Fantasy Football Week 8 Expert Picks: Jonathan Taylor, Rico Dowdle, and More
The experts at FantasySP answer five questions in advance of Week 8 of the fantasy football season.
Six teams have their bye this week, more than any other week this season. That puts stress on fantasy owners both because more weekly starters are sitting out and fewer streamers are available to fill those spots.
That leaves fantasy owners searching for answers among the jungle that is the fantasy football middle; it's treacherous territory, to say the least. There are still plenty of fantasy players available to fill lineups, but it takes extra work to find the guys who will finish among the top 10 or 20 at their position.
Luckily, the experts at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five fantasy football questions in advance of Week 8 of the NFL season.
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Which quarterback are you avoiding this week and keeping on the bench?
Morgan: On a week with six teams on bye, this is tough. I'd say that Mac Jones should be benched against the Texans. Houston has been a brutal test for fantasy quarterbacks, and I'd avoid the San Fran QB if I could.
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Daniel: Dak Prescott has been on fire, but he has a really tough matchup against the Broncos this week. Denver has allowed the eight-fewest yards per pass attempt and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Some owners won't have a better option, but Prescott could be in line for a weaker game this week.
Is there a running back primed for a big day who should be in a lineup in about every league?
Morgan: Alvin Kamara is starting in most leagues, but I believe he should be starting in every league in Week 8. He has a great matchup against the Buccaneers, and he will be the clear No. 1 back now that Kendre Miller is out for the season. Start Kamara with some confidence this week.
Daniel: It's understandable to have some concern about the upside of Rico Dowdle now that Chuba Hubbard has returned. They essentially split the snaps last week, and Dowdle led with 17 carries to 14 for Hubbard. Dowdle was much more efficient, gaining 79 yards to Hubbard's 31. They face Buffalo this week, a team that has allowed the most yards per rush attempt and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Dowdle has a very good outlook, and even Hubbard is a lower-level flex player.
Give us a wide receiver with a bad matchup who owners should think twice about starting.
Morgan: While I'd recommend starting him, I think a lot of fantasy owners are going to be skeptical of George Pickens against the Broncos. He showed he can still deliver with CeeDee Lamb around, but that tough matchup is still not a great one to try a WR2 in. On a week with six teams on bye, you're probably starting him, but otherwise, he could be benchable this week.
Daniel: Every San Francisco wide receiver. With Brock Purdy out, the pass catchers have a lower ceiling. Ricky Pearsall will miss the game, so we're mostly talking about Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne. Houston has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
How about a tight end with a good matchup who might get into the end zone?
Morgan: I really like Tucker Kraft against the Steelers. Kraft has been a scoring machine already, and a very favorable matchup against Pittsburgh is a chance for him to find the end zone and put up a big-time fantasy score.
Daniel: Kyle Pitts Sr. has a fantastic matchup against the Dolphins, who have given up the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and the 10th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Kirk Cousins is also starting in place of Michael Penix, so Atlanta might have a higher floor and ceiling in the passing game.
Who will be the fantasy MVP of Week 8?
Morgan: I'm taking Jonathan Taylor as the Week 8 fantasy MVP. He has been stellar this season and has a great matchup against the Titans this week. He already had a three-TD game against Tennessee this season, and another one could be coming.
Daniel: Taylor is also my pick, as the Colts keep rolling on offense, and the Titans look as lowly as any team in football. Just for the sake of something different, I'll also give you Bijan Robinson, who faces a hapless Dolphins team and could be in line both for bulk carries and big efficiency. Miami might be the worst team in the league, and Atlanta with Cousins under center could be primed for a big offensive day.
