The Spire

Ben Lepper ‘25

Chief Sports Editor

Waiver-Wire:

QB: Tyson Bagent (10%) RB: Darrell Henderson (7.9%) WR: Josh Downs (44%) 

TE: Dalton Kincaid (50%)  DEF/ST: Titans DEF (1.4%)

Logan is out this week, so it’s my turn. At this point in the season, it’s rare to pick up a game-changing talent, but it’s looking like Josh Downs may be the future of the Colts’ WR room. He’s been steadily improving week after week, and just put up his best performance of the entire season, catching 5 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. He and Michael Pittman seem to be a dangerous 1-2 punch, and the most encouraging part about this is that he did this with a backup under center. Get Downs immediately if he’s available.

Must Start:

RB: Breece Hall vs. New York Giants WR: Rashee Rice vs. Denver Broncos

TE: Cole Kmet vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Don’t let the Giants’ win against the Commanders fool you: they’re still not great. Breece Hall, meanwhile, was taken off his pitch count a few weeks ago, and is looking more and more like the Breece Hall we saw last year. It’s safe to say that there is no running-back-by-committee situation in New York: Breece is the guy, and should be a lock to start against the porous Giants’ defense.

I’m all aboard the Rashee Rice hype train. Aside from Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco, Rice is looking like the biggest playmaker on the Chiefs’ offense, and Pat Mahomes is taking notice. He’s been stringing up quality statline after quality statline, and this should continue against the Denver Broncos, whose defense has taken a huge step back this season. Not only that, but with the middle linebackers focusing on Kelce, Rice should get open downfield on a regular basis. Expect a big day from the rookie. 

Cole Kmet put up a whopping zero points against the Raiders, but I wouldn’t let that get in the way of starting him in Week 8. Let’s not forget that the Chargers’ defense just let Travis Kelce put up over 30 fantasy points on them – almost entirely in one half of football. He should be able to get open easily and stack up some quality catches, especially considering that Kmet’s reliable hands may be what Tyson Bagent needs right now to develop more as a passer. Start Kmet with confidence.

Must Sit:

RB: Raheem Mostert vs New England Patriots

WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs Cleveland Browns TE: Darren Waller vs New York Jets

This is a warning to anybody starting an electrifying skill player against the New England Patriots: they will shut them down. Look at Tyreek Hill’s career stats against New England, for example. Look how Stefon Diggs did this past week (minus the other-worldly touchdown). Mostert had a down game against the Eagles, and the Patriots’ defense stood strong against a good Bills offense last week. I would be cautious with Mostert. He did put up a good game against them in Week 2, but I doubt he’ll do it again against a re-invigorated Patriots defensive line.

JSN had a good game against the Cardinals, but I would be cautious with him moving forward. Part of this was because DK Metcalf missed his first game ever, and while I don’t know if he’ll be able to suit up this week, I do know that the Browns’ defense is legit. Were they just gashed by the Colts? Yes. Do I expect it to happen again? Probably not, but I’d still be careful with JSN. He hasn’t quite earned every-week starter status yet, and is overall still finding his footing in the NFL.

Waller finally broke out this past weekend, but I just don’t see a repeat occurrence. The Giants’ offense is the definition of unstable, and aside from Saquon Barkley, I wouldn’t start any player over there week in and week out. Add the strong Jets’ defense into the equation, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster for Waller. He’ll probably catch a few balls, but if you want the most out of the TE position this week, look elsewhere.

Buy Low:

Expensive: Travis Kelce Mid-Price: Jonathan Taylor Cheap: Davante Adams

Travis Kelce is a monster at a relatively tough position to fill. If your team needs a spark, now is the time to trade for him. I don’t expect another monstrous 30 point game from him for a little while, but I do expect him to put up quality numbers every week and to cement himself as fantasy’s TE1.

JT finally looked like his old self against the Browns, and I suspect that this is a sign of things to come. If you don’t want to sell the farm for his services, now is the time, as there are still questions surrounding Zack Moss’ usage in the offense and the overall possibility of a fluke performance. The Browns’ defense is no joke, and JT just gashed it. He’s back. Go get him.

Davante Adams at his peak is the best receiver in football. But, right now, he’s a bit upset with his usage in the Raiders’ offense. As a result, he’s put up a few disappointing performances recently. But, let’s remember that Jimmy G will be back soon, and you can’t keep a monster like Adams down for long. Get him while he’s in a lull and you’ll thank me later.