Welcome to the Week 8 Fantasy Football FAAB Guide. Every week I provide you with detailed coverage of all the NFL players you might be courting for our fantasy football squad. More importantly, I guide you on how much to spend on each player. You will find obvious player opinions such as A.J. Brown is still a top 15 WR, but I will also give you useful, less-heralded takes like Khalil Herbert will negatively impact David Montgomery’s fantasy value for the rest of the season. If you need Waiver Wire adds only, check out my Fantrax pal Colin McTamany’s Waiver Wire Rankings here.
AJ Brown is back 😈 pic.twitter.com/Wu0W8ucaKV
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 24, 2021
More fantasy football fun for Week 8: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | D/ST Streamers
Week 8 Fantasy Football FAAB Guide
$1,000 is a common budget size for season-long leagues and that is the template for my FAAB bid percentages. The Week 8 Fantasy Football FAAB Guide attempts to cover all styles of fantasy scoring, but I write this article from a redraft and PPR point of view. All roster percentages for this week come from Fantrax and ESPN fantasy football leagues.
WEEK 8 BYES: BALTIMORE, LAS VEGAS
QB ADDS
| PLAYER | FANTRAX ROSTER% | ESPN ROSTER% | BID RANGE | MATCHUP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Wentz | 72% | 22% | 3-5% | TEN |
| Geno Smith | 27% | 4% | 2-4% | JAX |
| Daniel Jones | 76% | 28% | 2-4% | @KC |
| Teddy Bridgewater | 57% | 21% | 2% or less | WAS |
| Case Keenum | 18% | 2% | 2% or less | PIT |
| Taylor Heinicke | 46% | 25% | 2% or less | @DEN |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | 43% | 5% | 2% or less | @CHI |
| Mac Jones | 73% | 14% | 2% or less | @LAC |
| Tua Tagovailoa | 80% | 43% | 2% or less | @BUF |
| Jameis Winston | 73% | 27% | 2% or less | TB |
| Tyrod Taylor | 31% | 3% | 1% or less | LAR |
| Jared Goff | 53% | 7% | 1% or less | PHI |
Reference Points
- Carson Wentz is impressing me. He has two bad ankles hindering him, yet he doesn’t seem to care. He has improved each of the last three weeks. Changing teams and implementing a new offense always take more time. Especially for a QB. See Tom Brady earlier last year. Wentz is the only QB in the NFL who has 11 or more scores with 1 INT. Buy now. He will only get better.
Plays like this are why you went and got Carson Wentz. #Colts haven’t had a QB with this type of dual threat since 2018. pic.twitter.com/TQM5n6RvOy
— Cody Felger (@CPFelger55) October 25, 2021
- He started on fire Monday night and then faded like your best friend’s podcast. He’s Geno Smith and he has an excellent matchup at home this week against Jacksonville. If you need to fill in for Lamar Jackson’s bye, you could do worse than Smith. Take a chance!
- Kevin Stefanski has a long history with Case Keenum going back to their NFC title game loss in 2019. Baker Mayfield is an uncertainty right now with his labrum issue and I think Keenum will surprise people. His upcoming schedule is hell though (PIT, @CIN, @NE).
- Kansas City’s defense is in hell right now. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Daniel Jones could be a top-12 QB this week. I’m terrified…
Week 8 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Kicker | D/ST | PPR | Flex
RB ADDS
| PLAYER | FANTRAX ROSTER% | ESPN ROSTER% | BID RANGE | MATCHUP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalil Herbert | 73% | 62% | 10-12% | SF |
| Alex Collins | 74% | 50% | 8-10% | JAX |
| D'Ernest Johnson | 65% | 72% | 5-8% | PIT |
| J.D. McKissic | 90% | 59% | 5-8% | @DEN |
| Brandon Bolden | 19% | 6% | 1-3% | @LAC |
| Samaje Perine | 37% | 7% | 1-3% | @NYJ |
| Rashaad Penny | 64% | 10% | 1-3% | JAX |
| David Johnson | 72% | 29% | 1-3% | LAR |
| Jerick McKInnon | 41% | 3% | 1-3% | NYG |
| Ronald Jones | 73% | 30% | 1-3% | @NO |
| Ty'Son Williams | 42% | 15% | 1-3% | BYE |
| Devonta Freeman | 52% | 20% | 1-3% | BYE |
Reference Points
- The availability of Khalil Herbert is still great enough to have him in this column. This will be the last week though. He stunned me with his 100 yards rushing against Tampa Bay ( I’m aware it was 35-3 at halftime). Even when David Montgomery comes back, he might find himself in a timeshare in the Chicago backfield. I reduced Herbert’s bid slightly this week, but he’s still worth it.
- In Cleveland, Kareem Hunt will be on the IR for a few more games which will allow D’Ernest Johnson to continue to gain opportunities. Nick Chubb could be back this week, but if Kareem Hunt could still score points while sharing the job, so can Johnson.
D’ERNEST JOHNSON
NEXT MAN UP 😤pic.twitter.com/GbC2Bvfc30
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) October 22, 2021
- Please don’t go chasing Patriot running backs. You will only get hurt. Rhamondre Stevenson is exhibit A in my case. He was a surprise inactive for a tasty match-up with the Jets. Classic Bill. Now Brandon Bolden will be overvalued. Stay away from them if it can be helped.
- More fool’s gold involves Ronald Jones II who rushed for 63 yards on 10 carries. It was the epitome of garbage time stats. Nothing has changed with that RB situation still. Leonard Fournette is the placeholder in charge scoring a touchdown 4 times in the last three outings.
WR ADDS
| PLAYER | FANTRAX ROSTER% | ESPN ROSTER% | BID RANGE | MATCHUP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquez Callaway | 76% | 50% | 5-8% | TB |
| Tim Patrick | 73% | 42% | 4-7% | WAS |
| T.Y. Hilton | 69% | 30% | 4-7% | TEN |
| Darius Slayton | 52% | 15% | 3-5% | @KC |
| Mecole Hardman | 83% | 52% | 3-5% | NYG |
| Rashod Bateman | 75% | 19% | 3-5% | BYE |
| Darnell Mooney Jr. | 88% | 58% | 3-5% | SF |
| Christian Kirk | 87% | 31% | 2-4% | @HOU |
| Nelson Agholor | 67% | 17% | 2-4% | @LAC |
| Kendrick Bourne | 39% | 3% | 2-4% | @LAC |
| Nico Collins | 41% | 2% | 2-4% | LAR |
| Amon-Ra St Brown | 70% | 22% | 2-4% | PHI |
| Tre'Quan Smith | 42% | 2% | 2-4% | TB |
| Van Jefferson | 46% | 7% | 1-3% | @HOU |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 34% | 2% | 1-3% | @ARI |
| Quez Watkins | 44% | 4% | 1-3% | @DET |
Reference Points
- A word on WR. There are so many options with minimal separation that I have kept all bid ranges this week relatively lower than usual.
- Without Taysom Hill the last two games, Marquez Callaway is getting more consistent targets. He has 15 over the last 2 games. Jameis Winston is developing a rhythm without being pulled in and out. If this continues Callaway’s value will improve. Michael Thomas returning will create more attention his way and in turn will help Callaway get more chances with lesser opposing coverage.
- As I mentioned earlier, the improvement of Wentz will boost the possible returns from T.Y. Hilton. The injuries never seem to end, but the word is Hilton will return this week. When he’s healthy on the field, Hilton will compliment Michael Pittman quite nicely in the air attack.
- Kendrick Bourne isn’t on the field consistently playing 46% of the snaps in Week 6 and 54% in Week 7. However, he makes plays when he is on the field. If that continues I would like to see him get more time, especially with Jonnu Smith being injured again. Against the Jets Sunday he threw a TD pass on a trick play and he just barely missed a second TD on this deep toss from Mac Jones below. This dude is a playmaker.
My favorite Mac Jones throw from Sunday: This deep ball to Kendrick Bourne. 🔥🎯
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) October 25, 2021
TE ADDS
| PLAYER | FANTRAX ROSTER% | ESPN ROSTER% | BID RANGE | MATCHUP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Uzomah | 40% | 10% | 7-10% | @NYJ |
| Ricky Seals-Jones | 56% | 52% | 6-9% | @DEN |
| Cole Kmet | 55% | 18% | 4-7% | SF |
| Robert Tonyan | 80% | 61% | 4-7% | @ARI |
| Mo Alie-Cox | 44% | 14% | 3-5% | TEN |
| Pat Freiermuth | 40% | 3% | 2-4% | @CLE |
| David Njoku | 41% | 11% | 2-4% | PIT |
| Gerald Everett | 46% | 6% | 2-4% | JAX |
| Anthony Firkser | 36% | 5% | 2-4% | @IND |
| Evan Engram | 76% | 23% | 1-3% | @KC |
| Tommy Tremble | 18% | 1% | 2% or less | @ATL |
| Dan Arnold | 33% | 3% | 2% or less | @SEA |
Reference Points
- The Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah has scored 2 TDs in a game TWICE already this season. In a world devoid of TE hope, the fantasy prophecy that speaks of the one who can bring balance to the TE position may be referring to Uzomah. He doesn’t get targeted much as 6 targets in Week 4 was twice as many as he has had in any other game. When he is targeted though, he makes it worth Joe Burrow’s while. Bid on him ASAP!
CJ UZOMAH. 55-YARD TD.
The biggest TE play of #NationalTightEndsDay so far! #RuleTheJungle @cj_uzomah
📺: #CINvsBAL on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/fEDQ3fJK4U— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021
- I love Ricky Seals-Jones a great deal. As long as Logan Thomas is nursing his hammy, you should bid favorably on Seals-Jones. DO IT.
- The Steelers are back on the schedule this week at Cleveland. Pat Freiermuth’s season can resume. He went into the bye after catching all 7 of his targets for 58 yards. I don’t fear Eric Ebron. Freiermuth will improve as the season progresses. Bid on him cheap now. This is the way.
The Leftovers
- Week 7 still leaves us with more questions to ponder. The mysteries of this season will continue to baffle us. Will Geno Smith ruin the value of all Seattle receivers until Russell Wilson returns? Is Kyle Pitts ascending to greatness right now before our very eyes? Do you believe the Chiefs are really this bad or is this just an example of the ole Madden cover curse in action? All you can do is trust in your process while sampling the advice of others like me.
- These players are all fringe producers who are worth mentioning, but are not worth going into too much detail about. Kenneth Gainwell could be in line for full fantasy production if Miles Sanders needs to miss some time with an ankle injury. The Eagles are at Detroit this Sunday. Rashard Higgins has played the second most amount of snaps of any WR on the Browns the last two weeks. Donovan Peoples-Jones has a groin injury and that may give Higgins a chance to build a rapport with current starter Case Keenum. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is expected to return from injury this week. You might think this hampers Allen Lazard as a viable fantasy option. You would be incorrect. Davante Adams will miss Thursday’s game in Arizona due to Covid-19. This means all Green Bay wideouts are possible fantasy gold in Week 8. Good luck picking the right one. Finally, Matt Rhule said that Sam Darnold would be his QB in Week 8 at Atlanta, but we’ve all been witnesses to his decline. Phillip Walker was 3-14 passing in relief of Darnold this past Sunday. He does have a running element to his game that is vastly superior to Darnold’s. Stay tuned to this developing story if you’re desperate for QB play.
| PLAYER | FANTRAX ROSTER% | ESPN ROSTER% | BID RANGE | MATCHUP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Gainwell | 70% | 26% | 2-4% | @DET |
| Kalif Raymond | 33% | 3% | 1-3% | PHI |
| Rashard Higgins | 19% | 0% | 1-3% | PIT |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 61% | 14% | 1-3% | @LAC |
| Danny Amendola | 7% | 0% | 1-3% | LAR |
| Boston Scott | 19% | 1% | 1-3% | @DET |
| Allen Lazard | 41% | 5% | 2% or less | @ARI |
| Marlon Mack | 56% | 6% | 2% or less | TEN |
| Ty Conklin | 26% | 11% | 2% or less | DAL |
| Chris Moore | 10% | 1% | 1% or less | LAR |
| JaMychal Hasty | 24% | 3% | 1% or less | @CHI |
| Tyler Johnson | 19% | 1% | 1% or less | @NO |
| Josh Reynolds | 14% | 0% | 1% or less | @IND |
| Tarik Cohen | 35% | 3% | 1% or less | SF |
| DeSean Jackson | 31% | 4% | 1% or less | @HOU |
| Phillip Walker | 4% | 0% | 1% or less | @ATL |
| J.J. Taylor | 15% | 1% | 1% or less | @LAC |
| Irv Smith Jr. | 41% | 7% | 1% or less | DAL |
| Lamar Miller | 1% | 0% | 1% or less | TB |
Post Script
The Week 8 Fantasy Football FAAB Guide is here to serve you. If you have any questions related to your fantasy football FAAB selections, please DM me on Twitter @mjgovier any time. You can also read my ROS Rankings and listen to my Fantrax podcast The Fantasy Football POV which absolutely has the most information for your buck (it’s free). New episodes come out every Wednesday morning. However you absorb your preferred fantasy football content, FantraxHQ has you covered. Thanks for stopping by. Now go splurge with those FAAB bucks!
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