With no byes and only a handful of new injuries, fantasy football owners have no shortage of viable options for their Week 8 lineups. Start 'em, sit 'em decisions will not be easy this week, and the more expert analysis, opinions, and projections you can find, the better it will make your lineup choices.
To prove we believe in the "more is better" approach to fantasy football research, we’re pleased to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning weekly projections and rankings. We'll also highlight players at each position who stand out in our rankings compared to theirs so you get multiple perspectives on a few of the biggest start-or-sit headaches. To see Draft Sharks' exclusive Week 8 3D floor-to-ceiling projections, become a Draft Sharks member today at the link below!
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Week 8 Fantasy Football Projections, Rankings from Draft Sharks
Week 8 fantasy QB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Derek Carr, Saints @ Colts (SN Ranking: 13 | DS Ranking: 19)
Carr has posted back-to-back 300-plus-yard games, and he seems to be finding a rhythm with Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Taysom Hill. The Saints' offense is as close to full strength as it's been all season now, so we think Carr can take advantage of a burnable Colts' pass defense. Draft Sharks is likely more worried about his banged-up shoulder and general lack of touchdowns, ranking him much lower.
SN's WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 fantasy RB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Dameon Pierce, Texans @ Panthers (SN PPR Ranking: 19 | DS Ranking: 28)
Pierce saw only one more carry than Devin Singletary in Houston's Week 6 game, and Draft Sharks is clearly worried that will continue after the Texans' bye. We're a little more confident in Pierce's ability to reclaim the unquestioned lead role. Even more than that, we think he can post RB2-caliber numbers while splitting carries against a Carolina defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Spotlight Player: Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Falcons (SN PPR Ranking: 32 | DS Ranking: 41)
Spears had a breakout Week 5 (69 total yards, TD) and a solid Week 6 (63 total yards), and it seems like he's on the verge of more. Derrick Henry will be the lead back as long as he's healthy, but Spears' role could increase with a new QB. Tennessee would be wise to run more high-percentage plays for one of its best playmakers, so we think Spears is a fairly safe flex in PPR leagues. Draft Sharks likely thinks the lack of overall offensive production will hurt everyone on Tennessee's roster, which is a fair take, too.
SN's WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 fantasy WR projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Marquise Brown, Cardinals vs. Ravens (SN PPR Ranking: 25 | DS Ranking: 36)
The targets are always there for Brown (18 over the past two games), which is why we still view him as a WR2/3. Draft Sharks is clearly more focused on the lack of production (83 yards over the past two games). The matchup is tough, so it's fair to expect Hollywood to have another "down game," especially when you consider that he's caught fewer than 50 percent of his targets in each of the past three games. We're banking on Brown and Josh Dobbs finding their rhythm again, possibly in garbage time.
Spotlight Player: Tyler Lockett, Seahawks vs. Browns (SN PPR Ranking: 43 | DS Ranking: 34)
Lockett has had two decent games all year, and a matchup against the NFL's top defense doesn't excite us at all. If DK Metcalf (hip) is once again out, perhaps we'll move Lockett up in our rankings, but as it stands, we view him as much more of a flex than a WR3. Draft Sharks is clearly trusting the track record here.
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Week 8 fantasy TE projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Eagles (SN PPR Ranking: 10 | DS Ranking: 16)
Thomas got back on track after a one-catch Week 6, hauling in four-of-six targets for 51 yards in Week 7. Philadelphia has tightened up a bit against TEs since its early-season struggles, but this is still a favorable matchup for a key member of Washington's passing attack. The Commanders will likely be throwing often this game, so we think Thomas has a high PPR upside. Draft Sharks is a little learier of him, perhaps because they simply like other options (Dalton Kincaid, David Njoku, etc.) more.
Week 8 fantasy defense projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Detroit Lions vs. Raiders (SN Ranking: 2 | DS Ranking: 9)
Fantasy owners might be surprised to see the Lions as high as No. 2 or No. 9 after their struggles last week, but we expect a big bounce back at home on Monday night. Draft Sharks isn't quite as optimistic, likely because of Detroit's injuries in the secondary. We're going a bit off narrative for our ranking, which is always dangerous, but the Raiders have struggled regardless of who's under center, so we expect a bunch of sacks and timely turnovers to lead the Lions to a big fantasy night.
