The grind of the NFL season is in full swing. While world-class athletes put their bodies on the line every Sunday, fantasy managers have plenty to play for as well. This is the time of year when contenders separate themselves from pretenders, so every move matters.
Whether you’re thinking long-term or hoping to pick up a much-needed win, Week 8 is crucial for any team. Here are some sleepers that could help you win a DraftKings DFS matchup, a season-long matchup, or even a fantasy championship.
Top Fantasy Football Sleepers
BAL WR Rashod Bateman ($4,300)
Most of the attention this week will be on Zay Flowers ($6,800), and for good reason. The second-year wideout is leading Baltimore in receiving yards while showcasing a strong connection with quarterback Lamar Jackson ($8,000). However, it’s another Ravens receiver that might be in line for a big game against a mediocre Cleveland secondary (11th-most pass yards allowed per attempt).
Plagued by injuries for most of his four-year NFL career, Rashod Bateman is finally starting to deliver on his immense potential. The former first-round pick has tallied 394 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season, a robust 900 yard-seven touchdown pace. Over the past three weeks, he’s gone up another level, grabbing twelve catches for 250 yards (83.3 receiving yards per game). Still, you can currently acquire the veteran for next to nothing. Fantasy managers should be tripping over themselves to grab a piece of the NFL’s highest-scoring offense.
TB TE Cade Otton ($3,500)
In the span of one football game, the Buccaneers lost both of their star wide receivers. Against the Ravens, Mike Evans re-aggravated his hamstring and Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle dislocation. That leaves Baker Mayfield ($6,700) with a questionable group of pass catchers to throw to.
With so much of the offense in flux, perhaps a safety blanket is needed. Cade Otton has been in Tampa Bay for three seasons, so he knows Todd Bowles’ offense well at this point. It’s clear he has chemistry with Mayfield as well; the tight end is third on the team in targets behind only Evans and Godwin. After an eight catch, 100 yard outing on Monday night, Otton is the clear top option in this offense right now. It’s also worth mentioning: wideouts Jalen McMillan ($3,700), Sterling Shepard ($3,800) and Trey Palmer ($3,000) are all deeper-league stashes that could emerge as the new Bucs WR1.
CLE WR Cedric Tillman ($3,300)
Deshaun Watson’s season is over, and as a result the Browns’ dreadful passing game might get a boost under backup quarterback Jameis Winston ($5,200). That means Cleveland’s skill position players could be fantasy-relevant again, but figuring out who Winston will target is not so easy. While other managers are sure to hone in on Jerry Jeudy ($4,800) and David Njoku ($5,100), don’t be shocked if Cedric Tillman takes control of the passing game.
The 2023 third-round pick didn’t impress as a rookie last year, notching 11 catches for 90 yards. There wasn’t much to write home about this season either, until last Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Tillman led all Cleveland receivers in catches (eight), yards (81), targets (12), and snaps (69). On its own, those numbers don’t scream “must start” for Week 8, but they are promising. Combined with Winston’s penchant for airing the ball out downfield, Tillman is definitely a guy managers should consider stashing while we wait to see how this offense looks.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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