Notable takeaways, trends and data points from Week 7 NFL action. “Monday Memos” is a weekly article following the prior weeks action, to give you guys context on these games and insights on what to expect moving forward. These articles will gradually reduce in size do to the chaos of the first couple of weeks of the season, as things settle in more in terms of roles and what not.
Let’s get into it…
Note: You will see several basic and advanced stats throughout this article, most of which have been pulled from the Fantasy Points Data Suite. You can check out their comprehensive data suite by clicking that link, and if you’re interested in buying, use code DATAROMA at checkout for 15% off!
1. Flacco has Bengals back
After an up and down debut, Flacco exploded for 342 pass yards and 3 TDs. While I’m not convinced is going to turn back the clocks all season, he’s certainly an upgrade over Jake Browning. You’re not dreading your Bengals in starting lineups anymore.
2. Kyren, Corum split work again
I put out a post on X a few weeks ago that triggered the Kyren hive, but I stand firm on the belief that the Rams are trying to get Corum involved alongside Kyren. After a disastrous Week 5 performance and injury in Week 6 for Corum, the duo had a near dead-even workload split (13 to 14 opps). I do suspect that the positive game script got Corum more involved than he typically will be moving forward, but the elite workload Kyren once had is in serious danger.
3. Travis Hunter Breakout
Hunter broke-out in a big way over in London, going for 8/101/1 while earning 14 (!) targets. And almost of equal importance, the usage on the offensive side of the ball continues to signal full-time WR status. This is now back-to-back weeks above an 84% route share for Hunter, and he’s averaged 7 targets per game over the past month. He may have just ascended to WR1 status in Jacksonville, as his 39.3% 1st read target share led the team by a wide margin.
4. Rashee Rice returns to WR1 status
In his return from suspension, Rashee reminded us of the fantasy asset he can be. He posted a line of 7/42/2, doing so on just 17 routes (a 42.5% route share). The per route volume was ridiculous, getting targeted on over half of his routes (0.53 TPRR). His 25.3% target share easily led the team, despite the limited playing time. He’s my WR6 moving forward.
5. Chiefs are all the way back
Building off the Rashee note, I just wanted to caveat how “back” this Chiefs offense looks. Over the past month, they are 3rd in the NFL in offensive EPA/Play and 2nd in success rate. Mahomes is 7th among all QBs in ANY/A in this time, and is chucking it deep frequently for the first time in a while (14 deep throws is t-9th). With all their weapons finally healthy, the Chiefs are once again the most dangerous offense in football.
6. Raiders in the gutter
The Raiders were a disaster yesterday, as they were only able to garner 95 (!) total yards on the day. Geno has been one of the worst QBs in the league (32nd of 34 in ANY/A), and the OL has been pretty bad as well (outside top half in both run and pass block grades). They’re without Bowers, but I don’t know how much he even helps right now. It’s looking quite bleak in Las Vegas.
7. Tua benching looming?
I don’t know if this actually happens, but Tua has to be somewhat close to a benching. He’s coming off a 100-yard, 3 INT performance, and has been one of the worst QBs in the league (30th in ANY/A). Tua is truly inept when facing any sort of pressure or adversity, and it’s worth questioning whether the 1-6 Dolphins start the tank soon (fire coaches, bench Tua, etc.).
8. Dolphins rush defense is a cheat code for RBs
The Dolphins defense has been nothing short of abysmal as of late. In the past 3 weeks, they’ve allowed 161 rushing yards per game (2nd worst in the NFL), and have allowed each of Rico Dowdle, Kimani Vidal, and Quinshon Judkins to go north of 21 half PPR fantasy points in this time. With the struggling offense too, game script should constantly be in their opponent’s favor. RBs will continue to feast against Miami.
9. Drake Maye keeps rolling, Diggs is still that guy
Maye seems to end up on my “takeaways” every week, but he just continues to ascend. He’s leading the NFL in CPOE and adjusted completion %, while top 5 in YPA and ANY/A. This is all while having a rather underwhelming weapon group at his disposal. Maye is not only a top 5 fantasy QB now (21.4 FP/G) and rest of season, but he really should be in the MVP conversation.
10. Rhamondre RB1 — Might be over for Henderson
Rhamondre Stevenson emerged as the clear RB1 in New England yesterday, garnering 20 opportunities to TreVeyon Henderson’s 2 (and Terrell Jennings (?) 5). Stevenson, despite his fumble woes, has been pretty efficient despite his poor YPC. He’s up to 0.19 MTF/Att and a solid 4.3% explosive rate.
More importantly, I’d argue, Henderson has been really bad. He’s bottom 3 among all RBs in MTF/Att, explosive rate, and YACo/Att. This coaching staff also appears to have zero trust in him. He’s in drop territory.
11. Rico and Chuba split — Rico outperforms
The long-awaited backfield split in Carolina upon Chuba’s return was just that — a split. Rico had 19 opportunities to Chuba’s 17, while Chuba got the start. It was Rico again proving to be the more dynamic RB, with 79 rush yards (4.65 YPC, 2 MTF) compared to just 31 for Chuba (2.21 YPC, 0 MTF).
For now, we should expect a near-even split between these two. But the Panthers are 4-3 and looking to win games. How much longer will they let the better RB get held back here?
12. Justin Fields benched — Is it over?
Justin Fields got benched in the 2nd quarter of yesterday’s game against the Panthers, after he was putting on yet another abysmal showing. Fields is 27th in ANY/A, which is bad, but doesn’t even tell the full story — Fields has been getting nearly all of his passing game yards in garbage time. His 12.6% sack rate and 25.3% pressure to sack rate are both bottom 3 among QBs, and he’s just completely unwilling to make any downfield throws.
I don’t see much advantage to keeping Fields out there in favor of Tyrod — he’s very clearly not the future.
13. Juwan Johnson getting involved, Kamara increased rushing role?
After constantly declining in volume and 1st read target share over the past several weeks, Juwan Johnson found himself with some relevancy once again. In Week 7, he garnered a 21.9% target share, 0.23 TPRR, and a 25% 1st read target share. These were all highs since Week 4, and the target share numbers were highs since Week 3.
Juwan’s route share remains rock solid above 80%, and with Kendre Miller out, Alvin Kamara’s role may be more focused on the run game. Kamara and Juwan’s targets seem very tethered to one another in the pass game, so Juwan may find himself with some fantasy relevancy once again moving forward. And Kamara is set to be a workhorse, as he saw all but one Saints RB rush attempt following Kendre’s injury.
14. Swift, Monangai split work
The Bears run game has been thriving the past couple weeks, coming in at a league-leading 183.5 rushing YPG out of their bye. This is large in part to some really strong offensive line play and the Ben Johnson effect, as the Bears are generating a 2nd-best-in-NFL 3.48 YBCo/Att.
The Bears seems to have their version of Montgomery and Gibbs too, as Monangai has recently worked his way into some legitimate playing time alongside Swift. Monangai accounted for 13 of 33 RB rushes, a 39.4% share. Both RBs put up solid numbers too, and I’d look to sell Swift on the assumption that this run game cools off + Monangai maintains a role.
15. Rome Odunze coming back to earth
After a WR3 (17.4 FP/G) start in the 1st month of the season, Odunze has really cooled off coming out of the bye. Over these past 2 games, Odunze has averaged just 4.2 FP/G. It’s not just the production either. After crossing a a 27% 1st read target share in each of the 1st four games, he has not crossed a 19% 1st read target share in either of these last two. The Bears have a lot of intriguing weapons, and it looks they want to continue to get them more involved.
16. Loveland ready to emerge?
Speaking of other Bears weapons getting more involved, Loveland is ramping up in terms of usage. Granted, Kmet went down with an injury this past week, but Loveland set career highs in route share (63%), target share (15.4%), and 1st read target share (25%). Even prior to Kmet’s injury, he was tracking to set these career-highs in these marks. Loveland is a top 10 pick with an incredible receiving profile, and he’s now going to get the chance to prove himself. Scoop him up off waivers if able.
17. Eagles pass game getting it together?
The Eagles passing game has been extremely up and down this season, and mostly “down” at that. However, after setting season highs in passing yards (283) and yards per attempt (8.58) in Week 6, they exploded in Week 7 for a ridiculous 14.17 yards per attempt and 326 passing yards. This was against a Minnesota pass defense that was leading the NFL in EPA/DB coming into the week, too.
AJB (4/121/2) and Devonta Smith (9/183/1) both went crazy in this one. With the run game continuing to struggle (18th in success rate, dead last in YPC), I’d be surprised if the Eagles don’t look to build on this performance.
18. Jordan Addison off to a strong start
Addison, since returning from suspension in Week 4, has quietly gotten off to a really strong start. Through 3 weeks, he’s averaging nearly 100 yards per game (94.3) on an impressive 2.38 YPRR. What’s even more notable is the improvement in volume. He’s registering a career best 0.21 TPRR (previous high was 0.20) and 27.5% 1st read target share (previous high was 23.1%). Addison is a crisp route-runner and complements Jefferson quite well. He’s also forced TJ Hockenson to be a clear 3rd priority in this pass game.
19. Jaxson Dart is for real
Dart is off to an exciting start to his career. The accuracy numbers aren’t there yet, but Dart has been making some incredible throws and has been extremely effective with his legs. Since taking over as the starter in Week 4, Dart is 13th among QBs in EPA/Play, and 14th in success rate.
In terms of fantasy, Dart has been more than willing to throw deep (7th in deep throw %) and has been awesome as a runner (leading all QBs in rush yards, attempts and TDs since Week 4), both recipes for fantasy success. He’s a borderline QB1 right now, and the long-term upside is extremely real.
20. Trey McBride can in fact score TDs
The silly “Trey McBride can’t score TDs” narrative is being put to rest this year. A player of Mcbride’s talent and stature should be a TD-scoring machine. And since TDs are extremely volatile year-to-year, it’s not all that surprising to see McBride finally get his in that department. His 4 TDs are tied for 11th-best among all pass catchers in the NFL.
It is worth noting that 3 of these 4 TDs are with Jacoby Brissett at the helm these past 2 weeks. While Brissett might be better for McBride in some ways, I have minimal doubt that the TDs will continue to come when (if) Kyler returns.
21. Colts, JT can’t be stopped
The Colts have been an absolute buzzsaw in 2025, and they just took down another legit team in the Los Angeles Chargers. Coming into Week 7, the Chargers were 8th in defensive EPA/Play. There’s not a ton to be said at this point. Steichen should be the clear favorite for coach of the year, and Daniel Jones has been one of the best QBs in the NFL.
And tying it all together, Jonathan Taylor is on pace for one of the best fantasy RB seasons of all time. He’s averaging 99.6 rushing YPG, and already has 11 (!) total TDs, en route to a ridiculous 24.0 half PPR FP/G.
22. Oronde Gadsden full-on breakout
Gadsden went absolutely nuclear in Week 7, reeling in 7 of 8 targets for 164 yards (!) and a TD. For a 5th round rookie TE, this absolutely absurd stuff. Gadsden had been popping up as of late, with 7 targets on 15 routes in Week 3 and then another 8 targets (62 yards) in Week 6. On the season, Gadsden’s efficiency has been spectacular, with 2.32 yards per route run.
Over the last 2 weeks, he’s been the most productive receiver in Los Angeles, which is insane given the talent there. And a 24% 1st read target share in this time? Tied with Ladd McConkey for 2nd on the team. Absurd.
He’s a TE1 moving forward — unload the clip if he’s on your waiver wire.
23. QJ moving down target pecking order?
On the same note to wrap up here, QJ has been suffering these last 2 weeks from the Gadsden breakout. He’s fell out of the clear top 3 for LAC and has been subsequently “replaced” by Gadsden. In this time, QJ has earned just 5 targets, reeling in 2 of them for 30 total yards. He has just 3 1st read targets in this time, 5th best on the team.
I don’t think it will be this bad moving forward, as QJ flashed a ton to start the season. However, the Gadsden breakout has left QJ as the odd man out, and he’s quite an uncomfortable start for fantasy purposes at the moment.
Just traded Pickens/Olave/JCM/Mason for Henry/Waddle/Jamo.
I needed to upgrade my RB room, how did I do?
amazing keep it up!