It’s Week 8 and our fantasy leagues are being hit by more and more injuries to big names. There are also a bunch of fantasy superstars on byes this weekend. This combines to make those start/sit decisions even harder than usual. We’ve got you covered though! Here is our list of players to start and sit this weekend in fantasy football.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (vs SEA) – Jones has been great so far and sits as the QB10 in scoring. His passing stats have been efficient, if modest, but his rushing ability gives him a very high fantasy ceiling. Jones ranks fifth in the NFL in explosive run rate and has the second most rushing yards amongst quarterbacks. He benefits from a good matchup against Seattle too.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs MIA) – Few players have fallen as fast in fantasy terms as Goff. Through Week 4 he ranked as QB5, averaging 22.9 points per game. In his two games since then he has scored 0.38 points – yes, you read that correctly. Those games came against tough defenses though, and Miami don’t fit that description. They have allowed the fifth most points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
PJ Walker, Carolina Panthers (vs ATL) – This one is all about the matchup. Walker looked solid last week in the Panthers’ upset over the Buccaneers. He should be able to carry that over into the game against the Falcons. Atlanta has been poor on defense all year and has held opposing quarterbacks to less than 15 points just once this season. That should help Walker put up some solid numbers.
Sit ‘Em
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs SF) – There’s no getting away from the fact that Stafford has been genuinely poor this season. The Rams offense isn’t clicking, and it has shown in his fantasy production. Through seven weeks, Stafford sits as the QB24. He hasn’t scored 13+ points in a game since Week 2. Now he faces a very strong 49ers defense that will make life difficult.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (vs DAL) – At least in fantasy terms, Justin Fields seems to be turning things around. He has scored at least 16 points in each of his last two games and currently sits as the QB16 in scoring. I wouldn’t gamble on him this weekend though. The Bears face a ferocious Dallas front that will no doubt get after Fields consistently. This is likely to impact his ability to create late in the down.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs PHI) – Yes, some of the interceptions haven’t been his fault, but it is hard to ignore how badly Pickett has begun his career in Pittsburgh. He hasn’t topped 15 fantasy points in a single game yet and prepares to face the Eagles defense this weekend. Philly ranks second in allowing 11.5 points per game to the quarterback position.
Running back
Start ‘Em
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (vs TB) – This matchup might not look great on paper, but this Bucs defense isn’t looking like many expected. Last weekend they allowed an underwhelming Panthers backfield to score almost 30 fantasy points. You can then factor in how much the Ravens like to run the ball and how many touches Edwards gets in the absence of Dobbins, and this becomes a no-brainer.
Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (vs GB) – Singletary’s production can be a little streaky from game to game, but this weekend’s matchup feels too good to ignore. The Bills face off against a struggling Packers defense that has been unable to stop the run. Green Bay is allowing 23.7 points per game to opposing running backs.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (vs DET) – At this point there is no question that Mostert is the RB1 in Miami. He has had at least 14 carries in each of his last four games and accounts for 77% of the Dolphins’ running back carries over that period. This weekend he faces a struggling Lions defense that ranks 30th in both points allowed to running backs, and points allowed to backs in the red zone.
Sit ‘Em
Damien Harris, New England Patriots (vs NYJ) – Rhamondre Stevenson seems to be the flavour of the month in New England, and he continues to dominate that backfield. Harris made his return last week but barely featured, earning just three carries. Add in a matchup against a stout Jets run defense and it’s difficult to find a reason to start him this week.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Chargers (vs SF) – Henderson has taken over the lead back role for the Rams with Cam Akers out, but I’m not sure I’d start him. His ceiling this season has been fairly low, failing to exceed 14 points in a game. This weekend he is also going up against a very tough 49ers run defense. I can’t see him doing much in this one.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (vs CIN) – The Browns offense has shifted away from its famous two-headed backfield, and this has kicked Hunt into the fantasy long grass. He has had just nine carries through his last two games and has scored double digit points just once since the opener. He might be relevant again if he’s traded out of Cleveland, but for now he’s not worth a start.
Wide receiver
Start ‘Em
DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers (vs ATL) – With Christian McCaffrey gone and PJ Walker at quarterback, it looks like Moore will be relevant in fantasy again. He had a big game last week against the Buccaneers, finishing with seven catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. This weekend he faces an injury-riddled Falcons secondary that is giving up a league high 46.5 points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (vs WAS) – With a new quarterback under center there is definitely some risk involved with this one, but it is one I’m willing to take. Washington rank 32nd in DVOA against opposing WR2s this season and are on average allowing 6.3 receptions and 50.7 receiving yards per game. This, added to their inefficiency against opposing receivers in the red zone, is enough to start Pierce.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (vs LAR) – Aiyuk has been playing really well with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback and has become an essential part of this 49ers passing attack. He has earned 22 targets through the last two weeks, scoring a combined 43.5 points in those games. The Rams’ defense is solid, but Deebo Samuel should occupy Jalen Ramsey, giving Aiyuk plenty of opportunities.
Sit ‘Em
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs PHI) – Matchups don’t come much tougher than the Eagles cornerback combo of Darius Slay and James Bradberry. Johnson and the Pittsburgh offense will have their work cut out in getting anything against this defense. With a struggling rookie at quarterback too, this isn’t a matchup I’m keen to gamble on.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals (vs MIN) – The return of DeAndre Hopkins and the signing of Robbie Anderson have shaken up this Cardinals offense. Moore looks the most likely to lose out if his role last weekend is anything to go by. He earned just two targets against the Saints and could well be similarly limited here against the Vikings.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (vs NE) – This is a tough matchup at the best of times, but when you factor in the Jets’ struggles at quarterback it is getting increasingly difficult to start their receivers. Wilson’s production has dropped off substantially since the change at quarterback, failing to score double digit points in each of his last four games. I haven’t seen enough to think that changes any time soon.
Tight end
Start ‘Em
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (vs JAX) – Dulcich only returned from IR to make his first ever NFL start in Week 6, but he’s already found his groove. He has earned 12 targets through two games, averaging 13.8 fantasy points per game. The Jaguars do have some talent on defense, but sometimes you just have to ride the hot hand and hope they continue.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (vs LV) – This is one of the riskier picks when it comes to tight ends, but Hill offers a ceiling that few others can match. He has played an increasing role in this offense through recent weeks and currently sits as the TE6. I fully expect Dennis Allen to call upon him again in this one and that could lead to plenty of points against a poor Raiders defense.
Irv Smith, Minnesota Vikings (vs ARI) – Smith is getting reliable volume in this Vikings offense and has a great matchup this weekend against the Cardinals. Arizona is allowing a huge 20.3 points per game to the tight end position and have had particular problems in the red zone, where they are allowing the second most points. That should be enough to see Smith do well.
Sit ‘Em
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills (vs GB) – Knox had his biggest game from a fantasy perspective in Week 6 against the Chiefs, scoring 14.2 points. He continues to underperform on expectation though and is clearly not a big part of this Bills offense. He is also going up against a Packers defense that has allowed the third fewest points to tight ends this season.
Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (vs CHI) – With Dak Prescott back at quarterback we can expect to see more of Schultz as the season progresses. That being said, I’m still not sure I’d start him this week. The Cowboys’ passing game was a little underwhelming in Week 7 and this weekend they face a Bears defense that has excelled against tight ends.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs CAR) – It hurts to say it, but everyone’s favourite young tight end just isn’t a viable starter anymore. Atlanta’s low volume passing offense has crippled Pitts’ production as he has had more than three receptions just once all season. The matchup against Carolina is less than ideal too.