Week 8 WR Start, Sit Fantasy Strategy: Brandon Aiyuk Ready To Rip Seattle Secondary

As we get into the bye weeks, you might have some limited options. I tend to focus on lesser names that might not be on your radar as guys to slide right in. Injuries have also piled up now at the wide receiver position, so if a name in the sit section is the only option and have been producing, you can take your shot. However, I would advise you to look and see if any of the names in the start section this week are out there to be picked up. Check out our rankings, start sit tool, and fantasy football projections for this week to help make those tough decisions.

Start Em

Henry Ruggs III @ Cleveland Browns

Henry Ruggs had his breakout game against Kansas City in terms of fantasy points but other than that he has failed to produce a solid score. This week that can certainly change. The Browns secondary has been a real issue and especially on the deep ball. Ruggs blazing speed can get behind this defense quick and I like the upside enough to start him even though there is some risk. The matchup is solid with the Browns allowing the second-most PPR points to wide receivers this season.

Brandon Aiyuk @ Seattle Seahawks

With Deebo Samuel out, Kyle Shanahan will certainly have to get creative with touches and targets. Brandon Aiyuk is a similar player and I expect him to be heavily involved over the next few weeks. Aiyuk has already put together a couple of strong games but just posted a 6-115-0 line through the air against the Patriots. He has also gotten some work in the run game as well. Going up against the Seahawks secondary that has allowed a whopping 60.1 PPR points per game to wide receivers, this is a prime matchup for him to thrive in.

AJ Green Vs Tennessee Titans

I am going back to the well with AJ Green this week, as he faces the Titans, who are allowing 46.3 PPR points per game to wide receivers on the year and are in the bottom half in pass defense DVOA. Green has quietly started to put together strong fantasy performances and this is even without finding the end zone. Gree, Boyd, and Higgins all have upside and this offense has had enough volume through the air to support three fantasy wideouts. The defense also helps as they have to chase games.

Rashard Higgins Vs Las Vegas Raiders

With the OBJ injury, Rashard Higgins will come into a starting role. He had scored a touchdown in the prior two games on minimal targets but caught all six after OBJ left the game against Cincinnati. He finished with 110 yards. It is a good spot for him this week against the Raiders secondary that has struggled against the pass. They have allowed the 10th most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season.

Scotty Miller @ New York Giants

With Chris Godwin out this week and Antonio Brown still waiting to get back eligible to play, Scotty Miller will be worth a look as a WR3 or FLEX option this week. He will get a Giants defense that has allowed the 11th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Miller has had some productive games although Chicago and Green Bay were hardly involved. Otherwise, he has had 70+ yards in four games this season.

Sit Em

CeeDee Lamb @ Philadelphia Eagles

I don’t know how much we can trust this Cowboys offense moving forward. Andy Dalton has yet to practice and would need to get a practice in Friday to trend upwards for this week. That means a third-string quarterback would be under center behind an offensive line that is very banged up right now. This is also a decent Eagles secondary that will be able to match up well with the receivers. Michael Gallup has been pushed out of weekly consideration and Lamb is going to be a fringe guy for me moving forward.

DeVante Parker Vs Los Angeles Rams

Once again combining a lingering groin issue and a matchup against Jalen Ramsey, there isn’t much reason to start DeVante Parker this week. Now you add a quarterback change from a gunslinging Ryan Fitzpatrick to an inexperienced rookie, this isn’t a situation I want to have right now. Parker is a sit for me this week based on the matchup and an above-average chance he also doesn’t finish this game. He has bounced in and out of a few games already this season due to injury.

John Brown Vs New England Patriots

John Brown has fully practiced this week and is due back after battling some nagging injuries. I am not in love with him this week, however, and I want to see how he can bounce back first. While the Patriots defense certainly isn’t as good as they were, the secondary is still solid and the Bills offense has looked a little lackluster the last few weeks.

T.Y. Hilton @ Detroit Lions

While the Lions have allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, it hasn’t exactly been the number one guy to do it. Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, DJ Chark, and Emmanuel Sanders all had some down games against this group. DeAndre Hopkins and Julio Jones put up strong games, and of course, Hilton is nowhere near them. The Colts offense just isn’t one for Hilton to thrive in and there is also him taking a step back just due to his age.

Chase Claypool @ Baltimore Ravens

Chase Claypool relies on a few things to have big weeks, and that is injuries for one. While the injury report is a bit crowded this week the wide receivers are all expected to play which creates a big of a logjam. Claypool also needs that home run threat if he is going to be a fantasy stud in the weeks where everybody is healthy. Adding in the Ravens secondary limiting opposing wideouts to the 7th fewest fantasy points per game, I will be looking for other options.