Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2024)

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.

• Week 8 Rankings with Fitz
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

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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 Browns’ 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.

Anthony Richardson (QB)

Good lawd, it has been bad for Richardson. Since Week 2, in his full games played, he hasn’t eclipsed 13 fantasy points in any start. In those three games, he averaged 39 rushing yards, which wasn’t nearly enough to overcome his passing miscues. Brace yourself for what you’re about to read. Ok, the disclaimer has been issued. Here we go. Among 39 qualifying quarterbacks, Richardson is 38th in passer rating and CPOE with the highest off-target throw rate and the second-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. At this point, Richardson is a sit until his passing improves, or he can compensate with more rushing production. Houston has allowed the second-lowest yards per attempt, the 13th-lowest passer rating, and the third-lowest CPOE to quarterbacks.

Jared Goff (QB)

Goff has been balling this season as the QB10 in fantasy points per game. He is third in passing yards per game, first in yards per attempt, second in passer rating, and ninth in fantasy points per dropback. Goff will be tested this week against what has been a very good Tennessee pass defense this year. The Titans have allowed the third-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest CPOE, the fifth-fewest fantasy points to passing, and the second-fewest passing yards per game. Keep expectations for Goff in check this week.

Mason Rudolph (QB)

Rudolph looks to be getting the start again this week. Last week, he wasn’t lights out as a game manager, finishing with 10.9 fantasy points. Among 39 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 37th in yards per attempt, 35th in passer rating, and 25th in CPOE. He is in play only in Superflex leagues if you’re desperate. Detroit has become a damn good pass defense allowing the sixth-lowest passer rating, the third-fewest passing touchdowns, and the eighth-lowest fantasy points vis passing.

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Week 8 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Calvin Ridley (WR)

It’s easy to look at Ridley’s stats this year and understand why he has been frustrated. He is the WR69 in fantasy points per game with the third-most unrealized air yards and a catchable target rate of 40.7% (95th). I’m not saying it gets much better with Mason Rudolph, but it can’t get much worse than dealing with Will Levis. Ridley will remain the clear WR1 in this passing offense, so at least the volume could help him weekly (hopefully). He has had an 18.7% target share, a 47.4% air-yard share, 1.14 YPRR, and a 25.4% first-read share. Ridley could rack up yardage this week if Rudolph can get him catchable targets but don’t expect an efficient outing either due to quarterback play or the secondary matchup. Detroit has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers while also holding them to the fifth-fewest PPR points per target.

Jaylen Waddle (WR)

It’s tough to take much away from Waddle’s small sliver of a usage sample with Tagovailoa under center, but here we go. In the first two games of the season, Waddle had an 11.8% target share, a 19.3% air-yard share, 2.78 YPRR, and a 15.3% first-read share. To be honest, a lot of these numbers check out. Waddle has been a highly efficient player over the last two years, but Tyreek Hill has gotten the bulk of the market share, which has hurt Waddle. Assuming Tagovailoa is under center this week, it’s time to fire Waddle back up as a WR2/3 in a wonderful matchup. Arizona has allowed the third-highest PPR points per target. Don’t overthink this one.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)

Harrison is the WR43 in fantasy points per game, which isn’t the way that we all thought his rookie season would play out. In half of his full games played, he has finished as a WR3 or higher (WR1, WR20, WR26). Overall, he has had a 21.4% target share, a 38.8% air-yard share, 1.73 YPRR, and a 25.7% first-read share. He is ninth in deep targets among wide receivers and has also drawn four red zone looks. Miami has utilized single-high on 55.6% of their defensive snaps. Harrison Jr. has been much better against single high this season. Against single high, his target share has increased to 27% while his air-yard share has risen to 41.1%, with his YPRR jumping to 2.75 and his first-read share checking in at 29.9%. The big issue for Harrison Jr. this week is that while the coverage matchup is in his favor, the Dolphin’s pass defense has been quite good. Miami has allowed the 11th-lowest PPR points per target and the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Murray hasn’t been a great passer this season, so the tough matchup could hurt his ceiling this week.

Michael Wilson (WR)

Sit Wilson this week. Miami has utilized single-high on 55.6% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Wilson has only registered an 18% target share, 1.44 YPRR, and a 19.4% first-read share. Those numbers alone aren’t a coffin nail, but add in the brutal secondary matchup and he gets bumped down the flex rankings. Miami has allowed the 11th-lowest PPR points per target and the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game 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.

Darnell Mooney (WR)

Mooney is the WR24 in fantasy points per game, ranking tenth in deep targets. He also has seen four red zone targets in the last three games as the team tries to get him more involved inside the 20-yard line. Mooney has a 20.5% target share, a 32.4% air-yard share, 1.76 YPRR, and a 26.8% first-read share. He should enjoy a nice week, especially if he and Cousins can connect deep against a secondary that has allowed the 11th-most deep passing yards and the tenth-highest deep passer rating. The Bucs are 16th in PPR points per target and have allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Week 8 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Alvin Kamara (RB)

Kamara is the RB5 in fantasy points per game, ranking fifth in snap share, seventh in opportunity share, and first in weighted opportunities. He has been a volume king, ranking sixth in carries and first in targets among running backs, while he has averaged 20.8 touches and 98.6 total yards. He remains a terrible tackle-breaker, but with the volume he sees, it hasn’t mattered much. Among 66 qualifying backs, Kamara ranks 51st in missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt. Kamara faces a Bolts run defense that has allowed the ninth-highest missed tackle rate, has the ninth-lowest stuff rate, and has given up the eighth-highest zone rushing success rate (Kamara 72.1% zone).

J.K. Dobbins (RB)

Dobbins is the RB18 in fantasy points per game, ranking 19th in opportunity share, 18th in weighted opportunities, and 11th in carries. He has averaged 18.3 touches and 92.4 total yards per game. Among 66 qualifying backs, Dobbins ranks 27th in explosive run rate and 23rd in missed tackles forced per attempt. Dobbins should destroy the Saints’ run defense this week. New Orleans has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the third-most rushing touchdowns (tied), the highest yards per carry to gap runs, and the second-highest gap success rate (Dobbins 52.6% gap).

Javonte Williams (RB)

Williams has slowly begun to flash his former form in recent weeks, with RB12 and RB5 weekly finishes in two of his last three games. Overall, he has averaged 13.7 touches and 66.7 total yards. He should pile on another banner day for his resume this week. Williams is 14th in weighted opportunities and third in targets among running backs. Among 66 qualifying backs, he ranks 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 35th in yards after contact per attempt. Carolina has allowed the most rushing yards per game and fantasy points to rushing while also giving up the 12th-highest yards after contact per attempt and fourth-highest rushing success rate.

Chuba Hubbard (RB)

Hubbard is the RB16 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17.8 touches and 90 total yards. He is 12th in snap share and opportunity share while also ranking fourth in weighted opportunities and ninth in red zone touches. Among 66 qualifying backs, he ranks 25th in explosive run rate and 29th in yards after contact per attempt. Hubbard will be skating uphill this week. Denver has brick-walled backs with the 11th-lowest explosive run rate, the tenth-fewest rushing yards per game, the 13th-lowest missed tackle rate, and the 14th-lowest rushing success rate.

Zack Moss (RB)

Moss is a must-sit until his role changes in this backfield. This might be due to his health, but it could also be that Chase Brown has outplayed him this season. Over the last two games, Moss has averaged 47% of the snaps, eight touches, and only 27.5 total yards. He hasn’t seen a single snap in the red zone during this span. Moss is an inefficient volume rusher who has now morphed into the team’s passing down back without any touchdown equity. Leave him parked on your bench this week.

Week 8 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Tucker Kraft (TE)

Kraft has been awesome this season. There’s no denying it. Overall, he is the TE7 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 4, he has been the TE3 in fantasy points per game, behind only George Kittle and Brock Bowers. Since Week 4, he has had a 13.1% target share with 1.57 YPRR and an 11.8% first-read share. He’s a YAC gawd. Among 55 qualifying tight ends, he ranks third in yards after the catch per reception and first in missed tackles forced. Kraft should destroy the Jags’ defense this week. They have allowed the second-most yards after the catch in the NFL. Jacksonville has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-most receiving yards to tight ends.

Dalton Schultz (TE)

Without Nico Collins, Schultz has had a 17% target share with 1.22 YPRR and a 12.5% first-read share. Sadly, Schultz has only two red zone targets this season and hasn’t seen a look inside the 20-yard line since Week 4. That could change this week against a pass defense that has bled out production to tight ends. Indy has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Sam LaPorta (TE)

It has been a frustrating season for anyone who drafted LaPorta this year. He is the TE21 in fantasy points per game, with only three games this season as a TE1 in weekly scoring. Sammy Ballgame has only two red zone targets (one across his last five games). Jameson Williams‘ ascension has hurt him, but I also question how healthy he truly is. He has only a 66.2% route share, which isn’t typical for LaPorta. He has only drawn an 8.4% target share and 8.3% first-read share despite posting 1.71 YPRR. Among 55 qualifying tight ends, he still ranks tenth in separation, so it hasn’t been an effectiveness issue for LaPorta. Unfortunately, it looks like LaPorta is headed for another down game against a pass defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest receiving yards and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Jonnu Smith (TE)

Across his last two games, Smith has had a 56.7% route share, a 26.3% target share, 4.16 YPRR, and a 28.2% first-read share. Yeah, if you felt like you were reading a Tyreek Hill usage line, you wouldn’t be alone. This type of usage for Smith has been bonkers, but I don’t see this continuing with Tua Tagovailoa back in the huddle. With Tyler Huntley under center, Miami’s talented wide receivers were marginalized. I don’t see that happening again in Week 8 with Tagovailoa. Smith still belongs on the streaming radar with a strong matchup incoming. Arizona has allowed the eighth-most receiving yard and the 13th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Zach Ertz (TE)

Ertz is the TE14 in fantasy points per game with a 17% target share, 1.58 YPRR, and a 16.4% first-read share. He finally got into the end zone last week and has six red zone targets across his last three games. He’s a decent TE2 this week in a tough matchup. The Bears have allowed the ninth-fewest receiving yards and the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Week 8 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 8 Kicker Start/Sit Grades