Week 8 of fantasy football has arrived, with managers required to make difficult lineup decisions. Sometimes, players who are viewed as fringe starters can produce unexpectedly big performances. These will often make or break fantasy football matchups. Below is a list of players, one from each position, who carry upside this week and should be placed in fantasy starting lineups. Week 7 Upside Plays was another great forecast, as Drake Maye, Tank Bigsby, and Cade Otton all smashed their weekly projections. Ladd McConkey saw solid volume but could only muster 46 receiving yards in a cagey game on MNF.
Week 8 Fantasy Football – Upside Plays of the Week
Quarterback – Anthony Richardson
Taking a big risk by including Anthony Richardson in this week’s edition, but the quarterback has the opportunity to succeed this week in a divisional matchup against the Texans. To say Richardson has struggled this season as a passer would be an understatement. He’s recorded only three passing touchdowns and hasn’t thrown for more than 212 passing yards. However, his rushing upside cannot be ignored and can make him fantasy-relevant. The Texans defense has been poor against quarterbacks this year, allowing over 20 fantasy points per game (FPPG). They have been especially susceptible to mobile QBs, as they are allowing over 28 rushing yards per game to the position. Richardson still has a lot to learn at the NFL level but is in the QB2 with upside conversation this week from a fantasy perspective.
Anthony Richardson had more than 10 rushes in a single game for the first time vs the Dolphins.
His 56 rushing yards on the day led all #Colts & matched his season-high. AR had 61 yds after contact & forced 4 missed tackles. He's gained 1st downs on 38.7% of carries this season. pic.twitter.com/O4EeMexPf5
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) October 24, 2024
Running-Back – Rico Dowdle
Rico Dowdle struggled on the ground in Week 6, as the Cowboys were blown out by the Lions. Fresh off the bye, Dowdle should see more opportunities in a Sunday Night showdown with the 49ers. The 49ers defense is middle of the road against running backs but has been vulnerable to pass-catching backs. They are allowing five receptions and 41 receiving yards per game to the position. Dowdle has seen volume in the passing game, recording over 20 receiving yards in 4/6 games this season. If the Cowboys can remain competitive against the 49ers, managers should view Dowdle as an upside flex play for the week.
Wide Receiver – Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen returned to his old self in Week 6, catching all five of his targets and scoring two touchdowns in the process. The veteran wideout hadn’t surpassed five fantasy points this season, as quarterback Caleb Williams has begun to find his groove. The Bears face the Commanders in Week 8, who rank bottom-10 against wide receivers this year. While the Bears have a crowded receiving group that includes D.J Moore and rookie Rome Odunze, expect Allen to remain a key offensive piece as long as he sees the field. Fantasy managers can view Allen as a solid WR3 with a plus matchup in Week 8.
Tight-End – Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid has underwhelmed this season, currently ranking as the TE12 while being drafted borderline top-five at the position. Nonetheless, he has seen steady volume and has surpassed 50 receiving yards in the last two weeks. Kincaid and the Bills take on the Seahawks in Week 8, who have been vulnerable to tight ends this year. The Seahawks defense is allowing over 58 receiving yards per game and 6.71 FPPG to the position. With the acquisition of Amari Cooper, the Bills are expected to throw the ball more, making Kincaid a more trustworthy option moving forward.
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