Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Smart Sleepers to Exploit and Lineup Advice
The road to fantasy league victory is paved with the right moves at the right times, including knowing when to sit and start certain players.
That includes in Week 8, where longtime fantasy stars are not necessarily the best option over a wide receiver with one great game to his name or a quarterback reemerging from the injured list.
Ahead of the upcoming slate of games, find out who you should sit and which players are candidates for must-start status thanks to favorable matchups in this preview.
Start: Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
With Brandon Aiyuk's 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL, Jauan Jennings again becomes a significant asset to the San Francisco 49ers offense.
With Deebo Samuel down in Week 3, Jennings had the best game of his career with 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams. Since then, though, he has failed to replicate those numbers amid the return of Samuel and the plethora of playmakers on the San Francisco offense.
With Aiyuk down, however, expect starting quarterback Brock Purdy to look his way, as defenses aim to take Samuel and tight end George Kittle out of the equation.
Especially against a Dallas Cowboys defense that is ranked 18th in the league and giving up 32.45 points to opposing wide receivers.
The opportunity will be there for Jennings to reestablish himself as a fantasy star.
Start the 27-year-old and hope he takes advantage of what will be a fairly positive matchup for him.
Jennings is available in 69 percent of Yahoo and 54 percent of ESPN leagues.
Sit: Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Kyler Murray has finished in the top five at his position three times through the first seven games of the season, but he has struggled for consistency.
Finishes of 15th, 17th, 24th, and 25th won't win any fantasy manager their respective league.
In Week 8, against a Miami Dolphins team giving up the fewest points to opposing quarterbacks at 8.54, he is a must-sit.
The Dolphins defense has been the lone bright spot for Miami in Tua Tagovailoa's absence and has been as stingy as any unit in football, giving up just three passing touchdowns all season.
When Murray is on form, he can sling the ball with the best in the league but his inconsistency has been his greatest weakness, and fantasy managers cannot trust him to come through against a defense of that quality.
Instead, grab Sam Darnold from Minnesota off the waiver wire. A favorable matchup against a Los Angeles Rams team with defensive issues makes him a more valuable option.
Start: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Head coach Mike McDaniel revealed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will begin practicing Wednesday, with cautious optimism that he will play Sunday against Arizona.
If all goes according to plan, and the Alabama product clears concussion protocol, he is a worthy start against a Cardinals defense ranked 28th in the league and giving up 18.55 points per game.
The Dolphins offense has been largely stagnant without Tagovailoa, and the team has lost three out of the four games he has missed. If he is cleared, expect the 26-year-old to return to his status as a fantasy stud under center.
Be careful, though. Keep up to date on his status and ensure he is a full-go before submitting any lineup with him as the starter.
Tagovailoa is available in 54 percent of Yahoo and 73 percent of ESPN leagues, so grab him before others do, even if it means keeping two top-level fantasy quarterbacks on your roster.
Sit: Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
There is plenty of reason to be excited about Nick Chubb's return to the Cleveland Browns lineup if you are a football fan.
However, if you are a fantasy manager and have him stashed on your team, waiting for the perfect time to insert him into the starting lineup, Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens isn't it.
The AFC North-leading squad is 14th against opposing running backs, surrendering 21.79 points per game.
That may seem like a decent matchup for a player of Chubb's ability, but considering he is returning from a knee injury and the Ravens are likely to load the box and make either Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Jameis Winston beat them, it's an unfavorable scenario.
That's especially true for someone playing in just their second game back from the IL.
Chubb will be a fantasy stud again, but against the Ravens on Sunday afternoon is not the time to expect it. Sit him and benefit from one of your other backs' more favorable matchups.
All stats via FantasyPros unless otherwise stated.