RADIO
Rather than reciting some of my greatest hits and misses from last week (let's just assume they were all hits and move on), I have a commentary on the fantasy football community as a whole. While it goes without saying that we all love football and especially the fantasy aspect of it, I could easily go a whole NFL season without interacting with readers, fellow writers, fans, and Tweeps. After all, I did it for the first 38 years of my life before diving head-first in my new career as a writer/editor/podcaster and managed to get along just fine.
The reason I do this isn't just for my own benefit, but for that of a community that I've found mostly uplifting, positive, and supportive, even if that often manifests itself in a sarcastic tone, to which I can relate. See, the true heroes are you, fantasy fans. Just kidding, I'm not going there. The point is, that we support each other, even if we're ultimately competing for wins, air time or bragging rights. Before I write this article each week, I'll have read countless other articles, charts, news items, tweets or other nuggets of information I didn't gather myself. See, information is meant to be shared. There may be a dozen other experts who have similar rankings or opinions as me, and that's perfectly fine. I don't have a monopoly on an idea simply because I write about it and publish it online. Being the lead editor for a great fantasy website like RotoBaller entitles me to absolutely no privilege over any other fantasy football fan. You can disagree with my love/hate picks and you can even come up with your very own, if you like. No matter what you do, even if you never read a word I write ever again, I'll support you 100% because you're a fantasy footballer like me.
Now, let's get to my fantasy "heroes" and "zeroes" at each position for Week 8 of the NFL season. For my full opinion on all fantasy-relevant players, you can check out how my rankings stack up against the other experts this week, or simply consult our RotoBaller consensus rankings.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Week 8 Lineup Heroes
QUARTERBACK
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
He didn't have to do much last week, as Zeke did the heavy lifting against the Niners. He still managed to chip in three touchdowns in 25 pass attempts. The classic Cowboys-Redskins rivalry should be much more competitive and force Prescott to the air more often. He didn't have much success against the Skins last year, averaging 244 yards passing and throwing one TD in two games. He did run for a score in each of those games, however, and there won't be Josh Norman around to stalk Dez Bryant this week. I expect Prescott to have a statement game and keep his streak of three-TD games going.
Honorable Mentions:
Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers - This one is obvious, as he faces a Patriots team that only last week failed to allow a 300-yard passer for the first time. Losing Dont'a Hightower only makes things worse. The Chargers are trending upward and having another weapon in Mike Williams makes them more dangerous. Rivers could finish as a top-five QB this weekend.
Josh McCown, New York Jets - Despite the high number of teams resting this week, most of the big-name QBs are still available. You probably don't need someone like McCown as a fill-in, but if you stream QBs in a deep league or play in a two-QB league, this might be a good time to ride the green wave. McCown has thrown for multiple touchdowns three weeks in a row and faces an Atlanta team coming off a disappointing loss to New England and looking ahead to a showdown with Carolina on a three-game road trip. He could bring sneaky value, just as he's been doing all year.
RUNNING BACKS
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
It is time. Color me overly optimistic, but I think this is where the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Mixon rightfully noted that he was underutilized last week with only seven carries and a lower snap count than Giovani Bernard. It's logical to put your pass-catching back in the game when you're down and facing a high-powered offense, but that won't be the case against Indianapolis. The Colts have only shown up in the end zone when facing the winless Browns and 49ers, but won't challenge the Bengals to tilt toward the pass in the second half. You also have to like the fact that despite a relatively soft schedule, the Colts are the only team to allow double-digit rushing touchdowns on the year and have seventh in rushing yardage allowed.
Honorable Mentions:
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers - As a first-round pick, McCaffrey has managed just 118 rushing yards and 2.5 Y/A on the ground over seven games. Bust? Hardly. He's actually a top-15 RB in PPR leagues thanks to his receiving volume. C-Mac is averaging 6.3 receptions per game, which is better than everyone other than Antonio Brown and Larry Fitzgerald. If you aren't plugging him in every week, you don't deserve to own him. Tampa's defense has been more than generous this year, allowing the fourth-most points per game.
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots - Just to be clear, I still don't trust any Patriots running back. That doesn't mean there isn't value to be had on a week-to-week basis. You just have to catch them at the right time. The first two weeks it was Mike Gillislee, the next couple of weeks it was James White, and now it's Lewis' turn. He'll get his turn against a Chargers team allowing the second-most rushing yards per game. He's not more than a flex play, but one worth a shot if he reaches the end zone.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions
Golden Tate is likely to sit this week and Kenny Golladay has already been ruled out, so someone's going to have to catch passes for Detroit. Realistically, it means that Matthew Stafford gets a downgrade and the Steelers' D gets a boost, but you'd have to think the Jones brothers (I know, they're not really brothers) will at least bring some value in PPR leagues. Marvin Jones saw 14 targets last week alone in a comeback effort against the Saints and has caught six passes in each of the past two games. If Pittsburgh keeps playing like it has on offense the last two weeks, Detroit could be forced into pass-only mode again. It's a tough week, you need a flex, go where the action is.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
Back in training camp, who would have thought that starting Agholor would virtually be a no-brainer? He's scored in three straight and has five TD on the season, which is three more than Alshon Jeffery. That aside, their receptions and yards are nearly identical which goes to show that preseason ADP is completely worthless once we hit the midpoint of the season. Agholor and his MVP frontrunner of a QB, Carson Wentz, will host the 49ers this week. While slot receiver Cole Beasley was a non-factor last week against the Niners, the Cowboys had Ezekiel Elliott to carry the load and the Eagles don't. Expect the birds to air it out with ease; Agholor has a great chance to extend his scoring streak and supply upwards of WR2 numbers.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
You know the drill by now. Stefon Diggs is questionable and either won't suit up or will be limited and ineffective. Thielen will get double-digit targets and serve as a WR2 in WR3 clothing for fantasy owners in PPR leagues. Thielen already has 34% target share of air yards for his team, which is top 10 among all receivers. The Vikes play overseas against the Browns, so hopefully he can parlay those looks into more than the 41 yards he came away with against Baltimore last week. Anything goes in London, but with the way Cleveland's luck has gone, it wouldn't surprise me if this was another massive blowout.
DeMaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
I'm calling it here - Thomas scores his first TD in Week 8. He'd been sustaining the yardage throughout his scoring drought, but fell to just nine yards on two catches last week. Everyone is suddenly calling Denver's legitimacy as an NFL franchise into question, but we need to realize it's just a two-game losing streak and they're 3-3 on the season. Thomas gets a plus matchup against Terrance Mitchell and the KC secondary prone to giving up big plays. Denver won't be able to grind it out on the ground this game, so as long as Emmanuel Sanders is out, keep playing Thomas with confidence and you'll eventually be rewarded.
Honorable Mentions:
T.J. Jones, Detroit Lions - See above. Jones has one career touchdown and averages 20 yards per game for his career. He won't go off against the Steelers no matter how many targets he sees. In any other week, he could be ignored but if you're desperate, you have to chase the targets rather than the talent.
Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers - Although Kelvin Benjamin is healthy and figures to be a WR2 play against Tampa's soft secondary, Funchess has proven to be a viable flex play even when sharing the field.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers - Could this be the week Williams makes a real dent in the box score? This is surely a Hail Mary play if you're putting him in a fantasy lineup, but this game could have the highest over line of any game in Week 8.
TIGHT END
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
The Iowa connection got temporarily short-circuited last week, as the rookie tight end only caught one of two targets last week. He had seen 17 targets the previous two weeks. Consider it a blip on the radar, as Kittle should see plenty of action while San Fran fights from behind against the first-place Eagles. Philly has allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this year, so there's opportunity here that shouldn't be passed up.
Honorable Mentions:
Tyler Kroft, Cincinnati Bengals - Since Tyler Eifert went out, his replacement is averaging five targets per game and is catching 86% of them on the year. With three touchdowns in six starts, he's proving to be just as capable a red zone threat as Eifert. The Colts don't defend anything particularly well, tight ends included. He's approaching top-10 status as a weekly TE and worth more than just streaming.
Week 8 Lineup Zeroes
QUARTERBACKS
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
While his receivers may have low-end flex appeal for desperate owners this week, Stafford is a must-fade. I mentioned a couple weeks ago how the Steelers eat opposing QBs for lunch and that hasn't changed. They're holding opposing passers to a 6:7 TD:INT ratio this season and are tied for second with 24 sacks. With no Golden Tate or Kenny Golladay, Stafford will be handing off and hoping for the best throughout the first half.
Honorable Mentions:
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans - Facing the Seahawks may put a dent in his otherwise spectacular rookie stat sheet, but I'm going to turn this into a potential opportunity for fantasy owners. If he was dropped during the bye or gets dropped after having a rough start presumably this week, scoop him up. The Texans get a softer schedule coming up, including the Colts next week.
RUNNING BACKS
Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
I don't mean to repeat what I said in yesterday's article, but in this instance it bears repeating. One team has gone over 100 total rushing yards against the Eagles all season. Five of their seven opponents were held to 75 yards or less on the ground and that's not even individual runners. Be as bullish as you want on Hyde reclaiming his job (I'm not), but he simply doesn't need to be starting this week. Unless, as that commercial says, if you're one of those people who enjoys getting your arm stuck in vending machines, getting paper cuts on your tongue, or banging your head against a wooden beam, then by all means plug him in and watch him get shut down.
Honorable Mentions:
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers - I put McCaffrey as a Hero, so I feel obligated to explain that Stewart is still a Zero. Matchups aside, you simply shouldn't roster J-Stew at all. The only active running back with a worse efficiency score is... Christian McCaffrey. I say active because Chris Johnson was also worse. If that and a three yard per carry average aren't enough to convince you, how about the fact he hasn't run for a touchdown all season and is coming off a toe injury? Don't get cute and hope he suddenly revives his fledgling career. In this case, it appears the magic age of 30 turned this RB into a pumpkin.
WIDE RECEIVERS
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bryant's out, JJSS is in. Technically, the rookie's been in it from the beginning, not wasting time to contribute. He's trending up for sure and seems like a great waiver grab even in redraft leagues. While many overly excited owners will want to take advantage of Bryant's absence by playing JuJu this week, it isn't the best idea. He'll face a really good slot corner in Quandre Diggs and the Lions are no pushover in the secondary as a whole. While Smith-Schuster has scored three times this year, he's only gone over 50 yards once and simply won't be a focal point in this offense where Bell and Brown reign. Stash him but slow your roll on starting him just yet.
Will Fuller, Houston Texans
All he does is... make me tired of hearing that old saying again and again about touchdowns. Fuller has the chops to make big plays and seemingly has a nose for the end zone, with seven TD in his first 17 career games. He also faces Richard Sherman this week. Texans-Seahawks could be a brutal low-scoring slugfest that hurts fantasy value on both sides. If you're in a standard league and hurting for a WR3, you can hope he scores again, but you have to decide if you're willing to abandon any hopes of a floor in PPR formats.
Honorable Mentions:
Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins - You don't get points for snap count, do you? Everyone's excited about Doctson taking Terrelle Pryor's place on the field Monday Night, but what did he actually produce? 39 yards on three catches. He's just as TD-dependent for value as the above-mentioned Fuller, although he does get a far better matchup. For me, he's a stash but don't start unless you have no choice.
Ricardo Louis, Cleveland Browns - Trying to keep finding value in Cleveland's offense is akin to trying to make sense of the President's late-night tweets during a busy news cycle. Spend all the time you want, it ain't gonna happen. Louis leads the team in WR targets, but that really doesn't matter. He's facing off against a tough Vikings team and still has DeShone Kizer as his QB, at least for the first quarter.
TIGHT END
Zach Miller, Chicago Bears
Normally a tight end is a rookie quarterback's best friend. The last time Miller caught more than three passes in a game was in Week 2 when Mike Glennon (remember him?) was still captain of the ship. The last time Miller went over 50 yards receiving in a game was Week 10... of last season. Miller has reached the end zone on two occasions since Mitch Trubisky took over, but he's as TD-dependent as you can get. Only two teams have allowed less production to tight ends than the Saints, so this isn't a good week to hope for a cheap score from Miller when players like Kittle, Kroft, or Doyle should be just as readily available in the free agent market.
Honorable Mentions:
Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons - There's an easy argument that everyone on the Falcons was a massive disappointment last week, but Hooper showed us that his sudden emergence may have been a mirage. As fellow writer Chris Mangano pointed out astutely, Hooper only saw heavy target volume in the two weeks that Mohamed Sanu was out of the lineup. Last week, it was 10 targets for Sanu and one for Hooper. The tight end hasn't seen more than two targets any other week besides the previous two. He is an afterthought until something changes schematically for Atlanta.
