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Week 8 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Preview

Top Fantasy WRs for Week 7

Let's dig into the reasons you should -- or shouldn't -- play these guys ...

Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Fantasy’s leading WR has scored in four of the past five games and delivered 17.5+ PPR points in each of those four contests. The Eagles come in allowing the eighth-most WR PPR points per game, despite the Browns and Giants adding paltry sums the past two weeks.

A.J. Brown, Eagles

Browns’ QB attempted just 14 passes last week, and the wideout still managed a 5-89-1 receiving line to finish sixth among WRs across fantasy formats. Cincinnati ranks just 22nd in DVOA vs. No. 1 WRs.

Tee Higgins, Bengals

In his five games back, Higgins has led Ja’Marr Chase by 8 targets and matched him in receptions. Higgins stands as fantasy’s No. 6 PPR receiver over that span. Now comes a Philly defense allowing the eighth-most points per game to the position.

DeVonta Smith, Eagles

There’s some downside risk to Smith, who has seen just 6 targets across two games since A.J. Brown returned. Even with a mere 39 pass attempts from Jalen Hurts, that’s a disappointing 15.4% share for Smith. There’s hope for more forced passing volume this week. The Bengals arrive as 2.5-point favorites, sporting a MUCH better offense than those of the Browns and Giants the past two weeks.

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

Zay Flowers, Ravens

Flowers picked up an ankle injury in Week 7, and the injury forced him out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday. We’ll see about his game status. But the Ravens probably won’t need to overwork their young WR against a slumping Browns squad.

Rashod Bateman, Ravens

We’ll give Bateman a boost if Zay Flowers (ankle) is out. Bateman’s excelled of late, notching exactly four catches in three straight outings. His 17% target share would set a career-high over a full season.

Jerry Jeudy, Browns

It’s a small sample, but Jeudy drew a team-high five targets from Jameis Winston once he took over late in Week 7. Winston, of course, will remain under center against Baltimore. Jeudy’s poor performance to date – including an issue with drops – makes him a volatile fantasy option.

Cedric Tillman, Browns

In theory, Tillman’s big frame and downfield ability makes for an interesting fit with Jameis Winston. The thing is: we simply haven’t seen it. Winston will make his first start of the season against Baltimore, and he’ll do so with a new play-caller in OC Ken Dorsey. The upshot: Baltimore hasn’t performed particularly well against the pass, allowing the fifth-highest yards per attempt.

Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions

St. Brown and Goff have been connecting well over the last few games, but St. Brown isn’t seeing the volume to be truly dominant with only one game over eight targets. The Bills were able to torch this Titans defense, so if the game script allows, it could be a big St. Brown game. Solid WR1. 

Calvin Ridley, Titans

No DeAndre Hopkins may help Ridley’s target share, but the Titans passing game has been so putrid, it may not matter. On top of that, Ridley is dealing with a foot injury. The good news is that the Lions are susceptable through the air, but Ridley is no more than a WR4 this week.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Stefon Diggs, Texans

Of course Diggs disappointed last week in a game in which QB C.J. Stroud threw for 86 scoreless yards. Diggs still drew seven targets in that one, though, giving him 14 targets on a 26% share over the last two games without WR Nico Collins. He remains a strong target bet in Sunday's game against the Colts' 18th-ranked WR defense. Diggs caught two TDs against Indianapolis back in Week 1.

Tank Dell, Texans

Dell goose-egged last week in a game in which QB C.J. Stroud threw for just 86 scoreless yards. We're expecting this Texans passing game to bounce back on Sunday, though, against a Colts defense that Stroud has dominated in three career meetings. Dell tallied a 7-72-1 line vs. Indianapolis last year. He went for just 40 yards in this year's opener against the Colts, but that came with WR Nico Collins, who will miss Sunday's rematch. Dell has drawn 24.5% of Texans targets with Collins out the past two weeks.

Michael Pittman, Colts

Pittman is averaging 6.3 targets, 3.5 catches, 38 yards, and 0 TDs in QB Anthony Richardson's four full games this season. That includes a 4-31-0 line vs. the Texans in Week 1. Houston heads into the rematch ranked 27th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs, but Pittman can't be considered more than a WR4.

Josh Downs, Colts

Downs has posted 3-22-0 and 1-3-0 receiving lines in two games with QB Anthony Richardson this season. He's totaled just eight targets on an 18% share in those two outings. Even against Houston's 27th-ranked WR defense, Downs is very tough to trust in fantasy lineups.

Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jayden Reed, Packers

Reed only caught two of his four targets last week and wasn’t used much. He is more boom or bust, but with a great match-up this week, expect the boom. He has two WR1 weeks with Jordan Love at QB, and it could happen again this week. Expect Reed to get open and be a WR1 this week.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars

Thomas has been a solid WR1 for the Jaguars going for 89 yards and a TD last week in London. His athletic upside means he is becoming the first read on many of Trevor Lawrence’s passes. The Packers pass defense is solid, but Thomas’ big play potential always gives him upside. He is a high-end WR2.

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Doubs has been the target hog for the Packers lately. He caught eight of 10 targets last week for 94 yards. He also has been the most targeted Packers WR in the red zone. With a great match-up against the jaguars, this is a spot where Doubs is a WR3.

Christian Kirk, Jaguars

Kirk only caught one pass for 24 yards last week but almost scored a TD. Evan Engram seems to siphon off targets from Kirk. Without the volume, he is only a WR4 this week.

Dontayvion Wicks, Packers

Wicks has been inconsistent from game to game while splitting time with Christian Watson. The lack of being on the field makes Wicks a risky bet, so he is more of a high-end WR5 this week.

Christian Watson, Packers

Watson is splitting time with Dontayvion Wicks making it less likely for either to make a big impact. Until playing time changes, Watson sticks as a high-end WR5 this week.

Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

We’re throwing out the last few games without Tua Tagovailoa. We saw Hill’s potential with Tua in 2022 and 2023 – plus a Week 1 win over Jacksonville (7-130-1). Keep expectations high against a talent-deficient Cardinals secondary.

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

Waddle’s fantasy outlook receives new life with the return of Tua Tagovailoa. Get him back into lineups against an Arizona pass defense that sits bottom-ten in fantasy points allowed to WRs. 

Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals

Harrison hasn’t yet delivered for fantasy managers. Some of it his connection with Kyler Murray; some his relatively high usage as a downfield threat, where he’s struggled to create separation. We’ll see if the staff makes an adjustment there. But given the recent struggles, the rookie should be adjusted down to WR2/3 range.

New York Jets at New England Patriots

Garrett Wilson, Jets

Wilson and Davante Adams ran even in routes. But Wilson led Adams in targeted passes (9-6) and more than doubled him in air-yards share. Wilson’s 45.8% ranked 13th among all WRs and TEs for the week. We probably won’t see the same leader among this duo in targets every week. And Adams might extend his average target depth with more time to get acclimated. But those edges are at least enough to put Wilson ahead of his teammate for Week 8. Both get a much better matchup with the Patriots than they had last week (Steelers).

Davante Adams, Jets

The good news for Adams last week: He got full playing time right away, running just one fewer pass route than Garrett Wilson. Adams’ 15.4% target share behind Wilson’s. But that’s likely to prove volatile. A much better matchup this week makes both strong plays. The Patriots rank just 26th and 22nd in DVOA against No. 1 and No. 2 WRs, respectively. Aaron Rodgers completed a season-high 77.1% of passes in the first meeting – before Adams arrived.

Demario Douglas, Patriots

Only four teams have allowed fewer PPR points per game to WRs so far than the Jets. Douglas stands out as the best bet among Pats WRs and managed a nice 7-69 receiving line on 9 targets in the first meeting. But there’s downside risk for the offense on whole. The Pats managed just 3 points in the Week 3 matchup.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Drake London, Falcons

London scored again last week and caught six of his eight targets. He had a huge game in their last match-up against the Buccaneers catching 12 passes for 154 yards and a TD. Don’t expect that again, but the Bucs have continued to struggle against X WRs. London is a top-10 option this week.

Darnell Mooney, Falcons

Mooney had his best game of the season against the Buccaneers catching nine of 16 targets for 105 yards and two TDs. It is unlikely he will repeat it, but Mooney continues to draw solid targets each week from Kirk Cousins. Solid WR3 option this week.

Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers

It’s difficult to know which Bucs WR will emerge but McMillan has been moved around the formation at times and could find more slot work than expected. It is tough to trust him, but he can be a WR4 with upside.

Trey Palmer, Buccaneers

Palmer is likely the X WR to replace Mike Evans this week, which could mean some deep shots along the sideline. It will be hard to rely on him, though, so Palmer is a WR5 at best.

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers

Chris Olave, Saints

Olave’s on track to return from a concussion after practicing on Wednesday. He’s knocked down a few pegs, however, given the performance we’ve seen from QB Spencer Rattler.  

Ladd McConkey, Chargers

McConkey has missed practice time with a hip injury, and we’ll have to track his progress leading up to game time. If active, the slot target will profile as a WR3 in a plus scoring matchup.

Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks

With no DK Metcalf this week, JSN becomes the de facto #1 WR for the Seahawks this week. He only caught three of six targets last week for 9 yards last week, so the floor is still fairly low. The gameplan should center around JSN, especially from the slot where the Bills pass defense is susceptible. JSN is a low end WR2.

Amari Cooper, Bills

Cooper didn’t play much, but he still caught a TD on his new team last week. Expect a full workload for Cooper this week with potential against the porous outside corners for the Seahawks where they are banged up. He has WR2 potential.

Tyler Lockett, Seahawks

With no DK Metcalf, Lockett has a higher ceiling this week. He has been a solid WR4 throughout the season, but playing on the outside against tougher Bills corners present a challenge. Lockett has WR3 potential this week.

Keon Coleman, Bills

Coleman had his best game of the season last week, but Amari Cooper could start eating into his playing time. He caught four of seven targets for 125 yards with a near TD as well. With less usage potentially, Coleman is just a low end WR4 however.

Jake Bobo, Seahawks

Bobo should get on the field in DK Metcalf’s role, but he will be outside against the Bills tougher CBs. He will need a TD to be worthwhile at all, so only trust Bobo as a WR5.

Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

After averaging 9.0 targets over the first four games of the season, Sutton has averaged just 3.7 over the last three. That includes a goose egg last week. He remains the best fantasy bet in Denver's WR corps, though. And he gets an excellent Week 8 matchup against the Panthers' 21st-ranked WR defense. The Broncos' 26-point implied total for this one is fourth highest on the week.

Troy Franklin, Broncos

Franklin has emerged as Denver's No. 2 WR and set season highs last week with 6 targets, 5 catches, and 50 yards. This Sunday brings a plus matchup against the Panthers' 21st-ranked WR defense. Franklin is an interesting cheap DFS play but remains an emergency-only option in season-long fantasy lineups.

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders

Xavier Worthy, Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes just missed Xavier Worthy for a deep TD in Week 7. The big game is likely to come soon, and the Raiders turn up an ideal opponent. They sit 32nd in PFF's pass coverage grades and have allowed the fourth most points per game. Kansas City’s implied team total is a solid 25.5 points.

DeAndre Hopkins, Chiefs

HC Andy Reid has already indicated that Hopkins will suit up. How much he plays is debatable – but he’s worth a deep-league dart throw in a plus matchup vs. Vegas.

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

Meyers practiced on Wednesday before being listed as a DNP on Thursday. This followed two straight absences with the same injury. If active, he’ll carry a WR3 outlook in a game that’ll likely produce a pass-tilted game script.

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders

DJ Moore, Bears

Moore had a mediocre game before the bye with only four catches for 20 yards. He has only had one WR1 game this season, but as Caleb Williams improves, Moore’s potential goes up. With a good match-up, he is a high-end WR2. 

Terry McLaurin, Commanders

Without Jayden Daniels, it is tough to rely on McLaurin. Last week he caught all six targets for 98 yards. He has been a WR2 or better in four of his five games this year. The Bears do struggle against outside WRs, but don’t expect a high-end McLaurin game. Due to likely having Mariota at QB, McLaurin is more of a high-end WR3 this week though.

Keenan Allen, Bears

Allen caught two TDs in the game before the bye and is ramping up to be a part of the offense. With most of his snaps from the slot, Allen still has PPR potential as Caleb Williams develops. He is a WR4 with upside this week.

Rome Odunze, Bears

Odunze has a ton of potential, but he is clearly behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. He appears to have a connection with Caleb Williams at times, but it is hard to rely on him. Odunze is a low-end WR4 this week. 

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

Lamb’s an every-week starter, even in tough matchups. But there’s reason to look away from him in DFS this week. Deommodore Lenoir has garnered the highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade among San Francisco CBs this year. He has allowed just a 66.7 passer rating and 62.5% completions. Lenoir plays primarily in the slot, as does Lamb.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers

Samuel got back on the practice field by Thursday and seems on track to play. We’ll obviously have to watch reports through the weekend, but expect an active Samuel to be much closer to his usual form. And Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL tear leaves more targets available against a non-scary Dallas defense.

Ricky Pearsall, 49ers

Pearsall would get a boost if Deebo Samuel or George Kittle suffers a setback. With both expected to play, though, it’s tough to like Pearsall as a fantasy starter outside of deep leagues (14+ teams) this week. He did run as the No. 3 in his debut, though, with Jauan Jennings out. And Pearsall wound up leading 49ers WRs in routes against the Chiefs. Any further injury issues in the San Francisco pass-catching corps could make him a lineup option. Pearsall makes for a good stash right now.

Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys

Tolbert retains target upside with WR Brandin Cooks still on IR. But no Cowboys look truly attractive against a 49ers defense ranked third in pass DVOA.

New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers

Malik Nabers, Giants

The Giants’ offense hit rock bottom against Philly, with pass protection proving to be a major issue. The result: only 41 yards for Nabers. His target share should stay high on Sunday, but the Steelers present a negative matchup.

George Pickens, Steelers

We expect high variance for Pickens alongside Russell Wilson. We saw the high-end of it in Week 7, as he came down with a couple of deep balls. This week, he draws a Giants pass D that’s first in sack rate and eighth in pressure rate, so downfield opportunities might be sparse.

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.