Week 8 of the fantasy football season has brought more key bye weeks, giving a new element of strategy for managers to play. Hopefully, your carefully curated roster is in good shape after the devastating slew of injuries that have affected the NFL. You’re in the right place if you’re in a tough situation with your start/sit questions.
Week 8 Fantasy Football Start ’ems
We’ve dug through the latest roster percentages to identify fantasy football players who you must either start or sit. Our two start options are currently being started in around 40% or less in leagues, whereas our two sit players are at around 70% or higher. We’re also looking at players owned in a majority of leagues.
Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders
We all thought Antonio Gibson’s fantasy value was dead in the water when Brian Robinson was named the starter, but the title was a mere nomination. Gibson proved to be the red-zone back in Week 7, actually taking the more valued role against the Packers. He responded with his second-best fantasy week of the season with 15.2 points.
The Commanders’ offense with Taylor Heinicke is dicey to bet on, but the running game might benefit since the staff won’t allow him to throw the ball as often as Carson Wentz.
Last week, Gibson produced 77 total yards and a score against one of the league’s best defenses. I like his matchup even more this week.
The Colts have one of the worst defenses in the league against running backs, giving up 103.6 yards per game, 0.57 touchdowns, and 44 yards receiving. I think Gibson and Robinson can both have healthy outputs that make sense for managers to start.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
The prospect of starting a rookie wide receiver who plays with arguably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles is not lost on me. But George Pickens has been excellent since Kenny Pickett entered the lineup, producing at least 61 yards in three of his last four games. That includes the 15.1-point output in Week 7.
Pickens’ first career touchdown came on a play only a few receivers can routinely make. There’s significant beauty within Pickens’ game, as he’s strong and athletic enough to make circus catches, but nimble enough to run crisp routes and dominate along the sideline. Even as the Eagles rank fifth in passing yards allowed, they haven’t exactly played a tough slate of opponents in order to get to this point.
MORE: Week 8 Fantasy Football Rest-of-Season Rankings
Matchups between Pickens and James Bradberry/Darius Slay won’t be easy for the rookie, but I don’t consider either corner to be shut-down stars on their own, either. Pickett simply needs to continue feeding Pickens with targets and he’ll reward his managers.
We have Pickens as WR44 in our PFN expert fantasy rankings for PPR leagues in Week 8. He’s a stronger start option considering his ranking, and can be played even as a WR2.
Week 8 Fantasy Football Sit ’ems
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Despite being a starter in 85.5% of ESPN leagues and ranked as our RB19 for Week 8, I would bench Aaron Jones if you have a decent option that can slide into one of your RB roles. Jones has boomed in only two games this season and has otherwise been a mediocre or worse option. This week doesn’t look promising against the Bills.
After being a hyper-efficient back throughout his career, Jones has suffered the same slump as the rest of the offense. Since Week 4, Jones has become increasingly dependent on touchdowns to be relevant in fantasy leagues. He’s totaled 17 carries for 42 yards over the last two weeks and was saved by his two receiving touchdowns in Week 7.
We never say never, but smart money says that won’t happen for Jones this week. The Bills have the sixth-best defense against backs, being especially stingy, allowing only 52.8 rushing yards. Jones may still be targeted often, but the league’s best-scoring defense obviously doesn’t give many opportunities.
Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
Despite becoming a near-lock to start for most fantasy managers, this is a good week to have Amari Cooper on your bench. Despite being in 71% of ESPN starting lineups, Cooper is up against a tough foe on Monday Night Football: the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals have one of the stingiest defenses against WR fantasy production, ranking fifth in points per game allowed. With an average of only 10.3 receptions, 131 yards, and 0.43 touchdowns per game, this unit is built to limit big plays and is extremely effective against passing attacks. In other words, the Browns need to focus on getting production from other positions.
Cooper has enjoyed a renaissance season with the Browns. But his boom potential has died off a bit in recent weeks, becoming more TD dependent as Jacoby Brissett struggles. Cooper has four weeks with a touchdown to help make up for lost volume, but it’s concerning he has combined for seven receptions and 118 yards over the last two weeks.
The Browns desperately need their bye week to get here and for Deshaun Watson to enter the lineup. This is actually a good time to trade Cooper before tough matchups against the Bills and Buccaneers come in Week 11 and Week 12.
For this week, take the higher or lower on Cooper’s 64.5 receiving total on Underdog Fantasy for a deposit bonus of up to $100.