Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2023)

Welcome to Week 8, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Fitz’s Tiers & Rankings
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

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Week 8 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Sam Howell: Howell has been an inefficient volume monster under center. He is third in passing attempts and seventh in passing yards, but sadly, he is 22nd in yards per attempt, 19th in passer rating, and 23rd in fantasy points per dropback. The volume has propped him up to the QB15 in fantasy. In his first meeting against Philly this season, he was the QB13 for the week with 290 passing yards, one score, and 40 rushing yards. Philly is a pass-funnel defense. While their pass defense hasn’t been bad by any stretch, their run defense is elite. This has led to teams passing more against them, as they have defended the third-highest passing attempt total. The Eagles have kept aerial attacks in check with the eighth-lowest yards per attempt, but they are also 17th in adjusted completion rate allowed with the fifth-most passing touchdowns surrendered. Howell’s biggest concern this week isn’t the defensive backs but the pass rush. Philly is fourth in pressure rate. Pressure has been Howell’s undoing. He has the fifth-lowest passing grade, 12th-lowest yards per attempt, and the fourth-highest turnover-worthy play rate when pressured. Howell has endured the seventh-highest pressure rate while wearing the dubious crown of leading the NFL in sacks taken. Week 8 Positional Value: QB2

Trevor Lawrence: Lawrence has posted top-12 fantasy weeks over the last two games (QB11, QB10). His efficiency metrics have screamed that he should have been posting top-12 numbers all season and they are still in that low-end QB1 area code. Lawrence is ninth in passing grade, 11th in highly accurate throw rate, and tenth in adjusted completion rate. With that said, pump the brakes on Lawrence this week. The Steelers have allowed the ninth-highest yards per attempt this season but they have also contained passers with the fifth-lowest adjusted completion rate and the 11th-lowest passer rating permitted. Pittsburgh has also utilized man coverage at the fifth-highest rate this season (37.5%). Against man, Lawrence ranks 18th in yards per attempt and 16th in fantasy points per dropback. He could finish as a borderline QB1 this week or a high-end QB2. Week 8 Positional Value: Borderline QB1

Kenny Pickett: Pickett has been an afterthought in fantasy this season as the QB27 in fantasy points per game. His best weekly finish to this points has been QB15. He has only one touchdown pass over his last three games and hasn’t surpassed 240 passing yards in any game this season. This could be the week we see a random spike week game from Pickett. Last week with Diontae Johnson back in the huddle, Pickett posted his passing grade (78.3, fifth-best), his highest yards per attempt (9.2), and his highest adjusted completion rate (82.6%, eighth-best) of the season. Jacksonville has been a pass funnel all year allowing the second-highest passing yards per game, the ninth-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the fourth-most fantasy points per game. Pickett can work underneath and let his receivers do the work against a secondary that has allowed the second-most yards after the catch in the NFL. Jacksonville has loved to blitz this season (eighth-highest blitz rate), but if they do Pickett will make them pay. He is third in yards per attempt and eighth-best in big-time throw rate against the blitz. Week 8 Positional Value: QB2 with QB1 upside

Mac Jones: Jones is coming off arguably his best game of the season. Last week he was eighth in passing grade, seventh in yards per attempt, and fifth in adjusted completion rate as he finished as the QB8 for the week. Jones could stack back-to-back QB1 outings this week against Miami. The Dolphins have given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game, seventh-highest yards per attempt, and the sixth-highest passer rating to quarterbacks. Jones remains a risky bet though as the Dolphins rank seventh in pressure rate and Jones has been known to implode under pressure. He has the second-highest turnover-worthy play rate this season. Against pressure he has the eighth-lowest passing grade and the 11th-lowest yards per attempt. Week 8 Positional Value: QB2

Tua Tagovailoa: Tagovailoa has been quite volatile this season, with three top-three weekly finishes married with three weeks as the QB18 or lower (QB26, QB18, QB23). His last meeting with New England was one of those rough weeks where he was the QB26. I don’t want to take much away from this stellar season as the QB6 in fantasy. Tagovailoa is first in yards per attempt, second in passing touchdowns, and first in passer rating. New England remains a talented pass defense while giving up the 11th-highest passer rating and 13th-highest adjusted completion rate; they have held passers to the 12th-lowest yards per attempt and passing touchdowns. Quarterbacks have managed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game against New England. Week 8 Positional Value: Worrisome QB1

Kirk Cousins: Cousins is the QB7 in fantasy, ranking fourth in passer rating, first in passing touchdowns, and seventh in highly accurate throw rate. Cousins faces a Packers pass defense that has low-key flaws but has managed to keep quarterbacks held to the eighth-lowest adjusted completion rate, passing yards per game, and fantasy points per game. The Packers’ secondary has been aided by their pass rush, which is 11th in pressure rate and sixth in blitz rate. Cousins has faced the seventh-highest pressure rate this season, so it’s a stretch to think the Vikings offensive line can consistently buy him time. Cousins has navigated muddy pockets well all year, ranking fifth in pressured passing grade, third in pressured yards per attempt, and leading the NFL in pressured passing touchdowns. If he can continue to pull a rabbit out of his dad hat, Cousins can shred this secondary deep. Green Bay has allowed the second-highest deep passer rating and deep-adjusted completion rate. Week 8 Positional Value: QB1

Jordan Love: Love has struggled mightily this season. He has the tenth-lowest passing grade, the ninth-lowest yards per attempt, and the lowest adjusted completion rate. His recent fantasy finishes of QB13 and QB24 are beginning to reflect his real-life play level. While the season-long stats make this look like a smash matchup for Love, it isn’t. Since Week 4, the Vikings defense has been playing better football. They have fielded an average pass defense ranking 15th in passer rating and 17th in yards per attempt while also holding passers to the 11th-lowest passing yards per game and seventh-fewest passing touchdowns. Over their last four games, Minnesota also ranks tenth in pressure rate while they still lead the NFL over the entire season in blitz rate. Love has the second-lowest adjusted completion rate and the 14th-lowest yards per attempt against the blitz. Love is a QB2. Week 8 Positional Value: QB2

Matthew Stafford: Stafford is the QB18 in fantasy despite ranking third in passing attempts and fourth in passing yards this season. The culprit is his 17th ranking in passing touchdowns. He has only one game this season with multiple passing scores. Despite the passing touchdown struggle, he continues to play at a high level. He is seventh in passing grade, third in big-time throw rate, and sixth in yards per attempt. Stafford faces a Dallas pass defense that hasn’t been the same without Trevon Diggs. Since Week 3, the Cowboys have given up the ninth-highest passer rating and yards per attempt while also permitting the eighth-most passing touchdowns (tied). They have been especially vulnerable in that span to deep passing, with the third-highest deep yards per attempt, the fifth-highest deep passer rating, and the tenth-highest deep-adjusted completion rate. Since Week 3, Dallas still has ranked 12th in pressure rate, so Stafford will have to hold up against that pass rush to chuck it downfield. Stafford is 14th in yards per attempt and sixth in big-time throw rate against pressure this season. Week 8 Positional Value: QB1

Dak Prescott: Since Week 4, Prescott has been playing much better. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 12th in passing grade, ninth in yards per attempt, and 13th in big-time throw rate. He’s also been 13th in fantasy points per dropback over that stretch. The Rams have been a stingy pass defense, but there’s an avenue for Prescott to emerge with a strong outing and for this game to shoot out. Overall, the Rams have held passers to the 13th-lowest yards per attempt, the second-fewest passing touchdowns, and the third-lowest adjusted completion rate, but they have not faced stiff competition for parts of this season. Seattle and the 49ers both limited their passing games and stuck to running the ball. The Rams then faced a beaten-up Joe Burrow, Anthony Richardson, and Josh Dobbs. In that stretch, they did allow 7.9 yards per attempt and 303 passing yards to Jalen Hurts. Last week, Kenny Pickett dropped 9.2 yards per attempt while completing 68% of his passes. This defense has played above their heads this season. Prescott can post QB1 numbers this week. Week 8 Positional Value: QB1

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Week 8 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Cooper Kupp: Since his return, Kupp has had a 30% target share, a 41.5% air-yard share, 3.31 YPRR, and a 37.5% first-read share. He’s been vintage Kupp besides last week’s bump in the road. Dallas has the second-highest rate of man coverage in the NFL (40.2%). Against man, Kupp has a 34.4% target share, a 39.4% air-yard share, 2.24 YPRR and a 41.7% first-read share. He is tied for the team lead with Nacua in target share and first-read share against man since Week 5. Kupp will run about half of his routes against Jourdan Lewis (66.7% catch rate and 136.9 passer rating) in the slot. Dallas has allowed the fourth-highest PPR points per target against slot receivers. Kupp has led the team in deep targets since his return with seven (Nacua four). Week 8 Positional Value: WR1

Puka Nacua: Since Kupp’s return, Nacua has led the team with a 33.3% target share and ranks second in air yard share (37.7%), YPRR (2.70), and first-read share (35.9%). In the same span, against man coverage, Nacua is tied with Kupp for the team lead with a 34.4% target share and 41.7% first-read share. He leads the team in that stretch with 4.46 YPRR against man. Nacua leads the team during these three games with two end zone targets against man coverage. He ranks second on the team in deep targets since Kupp’s return with four. Nacua will run about 60% of his routes on the perimeter against Stephon Gilmore (46.7% catch rate and 71.1 passer rating) and DaRon Bland (48.1% catch rate and 22.7 passer rating). Since losing Trevon Diggs, Dallas has surrendered the fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers and only one receiving touchdown. Week 8 Positional Value: WR1/2

Tutu Atwell: Since Kupp’s return, Atwell has only an 8.9% target share, a 16.4% air-yard share, and 0.91 YPRR. Against Dallas’s tough perimeter corners this will likely be another empty box score week for Atwell. Week 8 Positional Value: Sit

CeeDee Lamb: Lamb is the WR21 in fantasy, ranking 14th in open score, immediately behind Ja’Marr Chase. Lamb has five red zone targets, but they have all come in the last four games. Lamb has a 21.5% target share, a 28.3% air-yard share, 2.54 YPRR, and a 24.4% first-read share. The way to defeat the Rams’ secondary is via the slot which Lamb can do this week. Los Angeles has given up the second-most receiving yards and the seventh-most receptions to slot receivers. Lamb will run about 68% of his routes against Cobie Durant (65.5% catch rate and 95.5 passer rating). Among 36 qualifying slot corners, Durant has allowed the 13th-highest yards per snap. Week 8 Positional Value: WR1

Chris Olave: Olave has been massively underperforming as he and Carr are trying to get on the same page. Among 105 qualifying wide receivers, he is 21st in target share (24.4%), 14th in air-yard share (39.5%), and 17th in first-read share (32.0%), but he is only 44th in YPRR (1.75) and the WR25 in fantasy with the most unrealized air yards in the NFL. Better days are ahead for Olave. He leads all wide receivers in deep targets. Indy has the second-highest rate of zone coverage (83.0%). Against zone, Olave’s air-yard share has increased to 41.7%, and he leads the team with four end-zone targets. Olave will run about 58% of his routes against Jaylon Jones (44.4% catch rate and 95.1 passer rating) and Darrell Baker Jr. (61.5% catch rate and 121.0 passer rating). The Colts have toughened up against perimeter wide receivers recently. Since Week 4, they have allowed the tenth-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wideouts. Week 8 Positional Value: WR2

Michael Thomas: Thomas is the WR45 in fantasy with two WR3 weeks on his resume this season. Thomas has an 18.9% target share, a 24.8% air-yard share, 1.46 YPRR, and a 24.0% first-read share. Against zone coverage, he has withered this season with a 13.8% target share, and his air-yard share has dipped to 18.4% (17.1% first-read share). The team has looked his way more against man coverage this season. Sit Thomas if you can against the zone-heavy Colts. He will run about 71% of his routes against Jaylon Jones (44.4% catch rate and 95.1 passer rating) and Darrell Baker Jr. (61.5% catch rate and 121.0 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR4/5

Michael Pittman: The process was right last week with Pittman. He secured only two of his five targets against the Browns’ man-coverage-heavy secondary. The problem was he took one of those targets to the house for 75 yards. The Saints have the seventh-highest rate of man coverage (31.8%). Against man coverage, Pittman’s numbers drop across the board, and last week’s long touchdown is helping prop up his YPRR. Down’s has been the team’s go-to against man coverage, and I don’t see that changing this week, especially when factoring in corner matchups. Pittman will run about 71% of his routes against Marshon Lattimore (54.3% catch rate and 65.4 passer rating) and Paulson Adebo (57.1% catch rate and 66.0 passer rating). The Saints have allowed the second-fewest receiving yards to opposing perimeter wide receivers. Keep your Pittman hopes in check this week. Week 8 Positional Value: WR3/4

Josh Downs: Downs leads the team in nearly every wide receiver usage category against man coverage. The Saints have the seventh-highest rate of man coverage this season. New Orleans has also given up the fifth-most receiving yards to opposing slot wide receivers. Downs should continue his hot streak this week. He is the WR34 in fantasy, ranking 12th in red zone targets with top-36 WR finishes in four of his last five games. Downs will run about 83% of his routes against Alontae Taylor (66.1% catch rate and 100.2 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR3 with WR2 upside

Nico Collins: Collins is the WR13 in fantasy points per game. He has a 19.6% target share, a 29.9% air-yard share, 3.36 YPRR, and a team-leading 26.1% first-read share. In the three games Tank Dell has been a full-time player, Colins ranks second to Dell in deep targets (four vs. two). If Stroud attacks this secondary deep, Collins will be involved, but he might not be leading the charge. The good thing for Collins is that Carolina has the third-highest rate of zone coverage (82.6%). Against zone, Collins has a 20.9% target share, a 31.3% air-yard share, and a 27.0% first-read share. All of his metrics have slightly increased against zone. Collins will run about 81% of his routes against Donte Jackson (68.4% catch rate and 146.3 passer rating) and C.J. Henderson (81.5% catch rate and 128.1 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR2

Tank Dell: Dell is practicing in full. He should be back this week. In Weeks 2-4, as a full-time player, Dell was crushing. He led the team in deep targets while also finishing with at least 72 receiving yards in two of three games. The Panthers roll out zone coverage on 82.6% of their defensive plays (third-highest rate). In his three games as a full-time player, he leads the team with a 22.2% target share and 32.4% air-yard share against zone. In that span, he was second in YPRR (2.26) and first-read share (23.7%) against zone coverage on the team. Dell will run about 71% of his routes against Donte Jackson (68.4% catch rate and 146.3 passer rating) and C.J. Henderson (81.5% catch rate and 128.1 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR2/3

Drake London: Since Week 2, London has been the WR22 in fantasy points per game with a 23.2% target share, a 30.2% air-yard share, 1.86 YPRR, and a 28.8% first-read share. London is fourth in red zone targets. London will run about 78% of his routes against Sean-Murphy Bunting (66.7% catch rate and 80.9 passer rating) and Kristian Fulton (78.3% catch rate and 133.2 passer rating). Tennessee has allowed the sixth-highest PPR points per target and the tenth-most receiving touchdowns (tied) to perimeter receivers. Week 8 Positional Value: WR2/3

DeAndre Hopkins: Hopkins is the WR47 in fantasy with a 27.3% target share and a 42.1% air-yard share. Hopkins has proved that he still has “it” with 2.41 YPRR and a 35.3% first-read share. Hopkins will likely see shadow coverage from A.J. Terrell (65% catch rate and 105.3 passer rating) this week. Terrell has followed Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, Calvin Ridley, Josh Reynolds, and Terrace Marshall on 54-86% of their routes. Only Evans and McLaurin finished with more than 50 receiving yards in his primary coverage. Only Evans and Ridley secured touchdowns against Terrell. Is this a matchup Hopkins can win? Sure, but it’s worth noting, especially considering Hopkins’ quarterback play this week. I don’t know if Levis or Willis will want to test these waters. Week 8 Positional Value: WR3

Treylon Burks: Burks is practicing in full (knee). I expect that he will return this week. Burks is a must-sit this week. If Terrell follows Hopkins, Burks will draw Jeff Okudah (37.5% catch rate and 52.6 passer rating), who has arguably been tougher than Terrell. Also, factoring in the sketchy quarterback play this week for Tennessee, Burks could be hamstrung on multiple levels. It’s not like Burks has been amazing when on the field. He has drawn only a 15.7% target share, producing 1.36 YPRR. Week 8 Positional Value: Sit

Week 8 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Isiah Pacheco: Pacheco is the RB14 in fantasy, ranking 18th in opportunity share, 11th in weighted opportunities, seventh in carries, and seventh in red zone touches. He has averaged 17.6 touches and 83.2 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, he is 18th in explosive run rate and 19th in yards after contact per attempt. Pacheco should steamroll a Broncos run defense, allowing the highest explosive run rate, the third-highest missed tackles per attempt, and the second-highest yards after contact per attempt (tied). Week 8 Positional Value: RB1

Javonte Williams: Williams is coming off arguably his best game of the season with a season-high 53% of the snaps played with 18 touches and 96 total yards. Williams could be unleashed this week. Among 59 qualifying backs, he is eighth in explosive run rate and seventh in yards after contact per attempt. Kansas City has been ripped in half by running backs giving up the tenth-highest explosive run rate and the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt. They have the fourth-lowest stuff rate. If Williams pushes for 20 touches this week, he has RB1 upside. Week 8 Positional Value: Borderline RB1

Samaje Perine: With Williams gaining steam, Perine played only 25% of the snaps last week with five touches and 41 total yards. Even in a good matchup, he’s a sit. Williams is the best back on this depth chart and we are reaching the point of the season where Denver can take the training wheels off. Week 8 Positional Value: Sit

Jaleel McLaughlin: McLaughlin has been lightning in a bottle anytime he touches the ball, but last week he played only 17% of the snaps with six touches that he turned into 46 total yards. He and Perine split the back up role behind Williams. With that backup pie shrinking, McLaughlin returns to stash only territory. Week 8 Positional Value: Stash

Gus Edwards: Edwards is the RB34 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 2, he has averaged 13.7 touches and 67.8 total yards. He has taken back control of the red zone work over the last two weeks with seven red zone carries versus Justice Hill‘s three. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 39th in yards after contact per attempt. He has a plus matchup incoming against Arizona, who has the third-lowest stuff rate while allowing the 11th-highest yards after contact per attempt. Arizona has given up the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Week 8 Positional Value: RB2/3

Justice Hill: Hill has played at least 50% of the snaps in two of the last three games, but it hasn’t amounted to much volume. Over his last three games, he has averaged nine touches and 42.7 total yards. Hill has been explosive when given the ball. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 21st in explosive run rate and 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt. He has almost half of his runs on zone scheme plays, ripping off 6.2 yards per carry. The Cardinals have allowed the tenth-highest yards per carry (4.57) and the seventh-highest success rate to zone runs. If Hill breaks one long run for a touchdown, he could be a beautiful flex play this week. Week 8 Positional Value: RB3/4 with upside

Emari Demercado: Last week, Demercado received the type of workload I was projecting for Week 6. Why did Arizona take a week to give him the bulk of the work? I have no clue, but when you can give Damien Williams a second life in the NFL, you have to, right? Last week, Demercado played 80% of the snaps with 17 touches and 75 total yards to finish as the RB21. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 34th in explosive run rate and 37th in yards after contact per attempt. The Ravens might have one of the best secondaries in the NFL, but you can run on this defense. Baltimore has allowed the 11th-highest explosive run rate and missed tackles per attempt while also ranking 19th in yards per carry to gap runs (Demercado 55.2% gap). Baltimore has also given up the seventh-most receiving yards and the ninth-highest yards per reception to backs. Demercado could post RB2 numbers this week behind an offensive line that leads the NFL in yards before contact per attempt (excluding QB scrambles). Week 8 Positional Value: RB2/3

Austin Ekeler: Since his return from injury, Ekeler has been disappointing with RB25 and RB38 finishes. He has played 63-68% of snaps, averaging 16.5 touches and 54 total yards. Since Week 6, he hasn’t recorded an explosive run or forced a missed tackle. Among 32 qualifying backs in that span, he ranks 27th in yards after contact per attempt. His prospects against Chicago don’t look much better. The Bears run defense has been performing well. They have kept backs in check with the third-lowest explosive run rate and the fourth-highest stuff rate. Chicago has permitted the ninth-lowest yards per carry to zone runs (Ekeler 60.7% zone). It’s possible that he could pad his fantasy stats through the air against a defense that has allowed the most receiving yards and the highest yards per reception to running backs. Week 8 Positional Value: RB1/2

Josh Jacobs: Jacobs has been a nasty volume RB2 this season (RB19). He is fifth in snap share, third in opportunity share, first in weighted opportunity, and fourth in red zone touches. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 45th in explosive run rate, 40th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 56th in yards after contact per attempt. The offensive line has played poorly, but we also have to come to terms with the fact that last season’s volume could have also taken a toll on him. He has averaged 20.6 touches and 80.3 total yards. Jacobs hasn’t rushed for more than 77 yards in any game this season. Jacobs will run into brick walls all day against this stout Detroit front. The Lions have allowed the fifth-lowest explosive run rate, the fourth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to backs. Week 8 Positional Value: Volume RB2

Brian Robinson: The Washington backfield has turned into a gross three-way committee, and this week, none of them are playable. Last week, Robinson had eight touches with only 23 total yards. He lost routes and red zone work to Chris Rodgriguez and Antonio Gibson. Philly has contained backs with the second-best stuff rate and the second-lowest yards after contact per attempt allowed. There’s no way to project who leads this backfield in touches this week confidently, and the matchup is brutal. Week 8 Positional Value: Sit

Chris Rodriguez: Rodriguez began eating into the early down work in Week 6. Over the last two weeks, he has averaged 5.5 carries and 27 rushing yards. At this point, he’s only a low-end stash, but he has nuked Robinson’s value. Last week, he led the backfield in red zone touches. Week 8 Positional Value: Stash

Antonio Gibson: Gibson has seen his snap share decline in each of the last three weeks. Last week, he played 38% of the snaps with four touches and 31 total yards. Evan, as the Commanders’ passing down back, this is a terrible matchup. Philly has allowed the seventh-lowest yards per reception and zero touchdowns to receiving backs. Week 8 Positional Value: Sit

Week 8 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Dallas Goedert: Goedert is the TE7 in fantasy. He’s been heating up with at least 77 receiving yards and scores in two of his last three games. This shapes up as another monster outing for Goedert. He ranks seventh in deep targets and fifth in red zone targets among tight ends. Since Week 5, among 42 qualifying tight ends, Goedert ranks ninth in target share (19.3%), third in YPRR (2.38), fourth in first-read share (25.4%), and sixth in fantasy points per route run. Since Washington made the change in their cornerback rotation, they have been a turnstile against tight ends. Over the last two weeks, they have allowed the most fantasy points, the most receiving touchdowns, and the ninth-highest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 8 Positional Value: Top 3 TE this week

Logan Thomas: Among 40 qualifying tight ends, Thomas ranks 18th in target share (13.7%), 19th in YPRR, and 21st in first-read share. Thomas has three weeks this season as a TE1 in fantasy (TE11, TE10, TE4). He has four red zone targets this season but none since Week 5. Since Week 4, the Eagles have shut down tight ends and allowed the fifth-fewest receiving yards and second-lowest fantasy points. Week 8 Positional Value: TE2

Evan Engram: Evan Engram has been the volume-driven TE6 in fantasy. It’s incredibly impressive and also speaks to the state of the tight end position, as Engram not only doesn’t have a red zone target, but he also has zero touchdowns this season. He is second in targets, fourth in target share, and fourth in routes run among tight ends. He also ranks second in receptions and fifth in receiving yards. He remains a TE1 this week, but the Steelers have done a great job at shutting down tight ends, surrendering the third-fewest fantasy points per game and the second-fewest receiving yards. Week 8 Positional Value: TE1

Connor Heyward: Heyward took over as Pittsburgh’s primary tight end last week. He led all tight ends with a 92% route run rate while drawing a 12% target share and 11.8% first-read share. Heyward finds himself in this week’s Primer as a matchup-based streaming option. Jacksonville has allowed the second-most receiving yards and third-most fantasy points to tight ends. If you are struggling at tight end or in a deep league, consider him. If he spikes a touchdown this week, he could finish as a TE1. Week 8 Positional Value: Matchup-based streaming option

Tyler Conklin: Conklin is the TE20 in fantasy. Among 40 qualifying tight ends, he ranks 19th in target share (13.1%), ninth in YPRR (1.72), and 26th in first-read share (11.3%). He has only two red zone targets this season. The Giants have allowed the 12th-most receiving yards and the second-highest yards per reception to tight ends, so Conklin makes the matchup-based streaming tier this week. Week 8 Positional Value: Matchup-based streaming option

Darren Waller: Waller the Baller has returned. Yes, I know it was rough sailing in the first few weeks of the season, but he’s the TE5 in fantasy now. Since Week 5, among 42 qualifying tight ends, he ranks second in target share (26.8%), second in air-yard share (30.1%), ninth in target per route run rate (26%), fourth in YPRR (2.29), and second in first-read share (34.8%). During that same stretch, he ranks seventh in fantasy points per route run. While the Jets have been an elite unit against wide receivers, they have been crushed by tight ends. The Jets have allowed the 13th-most receiving yards, the most receiving touchdowns, and the sixth-most fantasy points to the position. Week 8 Positional Value: Top 5 TE

Tyler Higbee: With Kupp back in the lineup, Higbee has had an 11.8% target share (only six targets), 0.72 YPRR, and a 10.5% first-read share. He hasn’t finished higher than TE27 in fantasy. Week 8 Positional Value: Droppable

Jake Ferguson: Ferguson is finally a full-time player in this offense, and it couldn’t come at a better time. In his last game played, he had an 82.1% route run rate, which is excellent. Among 28 qualifying tight ends, he ranks sixth in open rate, which is amazing (immediately behind George Kittle). Among 40 qualifying tight ends, Ferguson ranks 16th in target share (14.4%), 17th in YPRR, and 12th in first-read share. He leads all tight ends in red zone targets this season. The Rams have been a glorious matchup for tight ends all season, allowing the highest yards per reception, the sixth-most receiving yards, and the fifth-most fantasy points. Week 8 Positional Value: TE1

Week 8 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 8 Kicker Start/Sit Grades