Quick Grades Week 8 (Fantasy Football Start or Sit Advice)

Happy Friday everyone! Thursday night’s snoozefest is behind us and it is now time to look ahead to the full slate of games and make start/sit decisions. This article is for those of you who would love to sit down and read a detailed start/sit article for 90 minutes but just can’t carve out the time at this stage in your life. Instead, I’ll give you all the information without any of the words. Here is how it works: it’s quick-hitting advice with an overall grade and start/sit recommendation for every fantasy-relevant player based on four simple criteria: Matchup, expected volume, fantasy ability and surrounding talent.

Matchup
Unsurprisingly, Chase Edmonds managed a great game against a lousy Giants defense last week

Expected Volume
If Jared Goff continues to throw 40 pass attempts per game, he will rack up fantasy points even without efficiency

Fantasy Ability
Tom Brady is a superior real-life quarterback to Lamar Jackson, but QBs who can run are a fantasy cheat code

Surrounding Talent
It certainly doesn’t hurt Jameis Winston to have Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to throw to

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Lineup advice

The grades listed below range from 1 to 25 with overall grades made to mimic a school grade (1-100 with letter grades). The four grades will not add up to the overall grade since each position weights the four criteria differently. For instance, volume is king for running backs, but matchups are much more important for quarterbacks. The start/sit recommendations are for 12-team half-PPR, 1-QB leagues. Slight adjustments would be made for moderate rules changes. Additionally, I’ll name a start of the week, stream of the week and fade of the week at each position. Obviously the #1 player from each player is the top start so rather, start of the week refers to a player you wouldn’t always start. Stream of the week is a player you can typically pick up off the waivers if you are desperate for a fill-in so don’t be surprised if they are down at the bottom of a table since most useful players are already rostered. Fade of the week is the opposite of start of the week, as it is a player you would typically start, but shouldn’t this week because of matchup or game script. Because the tables are a screenshot of an excel table, I’ve added a quick search/find list at the bottom of the article in case you are looking for one or two immediate answers. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @BobbyFantasyPro.

Quick Link to view the entire spreadsheet and search for players quickly at this link.

Running Backs

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If David Johnson is active, he becomes a B, Strong Start and Chase Edmonds becomes a D, Shouldn’t Start
  - If Alvin Kamara is active, he is a A-, Must Start and Latavius Murray falls to a C-, Shouldn’t Start
  - If Josh Jacobs sits, DeAndre Washington becomes a C+, Could Start and Jalen Richard jumps to a D+, Shouldn’t Start
- Start of the Week: Ty Johnson (remember, this is a player you wouldn’t always feel comfortable starting, not the best player)
- Stream of the Week: Benny Snell Jr. (remember, this doesn’t mean he is a great start, it means he is the best of what is available on waivers)
- Fade of the Week: Matt Breida
Break in the chart is between RB36/RB37

**Editor’s note** Bobby had an error in his vlookup formula for the Buffalo matchup. They are listed in all tables as playing Tampa Bay, but they play Philly. None of the grade changes are substantial as both teams have strong run defenses and weak pass defenses. All other matchups listed are correct.

Wide Receivers

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If Davante Adams plays, he is a B Must Start. Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes Scantling would drop to D, Shouldn’t Starts
  - If Christian Kirk plays, he should be considered a C+, Should Start
  - If Tyrell Williams plays, he jumps to a C+, Should Start
  - If Sammy Watkins plays, he is a C- Could Start
  - If Deebo Samuel plays, he is only a D+, Shouldn’t Start
  - If Keenan Allen sits, Mike Williams jumps to a B-, Strong Start
- Start of the Week: Corey Davis
- Stream of the Week: Cole Beasley (remember, this doesn’t mean he is a great start, it means he is the best of what is available on waivers)
- Fade of the Week: Marques Valdes-Scantling
Break in the chart is between WR40/WR41

Quarterbacks

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If Matt Ryan is ruled out, Matt Schaub becomes a C-, Shouldn’t Start
  - If Drew Brees can’t go, Teddy Bridgewater is a C-, Shouldn’t Start
- Start of the Week: Matthew Stafford
- Stream of the Week: Ryan Tannehill
- Fade of the Week: Carson Wentz

Tight Ends

- Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  - If Chris Herndon is active, he is merely a D, Shouldn’t Start
  - O.J. Howard has been ruled out. Cameron Brate is now a C-, Could Start
  - Josh Hill has been ruled out, Josh Hill is now a C-, Could Start and Dan Arnold is now a D, Shouldn’t Start
  - Delanie Walker has been ruled out, Jonnu Smith is now a C, Should Start
- Start of the Week: Gerald Everett
- Stream of the Week: Jonnu Smith
- Fade of the Week: T.J. Hockenson

Search, Find and Player Cards

Deshaun Watson (QB – HOU): 100, A+, Must Start
Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG): 100, A+, Must Start
DeAndre Hopkins (WR – HOU): 100, A+, Must Start
Austin Hooper (TE – ATL): 100, A+, Must Start
Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR): 99, A+, Must Start
Leonard Fournette (RB – JAC): 99, A+, Must Start
Russell Wilson (QB – SEA): 98, A+, Must Start
Michael Thomas (WR – NO): 97, A+, Must Start
Chris Carson (RB – SEA): 97, A+, Must Start
Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB): 96, A+, Must Start
Le’Veon Bell (RB – NYJ): 96, A+, Must Start
Travis Kelce (TE – KC): 94, A, Must Start
Todd Gurley (RB – LAR): 94, A, Must Start
Julio Jones (WR – ATL): 94, A, Must Start
Marlon Mack (RB – IND): 94, A, Must Start
Kyler Murray (QB – ARI): 93, A, Must Start
Darren Waller (TE – OAK): 92, A-, Must Start
George Kittle (TE – SF): 92, A-, Must Start
James Conner (RB – PIT): 91, A-, Must Start
Matthew Stafford (QB – DET): 90, A-, Strong Start
Hunter Henry (TE – LAC): 90, A-, Must Start
Aaron Jones (RB – GB): 90, A-, Must Start
Josh Jacobs (RB – OAK): 89, A-, Must Start
Josh Allen (QB – BUF): 89, A-, Strong Start
Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR): 88, B+, Must Start
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA): 88, B+, Must Start
Matt Ryan (QB – ATL): 88, B+, Should Start
Chris Godwin (WR – TB): 87, B+, Must Start
Keenan Allen (WR – LAC): 86, B+, Must Start
Sony Michel (RB – NE): 86, B+, Strong Start
Zach Ertz (TE – PHI): 86, B+, Must Start
Latavius Murray (RB – NO): 86, B, Strong Start
Julian Edelman (WR – NE): 85, B, Must Start
Derrick Henry (RB – TEN): 85, B, Strong Start
Kenny Golladay (WR – DET): 84, B, Must Start
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE): 84, B, Strong Start
T.Y. Hilton (WR – IND): 84, B, Must Start
Evan Engram (TE – NYG): 83, B, Must Start
Tom Brady (QB – NE): 83, B, Should Start
Tevin Coleman (RB – SF): 83, B-, Should Start
Melvin Gordon (RB – LAC): 83, B-, Should Start
LeSean McCoy (RB – KC): 82, B-, Should Start
Phillip Lindsay (RB – DEN): 82, B-, Should Start
Devonta Freeman (RB – ATL): 82, B-, Should Start
Ty Johnson (RB – DET): 82, B-, Should Start
Tyreek Hill (WR – KC): 81, B-, Strong Start
D.J. Chark (WR – JAC): 81, B-, Strong Start
Jared Goff (QB – LAR): 81, B-, Could Start
Allen Robinson (WR – CHI): 81, B-, Strong Start
Golden Tate (WR – NYG): 81, B-, Strong Start
James White (RB – NE): 80, B-, Should Start
John Brown (WR – BUF): 80, B-, Strong Start
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – PIT): 80, B-, Strong Start
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC): 80, B-, Should Start
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN): 80, B-, Strong Start
Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI): 79, B-, Strong Start
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR – CLE): 79, C+, Should Start
Carlos Hyde (RB – HOU): 78, C+, Could Start
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN): 78, C+, Could Start
Mike Evans (WR – TB): 78, C+, Should Start
Chase Edmonds (RB – ARI): 78, C+, Could Start
Tyler Boyd (WR – CIN): 78, C+, Should Start
Royce Freeman (RB – DEN): 78, C+, Could Start
Robert Woods (WR – LAR): 77, C+, Should Start
Jamaal Williams (RB – GB): 77, C+, Could Start
Brandin Cooks (WR – LAR): 77, C+, Should Start
David Montgomery (RB – CHI): 77, C+, Could Start
Benny Snell Jr. (RB – PIT): 77, C+, Could Start
Tarik Cohen (RB – CHI): 77, C+, Could Start
Corey Davis (WR – TEN): 76, C+, Should Start
Mike Williams (WR – LAC): 76, C+, Should Start
Jordan Howard (RB – PHI): 76, C+, Could Start
Calvin Ridley (WR – ATL): 76, C+, Should Start
Matt Breida (RB – SF): 76, C+, Could Start
Dede Westbrook (WR – JAC): 75, C, Could Start
D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA): 75, C, Could Start
Marvin Jones (WR – DET): 75, C, Could Start
Jameis Winston (QB – TB): 75, C, Could Start
Alshon Jeffery (WR – PHI): 74, C, Could Start
Kenny Stills (WR – HOU): 74, C, Could Start
Ronald Jones II (RB – TB): 74, C, Could Start
Ryan Tannehill (QB – TEN): 73, C, Could Start
Philip Rivers (QB – LAC): 73, C, Could Start
Gardner Minshew (QB – JAC): 73, C, Could Start
D.J. Moore (WR – CAR): 72, C-, Could Start
Jacoby Brissett (QB – IND): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Cole Beasley (WR – BUF): 72, C-, Could Start
Carson Wentz (QB – PHI): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Gerald Everett (TE – LAR): 72, C-, Could Start
Miles Sanders (RB – PHI): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Drew Brees (QB – NO): 72, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Jimmy Graham (TE – GB): 71, C-, Could Start
A.J. Brown (WR – TEN): 71, C-, Could Start
O.J. Howard (TE – TB): 71, C-, Could Start
Mason Rudolph (QB – PIT): 71, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Derek Carr (QB – OAK): 71, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Damien Williams (RB – KC): 71, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Peyton Barber (RB – TB): 70, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Jonnu Smith (TE – TEN): 70, C-, Could Start
Jamison Crowder (WR – NYJ): 70, C-, Could Start
Daniel Jones (QB – NYG): 70, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR): 70, C-, Could Start
Robby Anderson (WR – NYJ): 69, C-, Could Start
Frank Gore (RB – BUF): 69, C-, Shouldn’t Start
Keke Coutee (WR – HOU): 69, C-, Could Start
T.J. Hockenson (TE – DET): 69, C-, Could Start
Vance McDonald (TE – PIT): 69, D+, Could Start
Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT): 69, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Eric Ebron (TE – IND): 69, D+, Could Start
Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI): 69, D+, Could Start
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – GB): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Josh Hill (TE – NO): 68, D+, Could Start
Mike Gesicki (TE – MIA): 68, D+, Could Start
Jarvis Landry (WR – CLE): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Noah Fant (TE – DEN): 68, D+, Could Start
Auden Tate (WR – CIN): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Devin Singletary (RB – BUF): 68, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Mark Walton (RB – MIA): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Preston Williams (WR – MIA): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Dawson Knox (TE – BUF): 67, D+, Could Start
Benjamin Watson (TE – NE): 67, D+, Could Start
Devante Parker (WR – MIA): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Geronimo Allison (WR – GB): 67, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Danny Amendola (WR – DET): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Andy Dalton (QB – CIN): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Kenyan Drake (RB – MIA): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
Phillip Dorsett (WR – NE): 66, D+, Shouldn’t Start
J.D. McKissic (RB – DET): 66, D, Shouldn’t Start
Emmanuel Sanders (WR – DEN): 65, D, Shouldn’t Start
Mohamed Sanu (WR – NE): 65, D, Shouldn’t Start
Delanie Walker (TE – TEN): 65, D, Shouldn’t Start
Davante Adams (WR – GB): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Jordan Akins (TE – HOU): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Darren Fells (TE – HOU): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Duke Johnson (RB – HOU): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Jared Cook (TE – NO): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Jacob Hollister (TE – SEA): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO): 64, D, Shouldn’t Start
Greg Olsen (TE – CAR): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Cameron Brate (TE – TB): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Dante Pettis (WR – SF): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Giovani Bernard (RB – CIN): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Adam Humphries (WR – TEN): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
David Moore (WR – SEA): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
DaeSean Hamilton (WR – DEN): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Nyheim Hines (RB – IND): 63, D, Shouldn’t Start
Joe Flacco (QB – DEN): 63, D, Crazy Start
Sam Darnold (QB – NYJ): 63, D, Crazy Start
Rashaad Penny (RB – SEA): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Jaron Brown (WR – SEA): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Trey Burton (TE – CHI): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Rex Burkhead (RB – NE): 62, D-, Crazy Start
Matt Moore (QB – KC): 61, D-, Crazy Start
James Washington (WR – PIT): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Demaryius Thomas (WR – NYJ): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Trevor Davis (WR – GB): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Allen Lazard (WR – GB): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Jack Doyle (TE – IND): 61, D-, Crazy Start
Mitch Trubisky (QB – CHI): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Ted Ginn (WR – NO): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Chris Herndon IV (TE – NYJ): 60, D-, Crazy Start
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG): 59, F, Crazy Start
Teddy Bridgewater (QB – NO): 59, D-, Crazy Start
Nelson Agholor (WR – PHI): 58, F, Crazy Start
Hunter Renfrow (WR – OAK): 58, F, Crazy Start
Chris Conley (WR – JAC): 58, F, Crazy Start
Jalen Richard (RB – OAK): 58, F, Crazy Start
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF): 58, F, Crazy Start
Marquise Goodwin (WR – SF): 57, F, Crazy Start
Dion Lewis (RB – TEN): 57, F, Crazy Start
Alex Erickson (WR – CIN): 56, F, Crazy Start
Tyler Eifert (TE – CIN): 56, F, Crazy Start
Anthony Miller (WR – CHI): 56, F, Crazy Start
Tyrell Williams (WR – OAK): 56, F, Crazy Start
Christian Kirk (WR – ARI): 56, F, Crazy Start
David Johnson (RB – ARI): 54, F, Crazy Start
DeSean Jackson (WR – PHI): 54, F, Crazy Start
Demarcus Robinson (WR – KC): 54, F, Crazy Start
Baker Mayfield (QB – CLE): 54, F, Crazy Start
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB – MIA): 54, F, Crazy Start
Zach Pascal (WR – IND): 54, F, Crazy Start
Mecole Hardman (WR – KC): 53, F, Crazy Start
Matt Schaub (QB – ATL): 53, F, Crazy Start
Sammy Watkins (WR – KC): 53, F, Crazy Start
Deebo Samuel (WR – SF): 53, F, Crazy Start
Albert Wilson (WR – MIA): 53, F, Crazy Start
Josh Oliver (TE – JAC): 51, F, Crazy Start
Taylor Gabriel (WR – CHI): 51, F, Crazy Start
Ricky Seals-Jones (TE – CLE): 50, F, Crazy Start
Antonio Callaway (WR – CLE): 48, F, Crazy Start
Ryan Griffin (TE – NYJ): 46, F, Crazy Start
Maxx Williams (TE – ARI): 46, F, Crazy Start
Kyle Allen (QB – CAR): 45, F, Crazy Start

Analyze any potential deal with our Trade Analyzer

NFL Chase Edmonds Jared Goff Tom Brady Lamar Jackson Jameis Winston Chris Godwin Mike Evans David Johnson Alvin Kamara Latavius Murray Ty Johnson Benny Snell Jr. Matt Breida Davante Adams Geronimo Allison Christian Kirk Tyrell Williams Sammy Watkins Deebo Samuel Keenan Allen Mike Williams Corey Davis Cole Beasley Matt Ryan Matt Schaub Drew Brees Teddy Bridgewater Matthew Stafford Ryan Tannehill Carson Wentz Gerald Everett Jonnu Smith T.J. Hockenson Deshaun Watson Saquon Barkley DeAndre Hopkins Austin Hooper Christian McCaffrey Leonard Fournette Russell Wilson Michael Thomas Chris Carson Aaron Rodgers Le’Veon Bell Travis Kelce Todd Gurley Julio Jones Marlon Mack Kyler Murray Darren Waller George Kittle James Conner Hunter Henry Aaron Jones Josh Jacobs Josh Allen Cooper Kupp Tyler Lockett Sony Michel Zach Ertz Julian Edelman Derrick Henry Kenny Golladay Nick Chubb T.Y. Hilton Evan Engram Tevin Coleman Melvin Gordon LeSean McCoy Phillip Lindsay Devonta Freeman Tyreek Hill D.J. Chark Allen Robinson Golden Tate James White John Brown JuJu Smith-Schuster Austin Ekeler Courtland Sutton Larry Fitzgerald Odell Beckham Jr. Carlos Hyde Joe Mixon Tyler Boyd Royce Freeman Robert Woods Jamaal Williams Brandin Cooks David Montgomery Tarik Cohen Jordan Howard Calvin Ridley Dede Westbrook D.K. Metcalf Marvin Jones Alshon Jeffery Kenny Stills Ronald Jones II Philip Rivers Gardner Minshew D.J. Moore Jacoby Brissett Darrell Henderson Miles Sanders Jimmy Graham A.J. Brown O.J. Howard Mason Rudolph Derek Carr Damien Williams Peyton Barber Jamison Crowder Daniel Jones Curtis Samuel Robby Anderson Frank Gore Keke Coutee Vance McDonald Diontae Johnson Eric Ebron Dallas Goedert Marquez Valdes-Scantling Josh Hill Mike Gesicki Jarvis Landry Noah Fant Auden Tate Jakobi Meyers Devin Singletary Mark Walton Preston Williams Dawson Knox Benjamin Watson Devante Parker Danny Amendola Andy Dalton Kenyan Drake Phillip Dorsett J.D. McKissic Emmanuel Sanders Mohamed Sanu Delanie Walker Jordan Akins Darren Fells Duke Johnson Jared Cook Jacob Hollister Greg Olsen Cameron Brate Dante Pettis Giovani Bernard Adam Humphries David Moore DaeSean Hamilton Nyheim Hines Joe Flacco Sam Darnold Rashaad Penny Jaron Brown Trey Burton Rex Burkhead Matt Moore James Washington Demaryius Thomas Trevor Davis Allen Lazard Jack Doyle Mitch Trubisky Ted Ginn Chris Herndon IV Darius Slayton Nelson Agholor Hunter Renfrow Chris Conley Jalen Richard Jimmy Garoppolo Marquise Goodwin Dion Lewis Alex Erickson Tyler Eifert Anthony Miller DeSean Jackson Demarcus Robinson Baker Mayfield Ryan Fitzpatrick Zach Pascal Mecole Hardman Albert Wilson Josh Oliver Taylor Gabriel Ricky Seals-Jones Antonio Callaway Ryan Griffin Maxx Williams Kyle Allen