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In the realm of fantasy football terminology, “Byemageddon” has become one of the most overused clichés we hear from analysts and broadcasters all over. Some try to deviate and use “Byepocalypse,” but it really is just as trite.

Regardless of its hackneyed usage, it does keep fantasy managers on their toes and forces them to remember that six teams are on a bye this week, and streaming the right players is paramount to their success this week.

A common phrase used in these pages is “stop looking for Mr. Right when Mr. Right Now is staring at you from the waiver wire,” and that couldn’t be more appropriate than it is … right now.

When this many teams are on a bye and you have multiple players missing from your lineup, you need to forget about “rest of season” and focus on who can help you get the win this week. What do you care about the Week 12 value of a wide receiver who is only being rostered to replace Jaxon Smith-Njigba this week? Get in, get the dub and get out.


  Tez Johnson (15) runs for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. AP Tez Johnson (15) runs for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. AP

Two players who fit the Mr. Right Now mold can be found on the Buccaneers. With Mike Evans lost for the duration of the fantasy regular season and Chris Godwin Jr. being held out until after the team’s Week 9 bye, wide receiver Tez Johnson and tight end Cade Otton are perfect fits for your roster. Maybe Johnson has some value down the road, but both are in fantastic spots this week as the Bucs head over to New Orleans.

With Evans and Godwin in and out of the lineup, Baker Mayfield has turned his attention, both in and out of the red zone, to Tez. The seventh-round rookie out of Oregon has seen his snap share grow to 70 percent over the past three weeks and has amassed nine catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets.

At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, he handles more of a Godwin-like role with a lot of snaps out of the slot, where he can use his speed to add yards after the catch. With Emeka Egbuka handling primary responsibilities, much like Evan did, Johnson fits in perfectly for Tampa Bay’s scheme and should see plenty of targets this week.


  Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball during second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball during second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images

As for Otton, the Saints rank 27th in DVOA and allow an average of 5.1 catches for 50.7 yards to tight ends. Just as we’ve seen in year’s past, when Evans or Godwin are out, Otton’s target share increases significantly. In fact, he has seen 20 targets over the past three games. Mayfield routinely has leaned on his tight end in times like this, and we expect that trend to continue.

Betting on the NFL?

Remember, Mr. Right Now is here for a week then he’s gone. You get a fantastic Week 8 matchups Johnson and Otton. With their bye week coming, they can be dropped on Tuesday for other waiver claims. With Godwin and Bucky Irving expected to return in Week 10, neither has the same value as they have this week. Get in, get the dub and get out.

Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice. 

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