There are no teams on bye in Week 8, but fantasy managers still face unique challenges due to injuries at the wide receiver position. So, I am prioritizing and spotlighting receivers who may still be available in free agency after waivers cleared. Running back pickings are slim, so a trade may be the best route for plugging any holes.
Players are ranked according to recommendation (PPR scoring), and rostered percentages are from CBS Sports.
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Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (50% rostered): He may never live up to his 2021 first-round billing, but Bateman is finding a niche as a big-play artist in this Ravens offense, which is the best version of it we’ve seen in the Lamar Jackson era. If Bateman’s available, add him immediately for use this week. The 24-year-old is averaging a career-high 18.8 yards per reception, and Cleveland ranks 27th in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs.
Cedric Tillman, WR, CLE (17%): Tillman goes unnoticed in many leagues. However, savvy fantasy managers did note his eight receptions on 12 targets last week. Jameis Winston adds a spark to the Cleveland offense, and the Ravens rank 28th in receptions allowed to WRs (97).
Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF (41%): The rookie will have to take on a larger role in San Francisco’s offense due to injuries thinning the pass-catching group. Pearsall caught three passes for 21 yards in his NFL debut. Increased opportunity doesn’t always lead to optimal fantasy production, and the Niners’ first-year WR may need time to reach top form. But Dallas ranks 18th in fantasy points per game to WRs, and Pearsall might be targeted frequently in Week 8, as both teams need a victory and may push the offensive pace.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, GB (33%): Green Bay’s touchdown specialist gets a good fantasy football draw against Jacksonville. The Jaguars have allowed nine touchdown receptions to WRs in seven games — third-most in the NFL.
Sean Tucker, RB, TB (31%): Bucky Irving’s status is uncertain because of a toe injury. Also, let me remind you that Todd Bowles recently said he would ride the hot hand in the backfield. Rachaad White is unreliable, and the WR situation in Tampa Bay is dire with Chris Godwin on injured reserve and Mike Evans expected to miss multiple weeks. Tucker could have a quality outing against Atlanta.
Troy Franklin, WR, DEN (12%): Sean Payton has allowed rookies to assume sizable roles without hesitation this season. Franklin, a favorite teammate of Bo Nix at Oregon, has established NFL chemistry with Nix over the past two weeks. Franklin grabbed his first touchdown pass as a pro in Week 6 and caught five of six targets in Week 7. The Broncos play the Panthers this week. Some of the most astute fantasy players read The Athletic and don’t need any Carolina-related defensive numbers to convince them Franklin can be a deeper option for Week 8.
Sterling Shepard, WR, TB (15%): It seems so long ago that Shepard was relevant in fantasy football. Was he on the Super Bowl-winning Giants team that made history against New England? Nah, just kidding. But it was eight years ago that he caught eight touchdown passes as a rookie.
Shepard has not caught more than three passes in a game this season. But with all of Tampa Bay’s WR injuries, Shepard could put up enough PPR points this week to be added. The 31-year-old has not been high on the Tampa Bay depth chart, yet veterans like him are rostered for legitimate reasons. Shepard has shown the Buccaneers enough to keep him on the roster in case of emergency. Boy, is this ever an emergency.
Roschon Johnson, RB, CHI (41%): The Bears will romp over Washington if Jayden Daniels doesn’t play, and Johnson may continue to see some goal-line opportunities. Marcus Mariota looked good enough in relief of Daniels last week, but his outlook dims when a defense has a week to prepare for him. A shaky Commanders defense could be overworked as the Bears roll up the points with Daniels out.
Taysom Hill, TE, NO (35%): You know the drill here. Hill is an all-upside, no-floor fantasy option. But this year, most tight ends don’t have much of a floor anyway. The Saints need an infusion of playmaking, and Hill may provide it, even against a sturdy Chargers defense.
Jonnu Smith, TE, MIA (15%): Keep an eye on the status of Tyreek Hill, who missed practice on Friday with a foot injury. If he’s out, Smith could see his offensive role elevated against Arizona. The Miami tight end caught all seven of his targets for 96 yards last week and flashed big-play ability with Atlanta last season. The return of Tua Tagovailoa boosts the entire Miami offense.
Noah Fant, TE, SEA (11%): The expected absence of DK Metcalf might lead to more playmaking opportunities for Fant. The Seahawks can post quality passing totals regardless of the game script against Buffalo. Fant is worthy of TE2 consideration this week.
Tim Patrick, WR, DET (3%): Patrick plays in one of the NFL’s best offenses and totaled 11 TD receptions with Denver in 2020 and 2021. The Broncos’ leading passers for those seasons were Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater, so Patrick gets even more respect for his output then. The veteran wide receiver could see a decent number of targets this week with Jameson Williams out, and garbage time numbers against the Titans are possible, too.
Jake Bobo, WR, SEA (1%): Bobo’s a fan favorite in Seattle and should be a complementary target to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett this week if Metcalf is out. Bobo gives the Seahawks some size at 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds and will, at least, attempt to spell Metcalf in that regard. He does have some TD and contested catch potential.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, TEN (1%): Yes, I am digging to the bottom here, but that is what I do. Some fantasy managers are in super scramble mode at wide receiver. Westbrook-Ikhine is in his fifth year with the Titans, and even though he’s totaled only 19 receiving yards in the past two weeks, he has had TD catches in each game. A longtime Titan, Westbrook-Ikhine could see increased opportunities beginning this week.
Mecole Hardman, WR, KC (9%): Hardman always gets mentioned by someone, somewhere, as a deep fantasy option when the Chiefs have a good matchup or are dealing with WR injuries. Las Vegas has allowed just five TD receptions to WRs, and DeAndre Hopkins is expected to play in Week 8. Those two factors might work against Hardman, who I gave up on in fantasy a few years ago. But the Raiders defense will spend a lot of time on the field, so take the dart throw if desperate.
(Photo of Rashod Bateman: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
