Bye weeks can be tough for even the best fantasy managers. With four teams on the shelf, the following relatively unknown players could play prominent roles in upcoming games. (Fantasy stats via Yahoo!Sports)
RB Kendre Miller | New Orleans Saints
Miller showed flashes in the past, but Sunday’s game with the Buffalo Bills marked the first time he’s seen double-digit carries (11) since a Week 14 matchup with the New York Giants last season.
Since joining the team as a third-round pick in 2023, Miller has appeared in just 18 of a possible 38 games thanks to an assortment of injuries, including a hamstring injury that cost him nine games in 2024.
When healthy, Miller serves as an excellent handcuff to teammate Alvin Kamara, who gained just five more yards (70) on four more carries (15) against the Bills. This week, the two will face a Giants team allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (26.58) per game to opposing running backs.
Miller remains available in 95 percent of leagues.
WR Malik Washington | Miami Dolphins
Washington led the FBS with 110 catches in 2023 and finished fourth among receivers with 1,426 yards. He joined Miami as a sixth-round pick in 2024 and averaged 8.6 yards per catch for 223 yards in 14 games as a rookie.
He’s seen 15 targets in the team’s first four games but should see more action now that leading receiver Tyreek Hill has been ruled out for the year with a torn ACL.
As a runner, Washington had five carries for the Dolphins last season, but has eight attempts this year. With 60 yards rushing, he’s tied with running back OIlie Gordon II for second-most on the team.
Washington was on the receiving end of a behind-the-back ball flip from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Monday night, and could see more big plays as the team’s No. 2 receiver in Hill’s absence.
Washington remains available in 94 percent of leagues.
RB Justice Hill | Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is likely to miss Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans with a hamstring injury, but Hill is likely to see more touches after a two-touchdown, 117-yard performance in the team’s 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Hill had only three carries but took the last one 71 yards for a score. More importantly, he saw a season–high six targets and has three or more receptions in each of his last three games.
With 49 carries for 284 yards, Derrick Henry is clearly the team’s No. running back, but in PPR leagues, Hill could hold tremendous value and function as a safety valve should backup quarterback Cooper Rush have to play.
Hill remains available in 86 percent of leagues.