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We are halfway through the fantasy regular season. What we've seen through the first seven weeks outweighs our preseason expectations. Let's take a look at some of the biggest risers and fallers as we head into Week 8.
Week 8 Risers
QB J.J. McCarthy, New York Giants
McCarthy got the start in Week 7, and Jay Glazer said that move will be "for the long term." With Jaxson Dart out for the year, the Giants will explore what they have in McCarthy. He looked better than most expected in Week 7. He made some big-time throws but didn't score a touchdown or run much. Those factors kept his fantasy production in check, but he otherwise played an impressive game, completing 20-of-28 passes for 252 yards and committing no turnovers. McCarthy has displayed early chemistry with Malik Nabers, which should make his job easy. If McCarthy can keep getting the ball to Nabers while using his legs more, he has legitimate QB1 upside. At worst, he's in the immediate conversation as a starter in two-quarterback and superflex leagues.
RB Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
When De'Von Achane went down earlier in the season, Jaylen Wright, the team's listed RB2, was dealing with a foot injury. Gordon handled most of the backfield's touches over the next three weeks, but Wright was limited in each game. Wright managed that foot injury into the bye and finally left the injury report heading into Week 7. Still, Gordon out-snapped Wright 54-to-8. Gordon had four times as many opportunities and averaged 4.0 yards per touch, compared with Wright's 1.3. Gordon did enough with his opportunity to lock down the job. And while Achane struggled before his injury, Gordon's heavier frame and downhill running style fit the Dolphins' outside zone scheme better. He's looked great and should remain the team's workhorse.
WR Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders
Currently the WR13 in fantasy, Tucker has emerged as Las Vegas's clear WR1. He improved steadily through his first three seasons and set career highs in every category last year. When the team paid Jalen Nailor $35 million in free agency this year, many assumed he'd be the WR1. But it's been all Tucker. He's on pace for 114 targets, 70 receptions, 1,151 yards, and ten touchdowns. While Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer get looks across the middle, Tucker can play the boundaries and get behind defenses for explosive plays, and his 16.3 yards per reception ranks 14th among 90 receivers who run 100-plus routes. Klint Kubiak has a history of high-efficiency offenses, and Tucker is a key part of what he's installed with the Raiders. Tucker will likely cool off a bit from his current WR13 status, but he should be in lineups every week as a high-upside WR3.
Week 8 Fallers
RB Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
Of all of the running backs in Arizona, Allgeier probably offers the lowest ceiling. He's not a pass-catcher and doesn't have breakaway speed, making him a touchdown-dependent option on a team with the second-fewest rushing touchdowns. There was hope he could be a high-end handcuff, but Jeremiyah Love's absence just opened the door for Bam Knight, who has outplayed Allgeier. Allgeier racked up 70 scrimmage yards in Week 1, which feels like a distant memory after he's been held to under 50 in every game since. He gets just enough volume to keep him off waivers, but he looks like a fringe roster clogger.
WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
You could argue that more weapons in New York help Wilson by giving him softer coverage. You can also argue that more weapons are a bad thing for Wilson, amounting to fewer opportunities. As our friend Chris Harris says, both are crutch arguments. All we can do is look at what we've actually seen so far. Over the last two weeks, Omar Cooper Jr. has scored 44.8 fantasy points, compared with Wilson's 13. Cooper leads Wilson in targets, receptions, yards, touchdowns, EPA, yards per route run, missed tackles forced, average target depth, and yards after the catch per reception. He's been the focal point of the offensive game plan while Wilson has been the secondary option. Cooper's 4.77 yards per route clear Zay Flowers (second in yards per route run) by a full yard. It's far too early to move Cooper ahead of Wilson, as Cooper's sample size, two full games plus a one-route debut, doesn't come close to what we've seen from Wilson since he entered the league in 2022. All we can do is go off of what we're seeing on the field right now. Wilson could assuredly bounce back, but he's trending down until we see it.
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
As Noah Fant and Oscar Delp get more involved, Johnson is unfortunately falling by the wayside. With Jordyn Tyson also expected back soon, Johnson's role as a top-three target on the Saints offense is likely gone. He's caught just one of five targets for seven yards over the last two weeks. He's still in the streaming discussion, but his elite early-season production may have been a mirage. He's worth holding onto in deeper leagues, but he's a significant faller coming out of Week 7 as other tight ends are outscoring him.
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