Before we get to my random thoughts for the week. Let’s quickly go over some of the impactful trades that occurred this week and what they mean from a fantasy perspective. Jakobi Meyers heads to the Jaguars to become the starter opposite Brian Thomas. This is a big upgrade at receiver for the Jaguars, giving Trevor Lawrence a nice one-two punch. Something was needed after the team lost Travis Hunter. Meyers probably doesn’t see much of an increase in his fantasy value, though. He heads to a better offense but has more quality options to compete with for playing time. As for the Raiders, look for rookies Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech to get a chance for more playing time. Neither is very exciting fantasy options but might be worth streaming if one emerges and starts getting consistent targets.

Rashid Shaheed heads to the Seahawks but we aren’t sure the exact role he plays with his new team. Tory Horton is emerging as a legit threat for the Seahawks and Cooper Kupp remains around. Shaheed could play more of a situational role, being used to stretch the field for the high-powered Seahawks offense. This is likely a lateral move for him. He heads to a much better passing game but could get a few less targets. The Saints could turn to Devaughn Vele for a starting role opposite Chris Olave. Vele might be worth a look for fantasy teams in deeper formats.

The rest of the big trades were defensively. Cornerback Sauce Gardner was traded to the Colts, giving that team a big upgrade in the secondary. He should be a huge help to that pass defense, which has been a problem at times for the Colts this year.

The Colts traded receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets in the Gardner trade. This is good news for Mitchell, who was seeing little playing time with the Colts. It would not surprise to see Mitchell emerge as a starter for the Jets sooner than later. His fantasy value is on the rise with this move.

The Jets also traded defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. Williams is a huge upgrade for the defensive line. He should help shore up the run defense a little and provide a better pass rush. The Cowboys still have plenty of holes defensively, though, so don’t expect this defense to suddenly be a difference maker for fantasy teams.

All and all, it was an interesting trade deadline, seeing several players getting traded. Sometimes it can be a little boring in the NFL, but at least we are seeing a little more movement in recent years. It takes for an exciting time of year.

Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .

I wouldn’t get too down on Daniel Jones after his turnover-filled game. He had to throw the ball 50 times last week as the Colts played catchup. This isn’t a formula that is going to be advantageous for Jones to succeed. The Colts will be in closer games going forward, so I look for Jones to rebound. Don’t panic over one bad week. I don’t like him much from a fantasy perspective this week, but still feel he will be just fine in this offense going forward. You can’t discount what he has done to start the year.

Now the Cowboys offense is starting to concern me. This unit was rolling early in the year but fell on hard times in recent weeks. Dak Prescott has fewer than 19 fantasy points two straight games and CeeDee Lamb is yet to have that monster game this year. It is a little concerning, seeing Prescott struggle to find success after his great start to the season. The entire Cowboys team is a mess right now, so you have to wonder if they will find their footing again. Not good in Dallas right now.

Drake London is so good. The performance he had last week was unbelievable. And I don’t have total faith in his quarterback, which makes his numbers this season even more impressive. He is so big and strong, making tough catches look easy. If Michael Penix keeps growing, London is just going to get better. The sky is the limit for London.

What the heck is going on with Rome Odunze? He didn’t catch a pass this last week and has fewer than 35 yards three of four games. The Bears have a lot of weapons in the passing game, though, so don’t be surprised if some of these guys disappear some weeks. There are just a lot of mouths to feed. Oduzne will have some big games the rest of the way. Don’t get too fired up over his down play in recent weeks.

It is amazing what a healthy Brock Bowers can do. He has really struggled with a knee injury since early in the season but finally looked healthy last week. Bowers didn’t have that bulky knee brace on last week and looked much quicker. He had one of those game-changing fantasy performances. It was actually one of the best fantasy games for a tight end ever, scoring 43.3 fantasy points. And now with Meyers gone, you could see Bowers getting even more looks in this offense. He could be a league-winner this season.

I actually feel like Rico Dowdle could be in the same boat as Bowers. The Panthers have given Dowdle the lead role once again and he looked amazing last week against a really good Packers rush defense. He now has 100-yard rushing games three of five. The Panthers are going to run their offense through him the rest of the way. Look for a ton of volume from Dowdle the rest of the way.

News and Notes: The Falcons signed kicker Zane Gonzalez and released kicker Parker Romo on Tuesday. Gonzalez will take over the kicking duties for the Falcons going forward. . . . .The Jaguars acquired wide receiver Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round draft picks on Tuesday. Meyers should move into a starting role immediately for the Jaguars. . . . .The Jets acquired wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks from the Colts on Tuesday in exchange for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Mitchell could move into a prominent role with the Jets while Gardner becomes the top cornerback for the Colts. . . . .The Bears acquired defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a seventh-round draft pick from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for a sixth-round pick. . . . .Dallas traded for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams from the Jets in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and more on Tuesday. Williams is a huge upgrade along the line for the Cowboys. . . . .The Seahawks acquired wide receiver Rashid Shaheed from the Saints for a fourth- and fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft on Tuesday. . . . .The Bengals traded linebacker Logan Wilson to the Cowboys for a seventh-round pick on Tuesday. . . .Miami traded defensive end Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles for a third-round pick on Tuesday. Phillips gives the Eagles another top edge rusher along the line.

HOT PLAYS

Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants. Dart just keeps getting it done. He is third overall in fantasy quarterback scoring his last three games. He has 20-plus fantasy points every game he has played this year. Dart has four straight games with a rushing touchdown and multiple touchdowns all six of his starts. His consistency is off the charts. Dart should have another big game this week against the Bears, a team that allows the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. The Bears allowed nearly 500-passing yards last week.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers. Warren had his first two-touchdown game of the season last week. He ran for just 31 yards but still got a ton of touches and produced good fantasy numbers. He has 17-plus fantasy points two of three games. We like him to keep it going this week against the Chargers. The Steelers are going to need to score some points to keep up with that offense, so Warren has good touchdown potential once again. Plus, the Chargers have allowed more than 160-rushing yards two games this season.

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers. Allen is 11th in fantasy receiver scoring his last three games and 13th overall for the season. His numbers are even down a little the last two games but has at least five targets each of his last two games. We like him to get it going this week against a bad Steelers secondary. Pittsburgh allows the most fantasy points to receivers this year and 300-yard games three straight and four of five games. You will want to get all Chargers passing game options involved in this one, including Allen.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears. Sure, D’Andre Swift has a chance to return this week, but we are still starting Monangai. He is going to get his touches after nearing nearly 200 total yards in his first NFL start. He has 17-plus fantasy points two of three games. Monangai has looked tremendous in recent weeks and is going to keep getting double-digit touches in this offense. He can post big numbers against this week against the Giants, a team that allows the second-most fantasy points to running backs. The Giants have allowed 192.3-rushing yards per game their last three games.

Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings. Addison was kind of quiet last week but had at least 11 fantasy points four straight before that showing. He has been really good most of the season. Don’t get too down on him over a game. Addison will return to his big ways this week against the Ravens, a team that allows the fifth most fantasy points to receivers. Baltimore has allowed at least 245-passing yards four of five games. 

COLD PLAYS   

Breece Hall, RB, Jets. Hall had his best game of the season his last time out but that was against a brutal Bengals defense. He had fewer than eight fantasy points two straight games before that bit Week 8. He has been up and down in a Jets offense that has struggled often this season. We look for a down game from Hall this week against the Browns. Cleveland has one of the best defenses in football and allows the second fewest fantasy points to running backs.

Woody Marks, RB, Texans. Just when you thought you might be able to start trusting Marks in your fantasy lineup, he scored just 2.7 fantasy points last week. He remains a volatile fantasy play for a team that has struggled to run the ball at times this year. He is more of a matchup play and one against the Jaguars this week is not a good one for Marks. Jacksonville allows the ninth fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Texans ran for just 87 yards against the Jaguars in Week 3.

Daniel Jones, QB, Colts. Jones had his first poor game of the season last week, turning the ball over five times. The Colts got down early in this game, though, and had to air it often much of the second half. This wasn’t a good thing for Jones or the Colts offense. We look for them to get a lead this week against the Falcons and take the air out of the ball. Jones could have a ho-hum performance in Week 10 against Atlanta, a team that allows the fifth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. The Falcons have allowed less than 200-passing yards all but a game.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Bills. Shakir is the most dependable fantasy receiver for the Bills. He has 11-plus fantasy points two straight games and six total for the season. His yardage totals aren’t great, though, so he can be a little touchdown dependent. And we aren’t sure he finds the end zone this week against the Dolphins. Miami can’t stop the run but do well against the pass, allowing the fewest fantasy points to receivers. Shakir did score against Miami in Week 3 but had just four receptions for 45 yards.

Tyler Warren, TE, Colts. Warren has cooled a bit since his fantastic start to his NFL career. He has less than double-digit fantasy points two straight games. He is getting looks, having 12 targets those two games, but is making few big plays with those looks. And we think it could be more of the same this week against the Falcons, a team that has completely shut down tight ends this season. Atlanta allows the fewest fantasy points to tight ends.

SLEEPERS    

R.J. Harvey, RB, Broncos. Harvey played 32 percent of the snaps last week, his highest total since Week 4. Harvey has touchdowns three straight games and has 16-plus fantasy points two straight. Harvey is starting to get more work and taking advantage. He has some fantasy potential this week against the Raiders. Las Vegas allows the 12th most fantasy points to running backs and 150-plus rushing yards two straight games.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings. McCarthy returned from his ankle injury last week and played a strong game, leading his team to an upset road win against a good Lions team. McCarthy had a three-touchdown performance, giving him three-touchdown games two of three this season. He has topped 21 fantasy points two games as well. He has some potential in this potent Vikings offense, especially this week against the Ravens. Baltimore allows the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Ty Johnson, RB, Bills. Johnson doesn’t get much weekly work but gets some touches on a weekly basis. He scored a season high 10 fantasy points last week. The only reason we kind of like Johnson this week is because you have to think the Bills are going to blow out the Dolphins. This means that Johnson could get some garbage time touches against a bad defense. Miami allows the sixth most fantasy points to running backs and at least 122-rushing yards all but two games.

Darius Slayton, WR, Giants. Slayton returned to the lineup Week 8 and has played at least 73 percent of the snaps two straight games. He was targeted a season-high seven times last week, catching five passes for 62 yards. He has some potential for the big game in this offense, especially this week against the Bears. Chicago allows the third most fantasy points to receivers. Slayton is worth a look as a WR3 or flex option in Week 10.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans. Schultz had six receptions for 77 yards on eight targets last week against a good Broncos defense. He has 11-plus fantasy points three of four games. He has been really consistent in recent weeks, making him a good spot play for fantasy owners. And this week against the Jaguars might be a spot to play him. Jacksonville struggles to stop the tight end, allowing the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Schultz had five receptions against the Jags in Week 3.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week, we will take a look at some of the high and low-scoring games for the coming week. In high-scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low-scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High Scoring Games: Ravens/Vikings, Bills/Dolphins, Giants/Bears, Patriots/Bucs, Lions/Commanders, Rams/49ers.

Low Scoring Games: Raiders/Broncos, Browns/Jets, Jaguars/Texans, Saints/Panthers.

Bye Weeks: Bengals, Cowboys, Chiefs, Titans.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.