By Alex “MereKat” LeMere
FOLKS! It’s MereKat here trying something new this week….a fantasy football preview for Week 8!
I’m no “fantasy guru” (actually having the worst fantasy year of my life, that’s what happens when you’re in 7 leagues). I’m a guy whose been in a lot of leagues, winning a few big ones recently, that keeps his ear to the ground and likes to think he knows what he’s talking about. I’ve started the transition to DFS over traditional fantasy but will never fully give it up.
It was a wild week for fantasy football as we saw guys like Tyler Lockett (53.0) and Davante Adams (44.6) put up MASSIVE numbers at the receiver position. Young guns at QB like Justin Herbert (34.48), Kyler Murray (37.1), and Joe Burrow (33.64) helped lead plenty of fantasy teams to victory this week. We also saw guys under 10% ownership put up game-changing numbers, like SF RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (32.0) and CLE TE Harrison Bryant (21.6).
There are some big injuries around the league this week that you have to keep your eye on. Chris Carson is week-to-week with a foot sprain, Kenyan Drake is out “a few weeks” with a ligament tear in his ankle, and Odell Beckham Jr. suffered a season-ending ACL tear, to name a few.
Nearing the midpoint of the season, you have to make every game count in fantasy! Here are my favorite plays in my Start ‘Em (Screw a Sit ‘Em…I never wanna project failure unless I hate you) for week 8, where I pretend to know what I’m talking about!
P.S. I’m not going to post stupid obvious plays like Mahomes vs. the Jets and pretend I’m some genius when he goes off; I hate fantasy losers who do that.
Quarterbacks:
Justin Herbert, LAC – It’s time to buy into this kid if you haven’t already, folks. In just five games this year, Herbert has more fantasy points than quarterbacks like Brees, Stafford, and Mayfield and less than a point behind Lamar Jackson in one less game. The kid can flat out ball. He’s the first QB in the modern era with 1,500 yards and over 100 QB rating in their first five starts. In a groove and going up against a Denver defense this week that has allowed an average of 20 ppg to opposing QBs, I love Herbert to do some damage on the ground and with his arm.
Carson Wentz, PHI – After an awful start to the season, Carson Wentz has really picked it up in terms of fantasy production. Wentz is averaging 23.5 ppg since Week three and has carried the ball 32 times in that span as well. Developing a nice rapport with WRs Travis Fulgham and Greg Ward has opened up the field without Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey. Rookie Jalen Reagor may return as well as Lane Johnson, Wentz’s best pass protector, which bodes well for this pick. No Miles Sanders, an embarrassingly bad Dallas defense and recency bias, make me love Wentz this weekend.
Wide Receiver:
Keenan Allen, LAC – STACK! (I know this isn’t a DFS article, but Herbert/Allen is just *chef’s kiss*). I love Keenan Allen. A guy who is rarely mentioned when discussing top receivers in the league but deserves to be. This year has been a little inconsistent for Allen, but outside of the Saints game, he has had AT LEAST 10 targets a game and 14.2 points with Herbert throwing him the ball.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers – A bit of a risky play here, but I think Aiyuk’s ceiling this week is higher than Tommy Chong. Things aren’t looking good for Deebo Samuel of Jeff Wilson Jr. to go this week, which presents an opportunity for Aiyuk to fill in the gaps on offense. Having multiple games this year with 30 rushing yards and a TD as a receiver playing running back. Coming off a game he had six catches for 115 yards, and going against a Seattle defense that has allowed A LOT of points to opposing receivers, Aiyuk is a sneaky play this week.
Running Backs:
Jamal Williams, GB – Disclaimer: only play this if Aaron Jones is out this week. Packers HC Matt LaFleur said yesterday Jones is day-to-day, and it seems like their being extra cautious with their star RB. In steps Jamal William against the Viking’s garbage defense. Williams has had some solid production as an RB2 behind Jones this year, but last week as the lead back had 23 touches for 114 yards and a score. Coming off 21.4 points against a bad Houston defense, I expect Williams to do similar numbers against another bad defense IF Jones is out or even limited this weekend.
Myles Gaskin, MIA – Gaskin has been a nice little surprise this year in both fantasy and in real life for the Dolphins. At least 13 touches a game, and over 20 the last two weeks, I expect that number to increase with the news of rookie QB, Tua Tagovailoa, making his first start this week. Gaskin is the lead back, and well as a safety blanket receiver out of the backfield, a young QB can lean on. The Ram’s run defense is pretty stout (seventh in the league), but I think this is an opportunity for Gaskins to deliver RB1 level fantasy production.
Kareem Hunt, CLE – I know, seems pretty obvious to say start Hunt…but I REALLY like Hunt this week against Las Vegas. Since Nick Chubb got hurt, Hunt has been a bonafide RB1 with at least 20 touches in two of his last three games. This matchup against the Raiders should have owners salivating to start Hunt. Las Vegas gives up an average of 119.8 rushing yards a game BUT allows 153 rushing yards in away games…and they are traveling to Cleveland this weekend where it’s going to be cold and very windy. A no-brainer start here; Hunt has the potential to put up monster numbers.
Tight Ends:
Mike Gesicki, MIA – Outside of a monster game against Buffalo week two (8/130/1) and a good outing in Week five against SF (5/91), Gesicki has had a quiet fantasy year. But those flashes he’s had weren’t flukes. Gesicki is a great route running TE with good athleticism that could benefit from the switch at QB. With Tua Tagovailoa taking over under center, there should be more consistency in the offense…and is there a better safety blanket than a good tight end? The Rams have allowed 9.8 ppg to TEs so far this year, and I think Gesicki can have a big week.
Noah Fant, DEN – Fant is coming off a week where he was third on the Broncos in routes run and saw seven targets from Drew Lock. This was only the second game this season. He’s had a full game of Lock throwing to him, and in those two games, Fant averaged 12.95 fantasy points. They’re against the Chargers this weekend, who are near the bottom of the league in points allowed to tight ends (11.8). I like Fant to see a lot of playing time this weekend and continue to be an outlet for Drew Lock.
There she is, folks! Not your average, cookie-cutter fantasy preview where the author copies and pastes the big guys’ top 5 lists. I did some digging and found some (I hope) great options of players you might already be starting, have on your bench, or are still available as free agents in a lot of leagues! Good luck to all, and if I lose you your matchup, I’m sorry *shrug*.
(All fantasy points and averages are ESPN PPR numbers for referance)
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