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Keith Hernandez analyzes NFL players to consider sitting or benching for Week 8. These are his top potential fantasy football lineup busts to avoid starting.
With the halfway point of the season nearly here, hopefully your fantasy football squad isn't "seeing ghosts" like Sam Darnold and is actually in the hunt for a playoff spot. Four more teams will be on bye in Week 9 and a season-high six teams will have the week off in Week 10, so the depth of your rosters will really be put to the test in the next couple of weeks, especially when you factor in injuries as well.
There were some significant ones in Week 7, including Kerryon Johnson (on IR), Josh Gordon (on IR), Matt Ryan (high ankle sprain), Patrick Mahomes (dislocated kneecap) and Will Fuller (out a few weeks). Most fantasy owners will have to do some creative maneuvering this week and moving forward. But will your recent pickups off the waiver wire be worth starting, or are they busts?
Below are 10 potential busts for Week 8 of the 2019 fantasy football season.
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Potential Quarterback Busts for Week 8
Jacoby Brissett - Indianapolis Colts Vs. Broncos
Brissett went off for a season-high 326 yards on 26 completions for four touchdowns and no picks in the win over the divisional-rival Texans last week. But Houston's secondary has been beat up, and the only other time he went for over 300 yards in a game this year was against Atlanta's similarly bad defense.
He's been more than the Colts could've asked for in replacing the retired Andrew Luck, with 14 touchdowns to three interceptions this year. However, the game plan to beat the Broncos at home will be to run the ball and feed Marlon Mack. Denver's secondary allows the third fewest fantasy points per game (14.0) to signal-callers. Chris Harris Jr. could be tasked with shadowing T.Y. Hilton, too. More on that later...
Carson Wentz - Philadelphia Eagles @ Bills
It seems as though Wentz has been on this list a lot in 2019. The Eagles offense just can't seem to reach its full potential unless deep threat DeSean Jackson (abdomen) is healthy, and he doesn't look to be on track to return this weekend.
Wentz surprisingly eclipsed 300 yards passing in Week 6 against the Vikings, but he's done that only one other time this year -- back in Week 1 against the Redskins with Jackson in the fold. The Bills allow the fourth fewest fantasy points per game (15.8) to QBs, and they've given up just four passing TDs all season. Wentz will struggle to move the ball consistently on the road.
Others: Baker Mayfield (@ Patriots), Philip Rivers (@ Bears)
Potential Running Back Busts for Week 8
Josh Jacobs - Oakland Raiders @ Texans
The 24th overall pick has been one of the most impressive rookies in the NFL this year, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and posting his first two 100-yard games in back-to-back weeks. He's quickly becoming a true workhorse back and could start getting more involved in the passing game.
However, he might suit up without practicing this week due to a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 7. Jacobs is a must-start when active, but he'll be at risk of an in-game setback and could lose some touches to Jalen Richard and Deandre Washington. On top of it, Houston's defensive front has been much better at stopping the run this year.
Chase Edmonds - Arizona Cardinals @ Saints
With David Johnson (ankle, back) playing only two snaps last week, Edmonds took advantage and ran the ball 27 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns against the Giants. It's looking like Johnson could be inactive this week, so Edmonds will have another chance to put up numbers.
If he does start, he'll find it much tougher sledding against New Orleans' strong defense. They've allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points per game (12.9) to running backs this year. Edmonds could also be forced into negative game script if the Saints get out to a big lead, although he could salvage some of his stat line if he's involved in the passing game.
Nick Chubb - Cleveland Browns @ Patriots
Coming out of their bye, the Browns have a tough matchup against a Patriots Defense that might be one of Bill Belichick's best ever. Chubb might just be the guy to do it, but New England hasn't allowed a rushing or receiving score to a back in 2019. The second-round runner has pretty much been matchup-proof due to high volume, but Cleveland's offense must move the ball and put up points to avoid becoming one-dimensional. Baker Mayfield will need to step up, that's for sure.
Others: Derrick Henry (Vs. Buccaneers), Christian McCaffrey (@ 49ers), Joe Mixon (@ Rams)
Potential Wide Receiver Busts for Week 8
Julio Jones - Atlanta Falcons Vs. Seahawks
Jones has three 100-yard games and nearly had his second straight 100-yard contest in Week 7 against the Rams versus shutdown cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Despite his age, the 30-year-old still gets it done and is a constant problem for opposing defenses. The Seahawks secondary can give up big plays, but Jones has bust potential if Matt Schaub is forced to replace Matt Ryan (ankle) this week.
T.Y. Hilton - Indianapolis Colts Vs. Broncos
He's Indy's clear No. 1 receiver and has scored in four of his five games this year. However, Hilton only has two double-digit target games and hasn't surpassed 87 yards through the air in any one contest. If he doesn't find the end zone, he could be a bust for fantasy owners. The Broncos could also stick their best corner, Chris Harris Jr., on Hilton this Sunday to slow him down.
Keenan Allen - Los Angeles Chargers @ Bears
Since a two-touchdown, 183-yard performance against the Texans on Sept. 22, Allen has been on a milk carton as opposing defenses take away Philip Rivers' favorite target. He did have 11 targets in Week 7, but his 61 yards were his highest total since the Houston game. The Cal product is also nursing a mid-week injury and could be questionable. The Bears have the pieces to take Allen out of this game, especially if he's at less than 100 percent.
Others: Odell Beckham Jr. (@ Patriots), Alshon Jeffery (@ Bills), Calvin Ridley (Vs. Seahawks)
Potential Tight End Busts for Week 8
Zach Ertz - Philadelphia Eagles @ Bills
Ertz just isn't the same player he was in 2018. His low point of the season came last week when he had just two catches for 38 yards and saw Dallas Goedert find the end zone. He has just one touchdown and has yet to go over 72 yards in a game. In 2018, he posted five 100-yard games and scored eight times. Perhaps the absence of field-stretch DeSean Jackson is hurting his game.
Things don't get any easier in Week 8 in a matchup with a really good Bills Defense. Buffalo is allowing the second fewest fantasy points per game (3.2) to opposing tight ends. Alshon Jeffery hasn't really stepped up, so opposing defenses are making sure Ertz doesn't beat them down the seam.
Greg Olsen - Carolina Panthers @ 49ers
Fill-in quarterback Kyle Allen is undefeated with Cam Newton (foot) sidelined, but he hasn't really boosted Olsen's fantasy value at all. In four games with Allen starting, Olsen has 12 catches for 132 yards and no touchdowns. The 49ers Defense has been nasty all-around in 2019, too, and they allow the third fewest fantasy points per game (3.2) to the position. Don't be surprised if Allen has his worst game this Sunday.
Others: T.J. Hockenson (Vs. Giants), Dallas Goedert (@ Bills)
