Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
Oct. 6: Falcons' offense has come alive under Michael Penix Jr.
By Michael F. Florio
The Atlanta Falcons are hitting their stride with Michael Penix Jr. They scored 45 points Monday night against the New Orleans Saints and have 80 total in Penix's two starts. Penix threw for 223 yards and one touchdown, finishing with 12.72 fantasy points. He has yet to crack 15 and is primarily a superflex option, although all the QB injuries could change that.
Penix's impact on the Falcons offense cannot be overstated. Bijan Robinson went for 147 total yards and two touchdowns Monday, and in 16 career games with Penix at the helm he has 2,181 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. Robinson saves his best for primetime, which means fantasy managers are in luck, as the Falcons play the Baltimore Ravens on "Sunday Night Football" next week.
Penix also continues to elevate Drake London. After going for 194 yards in Week 3, London was held to a modest 96 yards on five catches Monday. He has 105 catches, 1,576 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 career games with Penix. He has to be viewed as an elite fantasy option as long as Penix is healthy.
And Brian Robinson Jr. had himself a night, turning 15 opportunities into 67 yards and three touchdowns. He has double-digit touches in each of his past three games and has four total touchdowns in the past two games. Robinson should be added off the waiver wire if he is out there. Not only is he one of the top insurance backs, but he is carving out a role with standalone value. He can be a flex option with byes coming up and due to all the injuries.
What else you need to know from 'Monday Night Football':
Chris Olave continues to produce at an extremely high level. He turned 12 targets into eight catches for 116 yards Monday and has topped 19 fantasy points in every game. Outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown, there are not many receivers I would rather have.
It was a tough game for Tyler Shough, who was able to salvage his fantasy night with a last-drive touchdown pass. He finished with 286 yards and the touchdown, failing to top 22 fantasy points for the first time this season (15.94). Still, Shough is in play outside of the tough matchups. But he has just that next week against the Minnesota Vikings, so fantasy managers may want to look at their other options.
Alvin Kamara led the way in the backfield for the Saints with 41% of the snaps, posting seven carries and seven targets. He turned those into 58 yards and two touchdowns. While it is tough to bank on big yardage from Kamara, the pass-game work paired with goal-line usage keeps him in play as a RB2 or flex option.
Juwan Johnson and Devaughn Vele continue to produce for the Saints. Johnson turned eight targets into six catches for 59 yards. He has double-digit fantasy points in every game and is the TE3 on the season. He has earned his way into starting lineups weekly. Vele finished with six catches, 54 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He has topped 11 fantasy points three times. Vele is a high-floor option who can be started most weeks until rookie Jordyn Tyson returns.
Kendre Miller fumbled and the Saints turned to rookie CJ Donaldson late. While Kamara is the only Saints RB you can use for fantasy right now, this RB2 battle is one to monitor moving forward.
Oct. 5: Is Joe Mixon worth picking up after Seattle signing?
By Michael F. Florio
Joe Mixon is signing with the Seahawks, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
We have not seen Mixon since the 2024 season when he was with Houston. That season, he posted 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. That was his fourth straight season topping 1,250 yards and scoring at least nine touchdowns.
Mixon, now 30, is returning from a foot injury that cost him the 2025 season. There is reason to be skeptical that Mixon could reach his old level, but he is still a big name with a productive history in the NFL who is signing with a team that needs healthy running backs. That creates value in fantasy football.
While he is not a top target, Mixon is worth adding off the waiver wire this week just to see what he has left. It's not a bad idea to try to trade him if you are able to add him. People tend to love a big name.
At least for the time being, the Seahawks should still be led by Emanuel Wilson, who just went for 120 yards and two scores Sunday. He will be one of the top waiver wire adds this week in leagues in which he is still available. The Seahawks activated Zach Charbonnet's practice window last week, giving them 21 days to activate him to their roster. They have already ruled him out for Week 5. Jadarian Price, who is on IR because of a chest injury, is out at least three more games.
Oct. 5: Who did -- or didn't -- get the ball Sunday?
The box score doesn't tell you everything. Here are the roles and usage trends from Sunday that stood out to me.
By Eric Moody
Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders
Rachaad White's shoulder injury gave Jacory Croskey-Merritt a chance to take control of the backfield, but that didn't happen. He finished with 11 touches for 50 total yards and 7.0 fantasy points. Austin Ekeler got more involved as the game went on, finishing with five touches for 40 yards and 5.0 points while splitting early-down snaps with Croskey-Merritt in the second half. Ekeler is worth adding in deeper leagues, while Croskey-Merritt is tougher to trust. Kaytron Allen had just three touches for one yard, with Ekeler and Craig Reynolds both playing ahead of him.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
James Cook III finished with 14 touches and 16.3 fantasy points against the Patriots, but it's worth noting that he set a season-low snap total. Ty Johnson continues to handle much of the passing-game and third-down work. This game was never separated by more than one score, so Cook finishing with only 14 touches is worth monitoring. He remains an RB1, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on his usage.
Rhamondre Stevenson left late with a right knee injury, but he was able to walk off under his own power. Before that, he remained the more valuable fantasy back in New England's rotation. Stevenson finished with 16 touches and 18.4 fantasy points, while TreVeyon Henderson had 14 touches for 42 yards and 4.2 points. Stevenson also continued to get the more valuable third-down, two-minute, short-yardage and goal-line work, while leading the Patriots' backfield in snaps, routes, touches and fantasy points.
New York Jets at Chicago Bears
Braelon Allen handled nearly all of the work with Breece Hall out. He played 93% of the Jets' offensive snaps, took all 14 carries and caught both of his targets. Isaiah Davis played just two snaps and didn't get a touch. The fantasy production wasn't huge, but the usage was exactly what managers wanted to see. If Hall remains out, Allen should continue to handle the bulk of the backfield work. It's worth noting that the Jets possessed the ball for just 17:15, their lowest time of possession in a game since Week 16 of the 2005 season, which helps explain why Allen's final touch total wasn't higher.
Kenyon Sadiq was held without a catch, but he did see four targets. More importantly, his snap rate and route participation both increased from Week 3 to Week 4. That's encouraging considering the Jets' low time of possession. It's also worth noting that none of Sadiq's targets were catchable. Looking ahead, the Jets face a Browns defense in Week 5 that has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards to tight ends. Sadiq remains a must-hold player.
Kyle Monangai took over after D'Andre Swift lost a fumble and finished with 30 carries, two touchdowns and 28.0 fantasy points. Swift still handled 15 carries before the benching, so Chicago's backfield remains a committee for now. Monangai's workload shows the upside if Swift misses time or loses more work. Swift remains an RB2, while Monangai is a flex with upside and would move into the RB1 conversation if he became the lead back. It's also worth noting that the Bears possessed the ball for 42:45, their highest time of possession in a game since 1994, which helped create an unusually large number of rushing attempts.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown continued to dominate Cincinnati's backfield, playing a season-high share of the snaps and finishing with 20 touches and a season-high 19.1 fantasy points. He managed just 10 yards on nine carries, but his receiving role saved the day with 11 catches for 71 yards on 11 targets. Brown also handled more third-down work than usual and led the backfield in routes run. The rushing production was ugly, but this kind of workload keeps him firmly in the RB1 conversation. He gets a great matchup in Week 5 against a Dolphins defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Brian Thomas Jr. set season highs in snap rate and fantasy points (9.7), with a receiving touchdown helping his production against the Bengals. Jacksonville's increased use of 11 personnel also helped boost his playing time. Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers remain the top two receivers, but Thomas mixed into 12 personnel more than he had previously. His role is moving in the right direction, although he's still difficult to trust in fantasy lineups.
Brenton Strange set a season high in snaps and turned the expanded role into eight targets and 16.5 fantasy points, both season highs. Jacksonville's increased use of 11 personnel helped boost his playing time, while the favorable matchup against a Bengals defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends also contributed to the production.
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants
Cam Skattebo is still the Giants' lead back and finished with 19 touches against the Cardinals, but the workload is becoming less concentrated. Tyrone Tracy Jr. handled most of the third-down snaps, while Najee Harris also rotated in on early downs. Skattebo's early-down involvement fell to a season low. He still led the Giants' backfield with 7.6 fantasy points, but averaged just 3.2 yards per carry.
Marvin Harrison Jr. finished with a season-high 8.2 fantasy points thanks to a receiving touchdown, but his playing time continues to trend down, and he set a season low in snaps against the Giants. Trey McBride (46) and Michael Wilson (44) have dominated Arizona's targets this season, while Harrison Jr. has just 13.
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Dontayvion Wicks had a chance to take on a bigger role with DeVonta Smith out, but it didn't lead to much fantasy production. He led Eagles pass catchers in snaps and routes but finished with just five targets and a season-low 4.8 fantasy points. Darius Cooper made more of his opportunity, finishing with season highs in targets (7) and fantasy points (18.3).
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Packers leaned more heavily on 13 personnel against the Buccaneers, which helped Tucker Kraft stay on the field and finish with seven targets and 16.5 fantasy points. Matthew Golden also saw seven targets and scored 11.5 points. Christian Watson, meanwhile, saw his snaps dip to a season low and finished with just three targets and 7.7 fantasy points as Green Bay leaned more on 13 personnel.
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
Carnell Tate finished with season highs in both targets (12) and fantasy points (21.5) against the Ravens. He led all Titans skill-position players in snaps, routes and targets. Tate's 145 receiving yards were the most in a game by a Titans rookie since A.J. Brown had 153 against the Raiders in 2019. Tate remains on the flex radar with upside in Week 5 against a Texans defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Tony Pollard continues to lead the Titans' backfield in touches this season, and that was the case again against the Ravens. He's had at least 18 touches and scored at least 13 fantasy points in back-to-back games. Pollard is firmly on the flex radar in Week 5 against a tough Texans matchup, then gets a more favorable spot in Week 6 against a Colts defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans
The Texans changed the timing of their backfield rotation in Week 4. David Montgomery had typically handled the opening two possessions, but Woody Marks checked in on the second drive against the Cowboys. Montgomery still led the backfield in snaps and touches (10), but Marks finished with more fantasy points thanks to a rushing touchdown. Marks is also getting involved earlier in games and may be working his way into a larger weekly role.
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings
Ollie Gordon II may have moved to the top of the Dolphins backfield following De'Von Achane's season ending injury. Jaylen Wright started the game, but he struggled early as Miami rotated the backs by series. Gordon took over in the second half and finished the game leading the backfield in snaps, routes, touches (11) and fantasy points (18). He rushed for a career-high 100 yards.
Aaron Jones Sr. has continued to dominate snaps, routes and touches in the Vikings' backfield over the last three weeks with Jordan Mason on injured reserve. He finished with the second-most targets on the team (8), behind only T.J. Hockenson, who had 13. Jones also set a season high with 23 touches against the Dolphins and has scored at least 10 fantasy points in four straight games, including a season-high 16.8 in Week 4.
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Kenneth Walker III has had at least 20 touches and scored at least 21 fantasy points in every game this season. However, Walker's route participation has dropped in each of the last two weeks. Walker has just three targets over that stretch after seeing 16 through the first two games. The production is still there, but the dip in passing-game work is worth watching.
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle's playing time has increased each week, and that trend continued against the Broncos, when he played over 90% of the snaps. He's now scored at least 17 fantasy points in three straight games. Entering Monday, Kittle is the TE2 in fantasy and has been an excellent value relative to where he was drafted this summer.
Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks
Omarion Hampton continues to disappoint because the Chargers are splitting the backfield almost evenly among three players. Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal all played between 25 and 26 snaps on Sunday. Mitchell led the group with 15 touches, while Hampton had 11 and Vidal seven. Hampton scored a rushing touchdown and 13.3 fantasy points, Vidal had a receiving touchdown and 11.6, while Mitchell finished with 11.3. That kind of split puts a real cap on Hampton's weekly ceiling.
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers
Tetairoa McMillan scored 45.2 fantasy points against the Lions, the highest total by any player this season, with Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette sidelined. He led the Panthers in routes and targets, but the most interesting development was his production from the slot, where he was targeted heavily and generated nearly half of his fantasy points. It will be worth watching whether that usage continues once Coker and Legette return after Carolina's Week 5 bye.
Sam LaPorta finished with 13 targets and 22.4 fantasy points, leading the Lions in both categories as Detroit leaned heavily on the passing game. However, he ran the fourth-most routes among Lions pass catchers as his playing time in 11 personnel dipped. That's something to monitor if Detroit finds itself in more neutral or positive game scripts, although this defense has allowed the most yards and points per game to opponents.
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Oct. 4: Leading scorers through Sunday's 4 p.m. ET games
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers - 45.2
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys - 41.3
Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams - 36.7
Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys - 31.3
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs - 30.9
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans - 30.8
Tyquan Thornton, WR, Kansas City Chiefs - 28.1
Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears - 28.0
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams - 27.7
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Seattle Seahawks - 27.0
Click here for a full list of all the week's scoring leaders.