Ricky Dimon
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We are almost halfway home in fantasy during this 2020 NFL season, and more than halfway home in leagues that conclude with playoffs—which is probably the case for almost everyone these days. Unless your team is as bad at fantasy as the New York Jets are at football, your matchups should be gaining more and more importance with each passing week. Now that we are into Week 8, it is paramount that you are starting the right guys and also looking in the correct places on the waiver wire or in free agency for players who could help you down the stretch.
Let’s take a look at the best players at each position heading into the Week 8 matchups, as well as potential sleepers and players you should either start or sit.
Positional rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs. NYJ)
2. Russell Wilson, SEA (vs. SF)
3. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs. MIN)
4. Tom Brady, TB (@ NYG)
5. Lamar Jackson, BAL (vs. PIT)
Running Backs
1. Derrick Henry, TEN (@ CIN)
2. Alvin Kamara, NO (@ CHI)
3. Kareem Hunt, KC (vs. LV)
4. Dalvin Cook, MIN (@ GB)
5. James Conner, PIT (@ BAL)
Receivers
1. Davante Adams, GB (vs. MIN)
2. Tyreek Hill, KC (vs. NYJ)
3. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs. SF)
4. DK Metcalf, SEA (vs. SF)
5. Keenan Allen, LAC (@ DEN)
Tight Ends
1. George Kittle, SF (@ SEA)
2. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. NYJ)
3. Darren Waller, LV (@ CLE)
4. Mark Andrews, BAL (@ PIT)
5. Rob Gronkowski, TB (@ NYG)
Kickers
1. Harrison Butker, KC (vs. NYJ)
2. Justin Tucker, BAL (vs. PIT)
3. Randy Bullock, CIN (vs. TEN)
4. Matt Prater, DET (vs. IND)
5. Rodrigo Blankenship, IND (@ DET)
Defense
1. Chiefs (vs. NYJ)
2. Buccaneers (@ NYG)
3. Eagles (vs. DAL)
4. Rams (@ MIA)
5. Chargers (@ DEN)
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
Start ‘Em
Justin Herbert, QB, LAC (@ DEN) – Herbert has been outstanding in his rookie season. In five games he has passed for 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He has seven TDs and zero INTs in the past two contests. Denver’s defense is strong, but it is better against the run than the pass.
D’Andre Swift, RB, DET (vs. IND) – We have been on the Swift bandwagon for each of the past two weeks and he has delivered to the tune of three touchdowns. He also rushed for 116 yards in Week 6 against Jacksonville. Indianapolis’ passing defense is second in the NFL, so count on Detroit running the ball.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (@ SEA) – Pretty much anyone involved in the passing games for this San Francisco vs. Seattle showdown deserves a look this week—more than a look, in fact. The Seahawks have by far the worst passing defense in the NFL and Aiyuk is coming off a 115-yard effort against New England.
Sit ‘Em
Baker Mayfield, QB, CLE (vs. LV) – Odell Beckham Jr. is out for the season, which obviously has a direct impact on Mayfield. That’s 319 yards and three touchdowns that go out the window. The Raiders’ middle-of-the-pack defense has surrendered just 11 passing TDs—not a bad number by their standards.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, SF (@ SEA) – You should sit McKinnon for the same reasons that you start Aiyuk. This game is quite simply going to be an aerial assault. McKinnon could get more work than expected if the 49ers grab a big lead, but that probably won’t happen against the 5-1 Seahawks.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (@ PHI) – It does not take a genius to figure out why Lamb should be avoided like the plague here. The Cowboys are down to their third-string quarterback in Ben DiNucci, with both Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton injured. Dallas scored only three points against the Football Team last week.
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