RADIO
Treylon Burks Questionable, A Sleeper Option Sunday Night Vs. Eagles if Active
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks (foot) is questionable after a limited practice session Friday. The 26-year-old should see his role in the offense increase if he's able to suit up. Terry McLaurin (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 6. Burks stepped in and posted his best game of the season, catching four of six targets for 66 yards, his most yards in a game since Week 2 of the 2023 season. Burks has seen his target count increase every game so far and has had a 50% route share or higher in four straight weeks. That number spiked to 61% when McLaurin was out in Week 4, then rose to 70.3% in Week 5 when Stefon Diggs was sidelined. The former 2022 first-round pick should step in and play alongside Diggs and rookie wideout Antonio Williams as Washington's top three wide receivers. If he can play, Burks has some upside in an expanded role Sunday night against an Eagles defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. However, other Washington pass-catchers are still more intriguing for fantasy purposes. Burks ranks as RotoBaller's WR59 for Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rachaad White In RB2 Territory for Sunday Night Against Eagles
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White should be in line to lead the backfield again in Week 8 with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) on injured reserve. White played a season-high 70.5% of snaps in Week 6 with Croskey-Merritt out, handling seven carries for 27 yards and four catches (five targets) for 30 yards and a touchdown. Veterans Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols will both see snaps, though White should get most of the work. Washington has struggled to run the ball effectively this season, with 46.8% of its carries being contacted at or behind the line of scrimmage, third-worst in the league per Fantasy Points Data. White has never been known for efficiency as a runner. However, he looks to have consolidated work in a solid Washington offense with Jayden Daniels back and playing well, while also adding value as a receiver. The Eagles aren't an overly daunting matchup, ranking 17th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs but have also given up the fourth-fewest receptions to running backs this season. White should see enough volume with a good shot at finding the end zone on Sunday night and ranks as a solid RB2 for Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Daniels A Strong QB1 Sunday Night Against Eagles
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is fresh off the team's Week 7 bye and faces an enticing Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. Since returning from his elbow injury in Week 5, Daniels has been electric for fantasy purposes, averaging 26.6 fantasy points across two games and ranking as the QB3 since coming back. The third-year quarterback displayed the dual-threat dynamism in each game that makes him a weekly fantasy difference maker, first rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 5 before throwing for 300 yards and two scores through the air against the 49ers in Week 6. Daniels will now be without his No. 1 wide receiver, Terry McLaurin (knee), for the rest of the season, but he is still primed for another strong fantasy day against the Eagles in Week 8. Philadelphia has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and owns the league's lowest sack rate. The Eagles held Daniels in check for much of the game back in Week 1, but he still managed a decent fantasy day with 17.7 points, and this Eagles' defense has been trending in the wrong direction since then. Daniels ranks as RotoBaller's QB6 for Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Wright Off the Injury Report, Will Play in Week 8
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (foot, quad) has been removed from the injury report and will play in Sunday's Week 8 contest against the New England Patriots. Wright was a full participant for three consecutive practices, so we're not surprised that he's going to suit up without any sort of injury designation. The 23-year-old has seen a slight uptick in snaps and carries since the Dolphins lost De'Von Achane (knee), but he's still far less involved in the rushing attack than running back Ollie Gordon II and quarterback Malik Willis. Wright can be left on waivers in leagues with 14 or fewer teams, as he's a low-volume option in a poor offense. At best, he's a handcuff for managers who already have Gordon and are looking for a little more insurance behind him.
Source: Miami Dolphins
Source: Miami Dolphins
Rashid Shaheed Remains Absent From Practice on Friday
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee) did not practice on Friday, according to Tim Booth of the Seattle Times. Shaheed has now missed back-to-back practices, putting his availability in jeopardy for Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks don't play until Monday, so Shaheed does have an extra day to recover. Still, he's trending in the wrong direction. He'd likely need to log a limited practice on Saturday to have any chance of playing against Chicago. The 28-year-old has been disappointing in fantasy football this season, scoring more than 7.0 PPR points just twice. He's a big-play threat, but so far, there have been more "bust" games than "boom" games. Even if he suits up this week, he'll be tough to start in fantasy football leagues. Jaxon Smith-Njigba remains the only Seahawks receiver we can start with confidence.
Source: Tim Booth
Source: Tim Booth
Chris Boswell A Solid Fantasy Option Against Division Rival
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all three of his field goal attempts and his lone extra-point try in a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints last week. He'll look to keep rolling against the Cleveland Browns in an important Week 8 matchup. Boswell missed a field goal when these teams met in Week 4, but he's converted nine of his 10 attempts since then and hasn't missed an extra point all season. The only factor working against Boswell's fantasy outlook this week is the projected point total of around 39.5. Fantasy managers can consider other options in more favorable matchups, but Boswell remains a quality starter who should stay on the fantasy radar in what projects to be a competitive game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers DST an Elite Week 8 Option
The Pittsburgh Steelers surrendered just 10 points to the New Orleans Saints while recording two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in their Week 7 victory. In Week 8, they'll face the 5-2 Cleveland Browns in a pivotal AFC North showdown. Despite their record, the Browns are scoring the fifth-fewest points per game in the NFL while allowing the most sacks. Pittsburgh ranks among the top 10 teams in both sacks and turnovers forced, so this looks like a great opportunity to start the Steelers DST at home. Fantasy managers who have been rolling with Pittsburgh's defense, which ranks as a top-five option in RotoBaller's Week 8 DST rankings, should continue doing so with confidence on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Freiermuth Has Unreliable Floor in Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has had some standout fantasy performances this season but managed just two receptions for 20 yards in last week's win over the New Orleans Saints. Although he found the end zone against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, he'll be difficult to trust when these teams meet again on Sunday. Cleveland has been a middle-of-the-road matchup for fantasy tight ends this season, allowing just under 11 half-PPR fantasy points per game to the position. With teammate Darnell Washington playing meaningful snaps and commanding red-zone targets, Freiermuth's opportunities are becoming increasingly unreliable despite his chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 28-year-old should only be considered a bye-week fill-in, and fantasy managers can likely find a better option in most formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omarion Hampton Continues Strugglng on the Ground
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton has been unable to find much success on the ground lately. Over the last two games, Hampton has carried the ball 21 times for 51 yards, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 4. The 23-year-old is starting to lose touches with a season-low seven carries during the Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Due to his struggles, it seems that the Chargers are going to continue mixing in Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell. It probably won't get better for Hampton against the Rams defense, which ranks 18th against the run this season. Hampton is ranked as Rotoballer's RB32 and should be viewed as a possible flex play for Week 8.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Germie Bernard Remains a Quality Flex Option in Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard underwhelmed fantasy managers last week after his breakout performance in Week 6 and will look to get back on track against the Cleveland Browns in a divisional matchup. Bernard had just two receptions for 11 yards against Cleveland in Week 4, but he was still playing behind Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger), both of whom will be sidelined on Sunday. Cleveland's defense has been vulnerable to opposing wide receivers this season, so despite the low projected point total, there is reason to believe Bernard and running mate DK Metcalf can find success in this contest. Bernard will need to show more consistency to become a weekly fantasy starter, but he remains a viable flex option in what projects to be a competitive game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzel Boston is Losing Value with Inconsistent Play
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston is hopeful for better results after two straight poor performances. Over his last two games, Boston has been held to four receptions for 47 receiving yards with zero touchdowns. Boston has been one of the best deep ball threats this season, but quarterback Deshaun Watson has struggled to connect with Boston lately. It won't be easy for Boston against the Steelers defense, which ranks as the 11th-best defense against the pass coming into Week 8. The rookie wideout hauled in four receptions for 89 yards during their first meeting in Week 4. Boston is ranked as Rotoballer's WR29 and should be a solid flex play for Week 8.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
DK Metcalf Looks to Repeat Success Against Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was held to just two receptions in last week's win and will look to get more involved against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Cleveland has allowed several big performances to opposing wideouts this season, including one from Metcalf when these teams met in Week 4. Pittsburgh's WR1 finished with five receptions for 115 yards on nine targets, while Roman Wilson (finger) added three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in the loss. With Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) both on injured reserve, Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard should once again serve as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' top options in the passing game. Metcalf's boom-or-bust production makes him difficult to rely on consistently, but he still offers plenty of upside as a fantasy WR2 in this crucial divisional matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quentin Johnston Could Take a Backseat in Week 8
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston could see a reduced target share during Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Chargers are coming off a bye week and are getting healthy at the wideout position. Both Ladd McConkey and Tre' Harris are cleared to play, which is not good news for Johnston's target share. The 25-year-old hasn't been much of a factor this season anyway, with two receptions over his last two games. The Rams defense is ranked 4th-best in passing yardage, allowing only 186.3 passing yards per game. Johnston will rank as Rotoballer's WR62 and fall into low-end flex territory for this Week 8 matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ashton Jeanty Continues Struggling on the Ground
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is hopeful to find more room to run versus the New York Jets in Week 8. Jeanty has been held to under 30 rushing yards in each of the last three games. He'll draw a favorable matchup against the Jets defense that ranks 24th in the league in rush defense this season. They've allowed 127.7 yards per game on the ground heading into Sunday's game. This is the same defensive unit that allowed Ollie Gordon II to rush for over 100 yards this past weekend. The expectation is that Jeanty should be able to break through and do more damage than weeks prior. The 22-year-old ranks as Rotoballer's RB14 and should be a viable RB2 for this upcoming weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Rico Dowdle Has Sneaky Flex Value in Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has been getting more involved since returning from a toe injury and should again play an important role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. While Dowdle only finished with nine carries last week, he led the Steelers in receptions, securing all six of his targets for 45 yards. Cleveland is giving up the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, but it is surrendering the fourth-most yards per carry and allowed the Tennessee Titans to rush for 141 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7. Given how thin Pittsburgh is at wide receiver right now, Dowdle's role as a pass-catcher should continue alongside his work as a change-of-pace option behind teammate Jaylen Warren. The backfield split keeps Dowdle from being a must-start fantasy option, but the 28-year-old has flex appeal and could surprise in this matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
