The Primer: Week 8 Edition (2023 Fantasy Football)

Vroom Vroom Baby! Ok, this next statement will make me tear up, but the NFL regular season will be almost halfway over after this week. It’s zooming by and speaking of byes. We have none this week.

All 32 teams will be ready to rock, and every healthy fantasy option will be playable. What a time to be alive. So many choices but only so many lineup spots. Let’s see who makes the cut in Week 8.

TB vs. BUF | PHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. PIT | NE vs. MIA | MIN vs. GB | NYJ vs. NYG | LAR vs. DAL | NO vs. IND | HOU vs. CAR | ATL vs. TEN | CLE vs. SEA | KC vs. DEN | CIN vs. SF | BAL vs. ARI | CHI vs. LAC | LV vs. DET

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Fantasy Football Primer

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders

Pace and playcalling notes

  • The Eagles have slowed things down and leaned on the run. They are 20th in neutral pace with the 11th-highest neutral rushing rate.
  • Since Week 4, the Commanders have been seventh in neutral pace and fourth in neutral passing rate. Those numbers should jump off the page when you read them.

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts: Hurts continues to ball as the QB2 in fantasy. He is fourth in fantasy points per dropback, eighth in yards per attempt, and fifth in highly accurate throw rate. Since the Commanders benched Emmanuel Forbes, their pass defense has seen some improvement. Since Week 6, while deploying zone coverage on 71.6% of their snaps, the Commanders have ranked 15th in passer rating with the sixth-lowest adjusted completion rate allowed. They have still given up plenty of yardage and passing scores, allowing the sixth-most passing yards per game and the second-most (tied) passing touchdowns. Hurts will still have a grand Week 8. Week 8 Positional Value: QB1

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

Running Backs

D’Andre Swift: Swift is the RB12 in fantasy rocking while sitting at seventh in weighted opportunities and 12th in red zone touches. The Eagles have been leaning on him as he is sixth in carries and fourth in targets among backs. Swift has not been exceptionally efficient with his workload, ranking 31st in fantasy points per opportunity and 41st in yards created per touch. Among 59 qualifying backs, Swift ranks 43rd in missed tackles forced per attempt and 30th in yards after contact per attempt. Swift will have to get by on volume and touchdown equity this week because the efficiency likely won’t be there against Washington. The Commanders, over their last four games, have given up the 12th-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt. Overall, this season, they have kept receiving backs in check with the tenth-lowest yards per reception and 11th-fewest receiving yards allowed. Week 8 Positional Value: Borderline RB1

Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell saved fantasy managers’ days with the touchdown last week, but you probably weren’t impressed with his eight touches for 16 total yards. Gainwell has failed to cross 40% of the snaps played in three of his last four games while averaging 6.3 touches and 19.5 total yards. In a tough matchup, he’s not even on the desperation flex radar. Week 8 Positional Value: Must sit

Week 7

Player Snap % Rush attempts Routes Targets Red zone opportunities
Brian Robinson 49 8 14 1 1
Chris Rodriguez 13 7 1 0 2
Antonio Gibson 38 2 19 2 1

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

Wide Receivers

A.J. Brown: To say Brown has been on a tear since Week 3 is an understatement. Over his last five games, he has not finished with less than six grabs and 127 receiving yards in any game (averaging 8.2 receptions and 140.2 receiving yards). Brown is a dominant alpha and one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, hands down. Brown is the WR5 in fantasy, ranking third in deep targets. Among 145 qualifying wide receivers, he is sixth in target share (29.9%), first in air-yard share (50.3%), third in YPRR (3.38), and second in first-read share (42.3%). While this isn’t the smash matchup on paper that many will project because Washington has changed up their starting corners, there’s no shutting down Brown at this point. Since Week 6, Washington has allowed the seventh-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Brown will run about 78% of his routes against Benjamin St. Juste (68.3% catch rate and 95.0 passer rating) and Kendall Fuller (68.3% catch rate and 82.9 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR1

DeVonta Smith: Smith faded into the background with Brown going ham since Week 3. Since that time, he has had a 17.6% target share, a 25.3% air-yard share, 1.07 YPRR, and a 19.6% first-read share (third on the team). He is the WR38 in fantasy, ranking ninth in deep targets. Smith has also been on the end of some misfortune as he is eighth in unrealized air yards, so all hope is not lost for him to turn around his season. He only has two red zone targets this season, so if he scores, it will have to be on a downfield toss. Smith will run about 69% of his routes against Benjamin St. Juste (68.3% catch rate and 95.0 passer rating) and Kendall Fuller (68.3% catch rate and 82.9 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR3

Terry McLaurin: McLaurin is the WR24 in fantasy with a 19.9% target share, a 30.5% air-yard share, 1.71 YPRR, and a 26.8% first-read share. McLaurin has two touchdowns this season, but it’s difficult to count on those in any week for a wide receiver with zero red zone targets. Philly has utilized zone coverage on 69.2% of their coverage snaps. Against zone, McLaurin’s target share has dropped to 18.4%, his YPRR has dropped to 1.49, and his first-read share has declined to 25.0%. McLaurin will run about 81% of his routes against Darius Slay (71.4% catch rate and 92.9 passer rating) and James Bradberry (55.6% catch rate and 102.7 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: Volume-based WR3

Jahan Dotson: It’s crazy that Dotson has been such a dud in fantasy this season, considering the bountiful passing volume in Washington, but it’s true. Dotson has only three games with at least seven targets and only two weeks where he has surpassed 40 receiving yards. Against zone coverage (PHI 69.2% zone), he has a 16.6% target share (second on the team), a 22.3% air-yard share, 0.69 YPRR, and a 20.2% first-read share. Dotson is the WR70 in fantasy and droppable at this point. Dotson will run about 55% of his routes against Darius Slay (71.4% catch rate and 92.9 passer rating) and James Bradberry (55.6% catch rate and 102.7 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: Droppable

Curtis Samuel: Against zone coverage (PHI 69.2% zone), Samuel has a 15.3% target share, 1.63 YPRR, and a 19.2% first-read share. Samuel is the WR39 in fantasy. He had three straight weeks as a top-24 fantasy wide receiver before last week’s dud (WR12, WR14, WR23). I don’t think this is the week Samuel gets back on track. Samuel will run about 71% of his routes against Eli Ricks (28.6% catch rate and 44.9 passer rating) and Josiah Scott (100% catch rate and 79.2 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: Must sit

Week 8 Positional Value:

Tight Ends

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

TB vs. BUF | PHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. PIT | NE vs. MIA | MIN vs. GB | NYJ vs. NYG | LAR vs. DAL | NO vs. IND | HOU vs. CAR | ATL vs. TEN | CLE vs. SEA | KC vs. DEN | CIN vs. SF | BAL vs. ARI | CHI vs. LAC | LV vs. DET

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pace and playcalling notes

  • Jacksonville continues to operate at a fast pace (tenth in neutral pace), but they have turned into a run-heavy offense (eighth in neutral rushing rate).
  • Pittsburgh has fallen to 18th in neutral pace while featuring the third-highest neutral rushing rate.

Quarterbacks

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

Running Backs

Travis Etienne: Etienne is the RB5 in fantasy and has been an overwhelming volume monster. He ranks third in snap share, fourth in opportunity share, third in weighted opportunities, and first in carries. He has averaged 21.5 touches and 100 total yards. Among 59 qualified backs, he ranks 23rd in explosive run rate and 24th in yards after contact per attempt. Etienne should steamroll the Steelers run defense this week. Pittsburgh has allowed the ninth-highest missed tackles per attempt, the fourth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the ninth-highest yards per carry to gap runs (Etienne 52% gap). Week 8 Positional Value: RB1

Najee Harris: Harris is the RB40 in fantasy, but he has posted top-20 fantasy weeks in two of the last three weeks (RB19, RB13). Harris has suffered this season because he is no longer the volume vacuum in Pittsburgh, as he ranks 27th in snap share and 29th in opportunity share. He hasn’t been able to compensate with the reduction in volume despite his per-touch rushing metrics looking great. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks tenth in explosive run rate, 19th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 25th in yards after contact per attempt. Jacksonville has been a dominant run defense all year. They have allowed the eighth-lowest explosive run rate and the third-lowest yards after contact per attempt while boasting the fifth-best stuff rate. Harris is a touchdown-dependent flex. Week 8 Positional Value: RB3

Jaylen Warren: Warren has been the better fantasy asset in this backfield. He is the RB32 in fantasy points per game with RB2 weeks in four of his last five games (RB19, RB18, RB24, RB24). Since Week 2, he has played 43-49% of the snaps while averaging 10.8 touches and 60.6 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, he is 18th in explosive run rate and third in missed tackles forced per attempt. His receiving ability has been on display this season. Among 49 qualifying backs, he is eighth in target share (13.2%), third in target per route run rate, and third in YPRR. Warren will have to produce a good fantasy day through the air because it won’t happen on the ground this week. Jacksonville has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs while also giving up the second-lowest yard per carry to zone runs (2.61). Warren has seen 60% of this rushing work this season on zone carries. Jacksonville has allowed the most receptions and the fourth-most receiving yards to running backs, so the path is there for him to carve out a decent day. Week 8 Positional Value: RB3 with low-end RB2 upside

Wide Receivers

Calvin Ridley man/zone splits (per Fantasy Points Data)

Coverage Tgt % AY % YPRR First Read %
zone 19.0 37.3 1.53 23.8
man 20.5 39.0 2.54 23.5

Christian Kirk man/zone splits (per Fantasy Points Data)

Coverage Tgt % AY % YPRR First Read %
zone 20.0 26.5 2.19 23.1
man 30.8 24.6 2.05 32.4

Calvin Ridley: Ridley is the WR46 in fantasy as he’s seen massive week-to-week volatility. He has two weeks as a top-ten fantasy wide receiver, but he also has four games where he hasn’t topped eight fantasy points. Overall he has a 19.3% target share, a 37.4% air-yard share, 1.63 YPRR, and a 23.6% first-read share. The struggles have been real as he ranks 56th out of 81 qualifying wide receivers in open score. Per the above tables, Ridley has been better against man coverage this season which will help him this week against the Steelers who utilize man coverage at the fifth-highest rate (37.5%) in the NFL. This is a neutral matchup for Ridley against the Steelers who are 15th in PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Ridley will run about 85% of his routes against Joey Porter Jr. (10% catch rate and 0.0 passer rating) and Levi Wallace (61.7% catch rate and 100.8 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR3

Christian Kirk: Kirk has been the mainstay for the Jacksonville passing attack as the WR21 in fantasy. Kirk should be the focal point for Lawrence this week against a Steelers secondary that has the fifth-highest rate of man coverage (37.5%) in the NFL. Against man, Kirk’s target share has inflated to 30.8% and his first-read share has been a whopping 32.4%. Kirk will run about 71% of his routes against the Steelers new slot corner Patrick Peterson (59.4% catch rate and 116.5 passer rating). Kirk should have no problems burning the former All-Pro. Week 8 Positional Value: WR2 with WR1 upside

Zay Jones: Jones has been ruled out (knee).

Diontae Johnson: Johnson returned to the lineup last week with an 85% route run rate, a 24.0% target share, a 30.9% air-yard share, 3.29 YPRR, and a 35.3% first-read share (tied with George Pickens for the team lead). Johnson was the intermediate threat with a 9.8 aDOT. Johnson finished as the WR23 in fantasy last week and now gets to face a secondary that has given up the 11th-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Johnson will run about 81% of his routes against Montaric Brown (55.6% catch rate and 119.0 passer rating) and Darious Williams (65.2% catch rate and 66.5 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR2/3

George Pickens: Pickens is the WR18 in fantasy with a 24.9% target share, a 46.0% air-yard share, 2.60 YPRR, and a 33.0% first-read share. Pickens is tied for 33rd among wide receivers in deep targets. Last week, with Johnson back, he still led the team with a 32.0% target share, a 61.8% air-yard share, 3.96 YPRR, and a 35.3% first-read share (tied with Johnson). Pickens should eviscerate a Jaguars’ secondary this week that has struggled to defend the deep ball. Jacksonville has allowed the third-most deep passing yards and the 11th-highest deep completion rate. I was not in on Pickens this year, but he has proven me wrong and taken his game to another level this season. Pickens will run about 87% of his routes against Montaric Brown (55.6% catch rate and 119.0 passer rating) and Darious Williams (65.2% catch rate and 66.5 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR2

Tight Ends

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

TB vs. BUF | PHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. PIT | NE vs. MIA | MIN vs. GB | NYJ vs. NYG | LAR vs. DAL | NO vs. IND | HOU vs. CAR | ATL vs. TEN | CLE vs. SEA | KC vs. DEN | CIN vs. SF | BAL vs. ARI | CHI vs. LAC | LV vs. DET

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins

Pace and playcalling notes

  • New England continues to be the ugliest pace-up and pass-happy offense in the NFL. The Patriots are fourth in neutral pace and tenth in neutral passing rate.
  • Miami is 11th in neutral pace and third in neutral passing rate. This game will be one of the best sources of play volume in this week’s slate.

Quarterbacks

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

Running Backs

Rhamondre Stevenson: Stevenson is the RB29 in fantasy, averaging 15.5 touches and 61.4 total yards per game. Stevenson is 12th in snap share, eighth in weighted opportunities, and 22nd in red zone touches. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 48th in explosive run rate, 45th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and dead last in yards after contact per attempt. It’s been a dreadful season to be a Stevenson believer. The Dolphins will continue the pain of a subpar season for Stevenson this week. Miami has held backs to the seventh-lowest explosive run rate, the fifth-lowest missed tackles per attempt, and the sixth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Week 8 Positional Value: RB3

Ezekiel Elliott: Elliott lucked out with the touchdown last week, but if he doesn’t get into the endzone, it’s another bust week for him. Since Week 4, he’s averaged 9.8 touches, producing a paltry 35 total yards. I know he has scored in back-to-back weeks, but I won’t bet on that continuing this week. Week 8 Positional Value: RB4

Raheem Mostert: Mostert missed Wednesday’s practice (ankle), but he practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday. Mostert is the RB4 in fantasy, ranking 18th in snapshare, 15th in weighted opportunities, and seventh in red zone touches. Mostert continues to defy the odds as he roundhouse kicks Father Time in the face. He has been one of the most explosive backs in the NFL again this season. Among 59 qualifying backs, he is fourth in explosive run rate, seventh in missed tackles forced per attempt, and sixth in yards after contact per attempt. He has averaged 14.7 touches and 89.3 total yards. New England has stifled backs, holding them to the sixth-lowest explosive run rate while boasting the highest stuff rate and the lowest missed tackles allowed per attempt. This will be uphill sledding for Mostert. Week 8 Positional Value: RB1/2

Jeff Wilson: Wilson’s workload should increase this week, but it’s a low bar to clear to say that’s a true statement. Last week, he debuted with seven snaps and one touch. Wilson remains a stash only. Week 8 Positional Value: Stash

Wide Receivers

Kendrick BourneLast week, the Patriots finally woke up and made Bourne a full-time player again. Every time he has been given a full-time role, he has produced. In the four games this season, he has played at least 87% of the snaps; he has earned a 22.3% target share, a 27.2% air yard share, and a 27.9% first-read share while producing 1.93 YPRR. In those four games, he finished as the WR5, WR55, WR10, and WR15. Bourne will run about 80% of his routes against Xavien Howard (72.2% catch rate and 99.5 passer rating) and Eli Apple (64.3% catch rate and 95.3 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR3/4 with WR2 upside

Tyreek HillHill missed practice on Wednesday (hip), but he managed limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Hill should play his usual allotment of snaps this week. Hill is THE WR1 in fantasy this season. Among 107 qualifying wide receivers, Hill is sixth in target share (30.6%), fourth in air-yard share (46.5%), first in YPRR (4.96), and 11th in first-read share (36.2%). Hill will be the tip of the spear for Tagovailoa again this week against the Patriots man coverage. New England operates in man coverage at the third-highest rate (39.5%) in the NFL. Against man, Hill’s target share increases to 32.7%, his air-yard share jumps to 58.3%, and his YPRR climbs to a monstrous 6.23. In his last meeting against New England this season, they contained him with only 40 receiving yards and a score. We’ll see if the Patriots can perform that magic act again. Hill will run about 62% of his routes against J.C. Jackson (48.5% catch rate and 75.3 passer rating) and Jonathan Jones (63.6% catch rate and 104.7 passer rating). Week 8 Positional Value: WR1

Jaylen Waddle: Waddle has had a disappointing season to date as the WR28 in fantasy. He has garnered a 20.1% target share, a 22.3% air-yard share, and a 23.2% first-read share while still producing a stellar 2.55 YPRR. The Patriots have utilized man coverage at the third-highest rate (39.5%). Against man, Waddle’s target share has plummeted to 12.2% with a 13.8% first-read share despite his YPRR remaining strong at 1.97. In their last meeting, Waddle finished with four receptions for 86 scoreless yards. Week 8 Positional Value: WR2/3

Tight Ends

There are no fantasy viable tight ends in this game.

TB vs. BUF | PHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. PIT | NE vs. MIA | MIN vs. GB | NYJ vs. NYG | LAR vs. DAL | NO vs. IND | HOU vs. CAR | ATL vs. TEN | CLE vs. SEA | KC vs. DEN | CIN vs. SF | BAL vs. ARI | CHI vs. LAC | LV vs. DET