The 2025 season is upon us. Are you ready? Hopefully, you’re in for a winning campaign. But those of us who play Dynasty know it’s a 365-day-a-year endeavor. So, this is the time to make pickups and stashes that could pay off this season. Week 8 is in the books. Below are some players worth seeking out moving forward. All roster percentages courtesy of Sleeper.
Running Backs
Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 9
About: Wilson is the backup to Josh Jacobs, and while Jacobs isn’t out, Wilson got plenty of run on Sunday night. He seemed to give the offense a boost, too. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Packers work him into the lineup more. He’s worth a stash.
Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 18
About: Gordon might have been taken in your rookie draft. But he might have been released due to the rigor and need of the season. But we saw him take a step up in usage and production in Week 8. The Dolphins are a mess, but they’re getting thin on offense. We’ve seen the team use more than one running back before. I like Gordon to continue to get touches. He’s worth a pickup.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 11
About: Perine is the backup to Chase Brown in Cincinnati. He figures to have a role in limited use and perhaps in obvious passing situations. With Joe Flacco under center, that offense has gotten more efficient. That led to a big day in Week 8. Will Perine always have that kind of usage? It’s doubtful, but he’s worth a deep league stash.
Wide Receivers
Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 2
About: We keep waiting for Luther Burden and Colston Loveland to have a big role for the Bears. But it is Zaccheaus who has had a steady, if unspectacular, role in the offense. He’s on the field with the starting group and there are weeks when he’s more heavily targeted, like in Week 8. He’s worth a deep league pickup.
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 12
About: Coker was a bright spot for the Panthers’ offense in 2024. He started this season hurt and on IR, but he’s back now. And based on what we saw on Sunday, he’s picking up where he left off. He’s worth a deep league add.
Xavier Hutchison, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 8
About: The Texans need production on offense. With injuries at receiver and an offense in need of help, Hutchison stepped up in Week 8. He led the team in receptions and yardage, even adding a touchdown. He looked like a great fit in the offense and an explosive target for C.J. Stroud. He’s worth an add.
Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 3
About: After an injury-riddled rookie season made Wilson a non-factor, it’s been slow going in year two. But he’s starting to see more targets for an offense in need of playmakers. He had a strong Week 8, including catching a touchdown from Aaron Rodgers. He’s a great waiver wire target.
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots
Roster Percentage: 0
About: We’ve seen it before. Hollins was a vital part of the attack for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. Now, he’s a role player for an emerging Patriots offense. He’s not the top guy, but he has a way of working himself into targets in big situations. We saw that in Week 8. He’s worth a stash.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
