Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 8
SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
Consult our Week 8 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 8 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartC.J. Stroud, Texansat Panthers
Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / GettyStroud is coming off his bye week as the QB14 in fantasy points per game. It's been an impressive start for the rookie, who's elevated the talent around him while playing behind a banged-up offensive line.
Fantasy managers should expect the 22-year-old passer to continue making strides as he gains more experience and his blockers get healthier.
Next up is a Panthers defense that overachieved in the opening month but has been hindered by injuries lately. In its last two outings, Carolina allowed Jared Goff and Tua Tagovailoa to throw for three touchdowns apiece en route to top-three weekly fantasy finishes.
Boone's projection: 273 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 12 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Jared Goff vs. Raiders
- Dak Prescott vs. Rams
at Broncos
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPacheco has been a top-15 fantasy back in five straight games, helped by an increased role in the passing game.
The sophomore back is averaging three receptions per contest in 2023, a number that was below one last season. He even set a career high with six catches against the Broncos two weeks ago, which is the same team he'll be facing Sunday.
Denver is allowing the most fantasy points to running backs this year, so don't hesitate to start Pacheco as a top-10 fantasy back in Week 8.
Boone's projection: 87 rushing yards, 21 receiving yards, 2 receptions, TD
Other RBs to start
- Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Raiders
- Rhamondre Stevenson at Dolphins
- D'Onta Foreman at Chargers
vs. Jaguars
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPickens' sophomore breakout is upon us, with the 22-year-old wideout on pace for over 1,400 yards this season.
While he might not maintain that level of production, it was encouraging to see him post his third 100-yard game in Week 7 with Diontae Johnson back in the lineup.
Fantasy managers can treat Pickens as an auto-start moving forward. That's especially true against the Jaguars, who are the 10th-easiest matchup for receivers this year. Jacksonville has given up 100 yards and/or a touchdown to seven different receivers over its last five games.
Boone's projection: 94 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- Nico Collins at Panthers
- Zay Flowers at Cardinals
- Jakobi Meyers at Lions
at Commanders
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyGoedert spoke up about his lack of targets in the first month. Since then, the Eagles have made an effort to get him more involved.
The 28-year-old has stat lines of 8-117-1, 5-42-0, and 5-77-1 over his last three games and has been the TE3 overall during that stretch.
Meanwhile, Washington has been hemorrhaging fantasy points to tight ends with Darren Waller, Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith, and Cole Kmet all finishing as top-10 fantasy options against them in the last three weeks.
Boone's projection: 64 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Kyle Pitts at Titans
- Jake Ferguson vs. Rams
vs. Chiefs
Todd Rosenberg / Getty Images Sport / GettyNo two games are ever alike - especially when it's divisional rivals facing off - but the fact that we saw the Broncos and Chiefs square off two weeks ago should provide some indication of what's to come in Week 8.
Wilson was completely stifled in that contest, delivering just 95 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
That's because Kansas City's defense has emerged as one of the league's better units this year, while many of Denver's players are wondering whether they'll be on this roster after next Tuesday's trade deadline.
It's a recipe for another disastrous outcome, so don't roll the dice with Wilson in this one.
Boone's projection: 187 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Geno Smith vs. Browns
- Bryce Young vs. Texans
vs. Eagles
Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / GettyRobinson's yardage totals have trailed off over the last month, and he's only salvaged his fantasy performances with touchdowns.
It'll be hard to keep that up against an Eagles defensive front that's allowed the fewest rushing yards and the fifth-fewest rushing touchdowns.
We also need to keep an eye on the Commanders' backfield turning into a three-way committee now that rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been more involved in the last two games.
Boone's projection: 41 rushing yards
Other RBs to sit
- Najee Harris vs. Jaguars
- Miles Sanders vs. Texans
- Emari Demercado vs. Ravens
at Seahawks
Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Seahawks' secondary has tightened up over the last month, which doesn't bode well for a Browns passing attack that will once again be led by backup quarterback P.J. Walker.
Cooper is a boom-or-bust fantasy option on a regular day, but his odds of disappointing his managers are much higher this week given the QB situation and the matchup.
It's also worth noting that Cooper has, on average, been a much worse fantasy play in road games, as Scott Barrett of Fantasy Points highlighted.
Boone's projection: 43 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Marquise Brown vs. Ravens
- DeAndre Hopkins vs. Falcons
- Tyler Lockett vs. Browns
at Cowboys
Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyFinding tight ends to feature in the sit section might be my least favorite exercise each week since the options to choose from are limited and it's such a volatile position.
Higbee gets the short end of the stick this week as he's managed 20 yards or fewer in each of the past three games. That conveniently coincides with the return of Cooper Kupp.
With some of the younger players starting to step up at tight end, Higbee could be dropped in most leagues.
Boone's projection: 26 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Cole Kmet at Chargers
- David Njoku at Seahawks
Past stashes that still qualify: Rico Dowdle, Zamir White, Jonathan Mingo, Jalin Hyatt
Trey McBride, Cardinals
Mike Christy / Getty Images Sport / GettySpeaking of young tight ends who are emerging, McBride (15% rostered) could be on the verge of a fantasy breakout after veteran Zach Ertz was placed on injured reserve.
The sophomore tight end was already getting a bump in playing time over the last couple of outings, resulting in 11 targets, seven catches, and 93 yards during that span.
The Cardinals are fourth in targets thrown to their tight ends, and with Ertz out of the picture for at least the next four weeks, McBride could sneak into low-end TE1 territory for fantasy.
Kendre Miller, Saints
Winslow Townson / Getty Images Sport / GettyMiller (8% rostered) barely played last week after irritating his shoulder in warmups. With Jamaal Williams returning, the Saints were able to be cautious with the rookie, who isn't even on the injury report heading into Week 8.
However, Alvin Kamara has at least 24 touches in every game he's played this season, and at 28 years old, it's realistic to question whether he'll hold up to that workload.
If Kamara misses time at any point, Miller would be the explosive option in a timeshare with Williams, making Miller a serious upside stash.
Quit
Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyQuarterback (1QB): Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones
Running back: Antonio Gibson, Dalvin Cook
Wide receiver: Elijah Moore, Tutu Atwell
Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, Chigoziem Okonkwo
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