We are now eight weeks into the NFL season, with Week 8 of fantasy football in the books. More players have fallen short of expectations for fantasy managers, while others are having breakout performances. Let’s take a look at some players that are rising and falling in the rest of the season rankings.
Risers and Fallers – Week 8 Fantasy Football
RISERS
Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford had a field day on Thursday Night Football, throwing four passing touchdowns for 279 yards in an upset win over the Vikings. The Rams and Stafford received a big boost this week, as both starting receivers Puka Nucua and Cooper Kupp returned from their respective injuries. The chemistry between Stafford and his top wideouts is undeniable, as they all returned to form immediately. Stafford showed that he can still be one of the league’s elite quarterbacks when his receiving weapons are healthy. He will look to keep rolling against the Seahawks in a Week 9 divisional matchup.
Calvin Ridley – Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley was the lone bright spot for the Titans in Week 8, catching 10 of 15 targets for 143 yards. Ridley saw a season-high 39.5% target share, as he is now the clear alpha in Tennessee after DeAndre Hopkins was traded last week. While the Titans offense is in disarray, volume is king in fantasy football. Ridley will look to build further rapport with quarterback Mason Rudolph as he should see a plethora of opportunities for the remainder of the season.
Josh Jacobs – Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs has been an RB1 over the past two weeks, scoring 17.7 and 25 fantasy points respectively. Jacobs took full advantage of a plus matchup against the Jaguars, rushing for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Love suffered another injury in Week 8 and looks uncertain to play in a critical division game against the Lions. Nonetheless, Jacobs would see a very heavy workload if Love is inactive, as he saw 47 opportunities in the two games that he missed this season. Jacobs has been a consistent RB for fantasy this year and should continue to operate efficiently on the ground for the Packers.
Most Missed Tackles Forced on Sunday:
🥇 Josh Jacobs – 8
🥈 Bucky Irving – 7
🥈 Rhamondre Stevenson – 7
🥈 Jonathan Taylor – 7
🥈 James Conner – 7 pic.twitter.com/GiWMTKX4lO— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 28, 2024
Cedric Tillman – Cleveland Browns
Cedric Tillman had a breakout game in Week 8, scoring a 38-yard game-winning touchdown in a massive upset against the Ravens. Tillman has burst onto the fantasy radar over the past two weeks with quarterback Jameis Winston now under center for the Browns. He has seen no less than nine targets since then and looks to hold a key role in this new-look Browns passing offense. He is rostered in only 24% of leagues and should be the biggest waiver wire add heading into Week 9.
FALLERS
C.J Stroud – Houston Texans
C.J Stroud had another disappointing day in Week 8 of fantasy football, scoring 12.4 fantasy points and throwing only one touchdown. Stroud has felt the absence of wide receiver Nico Collins over the past couple weeks and ranks outside the top-12 quarterbacks for fantasy this season. Wideout Stefon Diggs also suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8, which could further lower Stroud’s floor in the passing game. Stroud and the Texans have a short week and a tough matchup against a stout Jets defense in Week 9.
D.J Moore – Chicago Bears
D.J Moore struggled for the second game in a row in Week 8. Moore caught only two passes for 27 yards in what was a dreadful showing for the Bears passing offense. Quarterback Caleb Williams only completed ten passes for 131 yards. Nonetheless, Moore has underwhelmed for the most part of this season, recording less than 40 receiving yards in over half of Chicago’s games. It appears that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s questionable play-calling has come at the expense of the Bears supposed WR1. Moore is best left on fantasy managers’ benches for the time being until the Bears offense shows more consistency.
Bears WRs in Fantasy PPG:
DJ Moore: 10.0 (WR34)
Keenan Allen: 7.3 (WR55)
Rome Odunze: 6.6 (WR68)Shane Waldron has ruined this offense.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) October 28, 2024
Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard has had a superb season to date, but has been held in check over the last two weeks. Hubbard has averaged only 3.4 yards per carry over that period and remains on one of the worst offenses in the league. Additionally, Hubbard may begin to lose opportunities to Jonathan Brooks, with the rookie potentially making his NFL debut in Week 9. While Brooks may not take over the lead role completely, the Panthers running-back room will likely turn into more of a committee moving forward. Fantasy managers should look to offload Hubbard while he still holds RB2/3 value.
Jordan Addison – Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison was a non-factor in Week 8, catching only two passes for 22 yards. The Vikings receiver has seen more than four targets in only one game this year. Addison is the clear second-fiddle to star wideout Justin Jefferson and may even fall to being the third option in this offense once tight-end T.J Hockenson returns from injury. Following the Vikings Week 8 loss, Addison posted a message on social media implying he wants to be traded. A new situation for Addison could revive his season, but he is a far too risky option for fantasy as of now.
Main Photo Courtesy of Morgan Tencza – Imagn Images
