Sterling Shepard or Jalen McMillan Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football projections for WRs

Sterling Shepard and Jalen McMillan have been two of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' silent offensive operators, usually taking a backseat to the monstrously productive duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

But after both Super Bowl champions and Pro Bowlers suffered injuries against the Baltimore Ravens last Monday, the two are set to play a larger role against the Atlanta Falcons.

In this rare clash of teammates, who possesses the better potential for massive fantasy football gains?

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Is Sterling Shepard a good fantasy football pick in Week 8?

Philadelphia Eagles v Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Getty Enter caption

Sterling Shepard has had quite the journey to becoming a Buccaneer. He signed a contract in the offseason after a long tenure with the New York Giants. Everyone seemed assured that he would make the roster and then he was cut.

But two days later, he was brought back, this time on the practice squad. Shepard finally made his team debut in Week 4, catching three passes for 51 yards in the victory. Since then, he has been mostly silent save for a touchdown in the overtime loss at the Falcons.

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Is Jalen McMillan a good fantasy football pick in Week 8?

Washington Commanders v Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Getty

In another world, Jalen McMillan would not be a Buccaneer. The pick that was used on him once belonged to the Detroit Lions, who used it as a conduit to acquire cornerback Carlton Davis and upgrade their secondary.

Of course, the trade happened and general manager Jason Licht proved shrewd with the pick - with Mike Evans extended for only two more years and Chris Godwin entering the final year of his contract, it was imperative that he find the franchise's top wideouts of the future.

Incoming sophomore Trey Palmer was already one of them, and he is looking to build on a promising debut that saw him nearly hit 400 yards and score three touchdowns. McMillan, meanwhile, has already been explosive as a rookie, hitting 74 yards and scoring a touchdown in four starts out of five games played.

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Whom should I start: Sterling Shepard or Jalen McMillan?

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Sportskeeda's Start/Sit Optimizer favors the rookie in this one, given his age and greater potential. But in practice, either man remains a viable option given the Buccaneers' positional dearth.

For as long as Evans and Godwin are out, both of them and Trey Palmer will be the starting trio. Alternatively, the two of them can start, with one of the tight ends Payne Durham and Ko Kieft getting a starting role as the blocker between them and Cade Otton.

Suddenly, Liam Coen's offense looks less predictable - a rare positive for Todd Bowles to cherish in a trying time like this.