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Week 8 of the 2023 fantasy football season has officially arrived as the halfway point of this year quickly approaches. Managers will have the luxury of using players from all 32 NFL teams in a rare situation where no teams are on their bye weeks. A larger player pool means more available options, requiring careful analysis to make the best lineup choices.
Before finalizing any lineup in fantasy football, it's always wise to consider all of the various factors surrounding each individual player. With the exception of a few elite options, who can be started every week regardless of their matchups, the rest of the field should only be plugged into lineups in favorable situations.
This can be determined by looking at injury situations to relevant players, recent individual performances, and direct weekly matchups, among many other factors. One of the best ways to streamline this complicated process is by utilizing the Start/Sit Optimizer.
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This valuable tool was used to help generate the following list of players to target, and others to avoid, in Week 8 of the 2023 fantasy football season. It features one lineup suggestion to start and sit with players from each of the four major fantasy positions.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em
QB - Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins got off to a scorching start to the 2023 fantasy football season, finishing among the top ten quarterbacks in each of his first three games to rank as the QB1 overall. He cooled off considerably in his next three games, recording just one more top-10 finish and ranking outside of the top 20 in his other two games.
Cousins bounced back in a huge way when the Minnesota Vikings upset the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 on Monday Night Football. He set a season-high in passing yards and got back into the top ten fantasy football quarterbacks, despite Justin Jefferson being unavailable.
While the Green Bay Packers have an excellent passing defense, so do the 49ers, so Cousins can be safely started in Week 8.
RB - Jahmyr Gibbs
With David Montgomery out with an injury last week, Jahmyr Gibbs received 20 touches for the first time in his NFL career so far. The rookie responded by setting a new career high with 126 total yards and scoring his first touchdown on his way to a RB3 finish in PPR leagues.
This breakout game is one that many fantasy football managers have been waiting for and he could be in line for a repeat performance in Week 8. The Las Vegas Raiders allow the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs and Montgomery continues to deal with injuries.
Also Read: Jahmyr Gibbs' Fantasy Outlook
WR - Christian Kirk
All of the hype around the Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receivers entering the 2023 fantasy football season had to do with them acquiring superstar Calvin Ridley. While their new weapon dominated the Week 1 target share, it has been Christian Kirk basically serving as their WR1 since then.
Kirk has ranked among the top 30 wide receivers in each of the past six consecutive weeks, including three finishes among the top 16 in PPR formats. The Pittsburgh Steelers are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position, making Kirk a Week 8 lineup lock, regardless of the scoring format.
TE - Darren Waller
After a disappointing start to the 2023 fantasy football season, failing to meet his massive expectations, Darren Waller has come alive in recent weeks. He has ranked as TE14 or better in his past three games, including impressive TE2 and TE7 finishes during that span.
While the New York Jets feature one of the best overall defenses in the entire NFL, their biggest weakness has been defending tight ends. This includes allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position. Waller makes for a sneaky-good play in fantasy lineups, as his specific positional matchup is much more favorable than the rest of the team.
To acquire any of these Week 8 targets, make sure to consult the fantasy football trade analyzer first.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Sit 'Em
QB - Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy appeared to have emerged as a fantasy football stud in the early weeks of the 2023 NFL season. He finished among the top 13 quarterbacks in four of his first five games, totaling 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions along the way.
The past two games have been a much different situation, throwing for just two touchdowns and the first three interceptions of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.
Purdy's struggles have contributed to the 49ers losing each of their past two games and up next is a challenging road matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. He should be avoided in fantasy lineups this week and beyond until he proves he can get back to his early-season form.
Also Read: Brock Purdy fantasy outlook
RB - Najee Harris
Fantasy managers shouldn't be fooled by Najee Harris' strong Week 7 performance, as he has still been overall disappointing during this season so far. He has also been the less efficient back for the Pittsburgh Steelers all year long, with Jaylen Warren doing more with less.
While Harris turned in a season-best RB13 finish last week, he has still finished outside of the top 35 running backs in four of his other five games. He has also scored just one touchdown this year while totaling just eight receptions in six games. The Jacksonville Jaguars currently rank among the top 10 in limiting fantasy scoring to running back, making Harris a fade in Week 8.
WR - Michael Thomas
While Michael Thomas has been targeted at least six times in all six games for the New Orleans Saints this season, it hasn't quite resulted in fantasy football production. He has failed to finish inside the top 20 wide receivers in any week this year, scoring just one touchdown along the way and failing to eclipse 65 yards in a single game.
Unless Thomas can increase his output, despite his encouraging usage numbers, he should be avoided in fantasy lineups. He has finished outside of the top 30 players in all but one game this season, when he ranked WR22 last week.
TE - David Njoku
While David Njoku recorded a season-best TE11 finish last week, it marked just the second time this year he has ranked among the top 20 tight ends. This position is the most difficult to find consistent fantasy production and Njoku is one of the many that fits that description.
One of the best streaming strategies for tight ends last season was to target players facing the Seattle Seahawks, as they allowed the most fantasy points to the position by far. They have turned that weakness into a strength this season, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game. This further makes Njoku a Week 8 sit.
