NFL Player News

Williams also focused on building lower-body strength this offseason, adding five to eight pounds in the process. He believes this strength could help him develop as a centerfield target, which is the primary thing to note for fantasy purposes. A 2019 Rotoworld study showed that targets thrown over the middle, 10-plus yards downfield, are more valuable than those thrown along the sideline at an equivalent depth. Williams went 0-for-5 on centerfield targets as a rookie. Improving his play over the middle will help him challenge for a role in the Patriots’ starting three-wide receiver set. Williams also said he hopes to be more consistent, build chemistry with QB Drake Maye and master the playbook this offseason.

As expected based on the morning reporting. Meyers can be trusted as a WR4/FLEX mix against the Colts. Inactive for the Jaguars are S Antonio Johnson (knee), WR CJ Williams, CB Alijah Huzzie, LB Jamal Hill, DE Wesley Williams and DT Albert Regis.

Zaccheus and Zachariah Branch will split the WR3 duties for Atlanta today. Neither player is on the fantasy radar for Week 8.

Dugger is ruled out after not practicing all week due to a quad injury. The rest of the Bengals’ inactives consist of healthy scratches and they enter Week 8 against the Titans with a relatively clean bill of health.

Moore and TE Dalton Kincaid are both officially active, giving the Bills two of their top playmakers in what projects as one of the best matchups of the Week 8 slate against the Ravens. Moore returns for his first game since Week 4 and has caught 12 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown on 19 targets. He’ll profile as a fringe WR1/WR2 at home. The Bills declared WR Skyler Bell, CB Dee Alford, S Jalon Kilgore, LB Mike Danna, OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, OT Spencer Brown, and DL Greg Gaines inactive for Week 8.

Melton is one of three questionables for the Cardinals that will suit up on Sunday, along with Hjalte Froholdt (knee) and Andrew Wingard (knee). Walter Nolen (ankle) and Jon Gaines (ankle/knee) were ruled out on Friday. Also inactive for the Cardinals are QB Carson Beck (emergency 3rd QB), OL Albert Reese, CB Starling Thomas V, RB Evan Hull and LB Eku Leota.

Coming off injured reserve, Bech is active for the first time since Week 3. He was a small part of the offense before going down, but with this new coaching staff in evaluation mode, perhaps he will see more work down the stretch. He is nevertheless currently off the radar in 12-team leagues. Inactive for the Silver and Black are WR Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR Malik Benson, S Tristin McCollum, S Dalton Johnson, OG Bryce Cabeldue, DT JJ Pegues and QB Aidan O’Connell.

Jones was able to practice in full on Friday after battling the lingering knee issue all week. He could be somewhat limited against Detroit, creating a potentially bigger workload for Jordan Mason, who profiles as a flex option in 12-team leagues. Vikings declared Jakobe Thomas, Charles Demmings, Demond Claiborne, Caleb Tiernan, Elijah Williams, and Max Brosmer inactive against the Lions.

Ridley entered the week questionable due to a hip injury but will be active after getting in a full practice on Friday. The Titans declared WR Carnell Tate, RB Tyjae Spears, P Tommy Townsend, CB Jaylon Jones, OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, TE Kylen Granson, and DT Jackie Marshall inactive for Week 8 against the Bengals. Ridley will be one of the Titans’ top pass-catchers with Carnell Tate (shoulder) already ruled out, but is not more than a touchdown-dependent fantasy WR4 this week.

Right tackle Luke Goedeke is also active. Gainwell will continue mixing in behind Bucky Irving this week. He has yet to hit a dozen fantasy points in a game this year and there’s no reason to expect that to change anytime soon. Gainwell is a low-end RB4 for Week 8. Inactive for the Bucs are DL DeMonte Capehart, WR Emeka Egbuka, CB Ayden Garnes, OT Luke Haggard, and OG Billy Schrauth.