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.

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Week 8 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Jameis Winston (QB)

Winston has only 12 passing attempts this season for Cleveland. Yes, I know he has only completed 50% of them, but this is too small of a sample even to begin to dice up. Winston will have plenty more passing attempts this week as the Brown’s starter for us to discuss next week. Let’s instead focus on his matchup this week. Baltimore has been a pitiful pass funnel defense this season, so make no mistake…Winston will be chucking it this week. Baltimore has allowed the most passing yards per game, the third-highest passing touchdowns, the sixth-highest passer rating, and CPOE. Winston is a strong streamer this week.

Trevor Lawrence (QB)

Lawrence has been a middling QB2 this season as the QB22 in fantasy points per game. He ranks 17th in passer rating, passer rating, and fantasy points per dropback. Don’t expect that to change in Week 8. Green Bay has been tough on passers allowing the ninth-lowest passer rating, the sixth-lowest CPOE, and ranking 17th in yards per attempt.

Kyler Murray (QB)

Murray is the QB12 in fantasy. His rushing production is doing the heavy lifting for his fantasy value. Murray ranks 11th in carries per game, third in rushing yards per game, and sixth in rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks. Among 39 qualifying quarterbacks, Murray ranks 21st in yards per attempt, 19th in CPOE, 36th in highly accurate throw rate, and 25th in passing yards per game. We’ll see if Murray’s legs can help him out of another jam against a tough pass defense this week. Miami has allowed the seventh-lowest yards per attempt, the fewest passing touchdowns, and the 11th-lowest success rate per dropback.

Aaron Rodgers (QB)

Rodgers remains a QB2 (QB21 in fantasy points per game) with only two QB1 weeks this season. Among 39 qualifying passers, he has been unspectacular, ranking 28th in yards per attempt, 25th in passer rating, 36th in CPOE, and has compiled the 11th-highest off-target throw rate. It hasn’t been pretty. This week offers Rodgers a matchup to cure what ails him. New England has been a pass funnel for most of this season. They have allowed the ninth-highest yards per attempt and passer rating, the third-highest success rate per dropback, and the highest CPOE. Rodgers could turn back the clock this week and look like “prime Aaron Rodgers.”

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Week 8 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Zay Flowers (WR)

After a down Week 7, Flowers is the WR29 in fantasy points per game. Overall, he has racked up high volume in spurts, ranking 12th in receptions and 16th in receiving yards. He’s the WR17 in expected fantasy points per game, but his one touchdown for the season has hurt his fantasy output. He only has three deep targets and four red zone looks (no red zone targets since Week 2), so the high-leverage usage has also been a problem. Overall, Flowers has soaked up a 24.1% target share and a 29.3% first-read share, producing 2.05 YPRR. Cleveland has the highest single high rate in the NFL (71.2%). Against single high, Flowers has seen his numbers soar with a 30.6% target share, 3.05 YPRR, and a 33.3% first-read share. Cleveland has become a matchup that shouldn’t strike fear in your heart, ranking 15th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Cedric Tillman (WR)

Last week, in his first game as a full-time starter this season, Tillman had a 23.1% target share, a 36.7% air-yard share, 1.80 YPRR, and a 31.3% first-read share. He was battling David Njoku all game as the Browns’ go-to receiving option. Baltimore has utilized single high with 55.0% of their defensive snaps. Tillman ranks second on the team with a 19% TPRR against single high, but he has also only had 0.90 YPRR. Tillman’s lack of efficiency against single high is concerning, but Baltimore could help with that this week. The Ravens have allowed the 12th-highest PPR points per target and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers this season.

Rashod Bateman (WR)

Rashod BAEman! Bateman is finally healthy, and everyone is getting a chance to see the player that I loved as a prospect. Bateman is currently on pace for 957 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns after his amazing Week 7 performance. Among 89 qualifying wide receivers, Bateman ranks third in separation score and seventh in route win rate. Those are elite numbers, no matter how ya slice it. Bateman has a 15.1% target share, a 29.1% air-yard share, 2.20 YPRR, and a 15% first-read share. Cleveland has the highest single high rate in the NFL (71.2%). Against single high, Bateman has seen his target share increase to 16.3% and his first-read share shoot up to 18.1%, but his YPRR has dropped to 1.41, so it’s a little bit of a mixed bag for Bateman. Another feather in his cap for this week is that Cleveland has struggled to defend deep passing. The Browns have allowed the fourth-most deep passing yards and have allowed the eighth-highest passer rating to targets 20 yards or further downfield. Bateman leads the team with seven deep targets. Bateman is a strong flex play this week. Cleveland ranks 15th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Jeudy has been disappointing this season as the WR70 in fantasy points per game. Overall, he has drawn a 15.5% target share, a 30.3% air-yard share, and an 18.2% first-read share. Cleveland could be moving away from him as a focal point of the passing attack if last week was any indication of his role moving forward. Last week, he had a 7.7% target share and only a 12.5% first-read share. These market shares ranked fourth and third on the team last week. Baltimore has utilized single high with 55.0% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Jeudy has had a 15.2% target share and a 17.3% first-read share with only 0.96 YPRR. Those are dreadful numbers, but the pass-defense matchup is wonderful this week. The Ravens have allowed the 12th-highest PPR points per target and the third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers this season. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make me more inclined to play Jeudy in Week 8. He has had plenty of juicy matchups this season and squandered them. Jeudy is a sit this week unless you’re truly desperate in a deep league.

Christian Watson (WR)

Last week, Watson had a 44.4% route share and only a 6.1% target share, but I expect those numbers to go up this week with the matchup incoming. Since Week 3, Jacksonville has had the fourth-highest two high rate (55.1%) in the NFL. Against two high, Watson ranks fourth on the team in TPRR (19%), but he leads the team in YPRR (2.91) and FD/RR (0.125). If there was ever a week for Watson to post a juicy stat line, it would be Week 8. Jacksonville has allowed the seventh-highest PPR points per target and the second-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Brian Thomas Jr. (WR)

Thomas Jr. is getting REALLY CLOSE to must-start status at this point. He is the WR15 in fantasy points per game and has scored at least 21 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Thomas Jr. has a 20.5% target share, a 29.5% air-yard share, 2.73 YPRR, and a 24.2% first-read share. The Packers have utilized single high on 55.3% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Thomas Jr. has flourished with a 23.4% target share, 3.12 YPRR, and a 26.3% first-read share. Thomas Jr. should be the focal point of the Jaguars passing attack in Week 8. Green Bay has allowed the 14th-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Romeo Doubs (WR)

Since returning from his one-game hiatus, Doubs has been leading the team with a 21.5% target share, a 35.2% air-yard share, and a 24.4% first-read share. He has posted 2.51 YPRR and averaged 71.5 receiving yards per game. His usage as a focal point in the passing attack likely takes a one-week vacation against Jacksonville. Since Week 3, Jacksonville has had the fourth-highest two high rate (55.1%) in the NFL. Against two high, Doubs is third on the team with a 20% TPRR, fifth on the team with 1.29 YPRR, and third in first-read share (16.7%). Doubs is still flex viable, but don’t expect a stat line like the last two weeks. Jacksonville has allowed the seventh-highest PPR points per target and the second-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Christian Kirk (WR)

Kirk’s usage has been so inconsistent this season. It has been maddening. He is the WR54 in fantasy points per game with a 19.1% target share, a 27.5% air-yard share, 1.72 YPRR, and a 24.2% first-read share. Kirk is second on the team in red zone targets. This looks like another week where he won’t be the focal point of the passing attack. The Packers have utilized single high on 55.3% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Kirk has seen his target share drop to 17.7% with 1.35 YPRR and a 22.2% first-read share. Green Bay has shut down slot receivers, allowing the second-lowest PPR points per target. Sit Kirk if you can this week.

Gabe Davis (WR)

Davis has been a ghost for most of the season, and I don’t see that changing this week. The Packers have utilized single high on 55.3% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Davis has had a 16.9% target share, 1.01 YPRR, and an 18.2% first-read share. Nothing in those metrics screams that this will be the week that he turns his season around. Drop Davis.

Week 8 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

De’Von Achane (RB)

Last week, Achane returned to play 58% of the snaps with 17 touches and 85 total yards. Achane had a 48.6% snap rate on rushing plays, a 67.7% snapshare on passing downs, and a frightening 14.3% snap rate in the red zone. The red zone snap rate I’m not freaking out about too much, as Miami didn’t move the ball well all day, and they only had a total of seven snaps inside the 20-yard line. Achane looked arguably the best he has all season on a per-touch basis, with a 6.7% explosive run rate and a 20% missed tackle rate. He can continue to build upon last week’s encouraging game this week against a run defense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game, the fifth-highest rushing success rate, and the 13th-highest yards before contact per attempt. Miami’s offensive line had been a bottom-tier unit to being the season in run blocking, but they have at least pulled that up to respectable levels, ranking 15th in yards before contact per attempt. Achane should find plenty of running room in Week 8.

Raheem Mostert (RB)

Last week, Mostert played 33% of the snaps with 11 rushing attempts and 50 rushing yards. He was a zero in the passing game and only had a 29% snap rate on passing plays. He did, however, retain a red zone role with an 85.7% snap rate inside the 20-yard line. Now, it was only a seven-snap sample, so let’s not get carried away here. It was encouraging to see that Achane didn’t hog all the red zone work. Mostert didn’t look a ton better as a rusher last week. Yes, he posted an 18% missed tackle rate, but he had zero explosive runs and only 1.45 yards after contact per attempt. Mostert has seen his fantasy stock water down to be a touchdown-dependent flex/RB3. He could pay off this week, though, with a great rushing matchup that could help fluff his boxscore. Arizona has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game, the fifth-highest rushing success rate, and the 13th-highest yards before contact per attempt.

D’Andre Swift (RB)

Swift should have an awesome Week 8. He is the RB16 in fantasy points per game, ranking 15th in opportunity share, 13th in weighted opportunities, and 13th in snap share. Since Week 4, he has averaged 22.3 touches and 134.7 total yards per game. While Swift has been crushing for fantasy, that doesn’t mean that he has been amazing when it comes to breaking tackles. Among 66 qualifying backs, he is 50th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 60th in yards after contact per attempt. He has been greatly helped by his offensive line, who, since Week 4, ranks 11th-best in yards before contact per attempt. Swift should dominate on the ground this week against a run defense that has allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the third-highest yards before contact per attempt, the second-highest yards per carry to gap runs, and the third-highest success rate to gap runs (Since Week 4, Swift 63% gap).

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)

Robinson Jr. is the RB17 in fantasy points per game, averaging 15.5 touches and 77.3 total yards. In his last two games played, he has seen his volume cut as he is dealing with a knee issue. He has averaged 36% of the snaps with 9.5 touches and 44.5 total yards per game. Among 66 qualifying backs, he ranks 21st in explosive run rate, 27th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. With the volume reduction and the tough matchup incoming, consider fading Robinson Jr. this week. Chicago has held backs to the second-lowest missed tackle rate, the 11th-fewest rushing yards per game, and the seventh-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

Austin Ekeler (RB)

Over the last two games with Brian Robinson at less than full health but active, Ekeler played 41-49% of the snaps with seven touches and 58.5 total yards per game. He was the RB25 and the RB46 in weekly fantasy scoring. This week, Ekeler could play an elevated role again. I don’t expect Ekeler to have much success on the ground against a run defense that has held backs to the second-lowest missed tackle rate, the 11th-fewest rushing yards per game, and the seventh-lowest yards after contact per attempt. He likely won’t find many big plays in the passing game either, as the Bears have held backs to the second-lowest yards per reception. Ekeler is a deep-league flex at best.

Tyler Allgeier (RB)

Allgeier was shoved back into the handcuff-only bucket last week with only 23% of the snaps, six touches, and 45 total yards. Hold him on rosters where you can, but I wouldn’t be looking to flex him this week. If you’re forced to play him, the matchup is quite good, so I get it if you’re in a pinch. The Bucs have allowed the highest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt while also giving up the 14th-highest missed tackle rate.

Rachaad White (RB)

The Bucs made good on their proclamation to utilize three backs last week. White played 47% of the snaps overall with a 42% snap share on rushing plays, 50% of the passing down snaps, and 50% of the red zone snaps. He finished with 16 touches and 111 total yards (two scores) with the bulk of his production coming through the air (71 receiving yards). The backfield competition has lit a fire under White who is now excelling in tackle-breaking ranking 21st in missed tackles forced per attempt and 15th in yards after contact per attempt. White should have another productive day as the lead back for the Bucs. Atlanta has allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game, the 11th-highest missed tackle rate, and top-eight success rates to zone and gap runs.

Week 8 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Cade Otton (TE)

Otton stands to get the biggest boost in the passing game with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans out. Since Week 3, he has been the TE9 in fantasy points per game, drawing an 18.9% target share with 1.68 YPRR and a 17.5% first-read share. Otton has seven red zone targets across his last six games. He is a strong TE1 this week with a middle-of-the-road matchup with Atlanta, who is 16th in receiving yards and 14th in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.

Noah Fant (TE)

Fant has seen his usage increase since Week 3 with a 10% target share, 1.62 YPRR, and an 11.7% first-read share. He’s had at least four receptions and 60 receiving yards in three of his last five games. The big problem for Fant is that his touchdown equity in this offense is nearly nothing. He hasn’t seen a red zone target since Week 1. This isn’t the week to chase those recent box scores, though. Buffalo has kept tight ends held at bay with the third-lowest yards per reception and the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game allowed.

Pat Freiermuth (TE)

Freiermuth is the TE16 in fantasy points per game, and he hasn’t seen a deep target this season, but he has four red zone looks in his last four games. He has a 14.2% target share with 1.49 YPRR and a 16.8% first-read share. He will remain a TE2 this week against a Giants team that has kept tight ends in check, giving up the eighth-fewest receiving yards and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game.

David Njoku (TE)

Last week, without Amari Cooper, Njoku led the team with a 26.9% target share and a 31.3% first-read share. He secured ten of his 14 targets with 76 receiving yards and 1.65 YPRR. Njoku has one red zone target since his Week 6 return to a full-time role. He should smash again this week against a pass defense that has allowed the most receiving yards and the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Mark Andrews (TE)

Since Week 5, Andrews has settled into a consistent role. No, it’s not his former every-down role, but at least we know what to expect for fantasy right now. Over the last three games, he is the TE5 in fantasy points per game as he has run hot with touchdowns (three). He has had a 44.4% route share, which isn’t ideal, but he has been hyper-efficient with a 14.4% target share, 3.18 YPRR, 54 receiving yards per game, and a 15.6% first-read share. In saying that, this will likely be a down week for Andrews. Cleveland has stifled tight ends, allowing the seventh-fewest receiving yards and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game.

Week 8 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 8 Kicker Start/Sit Grades