Fantasy Football Week Eight: Three Starts, Three Sits, Three Risks

Tyler Stearns |

We are finally reaching week eight of the NFL season and fantasy football is underway. If you are unlucky (like me) with injuries, you probably have relied a bit too much on the waiver wire (like me). You are also trying to make some trades at the last minute before Thursday Night Football to solidify your roster so you don't move one step closer to your punishment. We'll make it easier for you to find who to start, sit, or risk this week.

Mecole Hardman, Via X

Starts:

1. Bo Nix Bo Nix is going up against the Panthers' defense and is expected to score 18+ points. The Panthers haven't been able to defend the pass or run from QBs this season, and you shouldn't expect them to do so against Nix. His rushing upside is one of the best aspects of his game, but you can expect big passing numbers from him considering how poor the Panthers' defense is. Start the rookie.
   

2. Ja'Tavion Sanders Ja'Tavion Sanders is due for a breakout game. He has received four targets over each of the last two weeks. The former Texas tight end is breaking into a starting role in Carolina and has seen his share increase. He is going against a tough Broncos defense, but he will be a key safety valve for Bryce Young who is returning as the starter for Carolina. If you are struggling at Tight End, add Sanders and set him up in your lineup.
   

3. Mecole Hardman Mecole Hardman had over twelve points against the 49ers because of a designed run. Though you may think that he relied on a touchdown for his points, which he did, usually we criticize players for that because getting TDs is risky. But with Mecole, it's his job. He has seen higher snaps in the past few weeks and has been used as a jet sweep/designed run threat, as well as a deep-threat receiver. The Chiefs just traded for Deandre Hopkins, who will help spread out the field for Hardman. Expect the Chiefs to use him in the red zone again. If you are in need of a flex/WR2, Hardman is a great waiver wire pickup to fill that role.

Sits:

1. Rhamondre Stevenson Stevenson has been one of the most on-and-off players this year. One week, he will have 20, the next, 4. This week, he is going against the Jets, who have been average against the run. But Stevenson's role as the primary pass-catching back has faded away, and last week he only had seven rushes. The Jets defense is worn out, but they still are superior to the weak Patriots' offense. Maye seems to be fading Stevenson, and you should too.
   

2. Cooper Kupp Kupp is back this week, which is great for his owners. But you shouldn't start him yet. He is coming fresh off of a long injury, and we have seen in the past that he usually is load-managed when coming off of a break. This week, refrain from starting him, as the Rams play a strong Vikings secondary, but you can start using him once he finds himself in the offense again.

3. Zack Moss Moss has seen his snap share slowly go down after the emergence of Chase Brown. The one good thing about Moss is the Bengals' reliance on him in the passing game. He doesn't get used in the red zone enough to be a solid RB1 option. But assuming the trend of fewer and fewer snaps continues, you shouldn't rely on him to put up his expected 10.1 points.

Risks:

1. Cedric Tillman This week, Cedric Tillman was a common waiver wire pickup after his massive day versus the Bengals. He posted career-high targets and receptions in the absence of Amari Cooper. Deshaun Watson is also out for the year, and he was not targeting Tillman nearly as much as Winston and DTR were. His production this week depends solely on how much coverage he will receive from Nate Wiggins. However, the Ravens are 30th in fantasy points allowed to receivers, which usually comes from the defensive backs not named Wiggins. Wiggins has shut down opposing WR1s, such as CeeDdee Lamb. If Wiggins covers Jeudy, then Tillman will have a big day. But if Tillman finds himself against the rookie throughout most of his snaps, then it will be a tough day for him. Nonetheless, we lean towards starting him at the flex or low WR2 position.
   

2. Rashod Bateman Bateman had a career-high 121 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers, whose defense is solid. Lamar is now in the best passing form of his career, and not relying solely on the ground. They have Derrick Henry, who helps supplement Jackson's run game more than any backs have during Jackson's tenure in Baltimore. He consistently throws deep, and Bateman has been the recipient of some of those throws recently. Bateman will get many snaps versus Cleveland like he has in recent weeks. He gets more than three targets, and expect one to be a touchdown. But that risk is high, which is why we put him in this category. If you are to start him, you should flex him, not play him at WR1 or WR2.
   

3. Tyreek Hill If you are an unlucky Tyreek Hill owner, then your chance to use him properly may just come. The sole reason he is in this category is because Tua may start. If Tua starts, play Tyreek. If he doesn't, don't play Tyreek. It's that simple. Tyreek is not used in the game plan when Huntley is QB and is when Tua is QB. So don't expect Tyreek to put up points if the former Alabama signal caller is still out.