Every Monday of the NFL regular season, we will showcase exceptional player performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success in fantasy football. We will rank these performances from ? to ????? based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.
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Fantasy Football Heat Index
Quarterback
Stats: 19/29, 238 passing yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB6 (26.62 points)
Analysis: In his first career NFL start, Tennessee quarterback Will Levis showed more upside than any of us expected. In his NFL debut, the rookie signal-caller completed 19/29 passes, had 238 passing yards, and threw four passing touchdowns.
With Ryan Tannehill on Injured Reserve and sidelined for at least three more games, Levis looks like the Titans starting quarterback in the short term and potentially beyond. Levis platooned with rushing threat Malik Willis early in Tennessee’s 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, but it didn’t take long for Head Coach Mike Vrabel to pivot to Levis as their guy.
Don’t expect 4+ touchdowns on a weekly basis, but Levis is looking like an intriguing Superflex option moving forward. It’s only a one-week sample size, but Levis showed a tremendous chemistry with Titans wide receiver Deandre Hopkins.
Heat Index: ??
Running Back
Stats: 19 att, 80 rushing yards, 3 TD, 2 receptions, 14 receiving yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB1 (28.4 points)
Analysis: One week after finishing as the RB6 in fantasy football, Baltimore running back Gus Edwards set his expectations even higher. As the current RB1 on the week, I’d say Edwards delivered for his fantasy football managers.
In Baltimore’s 31-24 victory over Arizona, Edwards finished with 94 total yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He’s received 12+ carries in five consecutive contests and has 10+ attempts in all but one game this season. With that type of volume, Edwards is basically locked into most starting lineups until something changes.
Heat Index: ????
Wide Receiver
Stats: 8 receptions, 108 receiving yards, 1 TD, 10 targets
Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR7 (20.8 points)
Analysis: Entering this season, many fantasy football analysts had Washington wide receiver Jahan Dotson pegged as a potential breakout candidate. That just hasn’t happened this season.
Before Sunday, Dotson had 10+ fantasy points in only one game this season. In Week 8, Dotson finally broke out with season-highs in targets (10), receptions (8), and receiving yards (108). He’s the current WR7 on the week.
You have to be wary of these one-game sample sizes, so consider selling high if anyone is interested in Dotson’s services. That said, nothing is stopping Dotson from repeating that type of performance a handful of times down the stretch of the season.
Heat Index: ???
Stats: 6 receptions, 92 receiving yards, 0 TD, 6 targets
Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR23 (12.2 points)
Analysis: With tight end Dawson Knox landing on Injured Reserve, most people predicted a Dalton Kincaid breakout. Not only did that occur, but the Bills might have found another weapon in wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
Knox’s absence led to Buffalo scrapping the majority of their 12-personnel stuff and reverting back to more 3WR sets. That led to a massive bump in Shakir’s usage, as he hauled in all six of his targets for a season-high six receptions and 92 receiving yards.
Both Shakir and Trent Sherfield have jumped ahead of Deonte Hardy on the depth chart, but Shakir is looking like the WR3 in this offense. Shakir out-snapped Sherfield 45-22 and ran twice as many routes in Buffalo’s 24-18 victory over Tampa Bay back on Thursday Night Football.
Heat Index: ??
Tight End
Stats: 10 receptions, 95 receiving yards, 1 TD, 14 targets
Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE2 (20.5 points)
Analysis: With veteran Zach Ertz moved to Injured Reserve, tight end Trey McBride has stepped into the TE1 role in Arizona. McBride responded with ten receptions, 95 receiving yards, and his first touchdown of the season.
McBride was a popular waiver addition this past week, but it’s worth checking his availability in your fantasy leagues. The tight end led the Cardinals in receptions, receiving yards, and targets in Week 8 and will soon have quarterback Kyler Murray throwing him the ball.
If you’re struggling at tight end and didn’t take my Dalton Kincaid advice last week, you should be looking to pick up McBride immediately. Even if this level of volume doesn’t continue, it doesn’t take much to be fantasy-relevant at the tight end position.
Heat Index: ???
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