As fantasy football closes in on Week 8 of the NFL season, the pathway towards creating a winning lineup becomes even more strenuous with seven teams set to have their mid-season bye. Such a situation puts an emphasis on this week’s primetime matchups as they could potentially hold the keys to a fantasy hopeful’s chances of winning.
Specifically for the upcoming Thursday night game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings, fantasy footballers should push to utilize these three players as must-start options for the current week.
TE Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers (11% Rostered)
Week 7 Production: 9 targets, 7 receptions, 164 yards, 1 receiving touchdown)
INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) makes a catch during the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers on October 19, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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In back-to-back weeks, Gadsden II has collected pass targets of eight and nine from quarterback Justin Herbert. In the process, he’s had consecutive seven reception performances including last week’s 164 receiving yardage breakout outing against the Indianapolis Colts that also featured the rookie tight end’s first NFL touchdown catch.
Gadsden’s 29.4 Week 7 fantasy point outing made him tight end one at the end of last week and a prime waiver wire option ahead of the Chargers’ Thursday Night Football matchup. With the requisite injuries to the team’s offensive line and running back room, Los Angeles has recently been forced to lean on the arm of Herbert to keep them afloat against opposing teams.
For lineups that may need a hidden gem to man a Week 8 flex/tight end spot, Gadsden is a must-start lineup add that also possess immense league-winning upside as his passing game role continues to expand.
WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (21% rostered)
Week 7 Production: (12 targets, 9 receptions, 128 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 19: Jordan Addison #3 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during an NFL 2025 game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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Since returning from a three-game suspension by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy, Addison has put together three double-digit PPR scoring performances thanks to nearly 30 pass targets and two 100-yard plus receiving outings in three of the last four weeks.
Addison’s re-emergence has been made possible by the arm of veteran journeyman quarterback Carson Wentz. With Wentz scheduled to start in tonight’s matchup, Addison has a chance to cash in on an array of targets against a Chargers’ secondary that allowed three Colts pass-catchers to post double-digit PPR points this past Sunday.
RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (75% Rostered)
Week 7 Production: 9 carries, 20 rushing yards, 0 rushing scores; 5 targets, 4 receptions, 15 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Kimani Vidal #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter of a game at SoFi Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Vidal wasn’t able to replicate his breakout performance in Week 6 versus the porous Miami Dolphins run defense thanks to the Chargers chasing points against the electric Colts offense. The chances of Los Angeles facing the same fate versus the Vikings are slightly possible, but they’ll have the immediate head-to-head advantage with the projected return of tackle Joe Alt to the lineup bolstering the run game and offensive pass protection.
There’s also no true competition expected to eat into Vidal’s carries this Thursday with Hassan Haskins slated to be out due to a hamstring injury. While the Vikes run defense contained Saquan Barkley to the tune of 44 yards on 18 carries, Quinshon Judkins and Kenneth Gainwell each had huge fantasy games as lead backs against a Vikings run defense that is one of fifteen defenses this season to surrender over 115 yards rushing per game.
Much of Vidal’s success will be dependent on game script, but if Los Angeles is able to stay ahead of the chains, he will serve as a quality started running back play in a bye week ravaged Week 8.