Can you believe we are nearly half-way through the fantasy football season? As we look to Week 8, the stakes are getting higher, and playoffs draw closer. Stuck between two players and don’t know who to start in Week 8? In these weekly articles, I will review and help you decide which WRs and TEs to start and sit every week based on matchups, weather conditions, injuries, and more. You’ll never see studs like Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb on this list, but this is more advice to help you decide between those two players that will help you set and win your weekly lineup. For any additional gameday questions, be sure to follow me on X at @Lobosffden.
Week 8 Start and Sit
Start ‘Em Wide Receivers
Jayden Reed vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Coming off his worst outing of 2024 (2 receptions for 10 yards), Reed should be in for a nice bounce back vs. a Jacksonville defense that allows the 4th-most points to opposing WRs. Prior to his week 7 outlier, Reed was the WR4 in fantasy football and averaged 17.7 PPG, 5.6 targets per game, 4.8 receptions per game, and 73 yards per game. In what was an awkward outing for Reed last week, I expect him to be much more involved and crush his projection. While there might be a carousel of WR production from the others, I expect Reed to be the one consistent piece of this offense. Start him as a Top-12 option in Week 8.
DeVonta Smith vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Another WR coming off his worst showing in 2024, this week should be a different story. The game script called for a monster revenge game from Saquon Barkley in Week 7, but in Week 8, Jalen Hurts will have to throw the ball more than 14 times if the Eagles want to compete vs. the Bengals. Before injuries and the Philadelphia bye week (Weeks 1-3) Smith was the WR8, averaging 17ppg. While this Philadelphia offense is still trying to figure this out, and a Dallas Goedart who is nursing an injury, I expect Smith to return to form, and be a strong WR2 in Week 8.
Cedric Tillman vs. Baltimore Ravens
While this Cleveland offense might not be anything you want a part of, Jameis Winston taking over this offense is the best thing that could have happened for fantasy football. The Amari Cooper departure opened the door for Cedric Tillman to be fantasy-relevant. In the first week after Amari Cooper’s departure, Tillman posted a career-high 18.1 fantasy points, 12 targets (2nd behind Njoku), and 81 receiving yards. He now faces a Baltimore defense that allows the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing WRs. Jameis Winston is officially the starter in CLE, giving Tillman some solid FLEX appeal this week. Fire him up!
Sit ‘Em Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson vs. Denver Broncos
After Diontae Johnson turned a page with Andy Dalton under the helm, it seems like Bryce Young is back in Week 8. With Bryce Young under the helm, Diontae averaged 4.2 fantasy points vs. 18.1 with Dalton. To make things worse, the Panthers go against a tough Denver defense that gets Patrick Surtain back. I expect Surtain to shadow Diontae, making him a strong sit option in Week 8.
Chris Olave vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Though Rashid Shaheed is out for the year for New Orleans, Olave should stay on your bench in Week 8 vs. a tough Chargers defense. This Chargers offense kept Arizona to 17 points, and I’d expect a similar outcome against a Derek Carr-less Saints team. There are better options for you this week.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Buffalo Bills
Coming off back-to-back single-digit fantasy performances, Jaxon Smith-Njigba faces a tough Buffalo defense in Week 8. Buffalo has one of the league’s worst rushing defenses, allowing the 2nd-most fantasy points to RBs, and Seattle has two very talented backs in Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnett who will be heavily involved in this game. Better matchups coming for JSN, but for Week 8, keep him on the bench.
Start ‘Em Tight Ends
David Njoku vs. Baltimore Ravens
Did I mention that Jameis Winston starting for the Browns is a good thing for fantasy football? With Watson out last week, Njoku posted an impressive 10/76/1TD stat line and now faces a forgiving Baltimore defense. With Amari Cooper out of town, Njoku is the big dog, and he’s about to eat. Start him with confidence.
Evan Engram vs. Green Bay Packers
Since coming back from his hamstring injury, Engram has been one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets. While Green Bay is tough on WRs, the TE position is much more giving, as they allow the 8th-most yards and 9th-most fantasy points per game to opposing TEs. Engram’s 15 targets through two games warrant a start, and in a game where Jacksonville will be playing catch-up with the Packers, Evan Engram may see 10+ targets and give you a solid TE1 production week.
Cole Kmet vs. Washington Commanders
Before their Week 7 bye week, Cole Kmet had his second-best game of the season putting up 5/70/2TDs. It seems like he’s gaining rapport with Rookie QB Caleb Williams, and in a Week 8 matchup that should allow the Bears to throw the ball consistently, Kmet should be one of the main beneficiaries. With the TE position being so inconsistent, Kmet should see some consistency in this offense.
Check out all of our Week 8 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Sit ‘Em Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely vs. Cleveland Browns
After that monster performance in Week 1, Isaiah Likely has failed to record more than 30 yards in any game. With Mark Andrews seemingly back to his routine and fully recovered, Likely is nothing more than a handcuff. Leave him on your bench.
Zach Ertz vs. Chicago Bears
While Zach Ertz has been a decent play in recent weeks, the absence of Jayden Daniels hurts the value of some of the pass catchers in Washington. Terry McLaurin has proven he’s QB-proof, but besides him, I’d bench most Washington pass-catchers. In a game where Washington might not throw very often, I’d leave Ertz on the bench, at least until Jayden Daniels returns from that rib injury.
Tyler Conklin vs. New England Patriots
Whatever fantasy relevance Tyler Conklin had, has disappeared with the addition of Davante Adams to the Jets offense. In the first game with Adams in the lineup, Conklin finished with 4 catches for 7 total yards. Tyler Conklin is droppable in all formats, dont start him this week.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!