Fantasy Football Redraft

Print

Week 8 Wide Receiver Preview: Zay Flowers Gets Back to WR1 Output

Top Fantasy WRs for Week 8

Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 8 WR Rankings.

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase has racked up an absurd 35 targets from QB Joe Flacco over the last two weeks, catching 26 for 255 yards and two TDs. Expect another busy and productive outing in Week 8 against a Jets defense that'll likely be without top CB Sauce Gardner.

2. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

You’re starting Lamb no matter what, especially after he returned from a high-ankle sprain to post 5-110-1 last Sunday. But Week 8 turns up perhaps his toughest test all season, as we expect a fair amount of shadow coverage from CB Patrick Surtain.

3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

(Played Thursday Night)

4. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Patient fantasy managers who held onto Rashee Rice for six weeks were immediately rewarded with a 2-TD game in Week 7. Rice debuted with a team-leading 10 targets and 7 grabs. This week, he's a high-end WR1 facing a Chicago defense that allows 34.3 PPR points per game to enemy WRs--ninth-most in the league. 

5. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Egbuka played despite his hamstring injury and should be in again without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He had a 24% target share but only went 4-58-0. The Bucs passing game should bounce back against a Saints defense that is giving up 9.6 yards per target to the WR1s on the other team, 30th in the league. Start Egbuka with confidence.

6. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

The 49ers did well to contain London in Week 7 (4 catches for 42 yards on a 40% catch rate). The matchup improves significantly against Miami, though. The Fins slot 30th in PFF’s coverage grades and remain without anything close to a shutdown CB. 

7. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

We’ll see whether Brown’s season-best fantasy performance at Minnesota marked a breakthrough moment or a positive outlier amid a frustrating season. But that combines with the solid 6-80 receiving line on nine targets he posted against the Giants the game before to make Brown a fairly easy start this week. Of course, the hamstring injury that kept him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday could complicate things. So watch for fantasy news updates into the weekend.

8. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

This is a strong rebound spot for Zay Flowers and the Ravens. Flowers ranks inside the top 10 in route rate (94%) and target share (30%) and gets a premier matchup against a Chicago defense that allows the ninth-most PPR points to opposing WRs. The Ravens are also projected to score the third-most points this week. Flowers is a firm must-start this week and has top-10 upside. 

9. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Entering Friday, top CB Trevon Diggs remains in the concussion protocol. Even if he returns, Sutton will remain a WR1 candidate in a potential shootout with Dallas. No team has allowed more receiving scores to WRs than the Cowboys.

10. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

We’re willing to overlook Waddle’s 15-yard Week 7. The matchup (at Cleveland) and windy, rainy conditions always brought downside potential. A matchup at Atlanta isn’t ideal, as the Falcons have improved under new DC Jeff Ulbrich. Still, Waddle’s high-volume role puts him squarely in the WR1/2 mix.

11. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Smith’s quietly efficient season got a lot louder with last week’s 9-183-1 receiving line on a team-high 11 targets. That came against a Minnesota defense that had ranked among the league’s tougher WR matchups. The Giants carry no such warning signals, ranking ninth-friendliest to WR scoring by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

12. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

Baltimore has allowed the most points in the league, and the majority of that production has come through the air. The Ravens allow the fifth-most fantasy points to WRs.  Odunze's 5 TD grabs are tied for fourth among all WRs, and the Ravens have allowed 10 TDs to WRs, second-most in the league. That puts Odunze firmly in WR1 territory in a game that features a fantasy-friendly total over 50 points. 

13. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

(Played Thursday Night)

14. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

Olave had a massive 5-98-2 game last week. He now has 98 yards receiving in each of the last two games. Olave gets open easily on film, but only is held back by Spencer Rattler missing passes. The Buccaneers have struggled against opposing WR1s, giving up at least 52 yards receiving to every top WR on the opposite team. Start Olave with confidence.

15. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

(Played Thursday Night)

16. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

In QB Joe Flacco's two starts, Higgins has totaled 18 targets (19.6% share), 11 catches, 158 yards, and a score. He's a comfortable fantasy starter once again and gets a matchup boost against the Jets this week. New York sits 31st in our Pass Defense Power Rankings and will likely be without top CB Sauce Gardner this week. That last note might actually hurt Higgins since Gardner would have spent most of the game on WR Ja'Marr Chase. But there should be enough passing production to go around in this one for Higgins to come away with a nice fantasy outing.

17. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots

Diggs has topped double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four outings. He ranks 14th with 456 receiving yards but has yet to score a TD. This week's matchup against the Browns isn't ideal, but Diggs' 30% target share (tied or 10th in the league) makes him a strong WR2 play in Week 8. 

18. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

Pickens tallied 4 catches for 82 yards in CeeDee Lamb’s Week 7 return. Pickens drew a solid 21% target share. His involvement should remain steady against Denver, especially if top CB Patrick Surtain spends most of the game shadowing Lamb.

19. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Metcalf went 3-50-0 against the Bengals, still living on big plays to pay off for good fantasy output. Due to the Steelers' rushing and TE usage, Metcalf only had 5 targets. His ceiling is lower due to the lack of targets, but he has had two WR2 or better weeks. The Packers have given up some big passes to big X WRs, so it could be a better spot than it seems for Metcalf with some daily upside in Showdowns. He likely has to be started with all the bye week WRs.  

20. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

(Played Thursday Night)

21. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

McMillan struggled last week with only three catches for 33 yards. With Andy Dalton in at QB this week, McMillan has intriguing upside if Dalton can look onto him. The Bills have struggled against WR1s, allowing the second-most fantasy points in the league to the top WR of the other team. It’s a good spot for McMillan to put up WR2 numbers and a potential TD.

22. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

Worthy took a back seat to Rashee Rice last week, but still led the Chiefs with a 75% route rate. He was held under 10 PPR points for the first time since he returned to the lineup in Week 4, but Worthy will continue to see 6-8 opportunities per game. That makes him a quality WR2/3 option with TD upside against a Chicago defense that allows the ninth-most PPR points to WRs. 

23. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers

(Played Thursday Night)

24. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Doubs has been consistent with at least WR3 numbers in four of the past five games. He currently is the lead Packers WR with at least 5 targets in each of the past three games. Doubs has been solid against man coverage, drawing more targets, and the Steelers are the most man heavy team in the league. Start him as a WR2. 

25. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders

After missing two games, the Commanders are expected to have Deebo Samuel back in the fold. Samuel has topped double-digit PPR points in four of his six games, including a 6/72/1 performance in Week 4 with Marcus Mariota under center. Kansas City's defense allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points to WRs, but Samuel's dual-threat role as Washington's No. 1 WR keeps him in WR2 range. 

26. Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants

Robinson has registered 5+ catches in three straight games and topped 80 receiving yards each of the past two weeks. The first of those two came in the previous meeting with the Eagles. Despite losing that one, Philly enters Round 2 as a fairly heavy home favorite. That increases the likelihood of Giants passing volume.

27. Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts

Pittman has finished as a top-24 PPR WR in five of seven weeks so far this season. There's nothing to worry about in Sunday's matchup against a Titans defense that will be without CB L'Jarius Sneed. The only limiting factor here could be Indianapolis' passing volume as huge 14.5-point favorites.

28. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

Shakir has a high floor averaging over 4 catches and 44 yards per game so far this season, but he likely won’t command the volume to make him a weekly PPR starter. The Panthers also are strong against slot WRs, allowing only 6.3 yards per target to those WRs. This makes Shakir a low ceiling option as a WR3. 

29. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

Coleman hasn’t reached the potential we saw in Week 1 with only one game above three catches since then. As an outside WR, the Panthers could be a tough match-up with them allowing the lowest catch rate on the outside in the league. Bench Coleman if possible. 

30. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

McLaurin has been out since Week 4 but has returned to practice. Verify that McLaurin is good-to-go, but once he is in Washington's lineup, he'll immediately be on the WR3/flex radar in a game that has the fourth-highest over/under (47.5) for Week 8. 

31. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers

Golden went 4-37-0, catching all of his targets. Golden has been on the field, but he hasn’t had more than 6 targets in a game yet. The hope is for a deep TD, but that hasn’t really come to fruition with the Packers’ offense leaning on the run. He could put up WR3 numbers again this week, but Golden can be benched if you have better options.

32. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Jennings continues to fight through multiple injuries. But he led the team last week in pass routes and trailed only Christian McCaffrey in targets. This week finds a difficult Houston matchup, which has proved second-toughest on WR scoring by our adjusted fantasy points allowed. But that’s at least one spot better than Atlanta (last week’s matchup). Jennings doesn’t make for an attractive play. But his offense and opportunity potential make him a decent WR3 for this six-team bye week.

33. Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints

Shaheed had 9 targets last week but only went 4-40-0. He still is reliant on a big play. His season-long 87-yard TD against the Giants being more than his receiving yardage in any other individual game. He is a potential flex play in hopes for that big play. 

34. Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers

Jauan Jennings beat Bourne by three routes and five targets last week. That doesn’t necessarily make Jennings the favored option the rest of the way, but it makes him the better bet this week. Bourne should at least maintain his role for another game, though, as Ricky Pearsall (knee) looks unready to return. The Houston matchup (31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs) keeps any Niners wideout from looking actually attractive this week.

35. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears

The Ravens bleed fantasy points to WRs. While Moore has fallen behind Rome Odunze in Chicago's target hierarchy, he's still a potent deep threat who averages 0.8 end-zone targets per game. He's a sneaky bet to score a TD against a Baltimore squad that has allowed 10 scores to opposing WRs so far this season, which is tied for second-most. 

36. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos

Franklin’s posted lines of 3-35, 3-19, and 3-19-1 over his past three. An inconsistent Bo Nix has limited the ceiling, but there’s reason to go back to the second-year pro against Dallas. First, Franklin still runs as Denver’s No. 2 WR, so he’s on the field at a fantasy-friendly rate. Plus, he draws a Dallas defense that’s second-worst in average separation allowed, per Next Gen Stats.

37. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons

Mooney remains on the injury report with a hamstring, but he’s fully expected to play against Miami. He returned from the injury in Week 7 to run 84% of the routes and see a 16% target share at San Francisco. (Mooney tallied 3-68-3.) The upgraded matchup vs. Miami puts him in the mix as a potential flex option.

38. Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Johnson had a solid outing last week, going 4-58-1. He has averaged 70% of snaps over the last two weeks. He should be heavily involved in the Buccaneers’ passing game with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out.. He should have a solid target share again and can be a useful flex if you have limited options.  

39. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

Downs is on track to return from his concussion for Sunday's game against the Titans. The Colts are sporting a huge 30.75-point implied total in that one, giving anyone on the field elevated TD potential. Tennessee has been tougher against slot receivers than outside receivers, though. And Downs is unlikely to see big volume in this one with the Colts favored by 14.5.

40. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Jeudy leads Cleveland with a 91% route rate and 21% target share, but that doesn't necessarily make him fantasy-relevant. Jeudy hasn't surpassed 50 receiving yards since Week 2 or scored double-digit fantasy points since the season-opener. The volume hasn't been there with Dillon Gabriel under center, and things aren't looking up in Week 8. Jeudy is due to see plenty of New England CB Christian Gonzalez in coverage this week. Consider Jeudy a low-end WR3/4, but don't expect him to break out of his slump. 

41. Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos

Mims remains a boom/bust option for fantasy managers. He's posted a pair of games with 65+ yards -- and five with 30 or fewer yards. He's also been stuck on one receiving TD since Week 2. One reason why? Mims has run third among Denver WRs in routes (53%). The Cowboys supply a perfect matchup, but the floor remains low here.

42. Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans

Why Higgins over teammate Jaylin Noel? Higgins has played 82 more snaps for the season and carries a market projection 6 yards ahead of Noel’s. Chalk that up to his longer-range game. But it’s really more of a toss-up between the rookie wideouts for a struggling Texans passing game. If you’re reaching into WR4 territory for an option, Higgins faces a San Francisco defense that ranks just 24th in pass DVOA, has some banged-up corners, and is still figuring out its best starting alignment at safety.

43. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

Pierce finished WR21 in PPR points last week. It was his first top-30 finish of the season -- and it came with no Josh Downs. Downs is on track to return from his concussion this week. And the Colts probably won't need to throw it much as 14.5-point favorites over the Titans. It all leaves Pierce as a TD-or-bust fantasy play.

44. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins

Miami will be without Darren Waller, who was placed on IR earlier in the week. His absence opens up some short-range targets for Washington, who’s coming off a career-high 8-target day in Cleveland. The second-year pro is in play as a deep league spot starter.

45. Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans

Ayomanor registered a season-high 97% route rate with Calvin Ridley out last week, but he mustered just two catches on five targets for 29 yards. Ridley will be out again this week, leaving Ayomanor as Tennessee's best target bet against the Colts' 30th-ranked WR defense. But he remains a shaky fantasy play on a Titans offense sitting 31st in passing yards and 32nd in passing TDs.

46. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots

Boutte has scored three TDs in his last two games. He also topped 50 yards in both contests, but those came against the Saints and Titans. He'll face a bigger challenge this week, facing a Cleveland defense that allows the 11th-fewest fantasy points to WRs. View Boutte as a WR4/flex option this week, but he'll have a hard time extending his TD streak. 

47. Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Shepard went 7-25-0 with a 64% snap rate. The injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will keep Shepard on the field. He takes a backseat to Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, but can be a streaming option if the bye weeks are particularly bad for you.

48. Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens

As Baltimore has struggled, Bateman is off to a quiet start. He's only had one game with more than 25 receiving yards or 5 PPR points. But with six teams on bye, and the Ravens projected to score 28 points, Bateman has some low-end flex appeal playing against a Bears' defense that allows 34.3 PPR points per game to WRs, ninth-most in the league.  

49. Jaylin Noel, Houston Texans

Noel has edged Jayden Higgins by one target despite less playing time this season. He certainly could out-target his fellow rookie this week, but Noel sits behind Higgins in these rankings primarily because his shorter-range work means he needs target volume more. If you do need to reach this low, you’re hoping for the home-favorite Texans to actually trail the 49ers and need to boost passing volume. That’s a realistic scenario, at least.

50 (tied). Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

Legette blew up last week going 9-92-1 on a 35.5% target share. With Sauce Gardner on Tetairoa McMillan, Legette was the open WR often. That may not happen against the Bills. Don’t expect similar numbers, but with the bye weeks, Legette could be a flex option in hopes for a TD.

50 (tied). Darius Slayton, New York Giants

Slayton missed the past two games with a hamstring injury that has continued to limit him in practice this week. That makes him a risky proposition, especially with a QB who has yet to complete more than three passes to him in a game.

52. Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

Despite the return of Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown caught 2 balls for 14 yards and a TD--his third TD in two weeks. Brown has been a consistent scorer all season and enters Week 8 as a top-25 PPR WR season-to-date. This week, the Chiefs are projected to score 29 points, second-most for this slate. And their matchup against Chicago, which ranks bottom 10 in allowing fantasy points to WRs, makes Brown a solid flex option. 

53. Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears

Zaccheaus is tied with D.J. Moore with a 17% target share, but he has yet to produce a double-digit fantasy performance or score a TD. Somehow, Zaccheaus is still dominating snaps as Chicago's WR3, so that puts him in play as a low-end WR4 who can deliver modest fantasy production as a bye-week replacement in a great matchup. 

54. Josh Reynolds, New York Jets

Reynolds was New York's clear top WR last week, registering a 93% route rate and 26.5% target share. It all resulted in a 3-29-0 receiving line in another pathetic performance from the Jets offense. But QB Tyrod Taylor -- assuming he gets the nod -- would be a passing upgrade over QB Justin Fields. And Reynolds gets a doable matchup this week vs. the Bengals' 16th-ranked WR defense. If you're desperate, he's in play as a spot starter.

55. Calvin Austin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Austin will return after missing multiple games with a shoulder injury. He has a TD in two of his four games played so far this season and likely is a TD dependent option against the Packers who are inconsistent against slot WRs. But, the Steelers will likely stay balanced and not throw enough to trust Austin. He should be benched until we assess his health.

56. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers

Coker did not record a catch in his first game back, playing only 37% of snaps in the game. He is still likely ramping up to full time usage from the slot, but don’t expect that to come yet. Bench Coker.

57. Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans

Dike tallied 70 yards and a score on four catches last week. But it came on just four targets. And he totaled 26 receiving yards in his previous six games. A secondary option on a bad Titans passing game, Dike still shouldn't be anywhere near your fantasy lineup.

58. Isaiah Bond, Cleveland Browns

Since moving into the starting lineup in Week 5, Bond has an 83% route rate and 12% target share. But he hasn't had much fantasy output, averaging 2 catches and 19 receiving yards with no TDs. Squaring off with a New England defense that allows the fifth-fewest points, Bond is little more than a desperation flex with minimal upside. 

59. Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals

58% of Joe Flacco’s throws have been directed at WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins vs. just 8.7% to Iosivas. Even in Sunday’s plus matchup against the Jets, Iosivas would be a desperation fantasy play.

60. Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears

Burden has played a consistent snap share all season, but is still firmly behind Olamide Zaccheaus. Despite the limited playing time, Burden's 27% targets per route run rate leads Chicago's receiving corps. And unlike Zaccheaus, Burden has found the end zone this season. View him as a WR4/flex option who has an excellent matchup against a Baltimore defense that has allowed the most points and third-most passing yards this season. 

Next Up

Don’t Trust the Box Score: The Cardinals Are Wasting a Superstar in the Making

Next Article  

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.