News

1. 2h ago
   Fantasy football buzz: Is Joe Mixon worth picking up after Seattle signing?

   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. 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 back

   ESPN
2. Oct 4
   Allen rushed 14 times for 59 yards and caught both of his targets for eight yards in Sunday's 23-12 loss to the Bears.

   Allen accounted for all 14 of the Jets' rushing attempts in the absence of Breece Hall (quadriceps), who is considered week-to-week. The Bears dominated time of possession as Geno Smith completed just eight passes in the loss. If Hall isn't ready to return in Week 5 against the Browns, Allen would retain the lead role in the backfield for the Jets.

   RotoWire via ESPN
3. Sep 29
   Is Braelon Allen a must-add in fantasy this week?

   Is Braelon Allen a must-add in fantasy this week?

   ESPN
4. Sep 28
   Allen and Isaiah Davis will man the Jets backfield for as long as Breece Hall (thigh) is potentially sidelined, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

   Hall exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss at Detroit due to a thigh injury, and afterward he relayed that he "felt something" while running, per Brian Costello of the New York Post. Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN then reported Monday that Hall is considered week-to-week. While Hall hasn't outright been ruled out for Week 4 or beyond, Allen currently ranks second on the team in carries with 19, which have gone for 61 yards, while Davis hasn't logged an offensive snap through three contests to begin the season. As a result, Allen is the better bet to take advantage of an absent Hall, if that comes to pass.

   RotoWire via ESPN
5. Sep 28
   Fantasy football free agent pickups: Gordon leads options to replace Achane for Week 4 and beyond

   Each Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players worthy of your attention who are available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change quickly for player valuation and roles each week in the NFL, and free agency is a critical way to acquire players. We are here to help! Top pickup options at every position Looking for the top recommendation at each skill position? Look no further! Here are the players to target heading into Week 3, along with their current roster percentages and a recommendation of how much of your free agent budget (FAB) you should consider using for your bid.  Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks (rostered in 33.9%, 5% of your FAB) Darnold (glute) missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2, but he sure looked healthy in Sunday's shootout against the Washington Commanders. Game score and a challenged run game dictated myriad passes, and Darnold completed 31 out of 45 attempts for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns. He also tossed a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. Immeasurably aided by dominating WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is off to one of the greatest starts ever, Darnold might match his success from last season, when he surpassed 4,000 passing yards, threw 25 TD passes and mattered in fantasy. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Dolphins (1.1%, 12% FAB) Gordon, a second-year Oklahoma State product who averaged only 2.8 yards per his 70 carries last season, replaced an injured De'Von Achane (knee) during Week 3's action and scored 14.5 points. Gordon wasn't efficient, but getting 20 touches and scoring a touchdown often masks inefficiency. With Achane reportedly done for the season, Gordon is next up, although Jaylen Wright might have a role, too. Keenan Allen, WR, Colts (23.8%, 7% FAB) Allen, second among active players in receptions behind Travis Kelce, was one of three Indianapolis Colts to earn at least nine targets Sunday, but he was the one who scored the team's touchdown. In addition, teammates WR Josh Downs and TE Tyler Warren are already rostered in most leagues. Allen is not, but with Alec Pierce (heel) on IR, he now has opportunity. Allen isn't close to the threat he was as recently as 2023, but he did catch 81 passes for last season's Chargers (for only 777 yards), so perhaps he can do that again. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets (33.5%, 10% FAB) Sadiq, selected 16th in the draft out of Oregon, scored a short rushing TD in Week 1, but he totaled only six targets and 38 receiving yards through two weeks, failing to excite potential investors. They might be excited now, after Sadiq caught seven passes for 105 yards and a 24-yard TD on Sunday. Sadiq is strong and fast and is a potential top-10 fantasy tight end if he gets the targets. He should from now on. Other quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (4.6%, 3% FAB): Brissett bounced back from a rough Week 2 by throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, and he rushed for another score. His three games haven't been consistent for fantasy purposes, but Brissett is worth a look for Week 4 against the New York Giants — and clearly in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions when the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers are on their bye. Plan ahead if you can. Geno Smith, Jets (7.1%, 1% FAB): Smith delivered his best game of the season, scoring 26.04 points in the team's Week 3 loss to the Lions — a team fantasy managers should target for offensive options. New York's Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears, has also struggled to defend the pass this season, making Smith an intriguing streamer. Marcus Mariota, Commanders (3.3%, 1% FAB): Mariota led the stunning win over the Seahawks with 20.42 points, aided by three TD passes. He might not be the starter in a month's time if Jayden Daniels (elbow) returns, but we can deal with that later. The Commanders and Colts meet Sunday morning in London. Deep-league options/streamers Michael Pe

   ESPN

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