Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 27th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Network: FOX
Writer: Jesse Maida
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: Start, QB1
Kirk Cousins has disappointed in back-to-back weeks, but with weapon downgrades to Baker Mayfield and Brock Purdy, along with tough matchups for Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, and Drake Maye, Cousins ranks as a low-end QB1 this week in 12-team leagues. The Falcons have an implied total of 24 points in week 8, 13th highest of the week, and play the very same Buccaneers who Cousins carved up for 509 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in week 5, where he was QB1 overall for the week. A repeat performance of week 5 is extremely unlikely, but the Falcons should look to abuse the Buccaneers’ secondary again, which currently ranks 29th in passing yards allowed per game.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: Start, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: Sit
After only one top-15 PPR finish through the first five weeks, Bijan Robinson has produced back-to-back top-10 finishes, including an RB3 finish in week 6. Despite finishing as RB10 last week, Robinson actually led all running backs in expected fantasy points as he finally dominated the backfield, finishing with 26 backfield opportunities vs. 6 for Tyler Allgeier, who was relegated to a minor role. Robinson is a top-10 RB this week. Allgeier was out-snapped by Robinson 50-17 in week 7 due to the Falcons trailing much of the game. The snaps should be less lopsided this week with the Falcons currently just 2.5 point favorites, but Allgeier remains a touchdown or bust option, only reaching double-digit carries once this season, with little receiving work.
Wide Receiver
Drake London: Start, WR1
Darnell Mooney: FLEX Option, WR3
Ray-Ray McCloud III : Sit
After two years of frustration and four mediocre weeks to start the season (WR 23 overall), Kirk Cousins has finally unlocked the former #8 overall pick who is now the WR3 overall after three straight WR14 performances or better. Since week 2, Drake London has commanded a 27.1% target share, 36% 1st read share, and a 37.2% air yards share. These are incredible numbers, making London a top-5 option this week and a must-start WR1 for the rest of the season. The Darnell Mooney magic has worn off since a breakout week 5 performance, but he is still averaging 7.5 targets per game, which ranks 22nd in the league. He gets a smash matchup this week vs. undrafted free agent corner Tyrek Funderburk, who should see increased playing time after Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay’s No. 1 cornerback, was placed on IR. Ray-Ray McCloud III is a drop candidate as his role has decreased since week 5 which correlates to the increased usage of Kyle Pitts. McCloud III does get a boost in kick return yards leagues, with 22+ return yards in 5/7 games this season. With only 39 yards on 8 targets the past two weeks, McCloud III should not be anywhere near your starting lineups.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts: Start, TE1
This is the best three-week stretch of Kyle Pitts‘ career since his rookie year, averaging 13.1 fantasy points per game on 7.4 targets. Pitts is TE5 since week 5 and TE7 on the season, despite having only one touchdown, thanks to 328 receiving yards which ranks 3rd among all tight-ends. Even without touchdowns, Pitts is comfortably a TE1 in 12-team leagues and a top-5 option if he can find the end zone with a little more frequency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Start, QB1
Despite losing his two best weapons in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield still ranks as a low-end QB1 in 12-team leagues this week vs. the Falcons. Typically, the QB2 overall on the season would be a slam dunk start vs. a team that ranks in the bottom half of the league in points allowed to quarterbacks, but this rag-tag group of receivers will be a new test for Mayfield, making him a somewhat risky play. I think his performance this season has earned him a spot in our starting lineups until he gives managers a reason not to. He is playing exceptionally with a ton of confidence.
Running Back
Rachaad White: Start, RB2
Sean Tucker: Sit
Bucky Irving*: Sit
With Bucky Irving unlikely to be active this week, Rachaad White should see an increased workload putting him on the RB2 radar for week 8. With injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, it is possible we see the running backs utilized more in the passing game to take some pressure off Mayfield, especially since White is coming off a monster performance with six receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns. It was this type of receiving usage that propelled White to the overall RB4 in PPR in 2023 and we could very well get that type of performance this week. Sean Tucker had six opportunities in week 7 with head coach Todd Bowles remaining true to his word, utilizing all three Tampa Bay running backs. Tucker will see increased opportunities this week and could touch the ball 10+ times, but should really only be started in deep leagues since there are no byes this week. If Bucky Irving is able to play, both he and White could be FLEX options at best, but only if you’re desperate.
Wide Receiver
Jalen McMillan: FLEX Option, WR3
Sterling Shepard: Sit
Trey Palmer: Sit
This wide receiver room is a mess and it’s possible this entire passing game is a black hole, but if I’m betting on a wide receiver being fantasy-relevant, it’s Jalen McMillan. The 3rd round rookie out of Washington received high praise all off-season, leaping Trey Palmer on the depth chart. He did not do much behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but McMillan had a firm grasp on the WR3 role to start the season, playing 77%+ of the snaps in all three games before his injury. McMillan had three receptions on eight targets in week 7 and looks to have the first crack at earning the WR1 for the Bucs until Evans returns. Sterling Shepard is a 31-year-old veteran who hasn’t finished better than WR24 in a single week since 2021, while Trey Palmer did not impress in his rookie season despite receiving significant playing time, which is why he lost his job to McMillan to start the season. Shepard and Palmer are likely to not only be a secondary option behind McMillan but also behind tight end Cade Otton, and perhaps even Rachaad White. The 4th option in this passing attack is not something you want on your roster.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Streaming Option
Cade Otton was the TE5 last week after setting career highs in both receptions (8) and receiving yards (100). Otton has been trending upwards, averaging 7.4 targets per game in his last five, which includes three top-eight weekly finishes. The third-year tight end hasn’t been great since entering the league, posting a YPRR below 1.00 in each of his first two seasons and only 1.11 YPRR this year, but he has a real chance to become a TE1 over the next 4+ weeks if he can soak up some of these vacated targets and become a top-2 weapon in the passing attack.