Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Justin Herbert, and Austin Ekeler are all getting the week off, but fantasy football owners have to soldier on. Fortunately, the experts at RotoBaller are allowing Sporting News Fantasy readers free access to their exclusive “Who to Start?” advice tool to help with your tough Week 8 fantasy lineup decisions.
How does the “Who to Start?” tool work? Simple: Choose up to four players to compare below, pick your league settings in the upper right corner (PPR, half-PPR, standard), and push “Who to Start?” It’s that easy. From there, you’ll get a lineup recommendation based on RotoBaller’s award-winning rankings and projections.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their premium lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, and Team Sync platform! Use discount code SPORTING.
Losing players from the Chiefs and Chargers certainly hurts, especially at QB and TE, but it’s not a killer at RB, WR, or D/ST. More consequential to start-or-sit decisions are the injuries that continue to pile up and usage trends that shift in response. We also have some new QBs and backfield situations that have turned waiver-wire fodder into instant starters.
As always, RotoBaller factored in usage, matchups, and talent into its Week 8 rankings, and it’s reflected in its “Who to Start?” tool. Check out an example from each offensive position.
Advice below is based on full-point PPR leagues
Start or Sit?: Week 8 fantasy QB lineup advice from RotoBaller
Daniel Jones (@ Seahawks) vs. Geno Smith (vs. Giants) vs. Matthew Stafford (vs. 49ers) vs. Dak Prescott (vs. Bears)
Who would’ve imagined this grouping before the season? Not many, but that’s the beauty of fantasy football. Stafford is a distant fourth in RotoBaller’s rankings, which is a bit surprising given the 49ers’ defensive injuries, but it’s not a shock that Prescott narrowly edges out Smith and Jones. Prescott disappointed last week, but he still has the highest ceiling of this group and should only be getting healthier. Jones might have the highest floor given his rushing ability and matchup, so if you’re looking for “safe” points as opposed to a shot at “big points,” Jones could be your guy.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller subscriber and receive exclusive access to their lineup tools, rankings, and analysis. Use discount code SPORTING.
Start or Sit?: Week 8 fantasy RB lineup advice from RotoBaller
Darrell Henderson Jr. (vs. 49ers) vs. Damien Harris (@ Jets) vs. Gus Edwards (@ Buccaneers) vs. Melvin Gordon III (vs. Jaguars)
This motley crew might make you wrinkle your nose, but chances are, a lot of owners in 12-team leagues are choosing between players like this for their RB2 or flex spots. Most will point to Edwards as the obvious answer, but RotoBaller likes Henderson the most. It makes sense considering he’s every bit L.A.’s lead back as Edwards is for Baltimore. Plus, Edwards doesn’t catch (m)any passes and could see fewer carries in just his second game since January 2021. Harris is ahead of Gordon on RotoBaller’s list because of the confusion that still exists in Denver’s backfield, but Gordon does have the better matchup and will catch more passes.
SN’s WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 8 fantasy WR lineup advice from RotoBaller
Courtland Sutton (vs. Jaguars) vs. Drake London (vs. Panthers) vs. Romeo Doubs (@ Bills) vs. Wan’Dale Robinson (@ Seahawks)
Perhaps surprisingly, Doubs leads this group in RotoBaller’s rankings, likely because of worries about Allen Lazard’s shoulder. Even in a tough matchup, Doubs would see a good amount of targets and have a Hall-of-Fame QB throwing him passes. Sutton and London always have upside if they get targets, but their looks (and production) have been disappointing lately. Robinson is actually fourth on this list despite having a decent matchup, and that’s likely due to the Giants’ limited passing game.
SN’s WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 8 fantasy TE lineup advice from RotoBaller
Irv Smith Jr. (vs. Cardinals) vs. Kyle Pitts (vs. Panthers) vs. Dalton Schultz (vs. Bears) vs. Dawson Knox (vs. Packers)
Pitts is most people’s default answer here, but RotoBaller likes Smith the most. It’s easy to see why — he gets fairly consistent targets and has by far the most favorable matchup. He’s also produced just as much this season as any of these other guys. Pitts is next on the list, largely due to his high ceiling, followed by Schultz and Knox. Ultimately, all of these TEs might be “touchdown-or-bust,” so you might do just as well flipping a coin if you’re deciding between tight ends like this.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their premium lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, and Team Sync platform! Use discount code SPORTING.
Try out any combination of players – including players at different positions for your flex spot – with the RotoBaller “Who to Draft?” tool above. It’s like having your own fantasy football expert on call just to help with your specific Week 8 lineup questions.