Week 8 Wide Receivers
Jameson Williams is one of my top sit candidates heading into Week 8 as he faces a tough matchup against the Vikings, who have allowed the 4th-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Since Week 2, Minnesota hasn’t allowed a receiver to surpass 65 receiving yards and has surrendered just 1 touchdown during that span. Williams is coming off a 2-touchdown performance, but I wouldn’t chase those fantasy points into a difficult matchup. If you have another reliable option, I’d look to get Williams out of your starting lineup this week.
A.J. Brown is another receiver I’m looking to fade in Week 8 against the Dolphins. Brown may already be someone you’re concerned about, and if you think this matchup could help him bounce back, I’d think again. Miami has allowed the 3rd-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Part of that has been due to the Dolphins’ struggling run defense, which has allowed opposing teams to control games on the ground and limited competitive game scripts outside of Week 7. I expect the Patriots to lean heavily on their backfield and tight ends in this matchup, leaving Brown with limited opportunities to produce a strong fantasy performance.
Michael Wilson is someone I’m expecting to bounce back in Week 8 against the Cowboys. Wilson has struggled to produce, finishing with fewer than 10 fantasy points in 3 consecutive games, especially since Marvin Harrison Jr. was traded. However, this matchup offers an excellent opportunity to turn things around. Dallas has allowed the 7th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. The Cowboys have also surrendered at least 60 receiving yards and a touchdown to an opposing receiver in 3 of their last 4 games. If you’ve been concerned about Wilson’s recent production, I’d look to get him back into your starting lineup this week rather than worrying about another difficult matchup with Joey Porter Jr.
Antonio Williams is my sleeper pick for Week 8 as he comes off his bye week to face the Eagles, who have allowed the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. The rookie is an interesting option, especially with Terry McLaurin out for the year and the potential for his role to expand following the team’s bye week. We often see rookies earn more opportunities in the second half of the season, and Williams could be next in line. The last time he faced Philadelphia, Williams finished with 64 receiving yards and a touchdown, showing he can take advantage of this matchup. With a favorable opponent and the possibility of increased opportunities, Williams is an intriguing FLEX option for Week 8. –Steve Pintado
Week 8 Tight Ends
The Detroit Lions have allowed more fantasy points per game to TEs than any other team in the NFL. The undefeated Minnesota Vikings visit Motown this weekend, so we’re giving a green light to T.J. Hockenson, who has finished in the Top 10 twice in the past three weeks, including a finish as the overall TE1 in Week 4. Hockenson, owned in about half of Sleeper leagues, is a great bet to make it three for four after Week 8.
I’m not going to call Sam LaPorta a “fade,” but he’ll likely fall short of his FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking of TE6. It’s not his recent comments about contract frustration that give me pause. It’s the stone-cold fact that the Vikings have allowed fewer points to opposing tight ends than any other team in the NFL. LaPorta’s fantasy managers likely don’t have better options, so buckle up and hope for the best.
Our list of favorite TE streamers this week once again includes Hunter Henry, who has three consecutive Top 10 finishes. We like the odds of him making it four straight against the Miami Dolphins this week. We also like Kyle Pitts…again. Brenton Strange has our attention in Week 8 in a soft matchup against the Colts. We also stand behind Chig Okonkwo, who draws a struggling Philadelphia Eagles defense. –Drew DeLuca