Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Wide Receivers

Welcome back, readers! I am happy to return for a second year as The Sporting Tribune's fantasy football analyst. If you are new here, my mission is to help fantasy managers with any dilemmas or questions they may have through the course of the season to ultimately win their leagues. For the next 17 weeks, I will produce weekly fantasy content that will go over the waiver wire, rankings, and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em columns.

Being a fantasy manager often means having to make difficult roster decisions, but I aim to take some of the guesswork out of it with my Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column for every position. It goes without saying that I won't include obvious calls like "start Trey McBride" or "sit Tommy DeVito." Instead, I search for players that could be perceived as fringe that could propel your lineups for weekly wins.

As always, if you have any questions or don't see your players here, feel free to follow me on Twitter (X) – @JamesNewell96 and send me a message, where I typically respond in a timely manner.

Start ’Em

Michael Wilson @ DAL (Projected FPTS – 13.3): Since the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade, Wilson has struggled to produce reliable fantasy numbers, combining for just 25.8 points. On the bright side, his targets haven’t slowed down, and he is the second go-to option behind Trey McBride. This week he has a favorable matchup against the Cowboys, who’ve allowed six receivers to clip 15 or more fantasy points, three of whom passed 21. They’ve given up the fifth-most fantasy points and touchdowns and the seventh-most yards to the position. Las Vegas has this game at a mid-50s point total, so expect a lot of offense.

Garrett Wilson vs. LV (Projected FPTS – 14.5): Wilson has posted duds in three of his last four games, scoring 5.7, 8.4 and 4.6 fantasy points. Rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr. has stolen the spotlight from Wilson over the last two games, which has clearly frustrated him, judging by his sideline antics on Sunday against the Dolphins. But in Wilson’s defense, he was shadowed by Christian Gonzalez and faced an unfriendly Dolphins secondary. This week against the Raiders, he should get the ball rolling. Las Vegas has given up double-digit fantasy points to six wideouts over its last three games and has allowed a league-most 11 touchdowns to receivers this season. Cooper will definitely be productive too, but Wilson is due for a rebound performance.

Parker Washington vs. IND (Projected FPTS – 15.9): Besides his 30.4-fantasy-point performance in Week Five, Washington has been held to 10.4 or fewer points in two of his last three games. On the other hand, he has scored double-digit fantasy points in five of six games and is one of six receivers with a 35 percent air yards share and an average of 2.5 yards per route run. He is still a must-start on a weekly basis, including this week against a tough Colts secondary. However, Indianapolis has allowed six wideouts to hit 12 or more fantasy points this season. Also, Washington scored 19 points against his division rival in their last meeting.

Honorable Mentions: Stefon Diggs vs. PHI; Matthew Golden vs. CAR; Emeka Egbuka vs. ATL; Jalen Coker @ GB; Jordan Addison @ DET; Omar Cooper Jr. vs. LV; DJ Moore vs. BAL; Germie Bernard vs. CLE; Denzel Boston @ PIT; Makai Lemon @ WSH.

Sit ’Em

Ladd McConkey @ LAR (Projected FPTS – 10.9): McConkey is another Charger who shares the title of one of the biggest fantasy busts of the season. While dealing with injuries, the third-year wideout has averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week One. This week he takes on his roommates, the Los Angeles Rams. While the defense has its weaknesses, it has been steady at stopping opposing receivers, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points and EPA per game this season. Until McConkey can stay on the field and perform at the level we expect from him, I would avoid him.

Rome Odunze @ SEA (Projected FPTS – 9.9): Odunze has been average at best this season. He has scored double-digit fantasy points only twice through seven games and has gone over 10.9 points just once. In an offense that feeds a lot of mouths, I don’t expect opportunities to magically increase. This week he draws a tough road matchup against the Seahawks, who’ve allowed the fewest fantasy points, fewest receiving yards per game, fewest fantasy points per route run and lowest EPA per game to opposing receivers. They also have the lowest explosive catch rate, at 10.9 percent. Not only should Odunze not be started as a WR2, but he isn’t even worth playing as a flex.

Xavier Worthy @ DEN (Projected FPTS – 9.7): A week before and after the Chiefs’ bye, Worthy managed to post at least seven targets, four receptions and 70 receiving yards. If you zoom out to his season totals, he has had 25 or fewer yards in four games and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week Two. Coming off a thoroughly ugly team effort against the Seahawks, Worthy has another daunting matchup against the Broncos. With Patrick Mahomes listed as one of my sits for Week Eight, Worthy is also someone I would fade.

Lowlights: Courtland Sutton vs. KC; Jaylen Waddle vs. KC; KC Concepcion @ PIT; Carnell Tate @ CIN; Josh Downs @ JAX; DeMario Douglas @ MIA; Ryan Flournoy vs. ARI.