Welcome to my weekly column, this one known as the Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. We are just about two full months into the fantasy football season. How are everyone’s teams looking currently?

At this point, it is clear if the playoffs are in focus or if desperation time is at hand. In any case, managers are looking for answers on who to put in their starting lineups. No worries. This article is here for that exact purpose.

For clarity’s sake, as has been pointed out the past four weeks, all position rankings are taken from ESPN. Without any doubt, there are sure to be disagreements about the players listed below. If you find yourself in that position, let’s talk about it!

Further, there will those that have questions about players not included here. Shoot me the players you are struggling with and I will do some research and get back to you.

Unlike the past several weeks, there are no teams on bye and no games scheduled in London to worry about. All players not injured are available for your starting lineups. With no further concerns, we can get down to the important stuff.

Week Eight Starts

Before we get into specific players, let me just say that one of the first games on Sunday has Baltimore playing the Browns in Cleveland. Unquestionably, the Cleveland defense is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) disappointments of the season. If you have a starting caliber Baltimore player, almost without exception, get them into your lineups.

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Before the season, no one knew what to make of Bo Nix, maybe not even the Broncos themselves. He had value in dynasty leagues or two QB leagues, but none whatsoever in redraft one QB fantasy leagues. However, after the past few games, Nix is not only a household name, but a worthy fantasy starter.

In the past four weeks, Nix has thrown for five TDs and a single interception. Additionally, he has gained 136 yards on the ground in his last two, averaging 8.5 YPC. Even so, that is not the most exciting news. In week eight, Carolina comes calling into Denver.

Everything surrounding the Panthers defense is awful this season, which includes QBs (29th). Playing at altitude is no easy task. Add in a defense that can be pushed around, and you have a winning fantasy combination.

Undoubtedly, with no teams on bye, there are options available. Even as that is the case, when push comes to shove, Nix is a worthy starter this week.

Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Welcome back to the NFL Russell Wilson! After missing the first six weeks of the season with injury, Wilson made his Steeler debut Sunday night against the Jets. After an extremely slow start, Wilson came alive and led Pittsburgh to a decisive 37-15 win over New York.

Truly, it is fair to say that there were many that criticized Mike Tomlin for starting Wilson over Justin Fields. There must come a time when people will simply believe in whatever Tomlin does or says. After all, he has never had a losing season as head coach.

Tomlin’s faith was richly rewarded after Wilson completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Wilson scored another TD on the ground.

As for this coming week, the lights only get brighter as the Steelers host the other New York team, the Giants, on Monday night. Other than an improbable win over the Seahawks, there is nothing for the Giants to hang their hat on this season.

Predictably, they are poor defending quarterbacks, ranking 22nd. Those managers in dynasty and two QB leagues that hung on to Wilson can, without any reservations, start Wilson against New York.

Running Backs

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

After their victory over the 49ers, the Chiefs are the only unbeaten team in the NFL. Before the season, many would assume Kansas City would be in that position because of the play of Patrick Mahomes. Surprisingly, that is not the case. The stats for Mahomes are average, at best. No, defense and the running game are their calling cards this year.

Enter Kareem Hunt. After battling injuries the first three weeks, Hunt has come up big since returning to the lineup. His YPR average will excite no one, but his usage certainly should. Hunt has carried the ball 49 times the past two games and has three TDs in that span.

Kansas City’s next opponent will have Hunt’s fantasy managers salivating in anticipation. The Chiefs travel to Vegas to take on the Raiders, which rank near the bottom defending running backs at 26th. Vegas just finished playing the Rams, allowing Kyren Williams to score two TDs of his own Sunday.

No other information is necessary for this Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition to declare that Hunt is at the top of the mountain when it comes to running backs this weekend.

Note: the last statement isn’t entirely true. More information is needed, as Hunt was reported to be a limited practice participant. He should play this weekend, just make sure that is the case before starting him.

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

If Hunt isn’t at the top of the rushing heap, Javonte Williams surely is. Unlike Hunt, Williams’ yards per rush against New Orleans blows the lid off the place (6.3). Even better, Williams, like Hunt, found the endzone twice Thursday. What’s not to like?

Clearly, Denver’s upcoming opponent couldn’t be better, as the sad sack Panthers invade the Mile High City. Carolina just gave up 40 points to the Commanders. They rank at the absolute bottom against runners. It should come as no surprise that Washington’s Brian Robinson found paydirt against them.

Expect that Williams will do the same. If you started him against New Orleans, and you should have, there is every reason to roll with him once again in week eight.

Wide Receivers

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons

Back in week five, Darnell Mooney had a huge game (9-16-105-2). Following that performance, he was one of most added players from the waiver wire. Unfortunately for all concerned (including me), Mooney hasn’t seen any sunny days since then.

Over the past two games, Mooney has caught eight of 13 targets for 84 yards. Most concerning, he hasn’t hit paydirt in either of those games. In fact, except for that huge game against Tampa, Mooney hasn’t settled into the endzone in the past four weeks.

Seattle came in with the 15th ranked fantasy defense against receivers. Obviously, all of that sounds pretty bad, which leads to a question. Why is he in the recommended starter section of this Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition? Simple.

The Falcons once again face the division rival Buccaneers, the same team that Mooney burned so badly three weeks ago. Tampa ranks a bleak 27th against RBs, as you might expect.

Further, this is a team that gave up 41 points Monday. Despite the poor past two weeks, roll once again with Mooney this weekend.

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

In week six, I recommended sitting Keon Coleman. It is truly amazing having a competent receiver compliment can do for one’s game, I’m sure that everyone would agree. In week seven, with Amari Cooper on the other side, Coleman had his biggest game as a pro.

Coleman was targeted seven times, his highest total of the season. He caught four of those passes for a stunning 125 yards. The calculator reports that is an eye busting 31.25 yards per catch. While that average will not be repeated, the potential for big plays can’t be ignored.

This week’s coming attraction for Buffalo is the Seahawks. Seattle is just above an average defense against receivers (17th). It matters not. Coleman has some huge games on the horizon.

Any manager will not want to miss out on any of the action. For that reason, this Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition says set Coleman up in the starting lineup and don’t look back.

Tight Ends

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

Just like a week ago, I am going back to the well and recommending  Evan Engram once again. Of course, that is an easy decision to make considering that Engram is a quality tight end.

As we all know, that is an extremely rare find in today’s fantasy jungle. That is true even after catching just five of five targets for 35 against New England in London.

Even better, however, is when the matchup makes for such a compelling case as well. Certainly, Green Bay is a solid team, but they have many problems when facing tight ends, ranking a lowly 24th.

This Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition couldn’t be any clearer: Engram is one of the top, if not the very top, of the tight end community this weekend.

You had him in your starting lineup last week. There is no need for further research. Keep him in there this week as well.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

First, let me say that I realize that I have been all over the map when it comes to Tucker Kraft. I have recommended him some weeks, and benched him in another. Let me just say in my defense that the matchups often dictate who gets the starting nod and who doesn’t. Sitting him on the sideline was the right call last week.

However, this is a new week. As noted above, Jacksonville travels back to the U.S. and will face the Packers next at home. The Jaguars just finished allowing the Patriots’ Hunter Henry to catch eight of nine targets for 92 yards. They had no answer for Henry all afternoon.

Ultimately, they’ve had no answers for opposing tight ends all season (25th). Jacksonville won the game, but that has nothing whatever to do with fantasy. Get back to some witch Kraft and get him into your starting lineup.

Week Four Sits

Quarterbacks

Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints

While Nix above is a starter this week, there may not be a more determined sit in all of fantasy football than Spencer Rattler. With the injury to Derek Carr, Rattler has been the starter for New Orleans the past two weeks. To say it hasn’t gone well is a massive understatement.

Through the two games, Rattler has a single TD, two interceptions and two lost fumbles. Further, he has 415 yards through the air and 61 yards on the ground. Obviously, there is nothing inspirational about any of that.

On top of it all, he came out late in the game with an injury. It doesn’t seem serious, but nothing about this situation inspires confidence.

Neither does the opponent Rattler and the Saints face going forward. New Orleans travels to play the Chargers in L.A. If there is one thing that the Chargers know how to do, it’s defend the QB position (ranking ninth).

Adding it all together, if there ever was a sit candidate, Rattler is front and center. Meanwhile, there is a slight chance that Carr might start this game. If he does, add his name right next to Rattler’s on the bench.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

When it comes to sits for the Dallas Cowboys in their game against the 49ers, the running backs make easy targets. In the end, no one is starting them, anyway. No, I will hunt for bigger fantasy game here and come away with Dak Prescott.

It is difficult to know where to begin when discussing Prescott. I suppose we will start with his passing, as he is a quarterback.

In week six against Detroit, Prescott failed to throw for even 200 yards. The Lions do quite a few things extremely well, but only rank 20th against QBs. Prescott only had 17 completions, his fewest this season.

Not surprisingly, he didn’t throw a touchdown. He did, however, have two interceptions. In short, it was simply an awful performance by a player that just signed a huge extension.

This week, the news doesn’t get any better for Prescott or his fantasy managers. Coming off their bye week, they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.

In recent years, such a trip has been a horror show for the Cowboys. There’s no reason to think this one will turn out any different.

San Fran isn’t nearly as dominant on defense as in previous years, but they will be good enough in this game. This Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition says keep Prescott from your starting lineup, unless there simply aren’t any other options.

Running Backs

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

When it comes to players that disappeared in week seven, no player did a better hiding job than Rhamondre Stevenson. Going up against the 24th ranked defense in Jacksonville should have had Stevenson jumping for joy. Not quite, as his feet were firmly planted to the turf.

To be fair, receiving only seven carries will help no one. He turned that into just 18 yards. Even worse, he was no factor in the passing game, either, as he caught just two passes for a microscopic seven yards.

The biggest reason to sit Stevenson has yet to to be revealed, however. Next Sunday, the Patriots face the Jets and their eighth ranked run defense at home.

In the end, I don’t think there is a biggest sit target in this article than Stevenson. In any event, keep him away from your starting lineup.

Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

Coming into their game against Atlanta, I was very pessimistic regarding Seattle’s chances of winning. Surprisingly, the Seahawks put it on the Falcons 34-14. Everyone associated with Seattle should have been ecstatic. Everyone, except for the fantasy managers of Zach Charbonnet.

Against Atlanta, Charbonnet had eight rushes. That is almost as many as he had in the three weeks previous. However, the production was nearly invisible, as he gained only 19 yards. Even more distressingly, he caught just a single pass for -5 yards. You didn’t misread that.

Coming into the 2024 season, many thought that Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker would share the backfield. It is now readily apparent that’s not going to be the case.

Walker has 14 rushes in each of his last two games and has 12 or more in four games total. While that doesn’t sound like a lot, recall that Walker missed two games earlier this season.

As for the next opponent, that matters not when it comes to Charbonnet. As long as Walker is healthy and producing, this Week Eight Fantasy Starts/sits edition says to deposit Charbonnet on the bench until that reality changes, if it does.

Wide Receivers

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Let’s face it: the picture in Cleveland is an absolute black out. As mentioned above, their defense is in a huge back slide this season. Deshaun Watson has been missing in action on the field and was carted off of it Sunday with an Achilles injury.

That is never good, obviously. There is no need to mention backup options. The Brown offense is stuck deep in the muck, no matter the signal caller.

Which leads us to Jerry Jeudy. He came to Cleveland to revitalize his career. Unfortunately, it has gone in reverse. He has three catches total in his last three games.

The Browns haven’t scored more than 18 points in any game in 2024. The offense wasn’t working with a starter at QB.

Easy prediction: It isn’t going to work with a reserve, either. The news goes down hill even further with the Baltimore Ravens next up, There is absolutely no reason to start Jeudy. None.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants

In what seems like an illusion at this point, I recommended starting Darius Slayton a few weeks ago. Consider any kind words that I said about him revoked.

After that massive game against the Seahawks, Slayton received the same 11 targets against the Bengals that he did in Seattle. Of course, he didn’t catch them all, but 11 targets two weeks in a row is something to sit up and take notice of.

Regrettably, Slayton returned to the mud in a big way against the Eagles, pulling in just a single pass of three targets. That catch went for a grand total of 11 yards. Even more disastrous, he hasn’t scored a touchdown in any game except week five.

With Pittsburgh looming, the outlook is just as grim, as the Steelers rank in the top ten against WRs (9th). This Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition has Slayton designated as a clear bench performer this week, and most likely longer.

Tight Ends

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

In two games this season, Cole Kmet has been huge. Unfortunately, those aren’t the only games that he has played. In the other four, simply stated, he hasn’t brought on the power.

In weeks three and six, Kmet combined for 15 catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns. The other games? He had 11 catches for 122 yards and zero scores.

Why is all of that significant? This Sunday, the Bears take on the Washington Commanders on the road. Washington is terrible at every aspect of defense except for tight ends, as they rank 11th.

Without question, there will be weeks when you will want Cole in your lineup. This week, however, you will want many of his teammates starting, but not him.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Week Eight Fantasy Starts/Sits edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com/ and bellyupfantasysports.com/ for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!