Week 8 is upon us and how is your fantasy team holding up?

The Chargers and Vikings kicked off Week 8 on Thursday night. Let’s recap some important themes witnessed between the ‘Bolts’ and the Vikings. I’ll also give you two sneaky dynasty buys, and then another game-by-game preview through the entire Week 8 slate—perfect timing with six teams on bye. Let’s get to it and keep your fantasy teams going strong heading into the slog of the season.

Let’s start with the Thursday night clash, where the Chargers beat the Vikings and moved to 5–3. As a guy who’s 6–1 in my oldest league (most points scored by nearly 200!), I still found myself starting Kimani Vidal and Oronde Gadsden off waivers. That’s the beauty of redraft—no matter how stacked your roster is, the waiver wire is always in play. Both Vidal and Gadsden came through, and they’re proof that you can salvage a season with smart adds.

Oronde Gadsden Breakout

Oronde Gadsden is officially here to stay. The rookie tight end is a must-own in all formats—redraft, dynasty, everything. He’s not just a flash; he’s a target hog who’s outshining Quentin Johnston (who had zero targets despite being back from injury). The Chargers ran a ton of two-TE sets, and Gadsden’s snap share keeps climbing. I started him over David Njoku and Juwan Johnson in multiple leagues—zero regrets. He’s a top-10 TE play weekly now.

Kimani Vidal Emerging

Kimani Vidal was the other Chargers late-round gem who’s finally getting his shot. With Najee Harris out for the season and Omarion Hampton still sidelined, Vidal is the clear RB1 in L.A. He’s got elite contact balance, strong downfield blocking, and soft hands out of the backfield. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman are showing their past tendencies (a run-heavy offense), and with Herbert scrambling more, the ground game is only going to get stronger. Vidal is cementing himself as the future RB2 behind Hampton—and he’s on a rookie deal. Once Hampton returns, Vidal becomes a dynasty trade target for rebuilders or deep keeper leagues (I’m in a 15-man keeper—crazy, I know). But for now? He’s a must-start.

Vikings’ Concerns

On the Vikings’ side, Aaron Jones is a red flag. Even when healthy, he’s averaging under 10 touches per game and isn’t efficient with them. The Vikings’ O-line is decimated by injury—forget the top-5 potential that I once preached in the offseason. Jordan Mason is eating into his workload, and this offense isn’t high-flying. If you can flip Jones for back-end RB2 value in redraft, do it.

Chargers’ Identity

The Chargers’ run game is back. Game script helped, but this is the identity I expected all season: run-heavy, play-action deep shots, Herbert’s cannon. Don’t expect Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, or Quentin Johnston to be weekly plug-and-plays when the pass volume dips—25–27 attempts is the new norm when they’re ahead.

Dynasty rebuilders—listen up. Two rookie RBs are sitting at massive discounts right now with clear paths to 2026 RB1 roles.

Devin Neal (Saints)

Alvin Kamara looks done—efficiency metrics are screaming decline. Kendre Miller tore his ACL mid-season; even if he returns, knee injuries linger (see literally any RB’s slow ramp-up years post-injury). Neal is the clear handcuff today and could be the Saints’ lead back for the first half of 2026 (or longer). The Saints’ cap hell and aging roster mean no big RB splash is coming in the future. Neal is a steal—scoop him now before Kamara’s inevitable fade.

Braelon Allen (Jets)

Breece Hall is trade bait (deadline Nov. 4) and a free agent after 2025. The Jets may not re-sign him with a QB problem and two rookie-deal RBs who’ve looked good in limited roles. Allen is likely done for 2025 (Mike Evans–like return timetable), but the Jets have zero incentive to rush him back. That tanks his price—perfect buy-low. If Hall walks, Allen and Isaiah Davis will compete, but Allen’s proven skill makes him the favorite. Target him in every rebuild.

With six teams on bye, let’s run through every matchup with actionable fantasy takes.

• Kyle Monangai = spot start (Swift groin).
  
• Matthew Golden = spot start (explosive vs. Steelers).
  
• Isaiah Davis = redraft/dynasty add (Hall trade candidate).
  
• Oronde Gadsden = must-own TE (out-targeting QJ).
  
• Kimani Vidal = future Chargers RB2.

• Kimani Vidal: Draft-and-stash. Talent eval correct.
  
• Oronde Gadsden: Late-round rookie love paying off.
  
• Justin Fields: Projected QB20 (consensus QB11). Nailed the fade.
  
• Aaron Jones: Low touches, low efficiency. Flip him.

Stay active—Kimani Vidal, Oronde Gadsden, Kyle Monangai, Isaiah Davis, Matthew Golden—recently available guys. Monitor Nico Collins and Jayden Daniels. Fire up Rachaad White, Derrick Henry, and Dalton Kincaid. Dynasty rebuilders: target Devin Neal and Braelon Allen.

Thanks for rocking with me, Dynasty Rewind crew. Drop a rating, leave a review for Deep Dive Fantasy Football, and let’s keep chasing those titles.

Peace!