Red Zone Share Fantasy Football Impact: Weeks 7-9

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants — Designed Runs Are the Offense in Close

Dart accounts for 70% of New York’s red-zone carries in this span, worth 41% of the Giants’ total red-zone opportunities. That is elite, quarterback-driven finishing. The practical read: New York is comfortable letting Dart end drives on the ground, which caps touchdown ceilings for backs and creates a stable weekly red-zone floor at quarterback. Treat this as a sustainable schematic choice rather than a blip.

Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers — A Free TE with Real TD Access

Washington logged six red-zone targets across Weeks 7 through 9, 30% of Pittsburgh’s total. The Steelers were the third-most pass-heavy red-zone offense in the league during this window, and 14 of 20 red-zone targets went to tight ends. That is not noise; it reads like a plan. Despite that, Washington still sits outside the top-50 rest-of-season among tight ends. In 12-team formats, that profile should not be on waivers. It is a priority add with weekly touchdown paths baked in.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers — First Read Where it Counts

Legette drew 33% of Carolina’s red-zone targets and operated as the first receiving option inside the twenty. For a second-year wide receiver, that concentration matters more than raw volume. It signals design and trust. In standard leagues, this is WR3/FLEX utility during bye weeks; in deeper formats, it is weekly startable when the Carolina Panthers project multiple red-zone trips.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins — Usage Mismatch to Current Rank

Even with Tyreek Hill sidelined, Waddle captured just 7% of Miami Dolphins red-zone opportunities over these three weeks. That is too low for a player currently graded as a low-end WR1 on weekly expert ranks. The conclusion is not a panic sell; it is a reminder to set expectations around volume and yards rather than bankable finishing until the usage inside the twenty rebounds.

George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys — Similar Warning Label

Pickens accounted for only 7% of the Dallas Cowboys’ red-zone opportunities in this window while still being treated as a low-end WR1 in weekly ranks. The talent is obvious, but the recent money-zone role says boom-bust more than automatic. Managers in shallow leagues should be willing to rotate in steadier red-zone roles on a matchup basis.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars — No Red-Zone Targets in Three Weeks

Thomas did not register a single red-zone target across Weeks 7 through 9. His rest-of-season rank has already cooled, but this is a further yellow flag for touchdown expectations. Until Jacksonville shows designs for him inside the twenty, he profiles as a yardage-driven WR3/FLEX.

Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars — Run-Heavy Red-Zone Identities

Both the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars funneled more than 70% of their red-zone opportunities to the run during this window. Chicago, in particular, recorded more than double the league-average red-zone carries. That tilt elevates D’Andre Swift or Kyle Monangai — whichever back starts for Chicago — into strong touchdown profiles right now. In Jacksonville, Travis Etienne Jr. benefits directly from the team-level commitment to rushing finishes.

Actionable Calls for Week 10 Planning

• Add/Start in Deeper Leagues: Darnell Washington and Xavier Legette in deeper or bye-week situations.

• Start/Trade for: Jaxson Dart (rushing TD equity stabilizes QB floor).

• Reframe: Jaylen Waddle and George Pickens as matchup-driven WR2/FLEX until red-zone roles improve.

• Leverage Team Tilt: Prioritize Chicago’s starting back (Swift or Monangai) and keep Etienne locked in lineups while run-heavy tendencies persist.