Fantasy Football Outlook Week 8

So far this year my three fantasy football teams have a combined record of 11-10, which could be better but at least it's about 0.500. This week I'll be going over two players at each position, one that I think is a good sleeper pick, and one that I think is going to be a bust. I'll admit to bias at this point, I am more likely to say that my players are going to do better than my opponents. But that won't always be the case as I try to make the playoffs in all 3 of my leagues.

QBs

Sleeper: Derek Carr

Carr has had some some good games against some really good teams. Since week 1 he was thrown for over 250 yards and at least 2 TDs per game. He's not a big rushing QB like Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson, but he's able to pick up some yards every now and then.

In a game against the Browns, I expect the Raiders to come out firing. After they just got smoked by the Bucs, I think the Raiders are going to be hunting for a chance to regain ground in the hunt for a wild card spot. The Browns defense has allowed over 30 points in 5 of 7 games, so I think this game will turn into a shootout, where Carr will thrive with receivers like Ruggs and Agholor.

Bust: Lamar Jackson

It might be a hot take, Jackson has not been impressive this year. He's only thrown above 200 yards twice this season, and has only scored about 25 points twice this season. Against the Chiefs he threw for only 97 yards and had a fumble. Although his legs may save him at times, I don't think it does enough.

In a game against the Steelers, I think Jackson will completely shut down. He abandoned the pass game against the Chiefs and I think he'll do the same thing this week. He's going to try to do everything on his feet, and the Steelers defense is going to clamp down on it.

(Please do not start Kirk Cousins)

RBs

Sleeper: Jonathan Taylor

Since Marlon Mack got hurt, Taylor has been competing for the lead back role. He gets a lot of touches both rushing and receiving and it has led to double digit fantasy outputs in 5 out of 6 games. With the colts passing game hurting without Paris Campbell, I think Rivers is going to look Taylor's way a lot more.

The Lions defense has been suspect this year, as they have in years prior. They give up a lot of receptions to the guys coming out of the backfield, with would be Taylor and Hines for this week. I think Taylor will get more touches as he develops, and I think this game against the Lions is a big chance for him to breakout.

Bust: Ronald Jones

When Leonard Fournette was hurt, Jones exploded for 3 straight games of over 100 yards. He played in about 63% of the snaps in those 3 games, and totaled about 55 points. In games with Fournette, Jones plays about 41% of snaps and as totaled about 29 points.

Jones may be the lead back in Tampa Bay, but he is always going to be competing for snaps with Fournette if he's healthy. I don't see Jones having a big game when he loses half of his carries to another player, even in a game against the Giants.

WRs

Sleeper: Brandon Aiyuk

With Deebo Samuel out, Aiyuk doesn't have a lot of competition for playing time. The number 2 receiver behind him this week will be Kendrick Bourne, and I don't expect him to out-target Aiyuk. Aiyuk saw an uptick in targets once Samuel got hurt, and he played in 75% of snaps.

I expect the 49ers and Seahawks game to be a high scoring game, in which the top receiving option for the 49ers will be Aiyuk. He will have the most playing time, the most targets, and hopefully that will lead to the most receptions and yards.

Bust: Adam Thielen

The Vikings are going to lose on Sunday. If they win I would be very surprised. I think Cousins is going to struggle to get the ball out to his receivers as he goes into panic mode, and it will lead to a lot of over/under throws to Thielen and Jefferson. Although Thielen has seen a lot of passes come his way, I think he's going to be doubled the entire game. Cousins will still force the ball his way, it just won't turn into a lot of yards.

I really hope I'm wrong, and Thielen adds on another big game to his year. But if a garbage time TD doesn't pad his stats and fantasty points, I think it could be a bad game for Thielen and the Vikings.