Week 7 of the NFL season is officially in the books! The NFL landscape has already been riddled with injuries and unexpected twists. If you’re facing tough lineup decisions, I’ve got you covered.
Let’s break down my start/sit fantasy football picks for Week 8.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em: Russell Wilson (Steelers) vs. Giants
I almost can’t believe I’m writing this… but yes, start Russell Wilson this week.
I was among those questioning Mike Tomlin’s decision to bench Justin Fields for the veteran despite Pittsburgh’s recent success, and while I still believe Fields can be a starter in this league, it looks like Tomlin made the right call. Pittsburgh’s offense looked fantastic against a truly elite Jets secondary, carving them up for 37 points. Wilson was at the center of it all, racking up three total touchdowns and 264 passing yards. His instant rapport with George Pickens was particularly impressive, as the two looked like longtime teammates.
Wilson should continue to cook this week against a Giants squad that is quite vulnerable against quarterbacks from a fantasy perspective.
Sit ‘Em: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) at Raiders
If you told me eight weeks ago that at some point this season, I would recommend sitting Patrick Mahomes and starting Russell Wilson, I probably would’ve called you a liar.
Yet, here we are.
Through five games, Mahomes has failed to score more than 17.4 fantasy points in an outing. He’s thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six), and holds a quarterback rating of just 82.5. Quite frankly, it’s been ugly across the board, yet the Chiefs somehow remain undefeated. Say what you will about Mahomes, he shows up when called upon.
Unfortunately for fantasy managers who roster the quarterback, his production in the clutch doesn’t change the fact that he’s currently putting up mid-range QB2 numbers. Sit him until that changes.
Check out my full Week 8 quarterback start/sit picks here!
Running Back
Start ‘Em: Najee Harris (Steelers) vs. Giants
Doubling up on Steelers may not sound like the smartest idea, but it’s impossible to ignore Harris’ recent performances.
Known for getting stronger as the season progresses, Najee has kickstarted that typical bump in production a bit earlier this year. After failing to find the end zone in his first five outings, Harris has done so in back-to-back contests. With Justin Fields no longer under center he should continue to see a bump in carries, as demonstrated by his 21 attempts against the Jets.
I expect Najee to keep the momentum rolling this week against a Giants defense that allows over 138 rushing yards per game.
Sit ‘Em: Alexander Mattison (Raiders) vs. Chiefs
I just wrote up Patrick Mahomes as a sit, but do not be mistaken… that absolutely doesn’t mean you should start players who are taking on the Chiefs.
That applies especially to running backs, as Kansas City allows the fewest fantasy points to them in the league. Mattison has put together consecutive strong showings, one without Zamir White and one with him in the equation.
That doesn’t matter this week. Game script will almost certainly hinder Mattison from seeing any type of consistent touches. His recent performances have been promising, but this matchup is too tough to trust him.
Check out my full Week 8 running back start/sit picks here!
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em: Amari Cooper (Bills) at Seahawks
The entire Buffalo receiving core ate against Tennesee, as Cooper, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman all produced.
That said, one of those players is in his own league compared to the others. Cooper played just 35% of offensive snaps in his Bills debut but still managed to rack up 16.6 PPR points, quickly establishing himself as the No. 1 option for Josh Allen. He should see double the snaps — at least — in Buffalo’s next game against Seattle, and has mid-range WR1 potential for the rest of the season.
Sit ‘Em: Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants) at Steelers
There was a time when Wan’Dale Robinson and Malik Nabers could co-exist as top 20 fantasy receivers.
That time, at least temporarily, has ended. After a surprisingly strong start to the year, the Giants’ offense looked as awful against Philly as most of us expected it to coming into the season. New York managed to score just three points, Daniel Jones was benched, and both Robinson and Nabers failed to get anything going.
For the immensely talented rookie, that should change regardless of the offense’s production. For Robinson, I’m not as optimistic. He’s now scored just 18.3 points across New York’s last two games, and will have to match up against a Steelers secondary that just bottled up Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. Wait for Wan’Dale to bounce back before starting him again.
Check out my full Week 8 wide receiver start/sit picks here!
Tight End
Start ‘Em: Kyle Pitts (Falcons) at Buccaneers
Don’t look now, but Kyle Pitts isn’t fantasy relevant… he’s a legitimately strong option this week.
After a slow start to the season, the fourth-year tight end has racked up a combined 39.3 fantasy points over his last three games, seeing 22 targets over that stretch. As Kirk Cousins has shaken off the rust, he and Pitts have established a formidable rapport.
The 24-year-old’s positive momentum should carry over into this crucial divisional matchup with Tampa Bay. Fire him up as a low-end TE1.
Sit ‘Em: Tyler Conklin (Jets) at Patriots
After a few weeks of outperforming expectations, I think Conklin will finally fall victim to the Jets simply having too many weapons.
Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard are definitively ahead of him on Aaron Rodgers’ pecking order. Breece Hall is consistently involved in the passing game. There’s only one ball to go around.
Conklin did find the end zone last week, but he managed just four receptions for a grand total of… seven yards. It’s touchdown or bust for the veteran this week, and that’s not a game I want to play with better options out there.
Check out my full Week 8 tight end start/sit picks here!
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 8 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
