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- This Sneaky RB2 Is Now A Must-Add
With the Colts 2-5, the Jonathan Taylor trade rumors are starting to heat up.
They already fired GM Chris Ballard and now they are reportedly open to moving anyone before the Nov. 10 trade deadline … including Taylor.
Taylor—who is still under contract through 2028 after signing a two-year, $44 million extension—is apparently drawing some interest from teams like the Packers, Seahawks, Broncos, and Vikings.
Most interestingly for fantasy, though, is what this would mean for the Colts backfield.
And there’s one clear beneficiary—and someone who is a priority add across all league formats this week—rookie RB Seth McGowan.
Not only is he the only other back on the roster getting any work, he saw his biggest workload of the season:
31% of the snaps
34% of the rush attempts (11 for 46)
43% of the short-down-and-distance snaps
I think it’s fair to be skeptical of Taylor actually getting moved—the asking price is likely much higher than what teams would be willing to give up—but McGowan should be rostered regardless.
He’s a legit Tier 1 handcuff who would be in line for a big workload if JT got hurt, but then you also get to free roll any extra trade outs that would thrust him into a starting gig.
McGowan is currently available in 67% of leagues, so get moving.
For more Week 8 waiver adds, Alex Cupps has you covered:
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There’s a peace of mind that comes with knowing you have certain players on your fantasy roster. That Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase stack is just so sweet. See Bijan Robinson in that RB1 slot, you can just write him down for 100+ scrimmage yards and a couple TDs. And Trey McBride, just chalk him up for 10+ targets and elite WR numbers out of the TE slot.
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Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …
💪 We’ve been waiting on this QB to become a thing. Dual-threat streamer?
🩸 Wasn’t this TE supposed to be a hidden gem? Now very droppable.
👀 What does the RB1 do for an encore? Look at that matchup.
🏴☠️ Is there a WR to target for the Raiders? All the passes can’t go to Brock Bowers.
🔮 So ready for this rookie WR to finally debut. Buy him in dynasty?
🏈 Revenge game on tap for a TE. Start him?
🏃 QBs with 1,000+ passing yards & 200+ rushing yards … two surprises here!
🏆 Is there a new Super Bowl futures pick favorite? No more injuries, please.
🤔 The Seahawks need him back. Maybe this week?
🤝 Maybe they should consider a QB change! Just sayin’…
🔗 Make sure these RBs are no longer on the waiver wire. Very valuable.
🛻 7 waiver wire adds to make. Important pickups.
🧞♂️ Did CeeDee grant your MNF miracle? Your wish …
No. 1 Takeaway From The Week 7 Utilization Report
KC Concepcion is the Browns' No. 1 receiving option
Concepcion compiled 23.2 fantasy points against in Week 7. He might have had a 30-point outing if he hadn't dropped a deep throw. The Round 1 NFL pick was gaining momentum over the previous three healthy games, with 25%, 24% and 26% target shares in a full-time role. That crescendoed at 29% against the Titans.
In Todd Monken's offense, he plays a role similar to Zay Flowers. Among 63 WRs with at least 150 routes, Concepcion ranks among the league leaders in cheat-code schematic advantages:
Motion at the snap: 24% (4th)
Percentage of targets on play action: 24% (17th)
Slot alignment: 58% (5th)
This scheme is built to get the ball to its best playmaker and let him create after the catch. He ranks 7th in yards after the catch (YAC) at 5.7 per reception. And his yards per route run (YPRR) is now up to 1.69.
But Concepcion has also faced obstacles. First, his 6.5-yard aDOT ranks 57th. It can be hard to compile high-end outcomes in that range. However, Concepcion's average route depth (8.5) actually aligns more closely with names like Drake London, Malik Nabers, Ja'Marr Chase, and Matthew Golden. It is in the sweet spot for fantasy production.
Second, Concepcion plays in a below-average passing offense. The Browns rank 23rd in passing YPG (212). He also competes with two other viable receiving options: Harold Fannin and Denzel Boston. Concepcion and Boston complement each other, with Boston working as the vertical threat—his 10.7 average route depth ranks 8th. But Fannin (7.0 route depth) is working the same area of the field.
Still, it is impressive that, in his first year, Concepcion leads the team in targets per route run (23%), and that probably won't change given the scheme. He is averaging 10.7 PPG with a 61 Utilization Score in five healthy games as the starter. Historical comparisons averaged 11.7 PPG, with almost all finishing as WR3s or WR4s.
WR13-24 seasons: 6% (outlier ceiling outcome → sell high)
WR25-36: 40% (ceiling outcome → hold)
WR37-48: 40% (floor outcome → buy)
WR49+: 12% (outlier floor outcome → buy low)
Concepcion's optimistic ceiling is high-end WR3 territory, with 14% of his comparisons reaching that range. To reach WR2 territory, this passing attack needs more consistency.
Concepcion UPGRADES to low-end WR3 status.
Week 8 DST Streamers: Bengals Come A Long Way
Remember the days when you would circle the dates that your fantasy players were facing the Bengals and know that it was going to be a good day? And if you needed a streaming quarterback, you just looked for that striped helmet and know who to put your waiver claim on. Those days are looking further in the past, and Jonathan Fuller makes a case to target the Bengals as a streaming option this week, along with two others. ⤵️
Week 7 Overreactions: Who Was WR1?
So many overreactions following Week 7. Tony Pollard. Zay Flowers. Cam Skattebo. Just to name a few. Kendall and Pete get into all of them, and more. Plus, they’re joined by Scott Turner for the weekly Real Football vs. Fake Football segment. Please subscribe to the Fantasy Life Show YouTube channel.
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