NFL Start/Sit Week 8
By: Andrew Ferguson
Another solid week where we went 20-11. I’d say that’s pretty decent but we always want to be better. It’s harder when you’re not doing obvious picks. I think we all know who we are starting on a regular basis no matter what so my list is always guys you’re mulling over if you should start or bench. Keep that in mind! We are starting to see some trends where you can officially label someone a bust. But we are also seeing value picks shine and are now every week starters. So I’ll tell you to keep sitting those busts or to keep playing those gems. Sometimes the magic wears off or the early season busts break out (like Chase Brown. Keep holding!).
Week 8 has quite a few heavy hitters on bye so I know people are scrambling waivers and their bench for some starts. Let’s get into it.
QBs to Start:
Dak Prescott- Dak’s numbers are bewildering to me because he had a stretch of 4 games in a row where he threw only 1 TD in each. He still ranks QB5 in fantasy though because when he hasn’t found the endzone as much in those games, he salvages it with yards. Arizona ranks in the bottom 3 against opposing QBs in fantasy and Dak is coming off a 3 TD game against Philly so look for him to keep the momentum going.
Jayden Daniels- Even with McLaurin out, I like what I’m seeing for a couple of reasons. He’s throwing the ball a lot and he’s running a lot. This team might suck, they’re missing their star WR but at the end of the day, Daniels will have plenty of opportunities in garbage time and have the greenlight to take over the game. There is no run game to lead on so it’s all in Daniels hands. He could be a top 5 QB the rest of the season fantasy wise if he stays healthy.
Jacoby Brissett- I only start Brissett with the friendly matchups, which is exactly what he has here against Dallas. The Cowboys still rank bottom 5 in opposing QBs in fantasy. The Cardinals have played a couple of tough defenses lately and this is a week for them to get some volume back. They also still aren’t having much success on the ground so Brissett will get plenty of opportunities.
Sam Darnold- This one is deeper for those who need it. I think this Monday Night Football game will be a shootout. The Seahawks also just traded for Quenton Nelson who is going to help big time with the protection and the run game. The run game for Seattle still isn’t where they want it to be and right now, Darnold just feeds JSN. Darnold proves he can put up big numbers against friendly matchups like he has ahead of him against the Bears bottom 10 secondary.
QBs to Bench
Bryce Young- I don’t like this matchup. Short week coming off a bad performance where the starters were benched, in Lambeau Field against the Packers who rank top 5 in opposing QBs in fantasy. Bryce Young had early success in the year but throughout his career, it’s a surprise to a lot of people. He may finally be coming back down to earth.
Caleb Williams- Another bad matchup for the opposing QB in Seattle. Just look at what Mahomes did last week. Do I need to go into this more? If Williams was healthier and wasn’t hobbled by the hamstring, I’d say go ahead and start him anyway. But without that upside, he’s on my bench.
Bo Nix- Oh boy, here we go. Last week was fun right? I have on record to my friend that asked me if he should start Mahomes or Nix, and I said Nix. As good as it felt to be right on that one, don’t start him this week. The big run is what salvaged his day. He has a terrible matchup against KC that is top tier in scoring for opposing fantasy QBs.
Patrick Mahomes- Mahomes hasn’t thrown a TD in the last 2 games. This team is all Ken Walker right now. Mahomes is still talented but the lack of consistency is concerning fantasy wise. He might have a good game against a tough opponent here and there but it’s a gamble at this point. Denver is a tough defense and Mahomes isn’t on fire by any means right now. I’m sitting him.
RBs to Start
Ollie Gordon- If this guy is on your roster, you’re probably already starting him anyway. What a gem he’s been since the Achane injury. A TD in 4 straight games and over 80 total yards in each game? Yeah, I’ll take that all day and in a good matchup against New England.
Rachaad White- There is not much to be excited about in Washington’s backfield. White is kind of a last man standing that gets plenty of check downs. Daniels threw the ball 40 times last game and I expect them to be in close games to be throwing the ball, or in garbage time to throw the ball. White is a great PPR flex play.
RJ Harvey- I don’t care that this is a bad matchup, I think it’s worse for Coleman or Dobbins. Harvey is going to be utilized as a receiving back and has big play potential. He’s the only safe RB for this week even with all 3 of them in rotation.
Blake Corum- Corum is slowly eating into Kyren Williams’ work and he’s being effective with those opportunities. This is a true split backfield with a lot of offense to go around. He has a great matchup against the Chargers who are a terrible football team right now and rank bottom 10 against the run.
RBs to Bench
Rico Dowdle- Last week, the entire gameplan seemed centered around the running backs in Pittsburgh. At the end of the day, it’s Warren’s backfield and he’s going to get the bulk of the volume. And even if it is split, it’s still a really tough matchup against Cleveland’s defense. I know people are excited to see him healthy and his volume go up, but this is a game I’m not starting him.
Jonah Coleman/JK Dobbins- What a headache this backfield is. The Chiefs are a tough test and I don’t see either one of these having success. It’s going to be split and the only saving grace is that if they get in a goal line situation, one of them will score. Who’s it going to be? Who knows. I’m not gambling on it.
Omarion Hampton- He’s probably on your bench anyway but I’m here to tell you to keep him there. I know some people think maybe they got it together over their bye week. It’s not worth finding out until I see it with my own two eyes. Hampton and the play calling has been highly disappointing and right now, he’s not even getting the most touches in this backfield. Bust.
Aaron Jones- Party is over folks. Jordan Mason is back and seems to be the favorite in this backfield. Jones also tweaked his knee last week so it’s something to monitor. Even in a friendly matchup against Detroit, Mason should lead the way while Jones may rest up and come in the backfield only as needed.
WRs to Start
Omar Cooper Jr.- Adonai Mitchell was back last week and recorded 0 receptions on 3 targets. Cooper may have taken over this WR2 role for good. Garrett Wilson is also in trade rumor talk so keep an eye on that for Cooper to be the main man. It’s hard to ignore this rookie’s success and he has another good matchup ahead of him with Las Vegas.
Michael Wilson- He’s had a rough couple of weeks but so has Brissett. Look for the Cardinals to get back on track against Dallas who doesn’t know how to play defense. Wilson is the WR1 (outside of McBride technically). He is dealing with an injury so monitor that closely and if for some reason he can’t go, Bourne is a must start.
Stefon Diggs/Antonio Williams- Jayden Daniels threw the ball 40 times last game so he’s going to get his top targets involved. This could be a high scoring game as well. Without McLaurin, these are his top 2 targets and should get plenty of looks. The Eagles secondary is beatable just like they are as a crappy football team.
KC Concepcion Jr.- I was really high on his talent coming into the season but his production with Watson has lacked for the most part. We finally had the breakout game last year and he could be a league winner moving forward. It’s not an easy test against Pittsburgh, but he’s the most talented WR on this team at the end of the day.
WRs to Bench
Denzel Boston- The chemistry between Concepcion and Watson is growing and the fun with Boston is slowly fading. He’s still getting targets but it isn’t leading to production and this test against Pittsburgh’s secondary is a tough one. He’s a risky flex play and I’m benching him.
Jakobi Meyers- There are a lot of mouths to feed in Jacksonville. I know it’s tempting since he’s coming off a 10 target game and put up 80 yards but he’s been inconsistent in his volume and Travis Hunter is starting to get involved. BTJ is also still in the mix unfortunately so if you have any other options, I’m sitting Meyers.
Rome Odunze- Tough matchup and this guy is a ghost at times. I don’t think Caleb has a big day which means all of his WRs are at risk, especially Rome. Seattle on the road is not a defense to play with.
Demario Douglas- I’m still just waiting for AJ Brown to go nuclear and Douglas will be the WR to fall victim to lack of targets because of it. It could happen this week. Douglas had a decent 2 game stretch but the rest of his season speaks to who he truly is. Miami is a sneaky good secondary and doesn’t allow a lot of points to opposing WRs.
TEs to Start
TJ Hockenson- Hockenson seems to be all or nothing these days. Detroit’s defense allows the most points against opposing TEs in fantasy so if there’s a time to expect it all, it’s this weekend.
Travis Kelce- Kelcey is quietly TE6 on the year with a bye week already behind him. He’s a safe play in a game I think Mahomes is going to need his safety valve. The Chiefs WR room is banged up and outside of Walker, Kelce is the next best weapon. Even if Rice returns, Kelce should get checkdowns with yards after the catch and redzone targets.
Harold Fannin Jr.- The improved WR room has done a couple of things for Fannin. 1) It’s taking away his targets. But 2) It’s opening up the middle of the field for him. I love his talent and the Browns will need him against a tough Pittsburgh defense. I don’t see the Steelers having as much success in the run game this week so the passing game is going to have to step up and Fannin will benefit.
Chig Okonkwo- 13 targets over his last 2 games and McLaurin is done for the year. He has great potential. I think Daniels airs it out this game without a run game to lean on so all of Daniel’s passing weapons will have a good day.
TEs to Bench
Pat Freiermuth- He’s having a decent season but Aaron Rodgers seems to favor Darnell Washington in the red zone overall so banking on Freiermuth is a gamble. The running backs are getting the job done for Pittsburgh and the emergence of Germie Bernard is allowing the passing game to catch fire. Better streaming options out there this week in my opinion.
Darren Waller- I’m not a fan of this matchup entirely for the Panthers and the offense seems to be in somewhat of a funk. Waller is boom or bust and I’m thinking bust this week. He’s TD dependent and I’m not putting him in on a short week on the road against the Packers pretty solid pass defense.
Kenyon Sadiq- He had a hot start and everything thought this was a first round steal. He still could be but the looks aren’t there like they once were and Mason Taylor snagged 2 TDs last week. Obviously, Sadiq isn’t the priority in the tight end room. Omar Cooper Jr. is also taking the spotlight and I see his momentum continuing over Sadiq getting more involved right now. It’s tempting because it’s a friendly matchup against the Raiders but Sadiq isn’t involved enough for me to even roster him right now.
Sam Laporta- This one is tough, but I’m throwing up a hail mary here. He just had a bad week against Green Bay who is the 2nd best at defending TEs and he goes right into a matchup against the number ranked defense against TEs. Laporta is human and after this stretch of tough defenses, I can put him back in my lineup but I’m looking to make a gutsy bench here.
