New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton is coming off his best performance of the season. He hauled in six of his nine targets for 45 yards in the loss to the Denver Broncos. It was a surprisingly high workload for Tipton who hadn't finished with more than two receptions in any previous contests. It's worth noting that top wideout Chris Olave was sidelined last week, but is back now. That probably means that Tipton goes back to having a minimal role in the offense. Tipton is worth stashing in some dynasty formats, but isn't an ideal streaming option for the Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means had three catches for 37 yards on five targets in Week 7's loss to the Denver Broncos. The rookie has seen an uptick in work over the last two weeks in the wake of a rash of injuries that hit the Saints' skill players, namely Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee). Olave looks ready to return in Week 8 but with Shaheed out for the season, it is possible that Means maintains a regular presence on the offense. Since Spencer Rattler took over under center for Derek Carr (oblique), Means has drawn the second-most targets on the team and has eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown to show for it. Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers does not invite hope for a big day but it is possible that Means and Rattler build on the chemistry they have shown over the last two weeks while LA's defense focuses on the larger threats of Olave, Alvin Kamara (hand, ribs), and Taysom Hill (ribs). Means is not worthy of starting in most leagues but in deeper PPR leagues he deserves consideration for Week 8.

New Orleans Saints placekicker Blake Grupe was good on his only field goal attempt in Week 7. The make, from 35 yards out, kept Grupe perfect on field goal tries this season. He also converted his only extra-point attempt of the night. Facing the stiff defense of the Denver Broncos, the Saints found it hard to give Grupe chances to enter play and the situation is likely to repeat in Week 8 when they get the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have had just nine touchdowns scored against them this season and have allowed the fewest points in the league (83). Naturally, they have seen the fewest extra point attempts and similarly have seen the third-fewest field goal attempts tried against them. Fantasy managers should shop the wire for a different kicking option in Week 8, as Grupe's situation is about as poor as it can get.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (shoulder) was limited in practice all week but carries no designation going into Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Over the last two weeks with Spencer Rattler under center, Johnson has six receptions for 66 yards on nine targets. The production represents a modest bump up over previous weeks but is somewhat disappointing given the string of injuries dealt to other key pieces on the Saints' offense. The expected returns of Chris Olave (concussion) and Taysom Hill (ribs) in Week 8 would cut into Johnson's limited opportunities and lackluster results. Going up against a Chargers defense that has not allowed a touchdown to his position yet this season, Johnson carries little fantasy value in Week 8 and can be left on the wire.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip) was the Saints' most productive fantasy player in Week 7, catching six of his eight targets for 57 yards and a garbage-time touchdown. Unfortunately, he will not have a chance to repeat that feat in Week 8. Wilson logged a limited practice to start the week and followed that up with consecutive DNPs. The seventh-year veteran is now listed as out on the Saints' final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Wilson's absence on Sunday will generate more looks for rookies Bub Means and Mason Tipton but both will be working in the shadow of Chris Olave (concussion) who is expected to return to action.