Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 8

7mo

Everyone, take a moment.

Regardless of last week's result, you made it through the first of two bye-pocalypses.

That in itself deserves some self-love.

Things get more fun in Week 8 with all 32 teams back in action.

While that gives you a lot more flexibility with your lineup decisions, it also makes deciding who to start or sit much tougher than the last few weeks.

But don't sweat it. I have you covered.

Every week, I list out every fantasy-relevant player, sorted by position and bucketed into tiers with the higher-tiered players deemed more start-worthy. For specific start/sit advice between two players in the same tier, refer to numberFire's projection model.

These tiers are meant to reflect your typical 12-team, half-PPR scoring formats with only one starting quarterback -- though the general rankings can be loosely applied to most formats.

Any player not listed can be assumed sit-worthy in most leagues.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Week 8

Quarterback

Tier 1: Lineup Locks

Tier 2: Probable Starters

Jared Goff (DET) is back at home this week, which means we are starting Goff in fantasy this week. Sure, last week's 10.2-point outing was disappointing, but it was on the road against a stout Baltimore defense. Things get much easier this week, as the Raiders have surrendered the eighth-highest EPA per dropback (0.02), according to Next Gen Stats. Averaging 19.7 fantasy points at home since 2021, Goff may have the highest floor of any quarterback this week.
C.J. Stroud (HOU) is a QB1 this week. Two quiet weeks followed by a bye may have dampened some of his hype, but Stroud's three top-12 finishes have proven his fantasy relevance. The rookie enters Week 8 with the fifth-highest EPA per dropback (0.07) -- a number that should continue to climb with Tank Dell back from his concussion. He's in a good spot to produce against a Carolina defense allowing the sixth-most adjusted fantasy points per dropback (0.43) and the sixth-highest passing success rate (49.7%).
Joe Burrow (CIN) doesn't have a ton of upside in a road date with San Francisco, but it's not that bad of a spot. The 49ers just let Kirk Cousins cook them for 22 fantasy points, so I'm optimistic Joe Shiesty can produce after a week of rest. Burrow also looked better in his final two games before their bye, completing 74.1% of his passes, tossing 5 touchdowns, and scoring 39.2 fantasy points. While he's only faced Kyle Shanahan once in his career, he didn't disappoint. Back in 2021, Burrow torched the 49ers for 348 yards and a pair of scores. His arrow is firmly pointed up.
Dak Prescott (DAL) has become criminally underrated in fantasy circles. Yes, he enters Week 8 as the QB21 on a per-game basis (14.6). And sure, the Cowboys are passing at a -2.6% rate over expectation. But, I'm included to throw Weeks 1-5 out the window considering Dallas didn't play a single game that ended within 10 points over that span. The first time they had a "normal" game script in Week 6, Dak finished as the QB1 on the week. Assuming Dallas' receivers used the bye to work on their league-worst 5.3% drop rate, Prescott should continue his upward trend against a pretty uninspiring Rams defense.

Tier 3: On the Fence

Trevor Lawrence (JAX) has scored between 15 and 19 fantasy points in six of Jacksonville's seven games thus far. There's something to be said for his consistency, but Lawrence is averaging just 234.7 yards per game despite the Jaguars throwing at the fifth-highest rate over expectation (3.5%). Worse is a measly 3.3% touchdown rate that really limits T-Law's upside, especially against a Steelers defense allowing the 11th-fewest adjusted fantasy points per dropback (0.35) to opposing quarterbacks. I get the appeal, just understand his upside is limited.
Kirk Cousins (MIN) proved his fantasy relevance even with Justin Jefferson on the shelf for at least another two weeks. In a primetime matchup, Cousins set season-highs for completion percentage (77.8%) and yards (378) in an upset win over a stellar San Francisco defense. Still, we should temper expectations a bit for Week 8 with a trip to Green Bay on deck. Cousins is averaging just 16.3 fantasy points per game on the road this season and hasn't scored more than 10.9 points at Lambeau since 2018.
Brock Purdy (SF) is always going to have upside as the starting quarterback of this 49ers team, but he's proving to have a pretty lackluster floor. Despite completing 70% of his passes against Minnesota, Purdy threw multiple interceptions for the first time in his career and managed just 14.8 fantasy points. Purdy has averaged 20.2 fantasy points per game in seven career home starts, but Cincinnati's defense is above average in EPA per dropback (-0.13) and passing success rate (45.3%) allowed. He's startable in Week 8, but I'm not excited about his upside.
Sam Howell (WSH) has to at least be mentioned, but certainly not because of his play last week. Howell is fresh off his second-worst fantasy performance of the season -- a 10.5-point stinker against the Giants in which he completed a season-low 52.4% of his passes. A home matchup with the Eagles is brutal on paper, but Howell diced Phily up for 290 yards and 19.6 fantasy points on the road just a month ago. I'm not thrilled to start him, but Washington's second-ranked pass rate plus pass rate over expectation (74.9%) puts him in the streaming conversation.

Tier 4: Sit

Matthew Stafford (LAR) has a -3.1% completion percentage over expectation and a 39.7% passing success rate over the last two weeks. A lot of that can be blamed on a poor outing against the Steelers (48.3% completion percentage... yikes), but Stafford's fantasy upside just isn't there. He has yet to eclipse 17.5 fantasy points, and I have no confidence he'll do so this week considering the Cowboys have allowed more sub-7-point games (2) than 20-point games (1).
Deshaun Watson (CLE) isn't someone we can trust. I can't speak to what specifically is going on with his injury, but clearly, something is going on. Not only did he miss two games despite being cleared by Cleveland's medical staff, but Watson played 12 total snaps before exiting with a concussion this past week... only to be subsequently cleared, but not reenter the game. I promise there is someone more trustworthy out there on the waiver wire.
Russell Wilson (DEN) had some fun fantasy weeks to start the season, but he's posted a 42.9% pass success rate and scored just 22.8 fantasy points over the last two weeks. The worst of those two weeks came against Kansas City, which just so happens to be his Week 8 opponent. The Chiefs have allowed the second-fewest adjusted fantasy points (0.30) and fourth-lowest EPA (-0.24) per dropback, leaving Russ firmly on fantasy benches.

Running Back

Tier 1: Lineup Locks

Tier 2: Probable Starters

Aaron Jones (GB) has been incredibly frustrating. He's only played three games thus far and has yet to eclipse a 50% snap share. That's translated to just 34.8 fantasy points total... and 25.7 of that came in Week 1. There's an argument to sitting him until he proves us right, but unless your roster is crazy-deep, I'm not sure how you're sitting his legitimate RB1 potential. The Vikings have been stout against the run this season, but they're allowing the fifth-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.32) to running backs.
Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) is kinda, sorta, maybe back? The consensus RB11, according to FantasyPros' average draft position, has (rightfully) been dubbed one of fantasy's biggest disappointments, but the tide is turning. Rhamondre has turned in consecutive top-20 finishes, during which he's seen his two highest target shares of the season (19.4% and 20%). The Dolphins have allowed the ninth-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.27) and the third-most adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.70) to running backs, keeping Stevenson's arrow pointed firmly up.
Rachaad White (TB) may not be especially efficient (31.3% rushing success rate) or explosive (five runs of 10-plus yards), but he's going to continue being a fantasy asset as long as he's seeing that sweet, sweet volume. White has yet to play fewer than 70% of offensive snaps this season and sits in the top 20 league-wide with 21.5 adjusted opportunities (carries-plus-2x targets) per game. That volume could finally translate to a breakout fantasy performance in Week 8, as the Bills have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards over expectation per attempt (1.07). Make sure White is in your starting lineup.
Gus Edwards (BAL) is back, baby! Edwards exploded for 20.9 half-PPR points in Week 7, busting a six-week stretch that saw him score between 4.8 and 5.9 points five times. He received double-digit carries for the sixth consecutive game and out-rushed Justice Hill 14-4 overall and 3-1 in the red zone. Edwards and Hill still split snaps 28-27, but the Gus Bus is clearly the Baltimore back you want to be aboard in fantasy. Start him with confidence against an Arizona defense that's kept an opposing RB1 under 10 points just once this season.
Javonte Williams (DEN) is slowly, but surely, rounding into form. Williams eclipsed a 50% snap share for the first time last week, racking up a season-high 96 total yards via 15 rushes and 3 receptions. The matchup is brutal, but the Chiefs have allowed the 10th-highest rushing success rate (44.3%), and they let Williams rush for 5.2 yards per attempt just two weeks ago. He's going to score one of these games. Make sure he's in your starting lineup when that happens.
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren (PIT) both produced as top-24 running backs last week. They continue to split snaps pretty evenly, with Najee seeing nearly double Warren's carries (12.8 to 6.7), but Warren doubling Najee's target share (14.8% to 6.6%). That kind of timeshare limits their upside, but I'm bullish on their floor this week. The Jags have allowed the 12th-most adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.59) and the 11th-highest target rate (22.1%) to the position. They can both be started as desperation RB2s or solid FLEXs going forward.

Tier 3: On the Fence

Alexander Mattison & Cam Akers (MIN) had their closest snap share (54.5% to 37.9%) since Akers' arrival in Minnesota last week. Akers wound up seeing more carries (10) than Mattison (8) while both backs commanded a 7.0% target share. I was hopeful the bump in targets Mattison saw in Week 6 would continue with Justin Jefferson out, but this is looking more like a straight-up timeshare by the week. That's not great for fantasy, but there's a chance both could thrive in Week 8 against a Packers defense allowing the sixth-highest rushing EPA per attempt (0.01) and the seventh-most adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.64)
D'Onta Foreman & Roschon Johnson (CHI) will likely end up splitting time assuming Johnson clears concussion protocol. Foreman is the big name after his three-touchdown performance last week, but I won't be shocked if Johnson -- Chicago's fourth-round pick -- immediately takes over as the starter. Still, Chicago ran the balls 38 times and only threw it 29 times with Tyson Bagent under center last week. That kind of volume gives them both FLEX appeal.
Darrell Henderson (LAR) was partying like it was the first half of 2021 last week. Just days after being promoted from LA's practice squad, Henderson totaled 13.1 fantasy points on a 58.1% snap share. He wasn't especially efficient (Royce Freeman matched his 66 yards on seven fewer touches), but any running back with volume in Sean McVay's offense has a role on your fantasy team. The Cowboys present a tough matchup coming off a bye, but you could do worse than Darrell Henderson's 15-plus touches.
Emari Demercado (ARI) took hold of the Arizona backfield, playing 79% of snaps and totaling 13 of Arizona's 14 running back rush attempts. He only posted a 30.8% rushing success rate, but the volume is hard to ignore. The Ravens are a brutal matchup, but Demercado's 15.6% target share at least gives him a solid enough floor to throw into your FLEX.
Dameon Pierce & Devin Singletary (HOU) looked a lot less like a committee and a lot more like a Devin Singletary-led backfield the last time we saw these two in action. Who knows if things changed over their bye, as Singletary out-snapped Pierce 31-21 in Week 6, but they both saw 13 total touches. Both of them are hovering under a 6% target share for the season, so there's normally not much upside in a committee with no pass-catching backs. However, the Panthers have been SO bad against the run -- last in adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.89), success rate (49.3%), and EPA per carry (0.14) -- that I'd be okay sliding either into my FLEX this week.
Tyjae Spears (TEN) is consistently someone I'm not thrilled to start, but he has enough upside that it's not the worst option. It remains to be seen if he gets a bump in playing time post-bye week, but he's managed to be productive while playing just 50.9% of snaps. While the Falcons have allowed the fewest adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.45), they've also given up the most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.51) to opposing backs. Consequently, Spears' 12.5% target share gives him some FLEX value.

Tier 4: Sit

Brian Robinson & Antonio Gibson (WSH) are easy sits against the Eagles. Robinson has eclipsed 3.2 yards per carry in just two of seven games thus far, while Gibson has played more than 50% of snaps just twice. Philly has allowed the second-fewest adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.45) and the ninth-fewest adjusted fantasy points per target (0.96) to opposing backs. There just isn't any sort of upside here.
Kareem Hunt (CLE) has scored 14.6 and 15.1 fantasy points over the last two weeks, finishing as the RB10 and RB11, respectively. He's been a nonfactor in the passing game but has shown some surprising efficiency out of the backfield (45.5% rushing success rate). With Jerome Ford banged up, Hunt could be looking at 15-20 opportunities per game over the next few weeks. That volume is hard to keep out of lineups, but I'm not thrilled to start him this week against a Seahawks front allowing the lowest rushing success rate (32.2%) in the NFL. His floor is decent, but I don't see how he eclipses double-digit points.
Chuba Hubbard & Miles Sanders (CAR) have a decent matchup against the Texans this week, but your guess is as good as mine of who sees more work between the two. Hubbard led the way with a 51.5% snap share from Weeks 4-5 before serving as a near-every-down starter with Sanders out in Week 6. Frank Reich coachspeaked his way around the backfield but did call it a committee. I'm just avoiding both until we get a better idea of what's going on.
Zack Moss (IND) again saw Jonathan Taylor creep up on his snap share as the two split time 50.7% to 49.3% in Week 7. That's obviously going to continue, so as long as JT is healthy, I'm not sure where Moss' fantasy value comes from. The Saints have a tough defense, forcing Moss onto the bench in fantasy.
A.J. Dillon (GB) still saw more work than Aaron Jones, but I'm not sure how much longer that's going to continue. Even if was seeing all the work, I'd still be fading Dillon this week. He's registered a gross 39.2% rushing success rate thus far, and the Vikings have allowed the sixth-fewest adjusted fantasy points per carry (0.49). You can surely do better.

Wide Receivers

Tier 1: Lineup Locks

Tier 2: Probable Starters

Tee Higgins (CIN) has been arguably the biggest disappointment in fantasy. He enters Week 8 as the WR69 with just 33.9 fantasy points. Still, we're talking about someone who's finished inside the top 24 wide receivers each of the last two years and has dealt with a nagging rib injury for a good chunk of this season. I'm optimistic the week off will have Higgins looking more like his former self against a 49ers defense that just gave up 378 yards through the air.
Chris Godwin (TB) is dealing with a neck injury but is likely to play on Thursday after practicing in a limited fashion early this week. The Bills have allowed the sixth-most adjusted fantasy points per target to wideouts, and Godwin has commanded a 24.9% target share this season. That makes him a near must-start given the potential for positive touchdown regression (zero touchdowns on nine red zone targets).
Michael Pittman Jr. & Josh Downs (IND) proved their worth against arguably the best defense in the NFL last week, as both Indy wideouts finished as top-12 receivers. Both Pittman (27.8%) and Downs (20.1%) are enjoying a healthy dose of targets and can be confidently played this week, even against a solid New Orleans secondary.
George Pickens & Diontae Johnson (PIT) both managed to be productive in their first game together since Week 1. Any worries about Johnson cutting into Pickens' workload were quickly erased after Pickens posted his highest target share of the season (34.8%). That didn't have much of an impact on Johnson, as he commanded a 26.1% share himself. Jacksonville has been decent against the pass, but their volume is too strong to fade.
Rashee Rice (KC) keeps expanding his role. Rice saw his highest snap share (59.4%) and the third-highest target share (15.0%) of his career in Week 7. He added his third score of the year to finish with his best fantasy outing yet (14.5 points). An elite 2.72 yards per route run points to a continued breakout as his snap share grows. He's an easy WR3 and FLEX against a putrid Broncos secondary this week.
Drake London (ATL) has commanded a 28.8% target share since Week 2, yet is averaging just 11.2 fantasy points per game over that span -- thus is life in Arthur Smith's offense. Still, he's provided a solid floor of fantasy production and could be in store for his best outing of the season with the Titans on deck. Tennesee has allowed the fourth-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.59), the fifth-highest target rate (22%), and the fifth-highest catch rate (73.1%) to opposing wide receivers. Pencil London into your lineups, but save yourself the headache and watch a different game.

Tier 3: On the Fence

Marquise Brown (ARI) has turned in his two lowest-scoring weeks of the season in his last two games, but I'm not sure things improve this week. He continues to command a stellar 27.1% target share, but there isn't a ton of upside with Josh Dobbs up against a Ravens secondary allowing the third-fewest adjusted fantasy points per target (1.09). Arizona is an 8.5-point underdog, so a negative game script could boost him to WR3 status, but there isn't much upside.
Nico Collins, Robert Woods, & Tank Dell (HOU) have three games together where Dell has played at least 60% of the snaps. In those games, Collins and Woods both earned a 21.2% target share, but Dell is right behind them at 20.2%. They shared a similarly identical air yard share, so I'm not convinced any of these three are the bonafide No. 1 option. The Panthers have allowed the seventh-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.49), so there's certainly room for all three to produce. I have both Collins and Dell as solid WR3s with Woods rounding out as a WR4. This receiving core is difficult to project, to say the least.
Jakobi Meyers (LV) produced without him last week, but Meyers' fantasy stock is truly reliant on Jimmy Garoppolo's health. In four games with Jimmy G, Meyers has commanded a 30.0% target share and an absurd 62.5% end zone share en route to 17.1 fantasy points per game. That's a must-start profile, but he'd be knocked down dramatically if Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell were forced to start against a strong Lions defense.
Romeo Doubs & Jayden Reed (GB) were both top-36 wide receivers with Christian Watson sidelined for the first three games. Over that span, they each saw a 25.1% target share and at least a 23% red zone target share. They each caught a touchdown after he departed in Week 7, so I'm confident they'd be strong fantasy plays if Watson missed Sunday's game. Minnesota's secondary looked solid against San Francisco, but they've still allowed the 10th-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.44) to opposing wideouts. If Watson is able to go, he and Doubs would be FLEX plays, while Reed would be relegated to fantasy benches.
Kendrick Bourne (NE) has played at least 85% of New England's snaps four times this season, including each of the last three games. In those games, Bourne has commanded a 23.3% target share and a 35.3% red zone share en route to 13.6 fantasy points per game. As long as his playing time stays consistent, we can confidently slot Bourne into our FLEX spots, especially against a Dolphins defense that's surrendered a 70.4% catch rate and seven touchdowns to opposing wideouts.
Gabriel Davis (BUF) has always been a boom-or-bust fantasy option. He boomed from Weeks 2-5 with four touchdowns and 15.2 fantasy points per game (good for WR12 over that span), but has since busted... hard. Davis has just 2.7 fantasy points in the last two games, but there's at least some hope he gets back on track this week. The Bucs have given up the ninth-most yards per route run to opposing receivers this season, making Davis a high-risk, high-reward FLEX yet again in Week 8.

Tier 4: Sit

Amari Cooper (CLE) has some of the most eye-popping home/road splits I've ever seen. We can't 100% rely on those numbers, but they're something to consider this week on top of his abysmal quarterback situation and lack of recent production. He's yet to see less than 17% of Cleveland's targets, but the Seahawks' secondary has been good enough that I'm more than fine sitting Cooper this week.
Calvin Ridley (JAX), woof. Ridley had one of the worst games of his career last week (one reception for five yards) and has now scored fewer than six fantasy points in four of his seven games as a Jaguar. I'm optimistic he turns things around at some point, but there's no way I'm starting him coming off that game with a matchup in Pittsburgh on deck.
Courtland Sutton (DEN) caught another touchdown last week -- his fifth of the season. While his target share (22.3%) remains strong, I'm not eager to start him against Kansas City. He scored against them two weeks ago but only finished with four receptions for 46 yards. The Chiefs have allowed the third-lowest catch rate (55%) and the second-fewest adjusted fantasy points per target (1.06) to wide receivers thus far. Expect touchdown regression to hit hard this week.
DeAndre Hopkins (TEN) has eclipsed 8.5 fantasy points just twice this season, is facing a stout Atlanta secondary, and gets to catch passes from Will Levis making his NFL debut. What more do you need to hear to fade D-Hop this week?
Jerry Jeudy (DEN) has the same concerns as Courtland Sutton this week, but with none of the touchdown upside. I'm still expecting him to be traded and would be hard-pressed to start him until that happens.
K.J. Osborn (MIN) is, at best, the third option in this Minnesota offense right now. With Kirk Cousins funneling 47.9% of his targets to Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson the last two weeks, there just isn't enough volume for Osborn to have fantasy relevance against a good Packers secondary.

Tight Ends

Tier 1: Lineup Locks

Tier 2: Probable Starters

Dalton Kincaid (BUF) to the moon! Kincaid broke out last week and set career-best marks for receptions (eight), targets (eight), and yards (75). With Dawson Knox already ruled out, Kincaid has a chance to solidify himself as the No. 2 receiving option in Buffalo. I'm all in on the first-round pick, and so should you.
Jake Ferguson (DAL) garnered his lowest target share of the season (3.3%) in his last game before the bye week but actually saw his highest snap share (86.9%) of the year. The Rams have allowed the seventh-highest target rate (19.6%) and the third-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.72) to tight ends this season, giving me confidence in a Ferguson bounceback.
Dalton Schultz (HOU) has been running hot with touchdowns (three in his last three games) but also saw his target share skyrocket north of 29% in Houston's last two games before their bye. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Houston, but the Panthers have allowed the eighth-most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.56) to opposing tight ends. That's enough to make Dalton Schultz a capable fantasy starter this week.
Kyle Pitts & Jonnu Smith (ATL) are coming off a down week, but they still slot in as the TE11 and TE12 on the season. I'm bullish on both of Atlanta's tight ends (*shivers*) with both Pitts (19.3%) and Smith (16.1%) commanding solid target shares. Tennesee has allowed the fourth-highest catch rate (80.6%) and the second-highest catch rate over expectation (11.3%) to opposing tight ends this season, giving both guys a solid floor.

Tier 3: On the Fence

Logan Thomas (WSH) saw his third-highest target share of the season (16.7%) last week. While it only amounted to 7.1 fantasy points, that was good enough to finish as the 13th-highest-scoring tight. Fun position! Philly held him to just 5.8 fantasy points a month ago, but they've quietly given up the highest catch rate over expectation (14.4%) and the most adjusted fantasy points per target (1.73) to tight ends this season. With Washington facing a negative game script, you can do a lot worse than Logan Thomas this week.
Taysom Hill (NO) is the TE4 in half-PPR over the last two weeks. The Swiss army knife has seen 13 targets and 6 rushing attempts over that span in addition to running a route on 67% of New Orleans' dropbacks. He has upside this week, but expect his receiving volume to dip if Juwan Johnson returns.
Michael Mayer (LV) didn't do much of anything without Jimmy G last week, but he notably eclipsed a 70% snap share for the second consecutive week. There's no way I'd play him if Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell ended up starting, but he showed enough upside in Week 6 to consider him if Garoppolo returned.
David Njoku (CLE) led the Browns with a 25.7% target share last week -- his highest mark of the season. Like the rest of Cleveland's pass catchers, I'm bullish on Njoku rest of season but can't trust him this week. Njoku might actually benefit from P.J. Walker starting again, but the Seahawks have allowed the fourth-lowest target rate (13.8%) and just 1.28 adjusted fantasy points per target to opposing tight ends this season. Stash him for better matchups.

Tier 4: Sit

Cole Kmet (CHI) did not see a single target despite running a route on 61.3% of Tyson Bagent's dropbacks last week. Even against a soft Chargers defense, that lack of usage makes him impossible to trust.
Tyler Higbee (LAR) is a distant third option among LA pass catchers at this point. And even then, Tutu Atwell has way more big-play upside. While Dallas has been horrible against tight ends this season, Higbee's lack of usage should keep him planted on fantasy benches this weekend.

Interested in playing NFL DFS? Head over to FanDuel’s daily fantasy football lobby to see all the offerings for this week's slates.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.