Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 8 of the 2024 NFL Season

And just like that, we’re almost halfway through the fantasy season. Now’s the time that teams either fall to the wayside or dig in and dig deep down the stretch. If you’re reading this, you’re probably the latter. Here’s the fallout going into Week 8….

 

 Broncos – 33 @ Saints – 10

• Courtland Sutton put up a goose egg in WK7, putting anyone who played him in a massive hole going into the weekend. This is probably an anomaly, but to say the Denver offense is predicated on the run is an understatement at this point – No player went over 50 yards in receiving on Thursday night. Sutton’s in a prime bounceback spot this week against Carolina, and if he goes off it might be time to sell, as 0 burgers are unacceptable from a no.1 WR, especially when their comparative upsides aren’t particularly high. 

 

• Rookie Troy Franklin(5/50) led the Broncos in receiving on Thursday, a fine encore to his WK6 game when he scored his first TD. The passing game isn’t vital in Denver, but Franklin is worth a look in keeper and dynasty formats. 

 

• Audric Estime(5/29) didn’t do himself any favors by fumbling the ball in limited playing time, but he did log one more carry than Jaleel McLaughlin(4/35) on 8 fewer snaps. It’s all for naught right now, as Javonte Williams(17/111/2) reasserted himself as the alpha with a stellar performance.

 

• Cedric Wilson(6/57/1) led the Saints in receiving, but he logged fewer snaps than both Bub Means(3/39) and Mason Tipton(6/45) in the game. Both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed were out with injury, so this all can be taken with a grain of salt, but Means and Tipton would be better bets than Wilson if the 2 starters can’t suit up again this week. 

 

• Kendre Miller(8/37) looked solid in his first action this season, picking up some good chunks during garbage time. Miller can’t seem to stay healthy for any length of time, but he could start eating into Alvin Kamara’s touches as the season wears on. 

 

Patriots – 16 @ Jaguars – 32

• The Pats running game took a backseat to the pass on Sunday, as New England trailed throughout. JaMycal Hasty(7/47/1) was heavily involved as a pass-catcher, as Antonio Gibson was in and out of the game with a lower body injury. Rhamondre Stevenson was dealing with an injury as well, so it’s unlikely Hasty’s role grows as Stevenson and Gibson get back to speed. 

 

• Hunter Henry(8/92) is thriving as a safety blanket for rookie QB Drake Maye, catching a TD or going over 90 yards in his last 2 games. His schedule is brutal the next few weeks, but Henry is going to get enough targets to be a high end streaming option throughout. 

 

• Tank Bigsby(26/118/2) has put together 2 hundred yard games in 3 weeks, while Travis Etienne deals with a hamstring injury. Don’t be surprised if the Jags take things slowly with Etienne, as Bigsby is handling the load well. He’s still available in 34% of leagues. 

 

• D’Ernest Johnson(12/70) was serviceable in PPR formats, handling double-digit touches in WK7. If Etienne sits again this week, Johnson makes for a deep league flex against Chicago this week. 

 

Eagles – 28 @ Giants – 3

• Kenneth Gainwell(14/67) had significant touches on Sunday, but this was due to the lopsided nature of the game. He isn’t an option against Cincy this week. 

 

• Devonta Smith(1/-2) was the victim of a runaway game. Unlike Courtland Sutton, Smith possesses considerable upside in this offense and will be a strong play this week. 

 

• There’s nothing much to take away on the Giants end of things, as the offense was generally putrid in this blowout. Tyrone Tracy(9/32) did continue to see significant touches, even with Devin Singeltary(6/21) active, so he’s likely in for similar touches this week, albeit against a formidable Steelers front. 

 

Dolphins – 10 @ Colts – 16

• Jonnu Smith(7/96/1) led all Dolphins in receiving, but the Dolphins offense will see an about face this week, when Tua Tagovailoa returns. Smith will still be a streaming option, though an inconsistent one. 

 

• Tyler Goodson(14/51/1) out performed Trey Sermon(9/49) on Sunday, with Jonathan Taylor still rehabbing from injury. If Taylor sits again this week, Goodson makes for a reasonable flex against Houston. He’s available in 86% of leagues. 

 

• Anthony Richardson was usable for fantasy in his first game back since WK4, but he did get more designed runs(14/56), so that’s a silver lining. His new found rushing prowess makes him a shaky but potentially viable QB play against Houston this week. 

 

Lions – 31 @ Vikings – 29

• Kalif Raymond(3/39/1) had his 2nd straight productive game on Sunday, but with the Lions facing the Titans this week, now is not the time to take a chance on him in fantasy.

 

• Jameson Williams(1/-4) is the definition of boom or bust, as he’s gotten either double-digit fantasy points or less than 1.0 fantasy point in every game this season. He’s a scary option against the Titans stout secondary this week. 

 

• Jalen Nailor(4/76) reared his head on Sunday, posting his best game since WK3. The Vikings have a good offense, so Nailor will have his days, but he’s nothing more than a deep league flex option. 

 

Texans – 22 @ Packers – 24 

• CJ Stroud had only 21 attempts on Sunday, completing only 10, as the Texans aimed to keep Green Bay’s offense off the field by rushing the ball 33 times – In all honesty the passing game was off all day anyway. They’ll look to even things out this week against the Colts. 

 

• Christian Watson(1/9) took a backseat to Romeo Doubs(8/94) and Dontayvion Wicks(3/48/1) in this one. With 4 capable WRs on the roster, Green Bay can pick and choose who to go to on any given day based on coverage or anything else for that matter. They’re all in play for a WK8 tilt with the Jags and their burnable secondary. 

 

Bengals – 21 @ Browns – 14

• Zack Moss(9/40) took a backseat to Chase Brown(17/55), after seemingly losing the starting job the previous week, when he lost a fumble in the 3rd quarter. For now, Brown is the preferred play, though things could switch again if Brown is loose with the ball. 

 

• Deshaun Watson tore his achilles on Sunday, ending his disappointing season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was his direct backup, but he too injured his finger after throwing 2 picks. Jameis Winston then entered the game and led the Browns to a score. Whether DTR can go or not, Winston needs to be the starter this week for everyone’s benefit. Whether that happens is still in the air.  DTR would be untenable for Browns skill players. 

 

• Jerry Jeudy(1/18) floundered in the spotlight, while Cedric Tillman(8/81) flourished. Jeudy could shake the blues off, but Tillman needs to be added in most formats, as the potential defacto no.1 WR in Cleveland. 

 

• Nick Chubb(12/32/1) salvaged his first game back from an ACL tear by finding the endzone. The Browns are going to have no option but to use him liberally, as the passing game is in question moving forward. Jerome Ford stands to continue to see significant touches as well, when he’s healthy, as the offense will lean heavily on the run. 

 

Titans – 10 @ Bills – 34

• Chig Okonkwo(4/50) led the Titans in receiving, though it wasn’t to great effect. Mason Rudolph(25/215/1/1) was largely ineffective after leading the Titans to 2 scores early, but he’ll probably start again this week. The matchup against the Lions is much better for him, but behind Calvin Ridley(3/32), who saw a team leading 9 targets, it will be hard to predict which pass-catchers will be usable any given week. 

 

• Keon Coleman(4/125) led the Bills in receiving, perhaps getting a boost from Amari Cooper(4/66/1) being on the field as well. The Titans were without their 2 best corners, so we have to take this with a grain of salt, but Coleman could be in for more action as the opposite side of the field to Cooper. 

 

• Ray Davis(6/47/1) outperformed James Cook(12/32/1) on Sunday, though Cook topped him in snaps and carries. It was a blowout, so we have to take that into consideration, but Davis is in line to see increased touches against Seattle’s weak run defense this week. 

 

Seahawks – 34 @ Falcons – 14

• Zach Charbonnet(9/14) saw close to double-digit touches, but this was likely due to Ken Walker(16/93/2) getting an illness designation on Saturday. Walker was no worse for wear and will lead the backfield in WK8. 

 

• Noah Fant(4/65) had his 2nd straight 60+ yard game in a row and could see more looks this week if DK Metcalf is hobbled by the knee injury he sustained.

 

• Tyler Lockett(4/45) needs to be added in most formats this week, as Metcalf could sit this week. He’s only owned in 57% of leagues. 

 

Panthers – 7 @ Commanders – 40

• Ja’Tayvion Sanders(6/61) led all Panthers pass-catchers in receiving on Sunday. He’s averaging almost 6 targets over the last 3 weeks and should continue to be a streaming option as long as Tommy Tremble sits.

 

• Andy Dalton’s play has been uneven at best, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Panthers switch back to Bryce Young soon. Either way, the outlook for the Panthers WR corps is bleak. Diontae Johnson(1/17) is the only one you can consider in fantasy right now.

 

• Jayden Daniels(ribs) got knocked out of Sunday’s contest, leaving Marcus Mariota to helm the offense in relief. Mariota served up an impressive 18/205/2 line, so if Daniels does miss some time(he has avoided a serious injury), the Washington offense should at least continue to be serviceable. 

 

Raiders – 15 @ Rams – 20

• Aidan O’Connell is expected to be put on IR with a thumb injury sustained in WK7. Gardner Minshew(15/154/0/3) will go back under center for the Raiders, minus Davante Adams this time, so I don’t have high hopes for anyone in this passing offense, save Brock Bowers(10/93).

 

• Alexander Mattison(26/123) was a bright spot for the Raiders offense, seemingly having taken the starting spot from Zamir White. It could also be the case that White is being eased back after a groin injury. In any case, Mattison needs to be owned in most formats, as he and Bowers might have to carry the team this week. 

 

• Tre Tucker(3/32) did see an uptick in targets(8) on Sunday, though it didn’t amount to much. Tucker is probably worth owning in deeper formats, as there’s a possibility he helps fill the Adams vacuum. 

 

• Jordan Whittington didn’t get a single target on Sunday, only playing 16% of snaps coming off a shoulder injury. Coach McVay said he’d see an increase in snaps this week, but with Cooper Kupp returning, and the WK7 goose egg, Whittington is a shaky play at best on Thursday. Kupp will see limited snaps as well, so Tyler Johnson(4/57) and Tutu Atwell(6/51) are in play. 

 

Chiefs  – 28 @ 49ers – 18

• Kareem Hunt(24/82/2) carried the Chiefs on his back Sunday, scoring 2 of their 3 TDs on the day. (3/55/1) scored an errant TD, but we know the limited extent of his fantasy value by now. 

 

• Noah Gray(4/66) is seeing consistent usage over the past 3 games, though his upside is limited. He’s a streaming option in plus matchups but not this week versus Las Vegas, who actually cover TEs well. 

 

• The 49ers lost both Brandon Aiyuk(2/23) and Deebo Samuel on Sunday, though Samuel’s absence was due to illness, not injury. Aiyuk might have suffered a torn ACL, so Ricky Pearsall(3/21), Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing(2/50) should all be added to rosters ahead of WK8’s contest with Dallas. 

 

Jets – 15 @ Steelers – 37

• Aaron Rodgers(24/276/1/2) got everything he wanted, yet still struggles to take his team to victory. He and Davante Adams(3/30) clearly weren’t on the same page on Sunday night, but they’ll do better against worse defenses. Unfortunately, the Pats defense isn’t half bad when it comes to covering QBs. It is encouraging that both Garrett Wilson(5/61) and Adams had 9 targets, in addition to several other players getting close to a handful or more, so there’s room for several players to thrive on a weekly basis.

 

• Braelon Allen(3/6) has devolved into purely backup material over the last few weeks, after starting the season strong. He’s still worth owning as perhaps the most high value handcuff in the league right now, but Allen is nothing more than that currently.

 

• It’s only been one game, but Russell Wilson(16/264/2) has actually been an improvement on Justin Fields, when it comes to Pittsburgh’s skill players. He’s got a plus matchup with the Jets this week, so he’s a streaming option in all formats. 

 

• Jaylen Warren(14/59) got enough touches to warrant fantasy consideration in PPR formats. He rarely sniffs the end zone though, so his upside is limited.