Fantasy Football WR Rankings Week 8: Who to start, best sleepers at wide receiver

Nick Musial

Fantasy Football WR Rankings Week 8: Who to start, best sleepers at wide receiver image

We're past the halfway mark of the fantasy football regular season, which means time is running down to solidify a spot in the fantasy playoffs. Our Week 8 fantasy WR rankings for standard leagues can help give you a leg up on your competition and further solidify your position for the stretch run.

The start 'em, sit 'em options are overflowing with the lack of byes and relative lack of injuries, but that often makes lineup decisions even more difficult, especially at a deep position like wide receiver. 

With that in mind, let's get it and break down our Week 8 rankings.

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Which WRs are on bye in Week 8?

With a full 16-game slate on the docket in Week 8, no teams on bye means the WR pool returns to its normal depth. 

WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

A few worthwhile pass-catchers might have been dropped last week as teams were scrambling for live bodies, so make sure to check your waiver wire for potential WR pickups who have no business being available in your league.

WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy WRs in Week 8?

Atop our Week 8 WR rankings for standard leagues sits Tyreek Hill (vs. Patriots in Week 8), as Miami's WR1 owns the top spot despite going up against a sound Patriots secondary. Hill's proven that he's matchup-proof, as another 100-plus yard receiving day is close to a shoo-in for the receiving leader. 

Although the Bills offense hasn't functioned at the level they're capable of, Stefon Diggs (vs. Buccaneers) hasn't skipped a beat, continuing to ball out weekly. A.J Brown (@ Commanders) could easily finish as the overall WR1 in Week 8, drawing a Commanders defense that entered Week 7 allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to WRs. Cooper Kupp (@ Cowboys) might not have the best matchup on paper, but few defensive backs can keep him in check over 60 minutes.

Davante Adams (@ Lions) hasn't produced like a WR1 the past couple of weeks, but it's only a matter of time until he posts an Adams-like showing. Hopefully, the potential return of Jimmy Garoppolo (back) helps him return to the form we know he's capable of. 

Ja'Marr Chase (@ 49ers) isn't in the most favorable spot facing a sound 49ers' coverage unit, but he's still in line for a high-target day. Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs. Raiders) always has a higher ceiling in PPR formats but is still a reliable play in standard scoring formats. He should feast against a weak Raiders coverage unit.

WEEK 8 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the best fantasy WR sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 8?

Although streamers aren't in the same demand as they typically are, if you're looking to scoop up a sleeper for Week 8, look towards Jalin Hyatt (vs. Jets), Jauan Jennings (vs. Bengals), Josh Downs (vs. Saints), and Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas (@ Dolphins). 

Hyatt's big-play ability makes him a viable high-upside sleeper in standard formats. He saw five targets in New York's Week 7 win over Washington, as the rookie's role continues to grow. With fellow wideout Deebo Samuel (shoulder) on the shelf, Jennings' snap share is on the up-and-up.  Downs' was the beneficiary of a rather fluky TD reception in Week 7, but he still led all Colts' WRs in targets (6). 

In what's likely a negative game script forcing Mac Jones to pass at a high clip, there's a chance Bourne and Douglas replicate their Week 7 fantasy days.

WEEK 8 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential WR busts in Week 8?

While we didn't expect Gardner Minshew to torch the Browns' defense in Week 7, Cleveland still boasts arguably the best coverage unit in the league; therefore, we'd refrain from starting Jaxon Smith-Njigba and potentially even Tyler Lockett (vs. Browns) in shallow leagues.

Additionally, we're worried about the Giants WR corps in a brutal matchup against an elite Jets' secondary, so proceed with caution if you want to start Wan'Dale Robinson or Darius Slayton. We did mention Jalin Hyatt as one of our preferred waiver wire adds, mainly because he's a big-play receiver as opposed to a possession receiver like Robinson and Slayton.

Nobody's going to bench either Copper Kupp or Puka Nacua despite going against a Dallas defense that's allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to WRs, but keep in mind there's a chance they underperform relative to their fantasy projection. Don't chase points starting Tutu Atwell after he hauled a 31-yard TD catch, either. 

Other potential Week 8 underperformers include Tee Higgins (@ 49ers), Marquise Brown and Michael Wilson (vs. Ravens), Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton (vs. Chiefs), and Curtis Samuel (vs. Eagles).

What are the biggest WR injuries in Week 8?

Thankfully, while we never want to see anyone get hurt, only two wideouts got injured during Week 7, as Christian Watson (knee) exited the later stages of Green Bay's 19-17 loss with an apparent knee injury and Jaylen Waddle (back) was in and out of Sunday night's game.

However, we didn't see DK Metcalf (shoulder), Deebo Samuel (shoulder), Zay Jones (knee), and JuJu Smith-Schuster (head) suit up in Week 7 due to nagging ailments. 

We don't expect Samuel to play in Week 8, but we expect Metcalf, Jones, and Smith-Schuster to return to game action. We also hope Tank Dell (head) returns from a concussion, as he garners some flex appeal in deeper leagues.

As usual, we'll update these standard WR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy WR Rankings Week 8: Who to start, sit at wide receiver

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Rank    Player
1    Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Patriots
2    Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Buccaneers
3    A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Commanders
4    Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Cowboys
5    Davante Adams, Raiders @ Lions
6    Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals @ 49ers
7    Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions vs. Raiders
8    Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Bears
9    Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Bengals
10    Adam Thielen, Panthers vs. Texans
11    DJ Moore, Bears @ Chargers
12    Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ Bills
13    CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. Rams
14    Chris Olave, Saints @ Colts
15    Garrett Wilson, Jets @ Giants
16    Puka Nacua, Rams @ Cowboys
17    Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Patriots
18    George Pickens, Steelers vs. Jaguars
19    Jakobi Meyers, Raiders @ Lions
20    DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Browns
21    Zay Flowers, Ravens @ Cardinals
22    Christian Watson, Packers vs. Vikings
23    Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Eagles
24    DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Commanders
25    Jordan Addison, Vikings @ Packers
26    Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Saints
27    Nico Collins, Texans @ Panthers
28    Marquise Brown, Cardinals vs. Ravens
29    Christian Kirk, Jaguars @ Steelers
30    Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Vikings
31    Amari Cooper, Browns @ Seahawks
32    DeAndre Hopkins, Titans vs. Falcons
33    Drake London, Falcons @ Titans
34    Tee Higgins, Bengals @ 49ers
35    Calvin Ridley, Jaguars @ Steelers
36    Joshua Palmer, Chargers vs. Bears
37    Gabe Davis, Bills vs. Buccaneers
38    Kendrick Bourne, Patriots @ Dolphins
39    Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Chiefs
40    Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ Bills
41    Josh Downs, Colts vs. Saints
42    Michael Thomas, Saints @ Colts
43    K.J. Osborn, Vikings @ Packers
44    Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs. Jaguars
45    Tyler Lockett, Seahawks vs. Browns
46    Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. Chiefs
47    Rashee Rice, Chiefs @ Broncos
48    Rashid Shaheed, Saints @ Colts
49    Michael Wilson, Cardinals vs. Ravens
50    Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants vs. Jets
51    Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. Eagles
52    Jayden Reed, Packers vs. Vikings
53    Tank Dell, Texans @ Panthers
54    Jameson Williams, Lions vs. Raiders
55    Jahan Dotson, Commanders vs. Eagles
56    Kadarius Toney, Chiefs @ Broncos
57    DeVante Parker, Patriots @ Dolphins
58    Elijah Moore, Browns @ Seahawks
59    Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks vs. Browns
60    Darnell Mooney, Bears @ Chargers
61    Brandin Cooks, Cowboys vs. Rams
62    Treylon Burks, Titans vs. Falcons
63    Jalin Hyatt, Giants vs. Jets
64    Tyler Boyd, Bengals @ 49ers
65    Jauan Jennings, 49ers vs. Bengals
66    Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens @ Cardinals
67    DJ Chark, Panthers vs. Texans
68    Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs @ Broncos
69    Josh Reynolds, Lions vs. Raiders
70    Cedrick Wilson, Dolphins vs. Patriots
71    Michael Gallup, Cowboys vs. Rams
72    Alec Pierce, Colts vs. Saints
73    Darius Slayton, Giants vs. Jets
74    Nelson Agholor, Ravens @ Cardinals
75    Demario Douglas, Patriots @ Dolphins
76    Jonathan Mingo, Panthers vs. Texans
77    Allen Lazard, Jets @ Giants
78    Rondale Moore, Cardinals vs. Ravens
79    Tutu Atwell, Rams @ Cowboys
80    JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots @ Raiders
81    Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos vs. Chiefs
82    Skyy Moore, Chiefs @ Broncos
83    Quentin Johnston, Chargers vs. Bears

Week 8 WR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 8 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for wide receivers -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

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Nick Musial

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Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.