Top Fantasy Football Streaming Options for Week 8
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy owners are likely scrambling for trades or hitting the waiver wire with the potential losses of Adam Thielen, Kerryon Johnson and Alvin Kamara due to injuries. Also, owners will need to find bye week replacements for Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper. However, as we all know, you can't get too depressed or too confident after just one week. Adding players, researching, and picking up players to stream is a critical part of fantasy success.
Streaming is always a difficult task because most owners must resist the temptation to overreact to the previous week. For example, many owners were burned in Week 7 by highly-ranked players like David Johnson (0.2 PPR points), Kenny Golladay (2.1) and Matt Ryan (7.15). Depending on the options afforded to you in your league, don't panic and bench any of the players above. If you have more underperforming players in your starting lineup or have sustained significant injuries, you need to be aggressive. If you stream the right player, it could be the difference between earning a win or falling further behind your league leaders. Here are several players to consider streaming in Week 8.
Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater, NO (vs. ARZ)
Bridgewater, owned in less than 22% of leagues, has been nothing short of sensational since taking over for the injured Drew Brees, leading the Saints to five straight wins. In Week 7, Bridgewater went on the road to face a tough Bears defense and posted his second-best fantasy points (22.75) of the season. In Week 8, he gets to face arguably his most favorable matchup since taking over under center with a home game against the Cardinals. Arizona has surrendered the most passing touchdowns (17) and the fifth-most points per game (27.4) through seven games. Bridgewater cracks the top-10 for the first time this season and should be streamed with extreme confidence as a QB1.
Kirk Cousins, MIN (vs. WAS)
According to my model's projections, Cousins (started in less than 32% of leagues) slides in as a top-five QB this week in the Vikings' matchup with the Redskins on Thursday night. Cousins has been spectacular in three consecutive weeks since being called out by his star wide receivers (Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen). Cousins has posted three straight 300-plus yard performances and thrown for 10 touchdowns over the three-game span. He will be facing a Redskins defense that is ranked 21st in the NFL, surrendering the sixth-most passing touchdowns (14). Most fantasy owners threw in the towel on Cousins after he threw for just three touchdowns in the Vikings' first four games. However, he will be among the most sought after quarterbacks on the waiver wire after posting his second straight four-touchdown performance. Cousins is a solid streaming option for those looking for bye week replacements for Lamar Jackson or Dak Prescott.
Running Backs
Royce Freeman, DEN (at IND)
Freeman, still only started in 36% of leagues, lands atop this list for a second straight week. The second-year back did not disappoint those who streamed him in Week 7 as he posted a season-high 16.7 PPR fantasy points. Freeman quietly produced double-digit PPR performances in four of seven games this season while splitting time with Phillip Lindsay. Freeman, who is averaging 15 touches per game over the last three weeks, has become a tremendous check-down option for struggling QB Joe Flacco. Freeman is a reliable streaming option in Week 8 against a 20th ranked Colts defense that has struggled with opposing pass-catching backs this season.
Ty Johnson, DET (vs. NYG)
It was announced late Monday that Lions star running back Kerryon Johnson was lost for the season after sustaining a knee injury in Week 7 against the Vikings. Barring any trades or free agent pickups, Detroit will turn to rookie Ty Johnson (owned in less than 4% of leagues) to handle the early-down work with J.D. McKissic taking over on passing downs. In Week 8, Johnson will take on a Giants run defense that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns (10) and the seventh-most yards per game on the ground (131.4). Johnson will easily be the most coveted player off waivers this week, with owners looking for bye week replacements for Ezekiel Elliott and Mark Ingram or perhaps injury replacements for Kerryon Johnson and Alvin Kamara. You can safely stream Ty Johnson as an RB2/flex start with a plus matchup in Week 8 against New York.
Wide Receivers
Corey Davis, TEN (vs. TB)
It’s hard to believe Davis is making this list. The third-year wideout has been a fantasy bust after posting single-digit PPR performances in five of seven games this season. Davis, started in less than 8% of leagues, broke out in Week 7 against the Chargers. By posting 20 PPR fantasy points, Davis displayed instant chemistry with newly named starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. My model expects Davis to build upon his season-high in targets (7) and receptions (6) in a plus-matchup with a Buccaneers defense that ranks third-worst in the league against the pass surrendering a league-high 304.5 yards per game through the air. Davis is a solid streaming option in Week 8.
DK Metcalf, SEA (at ATL)
Metcalf, started in less than 32% of leagues, has quietly posted 11-plus PPR fantasy point performances in four of seven games this season. The promising rookie wideout has been solid lining up wide and is being trusted more by leading MVP favorite Russell Wilson each passing week—as shown by his nine targets in Week 7 against the Ravens. In Week 8, Metcalf will face a Falcons defense that ranks second-worst in the league against the pass—surrendering 10 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers—and should be streamed with confidence as a WR2/flex option.
Tight End
Gerald Everett, LAR (vs. CIN)
Everett, started in less than 38% of leagues, has been outstanding posting 15-plus PPR fantasy points in three of his last four games. In Week 7 against the Falcons, Everett was targeted a team-high 10 times hauling in four of them for 50 yards and a score. In Everett's last three games, he leads all NFL tight ends in targets (26) and air yards (240). The third-year tight end has a favorable matchup Sunday against a Bengals defense that is allowing the seventh-most points per game (26.6). Everett is a viable streaming option in Week 8.
Kicker
Jason Myers, SEA (at ATL)
Myers, owned in less than 32% of leagues, had his best game of the season in Week 7, connecting on three of four field attempts and hitting his only extra point attempt of the game. Expect plenty of scoring opportunities for Myers in Week 8 against a Falcons defense that currently ranks 27th overall and is allowing the third-most red zone scoring attempts per game (4.1). The experts in Vegas have posted the game with the highest expected point total on the board (54), lending more support to fantasy owners who expect Myers to post his fourth multiple field goal performance in five weeks.
D/ST
Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Rams D/ST, started in less than 46% of leagues, had its best fantasy game of the season in Week 7 on the road against the Falcons. The Rams, who now rank ninth in overall team defense, wreaked havoc on the ‘dirty birds, sacking Matt Ryan five times, causing three turnovers and returning one for a score. This week the Rams return home to face off with the winless Cincinnati Bengals (0-7). The boys out in Vegas have installed Aaron Donald and the Rams as 13-point home favorites in Week 8, and fantasy owners should stream them with extreme confidence.
Looking for an edge? Check out the Fantasy Assistant from FullTime Fantasy. Sync with your league, and this premium tool offers personalized waiver advice, team analysis, projections, optimal lineups and trade suggestions. Lose Saquon Barkley this week? Fantasy Assistant can automatically help you pick the best replacement. Join now for a free seven-day trial. Use promo code sifantasy for 30% off your first month or year.
