Welcome, #DFFArmy to Week 8! Key fantasy staples will be out this week with the Chargers and Chiefs on bye. With players disappearing from those starting lineups, digging deep to find startable players becomes extra important. However, avoiding duds from players you’ve had reliance on in the past may be even more crucial. As always, I’ll look at some deeper targets that you may be on the fence about for my “Starts of the Week” and some bigger-name performers that I’m expecting not to play well for my “Sits of the Week”.
Quarterback
Start: Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers vs Rams
Over the last three weeks, Jimmy Garoppolo has averaged over 18 FPPG, good for ninth among all quarterbacks, and he was just handed a shiny new toy named Christian McCaffrey. While Garoppolo gets a tough matchup against the Rams who give up just 14 points on average to quarterbacks the 49ers’ offense is a handful. Garoppolo is currently second in yards per attempt (8.6) while somehow landing 22nd in air yards per attempt (7.5). Regardless, this offense is producing and the guy throwing the ball is racking up points. Jimmy G seems like a safe start.
Sit: Sam Ehlinger, Colts vs Commanders
Same Ehlinger has touched an NFL field just three times and in each of those three instances, they elected to not allow the young man to throw a single pass. He has three games played and three rush attempts to show for it. I’m not quite sure what to expect from the second-year quarterback but I’ve seen tons of FAAB spent on him and assume managers intend on starting him in SuperFlex leagues when desperate. I’m here to advise against it. I’d much rather throw a flex option running back or wide receiver than pray Ehlinger can scrape out a couple of points. Save yourself the headache and try to trade him for anything.
Running Back
Start: Michael Carter, Jets vs Patriots
The Patriots have been a tough matchup for running backs, averaging just under 17 points to running backs on the year, but the Jets are hellbent on establishing the run Breece Hall or no Breece Hall. Carter is a very capable back and the Jets just traded for James Robinson, so clearly no signs of them looking to go away from what has worked for them. Robinson will eventually get more work but I think Carter handles the majority of the work in Week 8 both on the ground and through the air, something he specializes in. Don’t shy away from what is a tough matchup on paper.
Sit: Melvin Gordon, Broncos vs Jaguars
The Broncos are a broken team both in body and spirit. The Jags haven’t stifled running backs but who wants to trust this backfield? Latavius Murray appears to be the more effective runner which doesn’t bode well for Gordon. Sure, would I like to trust him in the matchup? Yeah. Am I going to? Absolutely not. Sit Gordon until we see signs of life.
Wide Receiver
Start: Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs Rams
I want to find a way to start Aiyuk for similar reasons to why I want to get Garoppolo in the lineup. I think the 49ers will need to throw the ball and they’ve been quite effective. Aiyuk has received 11 targets in each of the last two games and faces a matchup in which the best players on defense will be focused on Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. I expect another high-volume outing for the young wide receiver and a highly produce fantasy week.
Sit: Parris Campbell, Colts vs Commanders
I love what we were seeing from Campbell but all that production was with Matt Ryan and while I want to chase that as much as the next manager I know it’s bad process. Why? Sam Ehlinger. I trust him less than the old worn down version of Matt Ryan we’ve become accustomed to. I just can’t see 10-12 well-placed targets from Ehlinger to Campbell and for that reason, I’m out. I need to see it to believe it. Sit Parris.
Tight End
Start: Harrison Bryant, Browns vs Bengals
The Bengals are fairly decent against tight ends through seven weeks but David Njoku is out with a foot injury and Harrison Bryant remains the last man standing at the position for the Cleveland Browns. Bryant is already a mainstay in the Browns’ offense, playing over 50% of the snaps in three of the last four games, but mostly as a blocker or fill-in. That said, we’ve seen Bryant make plays and score points in the past and I believe he’s in line for a good deal of work this Sunday considering the Bengals should press the Browns to score throw the ball and put some points on the board.
Sit: Robert Tonyan Packers vs Bills
Robert Tonyan has produced a few spike weeks, including a 10-reception, 90-yard game against the New York Jets just two weeks ago but since then he’s cooled down and set to face a rock-solid Buffalo Bills defense. The Packers are a team without an identity going into battle with a juggernaut. The Pack will have to pass but I don’t think this team is best when forced into pushing the ball downfield so I’m fading the matchup.
Thank you for reading. If you have any thoughts or questions and would like to discuss them, you can reach out to me on Twitter @WillieBeamanDFF.
