Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football Week 8

It’s Week 8 and there are no bye weeks? I clearly don’t understand scheduling. Starts/sits for fantasy football in Week 8 are easier because of it.

Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football Week 8

Your league’s picture is likely starting to become clearer. This is probably the last couple of weeks for trades and really tweaking your roster. A down year in passing has made this one of the weirdest fantasy football seasons in recent memories. Finding the value is key as everyone jockeys for playoff spots. Onto the list!

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (7) – Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Start: QB CJ Stroud (at Panthers)

Stroud has a lot of things going for him in this game. First, the team is coming off a bye week. They have had two weeks to prepare for their matchup with the Panthers. The opponent is the other reason why Stroud should be a must-start. Carolina has lost many of its impact players on defense making it easier to move the ball on them. I wouldn’t count out the “I’ll show them” factor. Stroud will likely be eager to show that the Panthers went with the wrong quarterback number one overall.

Rams QB Matt Stafford (9) – Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Sit: QB Matthew Stafford (at Cowboys)

Stafford has been a solid play all year. With Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Tutu Atwell and a running game full of a rotating cast of characters, Stafford has been able to sling the ball around. I don’t like the matchup this week. The Cowboys boast one of the league’s best defenses and have allowed more sub-seven-point games (two) than 20-point games (one) in 2023. Especially in one quarterback league, you can find better value elsewhere.

Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (38) – M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Start: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (at Dolphins)

Stevenson has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy football season but the arrow is pointing up. He has finished in the top 20 in the last two weeks and has his highest target share as well. He is clearly becoming more of a focal point in the offense. While it is easy to look at the Dolphins as an above-average team, they do not have an above-average defense. It is vulnerable to the run meaning that Stevenson should be a safe play for week 8.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt (27) – Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Sit: RB Kareem Hunt (at Seahawks)

There might be a temptation to lock in Hunt to your starting lineup with the Jerome Ford injury. However, I am being very cautious of the Cleveland Browns offense in general. PJ Walker is starting meaning that teams may load up the box more and force the former XFL quarterback to beat them in the passing game. The Seahawks quietly have a very stout run defense. Seattle’s front is allowing the lowest rushing success rate (32.2%) in the NFL. With no one on a bye week, find other running backs to start.

Texans WR Nico Collins (12) – AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Start: WR Nico Collins (at Panthers)

I’m all in on the Texans this week in fantasy football. Collins has been a very safe receiver to start this year as he has topped 80 yards in four of six games. In two of those games, he exploded giving fantasy owners a nice surprise. The favorable matchup goes beyond good offense playing bad defense. The scheme that Carolina runs is why I’m so high on Collins. The Panthers run zone 83% of the time.  Collins has picked up 70% of his yards against zone defenses. I expect Collins to feast this week.

Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett (16) – Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Sit: WR Tyler Lockett (vs. Browns)

Lockett has been a safe fantasy football player for years. With DK Metcalf likely out this week with an injury, the temptation is to start Lockett with confidence. However, the Lockett supporters didn’t count on Jake Bobo becoming the favorite target of Geno Smith. Last week, Lockett only saw five targets catching four of them for 38 yards. Bobo and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the offense in the receiving department. I’d be cautious with Lockett this week.

Saints TE Taysom Hill (7) – Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports

Start: TE Taysom Hill (at Colts)

I am continually baffled by how Taysom Hill continues to be productive. Any time he is at the quarterback position the defense knows what is coming and they can’t stop it! It has to be infuriating for opposing fans. For the fantasy football community, Hill has become a reliable starter at a position that is void of consistency outside of Travis Kelce. He is running more routes than any other Saints tight end and in short-yardage situations, he is getting the work over Jamaal Willaims. Instead of hoping that Luke Musgrave or Hunter Henry has production, start Hill.

Raiders TE Michael Mayer (870 – Chris Unger/Getty Images

Sit: TE Michael Mayer (at Lions)

Mayer was having a solid season until Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an injury. If Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell is starting, I am staying away from the entire offense outside of Davante Adams. Mayer is an interesting player to stash for later. While his production was down last week he eclipsed a 70% snap share for the second week in a row. The opportunities are going to start being there and if Garoppolo comes back, Mayer could become a league winner come playoff time. Stash him on the bench for week 8

That is my list of starts/sits for fantasy football in week 8. Good luck to all as you try and make it into the playoffs.