9% of his routes and uses play-action on 21% (for TEs, those rates are 12% and 20%).

As always, this analysis is incorporated into my weekly fantasy football rankings and our rest-of-season rankings. All teams are listed in alphabetical order.

Arizona Cardinals Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Michael Wilson - Sell after Week 8 vs Dallas

Wilson is running nearly every route for Arizona, but Trey McBride remains the focal point and the passing game hasn't consistently converted Wilson's opportunities. His role has a mix of curl/hitch routes (19%) and go/fade/seam routes (18%), with eight end-zone targets creating scoring chances. Arizona uses motion at the snap on 14% of his routes and play-action on 20%. The model has him at WR15 rest of season—I'm lower because the quarterback situation makes the production harder to trust. He's a WR3 for me, and I'd rather have Jalen Coker if their managers value them similarly.

Kendrick Bourne - Leave on the Wire

Bourne has a useful short-area role, and Arizona has targeted him on 23% of his curl or hitch routes this season. He has lined up in the slot on 71% of his routes, third among the qualified receivers in our sample, but only 9% have come off play-action. The problem is the amount he plays—he's run a route on only 66% of the team's dropbacks over the last three games, with McBride and Wilson ahead of him for targets. I'd leave Bourne on the wire in a typical league unless Wilson gets injured

Trey McBride - Hold

McBride is at the center of Arizona's passing game, accounting for 34.0% of the team's first-read targets in his games with 16 red zone targets. Arizona has lined him up in the slot on 67% of his routes—third among the qualified tight ends in our sample—and 21% of his routes have been digs or slants. Jacoby Brissett has directed 36.2% of his targets to tight ends across 282 pass attempts. McBride is my TE3 rest of season regardless of who is at quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Drake London - Buy

Atlanta has used London in the slot on 38% of his routes and off play-action on 24%. He was targeted on 28% of his 153 routes with Michael Penix and 18% of 45 routes with Cooper Rush, so the quarterback situation matters for his outlook. London's 33.8% share of Atlanta's first-read targets in his games show how central he is to the offense. With Penix under center, I have him as a WR1. I feel slightly redeemed on this one since he was the cover of my Receiver Score article this offseason.

Jahan Dotson - Leave on the Wire

Dotson's targets came well downfield against San Francisco, and the route mix extends beyond that one game. 42% of his season routes have been in the go/fade/seam, post or corner families, and London remains Atlanta's focal point. Only 7% of his routes have included motion at the snap, leaving him without much of that fantasy-friendly usage. I'd leave Dotson on the wire in typical redraft leagues.

Kyle Pitts - Hold

Pitts has scored 4 times, but the personnel splits help explain why I'm still treating him as a streamer. Atlanta uses play-action on 13% of his routes, and 27% are vertical routes—the third-highest vertical share among qualified tight ends in the sample. He ran routes on 64% of Atlanta's 11-personnel dropbacks and 100% of its 13-personnel dropbacks in his games, but the Falcons haven't used that three-tight-end package often. He's a high-end TE2 for me.

Baltimore Ravens Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Zay Flowers - Buy

I think Flowers can be this year's JSN, and I'm trading for him. Baltimore has him in the slot on 56% of his routes and in motion at the snap on 25%—fourth among the 88 qualified receivers in our sample. He has accounted for 36.8% of the Ravens' first-read targets in his games. He was targeted on 40% of his routes with Lamar Jackson, though that's only 45 routes. He's in my WR1 conversation, with another gear if Jackson returns.

Ja'Kobi Lane - Stash

Lane's playing time is much more secure when Baltimore uses three wide receivers. He has been in motion at the snap on none of his routes, and only 12% have come off play-action. He has run a route on 84% of its 11-personnel dropbacks in his games, but on only 15% of the 26 dropbacks in 12 personnel. Five red-zone targets in three games are worth watching, though he's still a WR4 or deeper stash who could benefit when Jackson returns.

Rashod Bateman - Leave on the wire

Bateman's recent playing time has slipped to 63% of Baltimore's dropbacks over the last three games. His 30% play-action rate ranks 10th among the 88 qualified receivers in our sample, but 34% of his routes are vertical. He was targeted on 16% of his routes with Jackson and 15% with Tyler Huntley—Jackson could help the offense, but his return wouldn't automatically fix Bateman's role. He's a WR5 or worse behind Flowers and Lane unless injuries occur

Mark Andrews - Hold

I'd be more comfortable starting Andrews with Lamar back. Curls, hitches and outs account for 44% of his routes—second among the qualified tight ends in our sample. Those routes have produced most of his targets, and Jackson has looked his way more often than Huntley has. The problem is that Andrews is running a route on only 69% of Baltimore's dropbacks. I'm holding him as a high-end TE2 with Jackson.

Buffalo Bills Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

DJ Moore - Buy at WR3 prices

Moore's last appearance was in Week 4 and everything since then has been the banged-up version. Luckily the Bills let him rest through the bye, so hopefully we see a fully healthy version of Moore, which seems to be the key to unlocking this Bills passing offense. The Bills used play-action on 29% of his routes before the injury, which is massive for Moore as the primary read on the looks down the field. We are running out of quality WR2 options in fantasy football, so I am excited to see a healthy Moore protect the middle class. If you can trade Germie Bernard, Jameson Williams or Michael Wilson level players for him, I would do that.

Khalil Shakir - Hold

Shakir is finally staying on the field long enough for me to use him as a PPR flex. Buffalo has him in motion at the snap on 25% of his routes—fifth among the 88 qualified receivers—and 56% of his routes come from the slot. His screens give Josh Allen a quick throw, and Buffalo moves him before or at the snap on 31% of his routes. Allen has also found him on playaction, so I like the ways Buffalo is getting him involved now that his route share has reached 83% over the last three games. I'm holding him, but I want to see whether he keeps that playing time when Moore returns.

Keon Coleman - Drop

Coleman's 3 touchdowns over the last three games have come with a 15.7-yard average target depth, making him more reliant on downfield connections than steady volume. Buffalo uses play-action on 32% of his season routes—fourth among the 88 qualified receivers in our sample. His 85% route share over that stretch keeps him usable as a flex while the Bills' receiving room is unsettled. I don’t expect him to maintain the route share when Moore returns, so he’s a drop.

Dalton Kincaid - Buy

Kincaid's Week 6 was impacted by a rib injury that forced him to miss part of the game before coming back in the 4th quarter. The team had been ramping his route share back up, which was solidifying him back into mid-TE1 territory. Buffalo has given him curl/hitch, out, in-breaking and flat routes, and used play-action on 29% of his routes through Week 6. He has been in motion at the snap on 17% of his routes, a top-4 rate among the 34 qualified tight ends in our sample. I would explore sending trades for him if the other managers are worried about his dropoff since Week 2.

Carolina Panthers Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Tetairoa McMillan - Hold

Carolina's passing game couldn't get much going in Week 7, but McMillan was still its lead receiver. Play-action accounts for 30% of his routes, sixth among the 88 qualified receivers, and 34% are curls, hitches or outs. He's accounted for 30.7% of their first-read targets in his games. His season role has been worth 16.0 expected receiving points per game. He remains a high-end WR2 for me.

Jalen Coker - Hold

Coker lines up in the slot on 46% of his routes, with outs accounting for 19% of his route mix and play-action used on 27%. Carolina has targeted him on 33% of those outs. He has accounted for 26.5% of the Panthers' first-read targets in his games and run a route on 81% of their dropbacks over his last two games. I'm keeping him as a mid-tier WR2.

Darren Waller - TEP Flier

Waller's long touchdown was fun, but Carolina still hasn't made him a full-time route runner. He has lined up in the slot on 56% of his routes and been in motion at the snap on 14%. He has run routes on 54% of its 11-personnel dropbacks in his games and 91% of the 23 dropbacks in 13 personnel, a package the Panthers rarely use. He's a bye-week flier in TE-premium leagues.

Chicago Bears Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Luther Burden III - Buy at WR3 or low-end WR2 prices

Burden has been a buy for weeks even though Chicago has kept his season route share below 70%. Chicago has used play-action on 27% of his routes. Chicago has lined him up in the slot on more than 50% of his routes and targeted him on 38% of his outs. He's drawn 25.0% of the Bears' first-read targets in his games. Cole Kmet's season-ending injury could lead to more three-WR sets and fewer trips to the sideline. I already have Burden as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3, with room to move higher if that route share grows.

Rome Odunze - Sell for a WR3

Odunze is already running nearly every route, so waiting for more playing time isn't the answer. Play-action accounts for 33% of his routes—third among the 88 qualified receivers—but 36% of his routes are vertical and only 5% include motion at the snap. His go, fade, seam, post and corner routes have produced just 8 targets all season, and the throws have rarely gone his way off play-action. With Caleb Williams targeting him on only 11% of his routes, I have Odunze as a WR4 or matchup flex and would sell him for a WR3.

Kalif Raymond - Drop

Raymond ran a route on 77% of Chicago's Week 7 dropbacks, but the production has disappeared after his hot start. He has favorable exposure to motion at the snap (19%) and play-action (27%), even if the recent production hasn't followed. His last three games have brought only 7.4 receiving points across 84 routes, and Chicago has targeted him just once on 25 go, fade and seam routes this season. I'd drop him for KC Concepcion if he's available.

Colston Loveland - Hold or Buy

Loveland's Week 7 breakout was the kind of game his role had been pointing toward. Play-action has been part of 30% of his routes—the highest rate among the 34 qualified tight ends in our sample. He has run a route on 83% of Chicago's dropbacks in 12 personnel, compared with 69% in 11 personnel. With Cole Kmet out, I'll be watching whether Chicago changes that mix and what it means for Loveland's routes, but his 22.3% share of first-read targets supports a mid-tier TE1 valuation. I liked Loveland's role before the injury and am holding.

Cincinnati Bengals Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Ja'Marr Chase - Hold

A huge Tee Higgins game doesn't change Chase's place in Cincinnati's offense. Curls, hitches and outs make up 35% of his routes, while another 21% are digs or slants. Joe Burrow has targeted him on 45% of his outs and in-breaking routes this season, giving the Bengals ways to keep Chase involved while Higgins stretches the field. Chase has earned 27.7% of Cincinnati's first-read targets in his games, and he's my WR3 overall.

Tee Higgins - Buy

Higgins was out there for every Cincinnati dropback against Baltimore, and his targets came an average of 20.3 yards downfield. Digs and slants make up 28% of his routes—fifth among the 88 qualified receivers—although he has motion at the snap on only 5%. He's also been targeted on 33% of his in-breaking routes, which are fantasy football gold. He's a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside most weeks. He’s above Garrett Wilson and Tetairoa McMillan for me if you are looking for potential upgrades.

Mike Gesicki - Leave on the wire

Gesicki has 5 touchdowns on only 130 season routes, and Cincinnati is splitting tight end playing time. His 41% vertical-route share is the highest among qualified tight ends in our sample, while only 11% of his routes come off play-action. His Week 7 route share was just 47%. In general there is significant passing touchdown regression projected for this offense, but especially for the TE position. Don’t be tempted by him.

Cleveland Browns Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

KC Concepcion - Add or Buy

Concepcion finally got the expanded focal-point role we've been waiting for in Week 7. Cleveland has basically made him a full-time route share player since Week 3, which has translated to leading the team in first-read looks at 27.1%. He has lined up in the slot on 62% of his routes and run 20% off play-action. He has the short-to-intermediate role and he’s in motion at the snap on 18.8% of his routes, 11th among the 88 wide receivers in our sample with at least 40 routes. He's a WR3 for me and an add wherever available.

Denzel Boston - Trade

Boston has drawn 22.9% of Cleveland's first-read targets in his games, but 36% of his season targets have traveled at least 20 yards downfield. He lines up in the slot on only 8% of his routes and is in motion at the snap on less than 1%. That role can lead to big weeks, and it also leaves his numbers vulnerable when the deep throws don't connect. I like the player, but he's a WR4 for me.

Jerry Jeudy - Leave on the Wire

Jeudy has run routes on 82% of Cleveland's dropbacks over the last three games, but that playing time hasn't put him ahead of the other receivers. Digs and slants make up 25% of his routes, although only 12% come off play-action. He's accounted for 11.8% of the Browns' first-read targets in his games—Concepcion and Boston are both above 20%. The only move that could get me interested is if he gets traded to the Chiefs or similar.

Harold Fannin - Hold

Fannin's 9 Week 7 targets helped him bounce back after two quieter games, and he's run a route on 83% of Cleveland's dropbacks this season. Curls, hitches and outs account for 40% of his routes—third among the qualified tight ends in our sample. Cleveland uses play-action on 15% of his routes. His 16.7% share of first-read targets trails both Concepcion and Boston in their games. He's a back-end TE1 for me.

Dallas Cowboys Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

CeeDee Lamb - Mid-Tier WR1

Dallas can move Lamb inside instead of leaving him outside every snap, and he's drawn 39.2% of the Cowboys' first-read targets in his games. He lines up in the slot on 37% of his routes and is in motion at the snap on 14%. The Cowboys have targeted him on 52% of his routes in motion at the snap, alongside his work at different depths on curls and vertical routes. Even if his pace cools, Lamb remains a mid-tier WR1 for me.

George Pickens - Buy

Pickens is running virtually every route and has drawn 23.1% of Dallas' first-read targets in his games. Play-action is used on 23% of his routes, but just 2% include motion at the snap. 39% of his routes have been go/fade/seam, post or corner routes, so the downfield job can produce quiet stretches even when the playing time is excellent. I have him as a high-end WR2.

Ryan Flournoy - Stash

Flournoy ran a route on 82% of Dallas' Week 7 dropbacks, and 57% of those routes came from the slot. For the season, he has lined up in the slot on 53% of his routes and been in motion at the snap on 13%. The Cowboys have targeted him on 27% of his routes in motion at the snap this season. He has accounted for 13.4% of their first-read targets in his games, well behind Lamb and Pickens. He's a priority WR handcuff if either misses time.

Jake Ferguson - Drop

Ferguson's 57% route share has been down the past few weeks, including Week 7 against Philadelphia. Curls, hitches and outs make up 38% of his routes, but only 15% come off play-action. He's drawn only 7.5% of the Cowboys' first-read targets in his games (clear option 4+ in the offense when he’s on the field), and Brevyn Spann-Ford is taking some of the TE role.

Denver Broncos Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Jaylen Waddle - WR3

Denver is giving Waddle some of the work we wanted—41% of his routes have come from the slot and 24% with motion. He is moving at the snap on 16% of his routes, while the broader motion figure also includes plays where he sets before the snap. He's been targeted on 31% of his outs but only 9% of his go, fade and seam routes, showing where he's been more involved in this offense. His 29.0% share of the Broncos' first-read targets hasn't translated to consistent production yet. He's a WR3, which is a disappointing place for us to be. If Bo Nix turns a corner, this usage is mid-to-high end WR2 territory.

Courtland Sutton - Drop

Sutton had a better game against Arizona, but I don't think it fixes the season-long problem. Only 3% of his routes include motion at the snap, and 35% are go, fade, seam, post or corner routes. He's been targeted on just 12% of his go, fade and seam routes, which is a lot of what the team asks him to do (unfortunately).

Evan Engram - Leave on the Wire

Engram has 31 flat routes and 23 outs on his 144 routes this season, but that underneath role hasn't translated into enough volume. He has been in motion at the snap on 6% of his routes and off play-action on 19%. He's accounted for 10.5% of Denver's first-read targets in his games and ran only 17 routes against Arizona. He does get a higher route share in games the team is projected to be “trailing,” so if in a pinch for TE Premium leagues, he could be a fill-in for times like Week 8.

Detroit Lions Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Amon-Ra St. Brown - Hold

St. Brown is still the center of Detroit's passing game even with Jameson Williams more involved. Detroit uses play-action on 30% of his routes, seventh among the 88 qualified receivers in our sample. He's drawn 42.3% of the Lions' first-read targets in his games, and Detroit has targeted him on 41% of his routes in motion at the snap. He also has 15 red zone targets. We don’t need Receiver Score to tell us he’s a beast.

Jameson Williams - Sell

The 4 touchdowns over the last three games will get attention, but I was more interested in Detroit deliberately featuring Williams against Green Bay. Detroit has targeted him on 40% of his outs, while only 2% of his go, fade and seam routes have drawn a target. 34% of his routes have come off play-action. That is the second-highest rate among the 88 qualified receivers in the sample, although he is moving at the snap on only 4%. He's accounted for 23.4% of Detroit's first-read targets in his games, and I have him as a high-end WR3 until we see the increased emphasis continue. This is the perfect time to move off of him if you can get a WR2 since he’s coming off a bigger game.

Sam LaPorta - Buy

I still have LaPorta as a top-5 TE after the quiet game against Green Bay. He ran a route on 91% of Detroit's dropbacks, with 37% of his routes coming off play action. His 29% season play-action rate ranks second among the 34 qualified tight ends in our sample. That Week 7 play-action share is higher than in his prior games, and Jared Goff has targeted him on 27% of his play-action routes this season compared with 12% without it. Nothing about the deployment suggests anything is changing—Jameson Williams just happened to have his bigger week, so I’m buying LaPorta if I can move someone like Travis Kelce or Dalton Kincaid for him.

Isaac TeSlaa - Leave on the Wire

TeSlaa's targets have come an average of 15.4 yards downfield, and he has been targeted on only 8% of his go, fade and seam routes. Detroit uses play-action on 27% of his routes, but 32% are vertical concepts. With St. Brown, Williams and LaPorta ahead of him, he has accounted for just 6.6% of Detroit's first-read targets in his games. I wouldn't roster him in a typical league without an injury ahead of him.

Green Bay Packers Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Christian Watson - Hold

Watson has run 41% of his routes on go/fade/seam, post or corner concepts, giving him plenty of chances to hit a home run. Green Bay uses play-action on 22% of his routes and lines him up in the slot on 27%. He also has 31 outs and 21 slants, so this is not just the old part-time, deep-threat role. His 23.6% share of Green Bay's first-read targets and nine end-zone targets support a low-end WR1 valuation. The 6-touchdown pace may cool, but I'm not selling him as if the entire season were a fluke.

Matthew Golden - Buy

Golden drew 12 targets against Detroit despite playing through an injury. Green Bay has him moving at the snap on only 4% of his routes and uses play-action on 20%. He's been targeted on 35% of his outs compared with 18% of his go, fade and seam routes, giving him a way to earn volume beyond the deep ball. Golden actually has a higher first-read share than Christian Watson at 28.1%, so the difference is where he gets targeted and what he does with his opportunities (YAC, Catch Rate, etc). I have Golden as a mid-to-high-end WR2.

Savion Williams - Watch

Jayden Reed's absence has opened a slot opportunity for Williams, who has played two games and reached a 68% route share in Week 7. In that limited sample, 63% of his routes have come from the slot and 20% with motion at the snap. Green Bay has also given him 4 carries, but the targets haven't yet followed with Watson, Golden and Kraft still involved. I wouldn't use a typical-league waiver claim yet—in a deeper league, the vacant slot job makes him a worthwhile stash.

Tucker Kraft - Buy

Kraft scored on National Tight End Day for the third straight year, and he has eight red zone targets this season. The Packers use play-action on 22% of his routes. Green Bay has given him flat and curl/hitch routes as well as roughly 75% of its recent passing-down work. I have him as a mid-tier TE1—right next to Colston Loveland and Sam LaPorta.

Houston Texans Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Nico Collins - Buy

Collins had a miserable fantasy day against the Giants, but the targets were still there and I'm not panicking. Digs and slants make up 31% of his routes, and 26% come off play-action. He's been targeted on 22% of his routes this season, while Receiver Score expected closer to 29% from his deployment. The slants and in-breaking work help his outlook, and his 24.6% share of Houston's first-read targets supports a back-end WR1 valuation.

Marvin Harrison Jr. - Deep Stash

Houston looked Harrison's way when he was on the field, but he ran a route on only 27% of its Week 7 dropbacks. Across his season routes, just 2% have included motion at the snap and 14% have come off play-action. The Texans are trying to get him involved, but seem to be content rotating WRs. He’s still getting 41% vertical routes, but an improvement in in-breaking routes at 24%. Just someone to stash in case the team decides to ramp his playing time coming out of the bye.

Tank Dell - Deep Stash

Dell made a big play in his first game back, but Houston used him on only six routes. Harrison is also in a part-time role, and the bye gives the Texans time to sort out how quickly either receiver's playing time grows. Both have enough upside to stash in a deep league.

Jaylin Noel - Watch the Injury

Noel left Week 7 with a toe injury after running a route on 50% of Houston's dropbacks. He lines up in the slot on 71% of his routes and is moving at the snap on 19%, the 10th-highest rate among qualified receivers. He has been targeted on 25% of his play-action routes this season. The only issue for Noel is route share, which I am not sold will change (especially with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tank Dell).

Dalton Schultz - Drop

Houston has given Schultz plenty of underneath routes—48 curls or hitches and 35 flats on 180 season routes. Only 11% of his routes have come off play-action, near the bottom of the qualified tight ends in our sample. The problem is that his route share has dropped to 59% over the last three games, leaving him short of a locked-in TE role even after a busy game against the Giants. He’s a drop in most non-TEP leagues.

Indianapolis Colts Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Josh Downs - Hold (Might get traded)

Downs couldn't get going from the slot against Minnesota despite running a route on 93% of Indianapolis' dropbacks. He lines up in the slot on 69% of his routes and is moving at the snap on 20%—ninth among the 88 qualified receivers. He has run 25 slants this season, and Daniel Jones has targeted available slants nearly three times as often as go, fade and seam routes across the Colts' offense. Downs has also accounted for 23.1% of their first-read targets in his games. I'm holding him as a matchup-dependent WR3 or a potential trade to a situation with a better QB.

Keenan Allen - Hold as PPR Depth

Allen isn't playing every snap, but the Colts still get him involved underneath—he has run 30 dig/in routes and 36 curls or hitches this season. Digs and slants account for 29% of his routes, a top-5 rate among the qualified receivers in our sample. He accounts for 24.8% of Indianapolis' first-read targets in his games, a useful role alongside Downs even when the offense struggles to create explosives. He's a flex or WR3 bye-week fill-in in PPR.

Tyler Warren - Hold

Warren hasn't played since Week 5, but his role before the absence is exactly what I want from a fantasy tight end. Indianapolis used play-action on 25% of his routes and had him in motion at the snap on 17%, both top-5 rates among qualified tight ends. Indianapolis targeted him on 41% of his play-action routes, compared with 15% of his routes without it. He ran a route on 86% of the Colts' dropbacks in his games. He’s a mid-to-low-end TE1 given that this season looks like it’s going nowhere fast and the team may throw out Riley Leonard at any point.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Parker Washington - Buy

I have Washington as a low-end WR1. Jacksonville has lined him up in the slot on 45% of his routes and used play-action on 23%. Jacksonville keeps him involved in two-tight-end sets—he has run a route on 84% of the team's dropbacks in that personnel group, which boosts his target probability. Washington has been targeted on 28% of those routes and accounted for 28.6% of Jacksonville's first-read targets in his games, ahead of Meyers at 17.3% in his. Liam Coen’s slot role is gold for fantasy football.

Jakobi Meyers - Buy at WR4 prices

Meyers is running nearly every route alongside Washington, and Jacksonville has given him 37 dig/in routes and 25 curls or hitches this season. Digs and slants make up 28% of his routes, and 22% come off play-action. He's accounted for 17.3% of the Jaguars' first-read targets in his games, even though he hasn't drawn as many targets overall as Receiver Score expected from those routes. I am buying him in leagues where I can get him for almost nothing—he’s running high-value routes in a good offense—the better days will come. He’s a WR3.

Brian Thomas Jr. - Hold in case of a trade

He’s not playing enough to matter while he’s on the Jaguars and his role when he’s out there is not great for fantasy football. Only 8% of his season routes include motion at the snap, while 34% are go, fade, seam, post or corner patterns. The only logical thing is to hold him through the trade deadline.

Brenton Strange - Stream or Trade

Strange has earned 33 targets, and has been targeted on 35% of his routes with pre-snap or at-snap motion. He is moving at the snap on 16% of his routes and runs 21% off play-action. His 72% route share over the last three games makes him more of a streamer or high-end TE2. I would rather have Harold Fannin or Travis Kelce if people are selling those.

Kansas City Chiefs Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Rashee Rice - Hold

We don’t have enough data from this season to approximate his value. Before the injury, he had lined up in the slot on 45% of his routes and run 24% off play-action. Before the injury he was a sell because of where he was drafted. If he comes back healthy. There’s clearly a gaping hole that the model believes he would fill and also create a better middle-class for the WR2 tier.

Xavier Worthy - Sell

Worthy ran a route on 92% of Kansas City's dropbacks against Seattle, but he didn't do much with the opportunity in a difficult matchup. Kansas City uses play-action on 30% of his routes and has him moving at the snap on 16%. The Chiefs have targeted him on 39% of his routes in motion at the snap and use him on outs as well as vertical routes. That usage keeps him in the WR3 range while Rice is out, though the motion sample is small and Rice's return will change the target competition. I'd move Worthy if another manager pays for a steady WR2 before Rice returns.

Cyrus Allen - Deep Stash

I think Allen might be Kansas City's most talented receiver, though that's not saying much about the current room. Even without Rice, he ran a route on just 28% of the Chiefs' Week 7 dropbacks, mostly from the slot. I'd stash him in a deeper league in case they lean in later.

Travis Kelce - Mid-to-Low TE1

With Rice out, Kelce ran a route on 94% of Kansas City's Week 7 dropbacks and remained the top pass catcher. He is moving at the snap on 24% of his routes, the highest rate among the 34 qualified tight ends in our sample, and play-action is used on 28%. His season route tree includes 41 curls or hitches and 25 flats, giving the Chiefs ways to get him involved underneath. I have him as a mid-to-low TE1 ROS.

Los Angeles Chargers Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Ladd McConkey - Hold

The Chargers have used him in the slot on 46% of his routes and off play-action on 30%, and I still have him as a WR2/WR3 when healthy. That play-action share ranks eighth among the 88 qualified receivers in our sample. Maybe the bye week reinvigorated this offense.

Quentin Johnston - Drop

Johnston is on the field plenty—he has run a route on 81% of the Chargers' dropbacks in his five games—but 40% of his routes are go/fade/seam, post or corner concepts. Play-action is used on 27% of his routes, but only 5% include motion at the snap. Receiver Score expects a target on only 13% of his routes based on that deployment, and I see him as a roster clogger in most formats.

Tre Harris - Watch

Harris hasn't played since Week 5, when he finished with a 41% route share. In his games, 41% of his routes came from the slot and 25% came off play-action. He accounted for 20.0% of the Chargers' first-read targets in his games and earned a target on 40% of his outs, but he needs more playing time to turn that usage into a weekly fantasy role. I'm leaving him on the wire in typical leagues, but the model thinks there’s a possibility he’s a good add if he gets playing time.

Oronde Gadsden II - Drop

Gadsden's route share climbed to 66% over the Chargers' last three games, but he has accounted for only 10.7% of their first-read targets in his games this season. The Chargers use play-action on 22% of his routes and have him in the slot on 35%. I'm leaving him on the wire in typical redraft leagues and dropping in TEP.

Los Angeles Rams Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Puka Nacua - Buy

Nacua played through the calf concern and ran a route on 97% of the Rams' dropbacks in Week 7. The Rams have him moving at the snap on 22% of his routes and use play-action on 25%. Los Angeles has targeted him on 51% of his routes in motion at the snap, and roughly 67% of his targets have come fewer than 10 yards downfield or behind the line—exactly the kind of work that lets Matthew Stafford get the ball to him quickly. With Davante Adams out, Nacua is my WR1 overall, and Receiver Score has him there for the rest of the season, too.

Davante Adams - Hold if you can afford the spot

The Rams placed Adams on injured reserve after saying on Oct. 19 that they expected him to miss 6-10 weeks. His role next to Nacua was excellent, but that's a long stretch to carry a player on an active bench when you need wins. He's an IR stash, and I'd explore a trade if I need wins now.

Konata Mumpfield - Watch

Mumpfield ran more routes in 2WR sets than I expected with Adams out and reached a 63% route share in Week 7. Only 8% of his season routes have come off play-action, the lowest rate among qualified receivers in our sample. The catch is that the Rams have sent him out on 62% of their 11-personnel dropbacks and only 5% in 13 personnel, so heavier formations can still squeeze him off the field. He's a contingent option if Nacua misses time or the Rams are likely to drop back a ton.

Tyler Higbee - Stream

Higbee's route share fell to 56% in Week 7 even with Adams out, and Davis Allen scored twice while the Rams rotated their tight ends. He is moving at the snap on 23% of his routes, the second-highest rate among qualified tight ends in our sample. He still had a high snap share in Week 7, so I’m optimistic he’s playable in Week 8. I'll give him another week as a streamer.

Las Vegas Raiders Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Tre Tucker - Buy

Tucker has been a Receiver Score favorite since the preseason, and his playing time has held up even when Las Vegas uses two tight ends—he's run a route on 90% of its 12-personnel dropbacks. Play-action is used on 18% of his routes, while 38% are go, fade, seam, post or corner patterns. He has a mix of outs and go/fade/seam routes, and Cousins has targeted available outs nearly twice as often as those vertical routes across the offense. Tucker has also accounted for 23.3% of the Raiders' first-read targets in his games, and he's a weekly WR3 with Cousins.

Jalen Nailor - Leave on the wire

Nailor's route share climbed to 76% in Week 7, with his targets coming an average of 15.2 yards downfield. His route mix is also vertical-heavy—41% are go, fade, seam, post or corner patterns and 16% come off play-action. Across his games, he has run a route on 65% of the Raiders' dropbacks in 12 personnel, their most common formation. Does not have a fantasy-friendly role.

Brock Bowers - Buy

The Raiders used 12 personnel on 88% of their Week 7 dropbacks, and Bowers has run a route on 97% of their dropbacks from that package in his five games. He has been in motion at the snap on 21% of his routes, third among the qualified tight ends in our sample. He has accounted for 31.3% of the Raiders' first-read targets in his games (Elite WR levels). Bowers is my TE1 overall— he’s a WR1 level player at TE.

Michael Mayer - Stream

The Raiders stayed in two-tight-end personnel even while trailing in Week 7, and Mayer ran a route on 76% of their dropbacks alongside Bowers. Play-action is used on 18% of his routes and 24% begin from the slot. He's been targeted on 27% of his flat routes and 35% of his play-action routes, giving Kirk Cousins another underneath option. He can give us back-end TE1 weeks in favorable matchups and is one of the few or only TE handcuffs (will not be as good as Bowers).

Miami Dolphins Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Malik Washington - Sell

Washington ran a route on 85% of Miami's dropbacks against the Jets, mostly from the slot, with his targets averaging 4.7 yards downfield. For the season, 54% of his routes have come from the slot and 21% off play-action. He has accounted for 28.1% of the Dolphins' first-read targets in his games and has been targeted on 29% of his play-action routes this season. That short-area volume makes him a useful PPR flex and a low-end WR3 or WR4 depending on the matchup.

Caleb Douglas - Fade

Douglas scored twice on 3 targets, but the route mix makes that difficult to count on. He has been in motion at the snap on only 5% of his routes. He has played most of Miami's passing downs in his three games, with 41% of his routes coming on go, post or corner patterns and only 3 targets on those routes. He's a WR4 or worse.

Chris Bell - Watch

Bell ran a route on 69% of Miami's dropbacks against the Jets, but the Dolphins' personnel choices matter for his playing time. Just 2% of his season routes include motion at the snap, and 16% begin from the slot. He has run routes on 77% of their three-WR dropbacks in his games and 42% when they use two backs and one tight end. With Malik Washington and Greg Dulcich also competing for targets, I'm leaving Bell on the wire in typical leagues, but I’ll be intrigued if Washington misses time.

Greg Dulcich - TE-premium look

Dulcich gave Miami an underneath option against the Jets and ran a route on 73% of the dropbacks. He has run 18% of his routes off play-action, with 20% beginning in the slot. His playing time changes with personnel—he has run routes on 79% of the Dolphins' 11-personnel dropbacks in his games, compared with 18% in 21 personnel. He's a TE3 option in TE-premium leagues and you can plug him in in a pinch.

Minnesota Vikings Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Justin Jefferson - Sell for a WR1

Jefferson has run a route on 97% of Minnesota's dropbacks in his last two games and accounted for 30.3% of the team's first-read targets in his five games. The Vikings use play-action on 37% of his routes—the highest rate among the 88 qualified receivers in our sample. The concern for me is Minnesota's passing volume, which may leave him in WR2 territory despite that role. I'd explore moving Jefferson for Chris Olave if you can cover New Orleans' Week 8 bye.

Jordan Addison - Fade

Addison has run a route on 96% of Minnesota's dropbacks over the last two games, but 43% of his season routes are go/fade/seam, post or corner patterns and he has been targeted on only 12% of those routes. Minnesota uses play-action on 30% of his routes, a top-5 rate in the qualified receiver sample. I'm concerned the passing volume won't support him alongside Jefferson. I think he’s a handcuff, but a roster clogger if Jefferson is healthy.

T.J. Hockenson - Hold

Hockenson has been targeted on 36% of his routes over Minnesota's last three games. He has run 23% of his season routes off play-action and 40% from the slot. He has earned targets on 35% of his inline routes this season and 19% from the slot. I have him as a high-end TE2.

New England Patriots Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

A.J. Brown - High-end WR2

Brown ran a route on 94% of New England's dropbacks against Chicago after returning from injury, even though the fantasy production was quiet. Digs and slants account for 39% of his routes in those three games. He has primarily played outside in his three games, earning a target on 26% of those routes and 30.5% of the Patriots' first-read targets. I'm keeping him as a high-end WR2.

Demario Douglas - Leave on the wire

Douglas spent 92% of his routes in the slot against Chicago. For the season, he has been in the slot on 84% of his routes and in motion at the snap on 22%—the sixth-highest motion rate among qualified receivers. His playing time is tied to personne—he has run routes on 93% of New England's three-WR dropbacks and just 16% in two-tight-end sets. If only he were getting full-time WR reps.

Hunter Henry - TE2 or Streamer

Henry took advantage of a Chicago defense missing a starting linebacker, while Raridon also made plays in New England's 2TE packages. Curls, hitches and outs make up 36% of Henry's routes, while 15% come off play-action. Henry has produced 42.3 receiving points over his last three games from routes worth 21.4 expected, helped by 2 touchdowns. With a 69% route share over that stretch, he's a TE2 for me.

Eli Raridon - Watch in deep leagues

Raridon made the most of his 15 routes in Week 7, with 73% coming in 2TE sets. Across his games, 23% of his routes have come off play-action and 34% have been vertical patterns. In his games, he has run a route on 86% of New England's dropbacks in that package and only 16% in 3WR sets. He interests me in deeper TE-premium leagues, especially if the Patriots continue using 12 personnel or Henry misses time.

New Orleans Saints Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Chris Olave - Buy

Curls and hitches account for 27% of Olave's routes, third among the 88 qualified receivers. He's moving at the snap on 13% of his routes and runs 14% off play-action. He has accounted for 35.2% of the Saints' first-read targets in his games. He's a WR1 for me.

Devaughn Vele - Sell

Vele ran a route on 93% of New Orleans' Week 7 dropbacks, primarily from the slot, and has been targeted on 31% of his outs this season. For the season, 55% of his routes have come from the slot and 16% with motion at the snap. He has five end-zone targets and has accounted for 21.2% of the Saints' first-read targets in his games. Vele is a weekly WR3 while without Jordyn Tyson. When Tyson is back Vele won’t be as effective, so now is the time to sell before Tyson is healthy.

Juwan Johnson - Drop except in TEP

Johnson's route share has fallen to 59% over the Saints' last three games as Noah Fant and Oscar Delp mix in. He is moving at the snap on 17% of his routes and lines up in the slot on 53%. All four of his end zone targets came before that stretch, leaving him fewer chances to produce in the current rotation. He's a TE2.

New York Giants Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Malik Nabers - Buy

J.J. McCarthy found Nabers early and often in his first start, and the quarterback change didn't slow his usage. Only 17% of his routes come off play-action and 5% feature motion at the snap, yet Receiver Score values his overall deployment at a 30% expected target rate. Nabers ran a route on 93% of the Giants' Week 7 dropbacks and has been targeted on 31% of his curls and hitches this season. He has accounted for 33.3% of the Giants' first-read targets in his games and remains an elite WR1 regardless of the quarterback.

Isaiah Likely - Buy

Likely has become a high-volume slot target. He lines up in the slot on 81% of his routes, while only 13% come off play-action. The model obviously does not love McCarthy given last season, but Likely runs so many routes that he can still be a top-5 TE based on volume. He still had a 90% route share, so it’s a good time to buy while they are on bye and he just had a stinker.

New York Jets Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Garrett Wilson - WR2 with concerns

Wilson ran a route on 88% of the Jets' Week 7 dropbacks and finished with 3 targets, a 10% target rate compared with 23% for the season. Only 3% of his routes include motion at the snap, while 22% come off play-action. He has been targeted on 33% of his outs and 36% of his curls or hitches and has accounted for 30.6% of New York's first-read targets in his games. I still have concerns about the passing offense after another game in which it took too long to involve him. He's a WR2.

Omar Cooper - Add for potential

Cooper has 218 yards and 2 touchdowns over his last two games, making big plays even with Adonai Mitchell back. He has lined up in the slot on 67% of his routes and moved at the snap on 17% in his limited sample. He has run a route on 69% of the Jets' three-WR dropbacks in his games. Add him as WR4 depth—if he takes more of Mitchell's role and reaches 80% participation, he can move into the WR3 discussion. The model likes what he’s doing—we just need to see his route share stay high.

Adonai Mitchell - Fade

Mitchell played through his finger injury, but ran a route on only 55% of the Jets' Week 7 dropbacks. The Jets have used play-action on 24% of his routes and motion at the snap on 9%. Cooper had the larger overall role against Miami and kept making plays, even though Mitchell has usually been on the field in three-WR sets. I'd use the roster spot elsewhere in a typical redraft league.

Mason Taylor - Fade

Don’t add Mason Taylor. This is a bad passing offense and he doesn't have enough of a high route share to matter. Same with Kenyon Sadiq (even if Taylor gets hurt).

Philadelphia Eagles Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

DeVonta Smith - Obviously, Sell but you may not get much

He’s a really good player. You don’t need the model to tell you that. The issue is the QB and the team probably going in tank mode with a WR who has sustained his third hamstring injury so far this season. If you can sell, do it.

Makai Lemon - Add

Lemon took the lead receiver role with Smith and Wicks out, running a route on 91% of Philadelphia's Week 7 dropbacks and lining up in the slot on 70% of his routes. For the season, he has lined up in the slot on 66% of his routes, but just 9% have come off play-action. Dallas was a favorable matchup, but it was good to see him as the primary on a ton of routes in Week 7. He’s a low-end WR3 with the other WRs out. Add him if Smith remains out.

Dontayvion Wicks - Hold for now

Wicks ran a route on 80% of Philadelphia's dropbacks in his six games before missing Week 7. Curls, hitches and outs account for 38% of his routes, with play-action used on 16%. I'm holding Wicks, though Lemon has emerged in his absence and Smith's eventual return will add another target earner to the room.

Dallas Goedert - Hold

Goedert ran a route on 73% of Philadelphia's Week 7 dropbacks with Smith and Wicks out and gave the Eagles an underneath option. Just 9% of his season routes have come off play-action, the lowest rate among qualified tight ends in our sample. He's been targeted on 38% of his curls and hitches this season, though Lemon also works underneath and the returning receivers will compete for those looks. Goedert is a low-end TE1 for me unless they shut him down or move on to another QB.

Pittsburgh Steelers Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

DK Metcalf - Hold

Metcalf runs a route on almost every dropback and has accounted for 31.7% of Pittsburgh's first-read targets in his games. He has been in motion at the snap on only 1% of his routes, with 19% coming from the slot. He's been targeted on 24% of his slants this season, while his targets against New Orleans averaged 18.5 yards downfield. The model is more optimistic than I am—I have him no higher than a low-end WR2.

Germie Bernard - Hold while the role lasts

Bernard has taken over a full-time role with Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson on injured reserve, running a route on 96% of Pittsburgh's dropbacks over the last three games. He has been in motion at the snap on 12% of his season routes and used play-action on 17%. The Steelers have targeted him on 45% of his routes in motion at the snap, compared with 15% without motion. That motion sample is small, and the injured receivers' returns could affect both those opportunities and his route share. He's a WR3 while Pittsburgh's room is this thin..

Pat Freiermuth - Hold

Freiermuth ran a route on 79% of Pittsburgh's Week 7 dropbacks with Pittman and Wilson on IR, lining up in the slot on 63% of his routes. Pittsburgh uses play-action on 13% of his season routes. Personnel matters for his playing time—he has run routes on 92% of the Steelers' 12-personnel dropbacks in his games and 64% in 11 personnel. I have him as a high-end TE2 while the receiver room is thin.

Seattle Seahawks Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Buy

Seattle uses play-action on 24% of Smith-Njigba's routes, while 22% are digs or slants. He has accounted for 43.1% of the Seahawks' first-read targets in his games, and 8 touchdowns have helped drive the monster fantasy totals. Even if that scoring pace slows, he's in the WR1-2 overall conversation for me.

Cooper Kupp - Leave on waivers

Kupp ran a route on 88% of Seattle's Week 7 dropbacks and spent 64% of those routes in the slot. Curls, hitches and outs make up 36% of his season routes, while 21% come off play-action. Playing time hasn't been the issue—he has been targeted on just 8% of his curls and hitches this season while JSN commands a much larger share of the Seahawks' first reads. I'm leaving Kupp on the wire.

Rashid Shaheed - Drop

Shaheed left Week 7 with a knee injury, and his route share was already declining before he got hurt. Easy drop.

Tory Horton - Watch

Shaheed's knee injury could open an outside opportunity for Horton, whose talent I still like. Digs and slants make up 26% of Horton's routes, with 23% coming off play-action. Just an intriguing talent to watch in case he gets bigger opportunities to showcase himself.

AJ Barner - Streamer

Barner ran a route on 81% of Seattle's Week 7 dropbacks, with his targets averaging just 0.2 yards downfield. Seattle uses play-action on 23% of his routes, 7th among the 34 qualified tight ends. The Seahawks have targeted him on 28% of his play-action routes this season. He's a matchup-dependent streamer.

San Francisco 49ers Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Mike Evans - Hold and Sell

Evans missed Week 7, and San Francisco has a Week 8 bye. Before the injury, 41% of his routes were go, fade, seam, post or corner patterns, and 22% came off play-action (improving odds of those deep plays to become explosive). Kyle Shanahan says Evans has a chance to return after the bye, and I'm holding him. He’s a WR2 when he plays—I would sell him after a game when he’s healthy.

Deebo Samuel - Add

Samuel hasn't played since Week 5, leaving the 49ers to piece together their receiver room without him and Evans. He lined up in the slot on 42% of his routes before the injury, with 23% coming off play-action. Before the injury, he was in motion at the snap on 26% of his routes and was targeted on 31% of those motion routes. Shanahan says Samuel and Evans both have a chance to return after the Week 8 bye. I'm adding Deebo as a WR3 until others get healthy.

George Kittle - Buy

Kittle has carried San Francisco's passing game while the wideouts are unavailable, running a route on 83% of its Week 7 dropbacks. The 49ers have used play-action on 25% of his routes this season, and Brock Purdy has directed 25.8% of his targets to tight ends. Kittle has 11 red zone targets and is easily a top-3 TE ROS.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Emeka Egbuka - Hold through the injury

Egbuka ran a route on 89% of Tampa Bay's dropbacks in his six games before missing Week 7. Curls, hitches and outs make up 38% of his routes, while 21% come off play-action. He has been in motion at the snap on 25.9% of his routes—the second-highest rate among the 88 wide receivers in our 40-route sample—and has drawn a target on 41% of his outs. I'm holding him as a starting receiver when healthy.

Chris Godwin - Hold as depth

Tampa Bay got Godwin the ball near the line against Carolina, with his targets averaging -1.4 yards downfield. He lines up in the slot on 55% of his routes, and 23% are digs or slants. Roughly 33% of his season targets have come behind the line, so a lot of his yardage has to come after the catch. He's PPR depth for me.

Cade Otton - Fade

Otton ran a route on 92% of Tampa Bay's meaningful Week 7 dropbacks, but the Buccaneers barely needed to throw. He is in motion at the snap on 16% of his routes and runs 20% off play-action. He's been targeted on 30% of his play-action routes this season and 9% without it, while his last three games brought targets on only 6% of his routes. I'd drop him for Barner if I need a streamer.

Tennessee Titans Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Carnell Tate - Buy

Tate ran a route on 94% of Tennessee's Week 7 dropbacks and has accounted for 32.4% of its first-read targets in his games. Digs and slants make up 26% of his routes, and 20% come off play-action. His 12.1-yard average target depth shows that the downfield work is still there. Tate is a low-end WR2 for me, even in a limited offense.

Wan'Dale Robinson - Hold

Robinson ran a route on 82% of Tennessee's Week 7 dropbacks and spent 81% of his routes in the slot. For the season, 75% of his routes have come from the slot and 40% have been curls, hitches or outs. He has accounted for 25.9% of their first-read targets in his games, which is strong and helps for bye weeks. It's always a good idea to get a player who is guaranteed 5-6 targets most games.

Elic Ayomanor - Watch

Ayomanor ran a route on 91% of Tennessee's Week 7 dropbacks with Calvin Ridley inactive, and his targets averaged 14.4 yards downfield. Digs and slants make up 26% of his routes, while 22% come off play-action. He has drawn a target on 30% of his slants this season and just 5% of his go, fade and seam routes. He's a deep-bench option while Ridley is out and could be valuable if Tate missed time. He looks much improved this season.

Gunnar Helm - Leave on the wire

Helm's Week 7 route share rose to 70%, but he hasn't drawn enough targets to earn a starting spot. He lines up in the slot on 58% of his routes, but only 5% include motion at the snap and 12% come off play-action. Tennessee has targeted him on 10% of his flat routes and 22% of his curls or hitches this season. I'm leaving him on the wire—it’s not a good fantasy role.

Washington Commanders Receiver Score Fantasy Football Takeaways

Stefon Diggs - Buy

Diggs has lined up in the slot on 65% of his routes, with hitches, curls and outs prominent in the mix. Those route types account for 41% of his routes, though just 11% come off play-action. He ran a route on 80% of Washington's dropbacks in 11 personnel during his games, compared with 34% in 12 personnel. Terry McLaurin's injury likely means a higher route share, which is the only thing holding him back. I have him as a back-end WR2.

Antonio Williams - Stash

Williams ran a route on 73% of Washington's dropbacks over its last three games, including 91% in 11 personnel and 36% in 12 personnel. He lines up in the slot on 49% of his season routes, and 36% are curls, hitches or outs. Dan Quinn expects the rookie to see more targets with McLaurin out. I'm stashing him as a WR4.

Chig Okonkwo - Add/Buy

Okonkwo ran a route on 84% of Washington's dropbacks in his last game and drew 7 targets (all first reads after McLaurin went down). He has lined up in the slot on 48% of his season routes and run 21% off play-action. The Commanders have targeted him on 31% of his inline routes this season and 8% from the slot, and McLaurin's injury opens another opportunity for targets. I have Okonkwo as a low-end TE1 with the potential to be a top-2 target earner in this offense, which is a fantasy football cheat code for TE production.

Published Oct 28, 2026, 6:00 PM ET