Three Week 8 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers with Massive Season-Long Upside

The Need for Week 8 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers

The Fantasy Gods continue to wreak havoc in 2024 Fantasy Football, especially at the Wide Receiver position. From Rashee Rice to Nico Collins and now Chris Godwin, all the best 2024 wide receiver picks are going down. Smart WR drafters continue to be punished!

Thus, even with no Week 8 Byes, many fantasy managers are scrambling for the best Week 8 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers and Streamers!

But why limit your waiver wire investment to just Week 8? Especially this week, where the current injury-ridden landscape could cause seismic, season-long offensive shifts and juicy fantasy roles to emerge.

Below, I dive into my favorite four fantasy football wide receiver options that are available in over 50% of leagues to help you decide the best option for Week 8 Fantasy Football.

Fantasy Football Week 8 WR Sleepers: START Cedric Tillman, Jalen Tolbert?

Jalen McMillan (48% rostered) Week 8 Fantasy Outlook

Jalen McMillan Fantasy Outlook: League-Winning UPSIDE?!

All preseason, we raved about Chris Godwin‘s upside in the “Cooper Kupp” role of the Buccaneers’ “Rams-Inspired” offense under Liam Coen.

This prediction was a home-run… that was devastatingly ripped away from us in Week 7, as Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle dislocation.

While any WR matching Godwin’s production will be nearly impossible, Jalen McMillan seems the most equipped to fill this invaluable slot role.

Per FantasyPoints’ Ryan Heath, McMillan’s route-tree has been incredibly similar to Godwin’s in 2024. Both have largely been used on horizontally-breaking or underneath routes:

Additionally, McMillan ran 67% of his NCAA career routes from the slot. Despite being drafted nearly a full round after his Washington Huskie teammate Ja’Lynn Polk, McMillan actually averaged significantly more YPRR (2.32 vs. 1.84).

McMillan also crushed it throughout camp to clearly beat out Trey Palmer as the number three WR. In fact, he was called “a DAWG waiting to be unleashed” in camp.

Writers mention “McMillan has ‘put on a show’ so far in camp. Baker Mayfield has routinely connected with him, and called him a “young stud” with “a ton of potential.”

I know, I know. This as a long time ago. Yet, Mayfield’s weapons cabinet is looking barren — or at least open for a real explosive toy. The chemistry McMillan and he forged over camp gives McMillan an edge on the path to a ceiling:

“That potential has started to flash two days into training camp, and it is clear that he is already on the same page with Mayfield. The two linked up several times throughout Thursday’s practice, including one for a touchdown in tight coverage.

“One of my biggest goals for camp is to make Baker trust me with everything in his body,” McMillan said. “Whenever he throws the ball my way, I just want to be able to catch it, bring it in, and make myself a target for him.”

Plus, we know the team hopes McMillan could be an every-down player from Day One. Prior to getting hurt in Week 3, McMillan had run only 1 fewer route than Godwin!

This Bucs offense has been a masterpiece under OC Liam Coen. Tampa ranks 4th in poins (29.9 per game), behind only the Commanders, Ravens, and Lions. They’ve topped 30+ points in 5-of-7 games.

Undoubtedly, Godwin and Mike Evans played major roles. But Mayfield, the current QB2 in fantasy, is slinging– especially to Godwin. If McMillan can ball, he’s got the playcaller and QB talent on his side to be a major fantasy asset, as early as Week 8.

The last time Tampa Bay and Atlanta met, we were treated to a 66 point TNF delight. Without much of the dynamite responsible for the blowup, this Week 8 script is far less likely to explode. Still, we know it’s possible, and even 75% of that game could spell good things for McMillan (and Baker).

According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, Coen “pulled rookie wideout aside and said, ‘Hey, this is the week. This is the week that you have to really kind of emerge and I trust you.'” The table will be set for McMillan. Just how much he eats will come down to his own talent, success, and the flow of the game. But a hefty heaping of fantasy goodness is definitely possible.

Jalen McMillan in Wolf’s Week 8 Fantasy Rankings: WR33 (+9 ECR)

Ricky Pearsall (33% rostered) Week 8 Fantasy Outlook

Any time a first-round WR talent enters a high-powered offense with strong QB pay, we need to pay attention. This is doubly true of Kyle Shanahan‘s 49ers attack.

Ricky Pearsall was hand-picked by Shanahan, despite the 49ers seemingly boasting a loaded WR room (Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk). As such, most viewed Pearsall more as an elite dynasty prospect, but not much of 2024 redraft option.

Yet, Aiyuk is now done for 2024 with a torn ACL and MCL. Samuel may return to the lineup in Week 8, but was only just released from the hospital with pneumonia. Even if he plays, Samuel is unlikely to be at 100%. Even Jauan Jennings, the presumed number three, is OUT with a groin injury.

Miraculously, despite being SHOT this preseason, Pearsall enters Week 8 as the 49ers’ healthiest wide receiver. Even George Kittle is questionable! Should he miss this game, Pearsall could very-well lead San Francisco in targets.

Due to his route-running and sure-handedness, Pearsall was an RSJ Favorite pre-draft. Per our rookie guru CJay:

“Ricky Pearsall, lauded as one of the premier route runners with the most reliable hands (five drops over his final three collegiate seasons) in his class, has a translatable skillset that will make him a high-impact NFL wideout. His exceptional focus and adept tracking skills are evident in his ability to contort mid-air for spectacular grabs, epitomized by his awe-inspiring one-handed catch against Charlotte, deemed college football’s best catch in 2023.

Demonstrating versatility, he comfortably executes over-the-shoulder catches on slot fades and corners while creating separation with lightning-quick cuts, maintaining speed throughout his breaks. Despite his unassuming stature, Pearsall leverages his deceptively robust physique and astute field awareness to outmaneuver defenders, often shielding them on slants and downfield routes.”Demonstrating versatility, he comfortably executes over-the-shoulder catches on slot fades and corners while creating separation with lightning-quick cuts, maintaining speed throughout his breaks. Despite his unassuming stature, Pearsall leverages his deceptively robust physique and astute field awareness to outmaneuver defenders, often shielding them on slants and downfield routes.”

Additionally, Pearsall is an elite athlete. With a 4.41 forty and 96th percentile agility, Pearsall ultimately scored a 9.91 Relative Athleticism Score (RAS), ranking 31st out of 3402 wide receivers ever graded!

Despite some highly impressive tape and top-notch athleticism, Pearsall is not a squeaky-clean prospect. Pearsall was FAR more productive out of the slot (2.30 YPRR) than out-wide (2.08) per FantasyPoints. Pearsall also was 2nd-worst in the class against the press (1.08).

Still, I trust Shanahan’s evaluation. If he felt Pearsall was talented enough to spend a “luxury pick” on, who am I to judge?

Pearsall made his pro debut last week, racking up 5 targets, 3 receptions, and 21 yards. While far from a smash, Pearsall did lead the 49ers in routes, and is poised to do so again in Week 8.

The Cowboys have also taken a massive step back defensively. They allow the second most total points per game in the NFL this year (28.0), and while Dallas is more vulnerable to the run, they still have allowed the 10th most schedule-adjusted points to WRs. With a fairly close spread (4 points) and a top-six over/under (47), this SNF showdown has the potential to shoot-out, too.

Ultimately, Pearsall has the second highest short-and-long term ceiling of any widely available fantasy football wide receiver, trailing only McMillan in my eyes. Thus, he is my top option for a Week 8 Fantasy Football WR Sleeper.

Pearsall in The Wolf’s Week 8 Fantasy Rankings: WR38 (+13 ECR)

Note: If you need to go deeper, consider 49ers Rookie Jacob Cowing. He paced the team in receiving yards last week, flashed big-play ability all camp and preseason, and has been one of our favorite Dynasty Rookie WR Sleepers since May!

Cedric Tillman (14% rostered) Week 8 Fantasy Footlook vs. Baltimore

In his first game without Amari Cooper, what does Cedric Tillman do?

Absolutely erupts… at least, from a usage perspective. Tillman was fed 12 targets, 8 of which he hauled in for 81 yards. He paced the Browns’ WRs room in looks by a hefty margin, with only TE David Njoku besting Tillman’s volume.

In fact, Tillman led ALL WRs in expected Fantasy Points in Week 7:

Perhaps more impressive, Tillman was a clear focal point of the game-plan. He saw 31% of the first-read targets, tying Njoku for the team-lead. Tillman, not Jeudy, was who this team designed the offense around.

And now… Tillman gets Jameis Winston.

I recognize Jameis isn’t the same reckless gun-slinger that birthed a 5109 yards, 33 TD, 30 INT beautiful disaster (2019)– one that yielded a WR2 & WR3 finish in FPPG for Godwin and Evans respectively.

Still, in the brief glimpses during his Saints tenure, and even in his 83 yard, 1 TD ~1.5 quarters last week, Winston is fully capable of facilitating some passing production. If you own Browns’ pass-catchers, there’s at least sweet, sweet hope.

Shoot, look no further than Joe Flacco last year for a ceiling in Cleveland. From Week 14 on, Flacco was the QB2, Amari Cooper was the WR1, and David Njoku was the TE1 in FPPG. Njoku’s output would’ve ranked as the WR3 (h/t Scott Barrett & “Cashing Points“).

And could there be a more fertile game environment for the 2024 passing game to begin sprouting than versus the Baltimore Ravens?

The Browns are healthy 8.5 point underdogs. The Ravens are the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, while the defense surrenders the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to QBs. They are among the league leaders in surrendering 20+ yard passing plays.

AND Baltimore’s top CB Marlon Humphrey is DOUBTFUL! Apparently, three backup Ravens’ DBs join Humphrey on the injury report, too.

If we needed another reason to trust the Browns passing attack, OC Ken Dorsey has been promoted to playcaller. Though no sure thing, we do know Dorsey routinely averaged ~36 pass attempts per game in Buffalo. He was notorious for keeping his foot on the gas, even when the Bills were trailing… and against the Ravens, the Browns will likely be in comeback mode all afternoon.

If Tillman’s usage mimics Week 7, he could post an 8+ rec, 110+ yard, TD+ game in Week 8 vs. Baltimore. Obviously, I also LOVE Winston too if you need a QB Sleeper (+5 ECR in my Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings).

Cedric Tillman Week 8 Fantasy Football Ranking: WR45 (+9 ECR)

Week 8 Wide Receiver Sleeper Summary: Target Short and Long-Term Upside

In Week 8, the Waiver Wire Wide Receiver offers three potential gems. All three of Jalen McMillan, Ricky Pearsall, and Cedric Tillman offer excellent Week 8 Fantasy streaming upside, while also carrying plenty valuable rest-of-season ceiling. This makes them phenomenal adds, even if just for the bench, but especially for owners scrambling to plug holes left by Godwin, Rice, or Collins in Week 8.

If you’ve got any questions about starting these guys, or any one else, in Week 8 Fantasy Fotball, join our LIVE Week 8 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Stream on Sunday morning (8am ET!)

Week 8 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit Em Show: Start Jalen McMillan, Jayden Daniels, Cedric Tillman?
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