Fantasy Football: One player to watch on every team for each Week 8 game

Week 8 is the turning point in the season. We're far enough from the start of the year to let go of offseason priors. And we've got a good enough sample size to understand how most teams want to operate. From workloads to play-calling tendencies, fantasy football managers can gauge what to expect on a week-to-week basis.

But each matchup has its own subplots, and we can get caught up in the hype. However, to help narrow our focus, I've got a few players out of each game that should be worth monitoring between Sunday's and Monday's contests.

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Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers

I want to see more of Keon Coleman. Well, I'll take that back. We see the sophomore receiver out on the field with the Bills every week. But his 21% target rate has only amounted to 237 yards. With the Panthers turning into a stout run defense, Buffalo may need to take to the air to move the offense. Sure, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid are the more consistent options. But if Josh Allen tries to open things up deep, expect to see Coleman on the other end of the attempt.

Fantasy managers are hoping for some sense of clarity in the Panthers' backfield. But I doubt Week 8 is going to give them any. In Chuba Hubbard's return, the incumbent took the first series and wound up with 44% of the carries. However, Rico Dowdle was more efficient (3.47 adjusted yards after contact per attempt to Hubbard's 2.14) and more explosive (21.1% explosive play rate to 5.9%). Results aside, any evidence to show which RB is out in front is what we're looking for in Carolina.

Chicago Bears @ Baltimore Ravens

So, we now have back-to-back games with Rome Odunze scoring single-digit PPR points. His 10-target, 30-plus-point breakout performance was over a month ago. Meanwhile, his aDOT has been 13 yards or more in three consecutive weeks, creating volatile scenarios for Odunze to convert. Plus, the Bears' run game has turned from a liability to a strength. However, against the Ravens' defense, Odunze should find a way to get behind Baltimore's secondary.

The ongoing narrative is that we'll see less of Derrick Henry if the Ravens fall behind. However, even without Lamar Jackson, the two-time rushing king had rushing shares of 79% and 69% before heading into the bye. Luckily, the Bears are giving up the fifth-most rushing yards per game, which should give Henry a crease or two for an explosive play.

Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots

Let's see what the passing game looks like when not playing in heavy rainfall and high winds. Harold Fannin Jr. turned into a full-time TE with David Njoku sidelined with a knee injury. The rookie ran a route on 87% of Dillon Gabriel's dropbacks and led the team with a 28% target rate. The elements likely played a role in the preference for short-area attempts. But against the Patriots, a similar approach would keep the pressure off Gabriel and benefit Fannin for a second straight week.

I'm trying to figure out which Patriots receiver to stack with Drake Maye. Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry are the obvious choices. Both had a +20% target rate against the Titans last week. But Kayshon Boutte continues to excel on the outside (and has a TD in consecutive weeks). DeMario Douglas is good for an explosive. Rhamondre Stevenson can contribute for a first down or two. However, with Cleveland still working through the new personnel on the backend of their coverage, I'd expect a receiver like Diggs to take advantage of the situation.

Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons

I don't see how Tua Tagovailoa makes it through this game without the same outcome as Week 7. It's like the stoppable object meets the immovable force." Atlanta's 40.1% pressure rate ranks ninth-highest among all NFL defenses. They're also first in blitz rate. Tagovailoa sitting between Justin Fields and Bo Nix in EPA per dropback when pressured doesn't bode well for the Dolphins' offense after yet another beatdown in Cleveland. Unless HC Mike McDaniel has some more tricks up his sleeve, Tagovailoa and his receivers are in for another tough Sunday.

It was all fun and games for Drake London until Darnell Mooney returned to the lineup. London has seen no less than 14 targets in both games without Atlanta's WR2 active. On Monday, London was down to a measly 23% target rate. To boot (no pun intended), Michael Penix Jr. is dealing with a bone bruise in his foot. If the injury affects Penix, we'll see it in London's boxscore.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

Lightning won't strike twice, right? Divisional matchups are usually tough to call, but the same-season rematches add some extra spice. Especially when the teams just met two weeks ago. But I keep underestimating Jaxson Dart. He's right behind Josh Allen in EPA per dropback when pressured and ahead of Lamar Jackson in fantasy PPG via rushing. And with the Eagles still having trouble on the backend of their coverage, Dart could give the reigning Super Bowl champs another run for their money.

Again, I'll ask, lightning won't strike twice, right? A.J. Brown (and everyone else) had been asking for Jalen Hurts to throw the ball downfield. Finally, we (he) got it. Hurts went from averaging 8.4 air yards per attempt to 12.3 against the Vikings. DC Brian Flores tried blitzing Hurts on 57.7% of his dropbacks. He burned Minnesota for 220 yards and two scores. With this new response to defensive pressure, let's hope we can keep up our confidence in starting the Eagles' WRs.

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati has allowed 10 touchdowns to TEs. I repeat: 10. The next closest defense has given up six. Pittsburgh just did it three times last Thursday. All to different guys. Which brings us to Mason Taylor. The Jets may opt to switch to QB Tyrod Taylor, which would bring some stability to the offense. It didn't take long for the veteran QB to find the freshman as soon as he replaced Fields in Week 7. And against Cincinnati, there isn't a better matchup to target for fantasy purposes.

Joe Flacco is the tide that lifts all boats. Fantasy managers should have Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked into their starting lineups. And Chase Brown, too. Brown saw his usual share of the rushing attempts (55.0%), but hit a season-high 54.5% rushing success rate. Part of the uptick in rushing production? Fewer stacked boxes. With defenses having to honor Cincinnati's WRs, Brown saw the least amount of stacked boxes since the season opener (18.2%). With the defense having its hands full downfield, Brown should benefit from open rushing lanes.

San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans

I feel like Christian McCaffrey's season is going under the radar. Well, at least for the fantasy managers that don't have him on their roster. After having one limited practice due to a calf strain in September, the 49ers' RB1 is the RB1 in PPR. As a runner, McCaffrey is 12th in yards on the ground and just three scores. But, in classic CMC form, he's earned an absurd 26.6% of his team's targets. If he switched position designations, he'd be the WR8. Houston's defense has been stingy to WRs and RBs alike through seven games. But if anyone can turn a tough matchup into a good performance, it's No. 23.

Nico Collins is in the concussion protocol. Christian Kirk's hamstring has kept him sidelined. Even Dalton Schultz, who got in a limited session on Wednesday, is feeling the pain of the Texans' season. I'm not advocating for stashing him, but let's see what Jaylin Noel can do in an expanded role. His route share has ticked up each week over the last three (28%-48%), along with his target rate (up to 15% from 4% in Week 4). The rookie has primarily operated out of the slot and picked up 77 yards on four catches against the Seahawks. Assuming Noel's playing time ramps up, so should his connection with QB C.J. Stroud.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

Rachaad White has averaged 16.4 PPR PPG across his three starts in relief of Bucky Irving. And his three TDs aren't buoying the results. White has secured 75% of the carries on top of a 13% target share. For reference, his workload is similar to that of Josh Jacobs and Javonte Williams. Now he gets a Saints' rush defense that gave up 205 yards to Chicago's RBs just a week ago. As the Bucs' offense continues to lose options in their passing game, relying on their ground game with White would be the safest approach.

Typically, I'd advocate for a team facing Tampa Bay's defense. While stout up front, their secondary has surrendered at least two passing TDs in three of their last five games and over 300 in two of their previous three. But Tampa's putting opposing QBs under duress on 41.3% of their dropbacks. And the Saints just lost their starting center for the remainder of the year. So, unless Spencer Rattler has another offensive lineman on speed dial, I have some concerns about the Saints' passing game in Week 8.

Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Broncos

If Jaxson Dart can throw for over 250 yards and three touchdowns against the Broncos, think about what Dak Prescott is going to do. He's completed two or more touchdown throws in all but two games this season. Prescott has thrown for at least 250 in all but one. The talent has always been there, but Dallas' defense has forced a top-five season in efficiency from their QB. And against a secondary that's given up top-12 outings through the season, this should be light work for Dallas' QB1.

I'd like to know who the WR2 is for Denver. Courtland Sutton has maintained the top spot, albeit with a 22% target rate (22nd amongst all WRs). But the secondary role is up for grabs. I'd say it's Troy Franklin, but he's only run a route on 78% of Bo Nix's dropbacks. And Marvin Mims Jr. is only sitting at a 14% share of the looks. The lack of a consistent option alongside Sutton may be what's contributing to the up-and-down nature of the offense this season. But against the porous Dallas secondary, we should see someone step up.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

Let's just consider this a lost season for the Titans. There's no playoff hope. They've already fired their head coach. I'm evaluating this roster like one of my dynasty teams. Accordingly, the rookie WRs, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, stand out. Calvin Ridey is still working through a hamstring injury, and we saw what the offense could be in time. Dike handled the slot on 79.3% of his routes, and Ayomanor worked the perimeter. Both have made splash plays to start their career, and should have the eye of all Titans' fans as the team looks to 2026.

I'll stay on the rookie train and put the spotlight on Tyler Warren. Although at 14.5 PPR PPG, he's making enough noise on his own. Warren is second on the team in targets, right behind Michael Pittman Jr. at 6.4 targets per game. But the volume is just the start. Dalton Kincaid and Tucker Kraft are the only other TEs averaging more than 2.0 yards per route run. Warren's 7.8 yards after the catch per reception are fourth-most among TEs and WRs. And attached to one of the most-efficient offenses in the league, Warren continues to be a fun watch through seven weeks.

Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

While Romeo Doubs isn't the caliber of receiver as Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins, but the Packers' WR1 still gets to square off against the same defense the Bengals' duo mauled 10 days ago. Christian Watson's (potential) return will garner most of the attention, but I'd still expect Doubs to maintain his steady diet of +20% of Jordan Love's targets. And, more importantly, against Pittsburgh's secondary, that's allowed over 300 yards and multiple passing scores in two of their last three games, Doubs can get behind the secondary for an explosive or two.

So, I doubt the Steelers will be able to use their TEs for big gains in this primetime contest. Green Bay's linebackers aren't as deficient in pass coverage as Cincinnati's. That means the Steelers will need another WR to work alongside DK Metcalf. Calvin Austin III can fill the role. Pittsburgh's slot man has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, but should return for Sunday night. If the Packers continue to harass their old QB, quick throws to his interior option should make Austin viable for fantasy in deeper leagues.

Washington Commanders @ Kansas City Chiefs

There has to be a limit to the next man up" concept in fantasy football. Yes, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. may be out on the field in a must-win game for Washington. But neither will be healthy. And they'll be without starting QB Jayden Daniels. Typically, snagging a WR3 like Jaylin Lane or Chris Moore has its merits in what should be a high-scoring affair. And both have mixed in for +20% of the looks. But in this situation, I'll watch for their contributions but leave them out on the waiver wire.

I get that the Chiefs won, Rashee Rice scored twice and the offense looks like a juggernaut again. But they're not even back to full strength yet. Rice was just a part-time player (48% of the routes) and averaged 0.8 air yards per target. No, that's not a typo. Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt got hurt, ushering in more opportunities for pass-catching RB Brashard Smith, reducing the targets for the WRs. I doubt Washington puts up much of a fight, but Rice's continued integration into the offense (and its impact on the other receivers) will be the story for K.C. on Monday night.