What’s worse — injuries or busts? At least with injuries, you have any excuse for why a player let you down. When a player just flat-out sucks…well, that really sucks, too. You can’t do anything about the injuries, but you can take steps to avoid the letdowns. Our Week 8 fantasy busts list is here to help by highlighting potential start ’em, sit ’em landmines like new Jets RB James Robinson, old Jets RB Michael Carter, and Steelers breakout WR George Pickens.
Here’s a friendly reminder that even superstars can disappoint on any given Sunday (Mark Andrews, anyone?), but you won’t find see players among our bust picks unless we legitimately advise benching them. We gravitate toward players on the start-sit bubble, not “must-starts” or players who will only on rosters in 16-team leagues. We know that with injuries and bye weeks thinning out player pools, you might not have enough depth to bench players on this list. You might also just completely disagree with our choices. Either way, do what you have to do.
Our picks of Jamaal Williams, Tom Brady, Derek Carr, Jared Goff, Tyler Conklin, Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry, Chargers’ D/ST, and 49ers’ D/ST came through last week, and while some of those might look like low-hanging fruit, remember that owners in 12-team leagues had to dig deep for starters with the Eagles, Rams, Bills, and Vikings on bye.
We’ll do even better with our Week 8 bust picks. Let’s get to it.
Week 8 Fantasy Busts: Running backs
Michael Carter, Jets vs. Patriots (Vinnie Iyer). The Patriots just got gashed by the Bears’ limited offense, but they can work to refocus and contain Carter as he steps into an ambiguous rushing and receiving role with new teammate James Robinson.
James Robinson, Jets vs. Patriots (Matt Lutovsky). Robinson could very well get the bulk of the RB touches for the Jets; he could also get five. Ultimately, it will probably be somewhere in between, but we don’t really know what’s going to happen this week. Even though the Patriots had issues with the Bears running game last Monday, they entered Week 7 allowing the fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs, so you’d have to be in a pretty tough spot to risk it with Robinson in his Jets’ debut. Long-term, he has plenty of upside and could be an RB2, but this week he’s merely a TD-dependent flex in deep standard leagues.
Jamaal Williams, Lions vs. Dolphins (Nick Musial). D’Andre Swift’s potential return to the backfield limiting Williams’ opportunities. Even without Swift (shoulder) last week, Williams played on just 44 percent of Detroit’s offensive snaps, sharing time with Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson. Additionally, Miami sports PFF’s second-highest run defense grade (80.0), and its ability to stimy Detroit’s running game spells trouble for Williams. The potential for a negative game script and lack of red-zone trips could lead to a low fantasy point output.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 Fantasy Busts: Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ Bills (Iyer). You cannot feel confident going here despite the two TDs to Aaron Jones last week in a much easier matchup. Buffalo’s pressure will get to him, and his wideouts are dwindling against an improving secondary.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Bears (Lutovsky). Prescott disappointed in his return, managing just 200 yards and a TD against the Lions. This week, he gets a much tougher pass defense, as the Bears entered Week 7 allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs and third-fewest passing yards per game. It’s much easier to run on the Bears, which the Cowboys will be happy to do with their dynamic backfield duo.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Broncos (Musial). Lawrence draws a tough matchup against a Broncos defense that’s allowing the FPPG to QBs (10.2). While Jacksonville has allowed the second-fewest amount of sacks (10) we’ll see how they fare against a well-rounded Broncos pass rush. If Denver can at least get Lawrence under pressure, they’ll fare well, as Lawrence sports a lackluster 24-percent pressured completion percentage (32nd among QBs).
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 Fantasy Football Busts: Wide receivers
Amari Cooper, Browns vs. Bengals (Iyer). He’ll be facing a ton of fellow former Cowboy Chidobe Awuzie, who can contain him all over the field with no worry about David Njoku (ankle) in coverage.
George Pickens @ Eagles (Lutovsky). Pickens always has big-play potential, and his targets have been steady since Kenny Pickett took over under center. That said, the Eagles allow the sixth-fewest FPPG to WRs, and it’s always risky to count on garbage-time production for your WRs. Pickens has upside, but we don’t like his situation this week.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars vs. Broncos (Musial). Like Lawrence, Kirk and the rest of the Jaguars’ offense will be tested against a sound Broncos defense. With Denver allowing the fewest FPPG to WRs (18.4) and Kirk having a low average depth of target (8.9 yards), he shouldn’t exactly exude confidence in fantasy owners. Jacksonville is pegged as three-point favorites in this game, and a close contest throughout could lead to an increased focus in the running game. He’s certainly a better play in PPR formats, but he has a low ceiling in standard scoring formats.
Week 8 Fantasy Football Busts: Tight ends
Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. 49ers (Iyer). The Rams are figuring more things out with Allen Robinson, Ben Skowronek, and other complementary wideouts in their 11 personnel and that will continue after the bye where they can be less reliant on high-target volume to Higbee in a tough matchup.
Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Packers (Lutovsky). Knox is yet to top 41 receiving yards in a game, and he has just one TD all season. Even if the Packers weren’t allowing the third-fewest FPPG to TEs, Knox would be a low-ceiling play, but he’s even riskier in all formats given the matchup.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ Browns (Musial). Outside of this past week, Hurst only puts up double-digit fantasy points when reaching paydirt. The Browns are one of the better defenses at limiting production at the tight end position, and if Hurst isn’t able to find the end zone, he’ll likely post a dud on Monday night.
Week 8 Fantasy Busts: Defenses
Arizona Cardinals at Vikings (Iyer). There might be a tendency to chase the Saints’ points given Kirk Cousins can melt down and be Andy Dalton-like at times, but this game is on the road and the Vikings’ offense should be sharper and more dangerous after the bye.
Los Angeles Rams vs. 49ers (Lutovsky). L.A. has mustered just one takeaway in its past four games, so even though it’s done a good job limiting points, its ceiling is low in a matchup like this. San Francisco’s offense just has too many weapons for the Rams to shut down.
New Orleans Saints vs. Raiders (Musial). The Saints’ defense continues to get gashed on a weekly basis, entering Week 8 allowing 28.6 points per game (31st in NFL). While 14 of the 42 points allowed last Thursday night against the Cardinals were a result of Andy Dalton pick-sixes, holding a well-rounded Raiders offense in check of 60 minutes figures to be a tall task.
