5 Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 8: Undervalued Starts
Looking for that winning edge in Week 8 of your fantasy football season? We’ve got you covered with five fantasy football sleepers and undervalued starts that could give your lineup a major boost. Whether you’re dealing with bye weeks, injuries, or simply want to outsmart your competition, these hidden gems can help you secure a crucial victory. Read on to discover the players flying under the radar who could deliver big fantasy points this week.
5 Fantasy Football Sleepers and Undervalued Starts for Week 8
Arguably, the most frustrating part of fantasy football is setting your lineup each week. Everyone hates seeing a player you almost started go off on your bench, leading to your opponent taunting you all weekend.
Starting your superstar players every week, regardless of the matchup, is an easy call. However, what about the rest of your roster?
Let’s look at five undervalued fantasy football start options for Week 8 in the NFL.
Kirk Cousins (QB – ATL) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy players should have high hopes for Kirk Cousins this week in a massive NFC South showdown against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. The veteran is the QB18 for the year, averaging 13.8 fantasy points per game. He has scored more than 12.5 fantasy points in two games, with one coming against Tampa Bay a few weeks ago. Cousins was outstanding in that game, completing 72.4% of his pass attempts for 509 yards, four touchdowns, and 34.4 fantasy points.
While he won’t be that good in the rematch, fantasy players should anticipate 20 or more points from the veteran. The Buccaneers have surrendered 22 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the second-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they’ve given up 3.3 passing touchdowns and 28.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks not named Spencer Rattler over the past month. Fantasy players should expect significant production from both quarterbacks in this NFC South battle.
Javonte Williams (RB – DEN) vs. Carolina Panthers
Javonte Williams struggled to start the season, averaging 6.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first six weeks, totaling nine or fewer in all but one contest. However, he had a breakout performance in Week 7, totaling 14 rushing attempts for 88 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 24.6 fantasy points. While many have called the veteran a must-sell candidate after his massive performance, fantasy players should wait one more week before trading him.
The former UNC star faces the NFL’s worst run defense this weekend. This is a game that should lead to a run-heavy game script for the Broncos. Notably, the Panthers have surrendered a league-high 30.2 fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Furthermore, they have given up 139.8 rushing yards, 2.3 touchdowns, and 33.8 fantasy points per contest to running backs over the past four weeks. While giving up three touchdowns in a game twice.
Romeo Doubs (WR – GB) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Green Bay’s passing attack has been on fire since Jordan Love returned from a knee injury. The star quarterback has averaged 3.3 passing touchdowns per game over the past four weeks, totaling two or more in every contest. More importantly, his wide receivers have become appealing fantasy options. While Jayden Reed gets most of the headlines, Doubs has been outstanding since returning from his suspension, averaging 15.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Last week, the former Nevada star led the Packers with 10 targets, totaling four more than Reed and Christian Watson combined. More importantly, Doubs led the team’s wide receivers with 13.4 fantasy points in the win over the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have surrendered 33.5 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the fourth-most in the NFL. They have given up over 235 receiving yards to wide receivers in nearly half of their matchups.
Jalen McMillan (WR – TB) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Unfortunately, the Buccaneers lost their top weapons last week. Chris Godwin to a season-ending ankle injury and Mike Evans to a multiple-week hamstring injury on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Yet, that won’t stop Tampa Bay’s pass-happy offense. The next man up is McMillan. The rookie receiver had only seven targets over the first six weeks, averaging 3.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he had eight targets in Week 7, finishing with only one fewer than Godwin.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have had their issues with slowing down wide receivers. They have surrendered 1.5 receiving touchdowns and 31 fantasy points per game to wide receivers since Week 1, giving up 34 or more in half of those contests. Furthermore, Atlanta has struggled with below-average passing attacks, giving up 149 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 34.4 fantasy points to the Carolina Panthers wide receiver core two weeks ago. If available, grab McMillan off the waiver wire immediately.
Hunter Henry (TE – NE) vs. New York Jets
The Patriots passing attack came to life after the team put rookie Drake Maye under center. Henry struggled with Jacoby Brissett, averaging 3.2 receptions on five targets for 36 receiving yards and 5.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 4.2 or fewer in all but one contest. By comparison, the veteran has averaged 5.5 receptions on seven targets for 66.5 receiving yards and 12.4 fantasy points per game with Maye, scoring 11.6 or more in both starts.
More importantly, Henry’s first-read target share has increased from 13.7% to 22% with the quarterback change (per Fantasy Points Data). Meanwhile, the Jets “held” him to 1.9 fantasy points in Week 3 on two targets. However, New York has surrendered 6.5 receptions for 75 receiving yards and 13.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends over the past two weeks. Henry should have his third consecutive double-digit fantasy performance with Maye under center.
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