X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Red Zone Risers, Fallers - Mike Evans, Mike Williams, Josh Jacobs

Richard King looks at red zone risers and fallers to identify players with higher fantasy football scoring potential in Week 8, based on touches and opportunity in the red zone.

We are now entering the middle of the season and teams have shown their hand with their play-calling tendencies. In particular, the red-zone usage of most players has taken shape.

RotoBaller's Premium Red Zone Sleepers tool can give you a sense of who is being utilized more in the all-important area of the field to provide more scoring potential. A preview of the tool and the top players in red-zone touches is shown below.

Just like targets are the lifeblood of a receiver's value in PPR leagues, red zone touches are the most relevant factor to consider for standard leagues. Each week, I will identify some risers and fallers based on their red-zone touches, and what that means for your team.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Red Zone Risers

RUNNING BACKS

Aaron Jones (RB, GB) - 32.9% Red-zone touch%

The Green Bay Packers running back is certainly the team's primary option in the red zone this season. Jones has had 23 touches in the red zone with Jimmy Graham second on the team with 10. Equally, Jones has converted around a third of his touches into touchdowns, equaling the contribution of everyone else on the team combined.

With the Packers missing several receiving options through injury, including elite receiver Davante Adams, Jones is likely to continue to be heavily involved in the team's red-zone plans. Even if the team continues to pass in the majority of their red-zone plays (they currently pass on 61.4% of their attempts), Jones should have enough RZ target share to remain a consistent scorer.

Josh Jacobs (RB, OAK) - 41.5% Red-zone touch%

The Oakland Raiders have established themselves as a running offense, and behind their impressive offensive line that I covered in my rankings article recently, there is no reason to change that blueprint. Jacobs is heavily utilized in the red-zone but has been largely inefficient with those touches so far this season. Jacobs has converted his 22 touches into four touchdowns, but with the heavy involvement he has that number should increase.

The Raiders struggled mightily on offense last season and have come a long way. While they aren't one of the most high-powered offenses in the league, they are able to move the chains and get into the red zone. Currently the team ranks 22nd in the league in red-zone plays, but they have been through their bye week already.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Allen Robinson (WR, CHI) - 21.6% Red-zone touch%

Robinson is one of the only players that can be trusted in Chicago at the moment. David Montgomery hasn't been the effective running back that fantasy owners would have hoped for. In fact, the entire Chicago Bears offense isn't the same as it was last year. The Bears offensive line is one of the worst in the league, putting immense pressure on their quarterback and running back contingent.

Despite the struggles of the offense, Robinson has shown himself to be an effective weapon. He is currently leading the league in wide receiver utilization in the red-zone attracting over 20% of his team's plays. However, part of that reason is that the Chicago Bears have only run 37 red-zone plays this season, with only the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets having fewer. If Mitch Trubisky is able to recapture his form, then Robinson is likely to have an opportunity to impress with the team passing the ball on 59.5% of their red-zone plays.

Mike Evans (WR, TB) - 20.0% Red-zone touch%

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense struggled in their last matchup against the Carolina Panthers and are now through their bye week, so now would be a perfect time to buy Mike Evans.

Evans has had 11 red-zone touches this season, which is only bettered on the team by Ronald Jones IIwho has 12. That ranks him second at the position for red-zone utilization, behind the aforementioned Allen Robinson. Unlike Robinson, however, Evans does face competition in the red-zone on passing downs with Jameis Winston utilizing Chris Godwin this season, as well as his favorite tight end Cameron Brate. Godwin has had six touches, converting four of them into touchdowns.

If Godwin continues to be effective in the red-zone then it's likely he starts to get more attention from defenders, allowing Evans to utilize his big body.

TIGHT END

Austin Hooper (TE, ATL) - 12.5% Red-zone touch%

The Atlanta Falcons are a team that needs to score multiple touchdowns to have a chance at winning the game- their defense is just not able to keep them in games otherwise. Hooper is now a big part of what the team does on offense and is enjoying a great season this year. The tight end has also enjoyed success in the red-zone this season, with four touchdowns from his seven touches. With Mohamed Sanu traded to New England, that leaves even more targets on the table for Hooper to gobble up.

 

Red Zone Fallers

RUNNING BACK

David Montgomery (RB, CHI) - 34.5% Red-zone touch%

It feels odd to include a player that has had around 35% of his team's red-zone touches as a faller. However, the biggest red flag for his value is the offense struggling to get into the red-zone at all. Currently, the Chicago Bears rank 30th in the league in red-zone plays. Only the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets rank below them.

The rookie running back has been entrusted with the ball ten times in the red-zone converting two of them for touchdowns, which isn't the most efficient conversion rate. The inability of the team to create red-zone opportunities is likely to limit the ability of the running-back to score touchdowns this season.

WIDE RECEIVER

Mike Williams (WR, LAC) - 12.7% Red-zone touch%

The Los Angeles Chargers offense isn't what it used to be while the team was in San Diego, but it is still effective.

Melvin Gordon has returned to the team and looks to be struggling behind the offensive line, which gives an opportunity for the pass catchers on the team. The Chargers pass on 63.5% of their plays in the red-zone.

All of this is positive for Williams, so why is he in the fallers? The biggest issue is that he primarily lines up on the outside, far away from quarterback Phillip Rivers. With the struggle that the offensive line has, it doesn't give a lot of time to allow plays to develop. That gives an advantage in opportunities to Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry.

Williams is a talented big-bodied receiver but could struggle to get on the scoresheet with the competition for targets.

TIGHT END

Delanie Walker (TE, TEN) - 11.1% Red-zone touch%

The Tennessee Titans continued with what worked for them last season. Play effective defense and give Derrick Henry all the touches he can handle. That is emphasized in the red-zone where Henry has 20 of the available 45 touches for the team.

And that opportunity is part of the problem, the team has only run 45 plays in the red-zone so far this season. Walker is second on the team in touches this season with five. That drop off in touches from Henry and the lack of opportunities in the red-zone is the reason Walker finds himself in the fallers.

 

Red Zone Sleepers

RotoBaller's Premium tools offer more detailed insight into player values and help you identify which players to target on the waiver wire and/or trade market. Start with a free one-week trial, including NFL Optimizer and DFS Premium and get an advantage on the competition!

More Risers and Fallers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jameson Williams

Lions Didn't Entertain Trade Offers For Jameson Williams
Dalton Rushing

Homers In Four-Hit Game
Qadir Ismail

Raiders Sign Qadir Ismail
New York Giants

Giants Plan To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux's Fifth-Year Option
Russell Wilson

Will Be Giants Starting Quarterback
Max Muncy

With A Pair Of Doubles Back At Triple-A
Michael Lorenzen

Tosses Quality Start
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Close Out The First Round With Josh Simmons
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Trade Up One Spot In First Round To Select Jihaad Campbell
A.J. Puk

Likely To Miss Multiple Months
Marquis Grissom Jr.

Notches Fifth Save At Double-A
Buffalo Bills

Bills Address Secondary And Take Maxwell Hairston With 30th Overall Pick
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Records Third Save
NFL

Eagles, Chiefs Swap First-Round Picks
Washington Commanders

Josh Conerly Jr. Goes At No. 29 Overall To Commanders

Giants Trade Up For Jaxson Dart At No. 25
Detroit Lions

Tyleik Williams Taken By Lions At No. 28 Overall
Shane Smith

Tosses Five Shutout Frames
Roman Anthony

With Home Run No. 5 On Thursday
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Go With Malaki Starks At No. 27 Overall In NFL Draft
Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Takes Donovan Jackson No. 24 Overall
NFL

Rams Trade The 26th Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft To The Falcons
Andrés Muñoz

Andres Munoz Secures Ninth Save
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Trade Back Into First Round To Draft James Pearce Jr. At No. 26 Overall

Matthew Golden Selected No. 23 Overall By Green Bay
NFL

Texans Trade The 25th Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft To The Giants
Jakob Marsee

Up To 18 Steals At Triple-A

Omarion Hampton Taken No. 22 Overall By Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Selects Derrick Harmon At No. 21 Overall
Denver Broncos

Broncos Build Secondary By Selecting Jahdae Barron At No. 20

Buccaneers Add Emeka Egbuka At No. 19
Jeff McNeil

Activated From Injured List
Brett Baty

Optioned To Minors
Zack Gelof

To Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Ryan Walker

Remains Giants Closer
Kumar Rocker

Heads To Injured List
Brent Rooker

Resting For First Time This Season
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Isaiah Stewart

Remains Out For Game 3
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Bryan Woo

Picks Up Third Win, Strikes Out Eight On Thursday
Cade Cavalli

Moving Rehab Assignment To Double-A
Paul DeJong

Having Surgery On His Nose
Royce Lewis

Starting His Rehab Assignment On Friday
Tyler O'Neill

Out On Thursday With Sore Neck
Linus Ullmark

Attempts To Overcome Playoff Struggles Thursday
Anthony Cirelli

A Game-Time Call Thursday
Logan Thompson

Comes Up Big In Game 2
Connor McMichael

Strikes Twice In Wednesday's Win
Anze Kopitar

Tallies Four Points In Game 2 Victory
Adrian Kempe

Notches Two Goals, Two Assists In Wednesday's Win
Tyler Seguin

Gives Stars Series Lead With Overtime Winner
Gabriel Landeskog

Delivers Six Hits In First Game Since 2022
Tyler Herro

Scores Game-High 33 Points In Wednesday's Loss
Donovan Mitchell

Fires In 30 Points In Game 2 Win
Paolo Banchero

Notches 32 Points In Game 2 Loss
Jaylen Brown

Posts 36-Point Double-Double Wednesday
Jalen Green

Erupts For 38 Points In Game 2 Victory
Brandin Podziemski

Limited To 14 Minutes Wednesday
Jimmy Butler III

Set For MRI Thursday
Brandin Podziemski

Upgraded To Available
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Michael Porter Jr.

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Davion Mitchell

Moves Into Starting Lineup Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Al Horford

Starts Game 2
Michael Porter Jr.

Practices On Wednesday
Jayson Tatum

Out On Wednesday
Isaiah Stewart

May Miss Another Game Thursday
NYI

Cal Clutterbuck Announces Retirement
Pavel Zacha

Recovering From Small Procedure
Nikolaj Ehlers

To Miss At Least Two More Games
Miro Heiskanen

Still Out On Wednesday
John Klingberg

Enters Oilers Lineup For Game 2
Evander Kane

To Make Season Debut Wednesday Night
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Posts Team-High 26 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Notches 27 Points Despite Poor Shooting
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Pascal Siakam

Scores Team-High 24 Points In Game 2 Win
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF