Are we able to separate the good from the bad teams yet heading into Week 8? I thought I knew bad teams, until Minnesota beat San Francisco on Monday night. But we can all agree on…Carolina? And that’s where the certainty stops.
As I said last week, you don’t need a winning team to have a standout or sleeper fantasy player. It’s a good thing we have more teams to analyze coming into Week 8 with fewer byes.
I used to write a weekly Start Em, Sit Em with Sleepers and Busts at another publication, but I have brought my talents to RSJ and am revamping the launch of that series. Let’s be honest: do you really need to be told to sit Geno Smith against a tough Cleveland defense with Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Kenneth Walker possibly missing the game? Or start the Chiefs’ defense against Denver, who hasn’t beaten Kansas City in 17 straight games?
We’re looking for diamonds in the rough – and this week is no different.
Last week, we saw Patriots’ running back Ezekiel Elliott, Commanders’ wide receiver Curtis Samuel, Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice, Raiders’ tight end Michael Mayer, and Steelers’ quarterback Kenny Pickett make the list.
Ezekiel Elliott: 11 carries, 31 yards, 1 touchdown.
Curtis Samuel: 4 catches (8 targets), 25 yards.
Rashee Rice: 5 catches (6 targets), 60 yards, 1 touchdown.
Michael Mayer: 2 catches (4 targets), 13 yards.
Kenny Pickett: 17-for-25, 230 yards, 1 touchdown.
I don’t often promise things in my writing…journalism 101. However, an Elliott touchdown prediction from last week broke those rules because I could feel it in my bones. If you started him like me, have you asked your opponent how mad he or she was?
To help you out in Week 8 however, this article contains my top five sleepers of the week, and why.
TE DALTON SCHULTZ, HOUSTON TEXANS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
Dalton Schultz (46% started) has a touchdown in each of the last three games, including against a tough New Orleans defense. I’m not nervous for Schultz because Tank Dell is supposed to be back in the lineup. I think another receiving option can open up the field, especially in an offense struggling to run the ball.
C.J. Stroud likes Schultz in the red zone, and we already know a winless Carolina team will be without safety Jeremy Chinn (quad) and pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring). CBSSports also has Stroud as its “Start of the Week” and he could very much eclipse 300 yards and multiple scores with the help of Schultz.
Need more tight end sleepers or stashes? Check them out here.
WR KENDRICK BOURNE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Even in wins, Miami is allowing receivers to have big games. Kendrick Bourne (34% started) should benefit from that on Sunday. Bourne has 16 catches (18 targets) and 152 yards in the last two games and saw nine looks in Week 2 against Miami.
Mac Jones is relying on Bourne when JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) is in or not. He should be in the game on Sunday, and Miami is likely to worry about him and tight end Mike Gesicki before Bourne, even if the Dolphins shouldn’t. Now, it is important to note that Dolphins’ cornerback Jalen Ramsey (knee) is supposed to make his team debut, but Xavien Howard is still questionable, and even if he plays, both corners may not be at 100 percent.
WR JOSH PALMER, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS VS CHICAGO BEARS (QUESTIONABLE TO PLAY)
I wanted one more week before I added Josh Palmer (46% started) to this series. He was again a reliable target for Justin Herbert against Kansas City last weekend and gets a beat-up Bears team at home in prime time on Sunday. Palmer had 133 yards on five catches (seven targets), giving him seven targets in each of the last four games.
Keenan Allen is the obvious start in this matchup, but Palmer’s stats can’t be ignored. He’s also the clear WR2 over rookie Quentin Johnston, who hasn’t quite figured it out yet. The Chargers may get extra looks on offense as undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is expected to make his second straight career start.
RB KAREEM HUNT, CLEVELAND BROWNS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Good news for a banged-up Browns team is that the Seahawks may be more banged up. Kareem Hunt (42% started) should get the most work on Sunday than he has all season with Jerome Ford doubtful.
Hunt, who was a game-time decision last week thanks to a thigh injury, still had two touchdowns in the high-scoring affair. He also proved to work well with backup P.J. Walker, who is starting again in place of Deshaun Watson (shoulder), and that relationship should stand. PPR or not, Hunt is valuable in Week 8.
QB DAK PRESCOTT, DALLAS COWBOYS VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
Logic tells me that Dak Prescott (55% started) is owned in many leagues, but not many start him. Logic also tells me that the Rams’ defense isn’t favorable to opposing signal callers.
However, I’m banking on Prescott having strengthened his relationship with Brandin Cooks, who is facing (one of) his former teams at home. That, paired with targets to CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and Michael Gallup, should be enough to keep the Rams more on their toes than in other weeks. I always expect teams to game plan for Tony Pollard, but if Dallas (and Dak) can disguise him for even half his snaps, he will have someone open at any part of the field.
I also don’t think Prescott needs loads of touchdowns to be successful, as he should be involved in Dallas’ scores.
It’s not always runaway matchups that produce quality sleeper candidates on a weekly basis. Remembering to think of teams chasing points, lopsided run and rush defenses, and depth chart movement are all key factors to look at when attempting to gain an edge in fantasy football.
Reach out to me on Twitter at @oldbayqueen74 if you have any sit/start questions.
