As the halfway point of the fantasy football season approaches, this season has been tougher than most with the number of injuries. However, it’s to important to ensure you’re paying attention to the waiver wire in these situations. Here are the players to pay attention to for Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 8.
Last week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em was one of the most successful of the season. Starting Tank Bigsby, Hunter Henry and Brian Robinson Jr. were the biggest successes. On the other hand, Russell Wilson cooked his way into the QB3 title while Bub Means created a whole lot of nothing. It was another step up from Week 7, but the goal is to be better each week.
Note: This article is for players who are considered flex options or for matchup-specific reasons. You won’t see players like Josh Allen and Derrick Henry on here because they should be starting all the time.
Fantasy Football 2024: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 8
Quarterbacks
Start: Bo Nix
Bo Nix didn’t have the best fantasy start for rookie quarterbacks, but he’s stepped up to the plate. In the last three weeks, he’s posted two Top-10 finishes among quarterbacks. He gets a chance to make it three in his last four on Sunday against a struggling Panthers team. Nix can make plays with his arm or his legs, meaning he’s a viable stream option if you’re in a pinch for a quarterback.
Sit: Tua Tagovailoa
It’s looking like Tua Tagovailoa will play against the Cardinals and while it’s tempting, hold off for one more week. He hasn’t played football in six weeks, so there’s going to be some rust. The matchup looks good on paper, but it doesn’t make sense to expect a lot from a guy who is just returning from his fourth concussion.
Start: Geno Smith
Geno Smith has a tougher matchup this week against the Bills, but he should still find a way to move the ball. Buffalo concedes an average of 226 passing yards per game. Smith has been known to sling the ball around, and he will do just that on Sunday. He will find a way to throw at least one touchdown pass, if not multiple.
Read More: Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings Week 8
Running Backs:
Start: Javonte Williams
Javonte Williams was a different person in last week’s Thursday Night Football matchup. He tore through the Saints defense and gets another weak defense on Sunday. Carolina has conceded an average of 162 yards per game on the ground in 2024 which sets Williams up well. Expect another strong performance from him in Week 8.
Sit: Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson has been disappointing this year despite getting a plethora of opportunities to prove himself. Nothing will change ahead of a matchup with the Jets. He may not produce 0.3 points again, but his production will be minimal. New England is throwing more with Drake Maye under center anyways, so expect a pass-heavy system for the Patriots.
Start: Chase Brown
Chase Brown has taken over as the bell cow in the Bengals offense over Zack Moss. The Eagles defense has given up a lot of yards to lead backs a few times this season which sets Brown up well. He should provide solid RB2 numbers once again as he makes his impact as a runner and pass catcher.
Read More: Fantasy Football Lessons for Week 8 and Beyond
Wide Receivers:
Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be the WR2 for Seattle, but he’s produced strong games from time-to-time. There’s concerns about whether or not D.K. Metcalf plays this week which bumps up Smith-Njigba. Even if Metcalf plays, he won’t be 100%. Smith-Njigba will be the beneficiary and take a step forward for Seattle.
Sit: DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins is the new guy for Kansas City, but that doesn’t mean he will produce this week. He’s still learning the playbook, and Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been at his best. Hopkins owners want to find a way to slot him in, but it’s best to hold off for one more week. Only play him if you have no other options.
Start: Jalen McMillan
Jalen McMillan, it’s your time to shine! With multiple injuries in the wide receiver room, McMillan becomes a prime target for Baker Mayfield. His versatility to line up out wide or in the slot makes him hard to play against, and he should see plenty of opportunities on Sunday. Mayfield threw for three touchdowns in the last matchup with Atlanta which means McMillan has a good chance to find the endzone.
Read More: Fantasy Football Week 8 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tight Ends:
Sit: T.J. Hockenson
T.J. Hockenson is currently questionable, so there’s a chance he may not play against the Rams. Even if he does suit up, it doesn’t make sense to play him. Remember how bad the tight end position was in Week 1? This is Hockenson’s version of Week 1, and a few days of being a limited participant isn’t a good sign. Keep him away from your starting lineup and stream another option.
Start: Mark Andrews
After being considered a drop candidate earlier this season, Mark Andrews has turned things around. He’s been targeted 4+ times in each of the last three weeks, and just two balls haven’t been caught. Andrews may be a bit touchdown-dependent, but his upside is high heading into a matchup with the Browns.
Main Photo Courtesy of Steven Bisig – Imagn Images
